There couldn’t have been a better place for Crystal Charity Ball to hold its 2024 Underwriters party on Tuesday, November 12, than at the magnificent Preston Hollow manse of Tracy and Ben Lange.
Before the Langes bought it in 2012, after all, the nearly 10,000-square-foot traditional home had been owned by Nickey Oates, whose wife, Debbie Oates, is a former Crystal Charity Ball chair.
Debbie and Nickey were among the nearly 270 guests greeted inside the front door by 2024 CCB Chair Cheryl Joyner and her husband, Richard Joyner.


As Dean Martin crooned tunes like “Sway” and “Return to Me” on the sound system, Cheryl and Richard were planted in the Langes’ foyer, not far from a pair of gold-tipped bannisters leading upstairs — and just a few yards away from a spectacular, silver-colored grand piano.
Tracy explained that the piano’s unique finish was all thanks to her husband. She’d been driving a silver Range Rover at the time, she recalled, when she thought, “Wouldn’t it be neat to have the piano the same color?” So, Ben made it happen.
Some guests, like Alice and Curt Farmer, Brent Christopher, Susan Farris, Linda Secrest, Libby Allred, Janie Condon, Marilyn Augur, Margaret Hancock, Claire and Dwight Emanuelson, Kim and Greg Hext, Tucker and Rich Enthoven, and Lisa and Clay Cooley, wandered into the covered patio out back, or sampled the buffet of berries, cheeses, canapes and mini-desserts laid out on a long table in the dining room.







Still others luxuriated in the mansion’s “special” spaces, such as Tracy’s Mahjong room.
Then there was Ben’s whiskey-and-cigars den, with its copies of Cigar Aficionado and Wine Enthusiast magazines and his specially curated collection of fine bourbons and a cigar humidor. The latter included the Fuentes Family’s God of Fire brand—a medium-bodied, limited-quantity smoke that Ben counts among his favorites.
On the dramatic, eggplant-purple-painted walls were photos of African animals that were so good, some guests suggested they were probably taken by David Yarrow. Tracy, flattered by the suggestion, explained that they actually were shot when the Langes traveled to Africa years ago when son Luke Lange was 13 years old and his sister Livia Lange was 11. To prepare for the trek, Tracy and Ben had arranged for award-winning photographer Jeremy Locke to provide the youngsters with a two-week photography camp. Jeremy took Luke and Livia to the Dallas Zoo, where he tutored them on how to photograph animals, including what sorts of lenses to use. It’s clear the camp paid off.
Soon enough the clock ticked past 7:30, and it was time for Cheryl to welcome the crowd that had made its way to the back patio.
After thanking Tracy and Ben as well as Diamonds Direct, the evening’s sponsor, Diamonds Direct General Manager Matthew Cadwell talked up the company’s Online Luxury Silent Auction selections for the Crystal Charity Ball on December 7.

As Shannon Graham suddenly emerged to model the baubles, Matthew explained that the auction winner would be able to choose among a 14-carat white-gold necklace, 18-carat white-gold hoops and a diamond bangle.
“Unfortunately,” someone cracked over the P.A., “these are not party favors.”
When the formal talking was finished, some guests headed toward the valet line. There, they found La Boca’s famous gelato being dished up, while Sammy Davis Jr.‘s voice could be heard booming out, “Something’s Gotta Give.”
Tonight was the Langes’ time to “give” — and they delivered, in spades.
For looks of the evening, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.