My Sweet Charity

An Ongoing Conversation For the Good Of Dallas

Mary Brinegar

Mad Hatters Were Blowing In The Wind As A Rhinestone Cowboy Got The Boot

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At the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum’s 2022 Mad Hatter Tea on Wednesday, April 20, someone said, “It’s so nice seeing things back to normal.” A nearby first-timer looked a bit startled and asked her friend, “This is normal?” What the newbie quickly learned was that this flurry of ostrich-feathered hats and wildly outrageous toppers were very normal when Mad … [Read more...] about Mad Hatters Were Blowing In The Wind As A Rhinestone Cowboy Got The Boot

Dallas Arboretum’s Food And Wine Festival VIP Party Kicked Off A Delicious Fundraiser

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Thanks to daylight saving time the sun performed a slow but perfect setting in the west as the Dallas Arboretum’s Food and Wine Festival presented by Dallas Southwest Osteopathic Physicians got underway on Thursday, March 24. The scene was one that was picture perfect with the skyline of downtown Dallas in the background and White Rock Lake looking quite pristine on the … [Read more...] about Dallas Arboretum’s Food And Wine Festival VIP Party Kicked Off A Delicious Fundraiser

JUST IN: 2022 Mad Hatter’s Tea Theme, Judges, Categories, Awardees And Featured Designer Revealed

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Whoa! Claire Catrino is going to be a very busy fashion chair! In addition to chairing the 2022 Mad Hatter’s Tea and Fashion Show on Wednesday, April 20... but more about that later. Tuesday night before the temperatures started their weekly drop, Claire and Women’s Council of Dallas Arboretum President Lisa Loy Laughlin revealed the plans plus the theme — "Dallas" — for the … [Read more...] about JUST IN: 2022 Mad Hatter’s Tea Theme, Judges, Categories, Awardees And Featured Designer Revealed

Awards For Excellence Provided A Lesson In Learning From History To Endure “Harsh Winds”

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In many ways, the Dallas Historical Society’s 39th Awards For Excellence overcame historic challenges to take place. First, there was the postponement of the original November 2020 date due to the pandemic and the plan to hold an evening event the following February in the DHS’s beautifully renovated home at Fair Park’s Hall of State. Then just a couple of days before the … [Read more...] about Awards For Excellence Provided A Lesson In Learning From History To Endure “Harsh Winds”

A Writer’s Garden Reveal Party Included An Author With “Twisted Retribution” On The Table

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While The Writer’s Garden Reveal Party on Wednesday, June 16, at Donna and Herb Weitzman’s home may have caused a bit of a backup on Lovers Lane with cars trying to drop off guests, the news was not limited to the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum’s fundraiser authors (Bettie Bearden Pardee, Susan Sully and Dr. Bill Welch). As the flow of guests like Bettina Hennessey, … [Read more...] about A Writer’s Garden Reveal Party Included An Author With “Twisted Retribution” On The Table

Mother Nature Gets It Right Tonight At The Dallas Arboretum’s Corporate Donor Reception

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The Dallas Arboretum grounds were in all their glory overlooking White Rock Lake for the Arboretum's Corporate Donors cocktail buffet. Arboretum President/CEO Mary Brinegar had managed to negotiate with Mother Nature to have such a beautiful night for guests like Craig Davis, Robin Carreker, Garrison Elfird, Patty Sullivan and Jim Ryan to wander the Jonsson Garden surrounded by … [Read more...] about Mother Nature Gets It Right Tonight At The Dallas Arboretum’s Corporate Donor Reception

A Writer’s Garden Literary Symposium And Luncheon Was A “Fine” Experience With A Virtual “Farmer”

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As the holidays neared, the Women's Council of the Dallas Arboretum served up a feast for the eyes and tastebuds at its annual A Writer's Garden Literary Symposium and Luncheon on Tuesday November 17.  Because of the COVID-19 requirements, the accessories of the day were masks that complemented outfits and face shields that showcased faces. Some guests like Vaughan Gross, Pat … [Read more...] about A Writer’s Garden Literary Symposium And Luncheon Was A “Fine” Experience With A Virtual “Farmer”

Awards For Excellence Luncheon Recognized Those Embracing The Importance Of The Past

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The Dallas Historical Society adjusted its annual Awards For Excellence Luncheon at the Fairmont on Thursday, November 21, to streamline the presentation of the Dallas History Makers. Gone was the VIP reception. Instead, the awardees were part of the pre-luncheon reception in the lobby outside the Regency Ballroom with portraits of the recipients by Holt Haynsworth. Looking … [Read more...] about Awards For Excellence Luncheon Recognized Those Embracing The Importance Of The Past

Six North Texas Heroes Were Honored At The 34th Annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon

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Before being swept up in the holiday season, the Greater Dallas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals held it 34th Annual Philanthropy Day Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency on Friday, November 8, to honor local heroes in North Texas. This year's collection of honorees, who accepted their awards via video and on stage, included Donna Wilhelm, Michal Powell, Cindy … [Read more...] about Six North Texas Heroes Were Honored At The 34th Annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon

Pretty Darn Precious Christmas Village Debuts Saturday At Holiday At The Arboretum

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Retailers aren’t the only ones getting an early start on holiday specials. The Dallas Arboretum is not only getting in the Christmas spirit earlier than usual, it’s adding a new treat to its annual festivities. Thanks to longtime Arboretum supporters Pauline and Austin Neuhoff, The Christmas Village will join the annual 12 Days of Christmas’ milkmaids, drummers and swans … [Read more...] about Pretty Darn Precious Christmas Village Debuts Saturday At Holiday At The Arboretum

Dallas Arboretum President Mary Brinegar Honored With Honorary AIA Membership

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It was back in 1977 that the City of Dallas Park Board “recommended that the grounds of the DeGolyer Estate, which the city purchased from SMU, be the official location of the botanical garden.” Three years later, in 1980, $1M was raised to purchase the adjoining 22-acre Alex Camp House estate. In 1984 the 66-acre Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden was “open to the public … [Read more...] about Dallas Arboretum President Mary Brinegar Honored With Honorary AIA Membership