As the 2017 Crystal Charity Ball committee faced their final days before the black-tie gala at the Anatole on Saturday, December 2, it was time for CCB Chair Pam Perella and her lieutenants (Leslie Diers, Elizabeth Gambrell, Anne Besser, Cheryl Joyner and trapped in traffic Kristina Whitcomb) to literally “wrap up” the year-long effort for Dallas County children’s charities.

Elizabeth Gambrell, Leslie Diers, Pam Perella, Anne Besser and Cheryl Joyner

Thanks to the Tim Headington posse, the reveal of the CCB top producers were feted at Forty Five Ten’s top floor restaurant on Monday, November 13. While some succumbed to downtown’s “don’t turn” traffic traps and construction turmoil, the vast majority arrived right on time.  

Adam Lippes, Lauren Ostek and Travis Christian

Promptly at noon, the ear-shattering crowd of ladies took their places to eyeball Forty Five Ten designer Adam Lippes.

Scott Polk

Just before the presentation of the awards was made, jeweler Scott Polk revealed the charm that would be presented to the awardees.

In keeping with CCB Chair Pam Perella’s theme, “Evening in the Alps,” the charm was a St. Bernard.

And the recipients were:

• Underwriting — Tucker Enthoven, Fredye Factor, Sarah Losinger, Meredith Bebee, Libby Allred, Suzy Gekiere, Lisa Cooley, Patty Leyendecker, Amy Hegi, Lynn McBee and Claire Emanuelson
• Foundations — Alicia Wood, Amy Prestidge, Susan Farris, Paige Slates, Linda Secrest, Vinnie Reuben, Kimber Hartmann, Leigh Anne Haugh, Jennifer Dix and Susan McSherry
• Silent Auction/Special Gifts — Tiffany Divis, Margaret Hancock, Shelle Sills, Katherine Coker, Ola Fojtasek, Janie Condon, Tucker Enthoven, Elsa Norwood, Kim Miller and Susan Farris
• Children’s Book — Lynn McBee, Margaret Hancock, Suzy Gekiere, Elsa Norwood, Linda Secrest, Libby Hegi, Kristina Whitcomb, Stacey Walker, Melissa Macatee and Libby Allred

For additional photos, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.

The Idlewild Club went dark during World War II. But in 1946, it came alive again with a dozen young debutantes. One of them was Nancy Ann Smith. Five years after “bowing” to Dallas society, she attended a charity ball at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. Returning to Dallas, she realized that Dallas needed a similar fundraiser for Dallas children. In her suitcase was a sketch of a little girl that would become the symbol for her brainchild.

Nancy Ann Smith Wynne Chandler*

Pretty soon she gathered together a posse of gal/pals like Claire Ownby Benners, Mildred Nettle Bickel, Betty Butler, Katherine Callaway, Sally Carney, Phyllis Carter, Sally Otis Cassidy, Jo Cherry, Jo Ann Holland, Margaret Kervin, Ann O’Donnell, Neil Orand, Margaret Otis, Alma Ramsden, Marilyn Ray, Sharon Simons, Ann Thompson and Dale Wigley to be the founding members of her project — Crystal Charity Ball.

Within a year, Nancy and her ladies had become a force to be reckoned with. She got Sharon Simons’ husband, Pollard Simons, to provide office space at his Fine Arts Gallery on Cedar Springs; created an advisory board including Joe Lambert, Nancy Hamon and Margaret Hunt Hill; got a permit from the Better Business Bureau; and put together an ultra-formal ball at the Baker Hotel’s Crystal Ballroom on Saturday, December 6, 1952, for 350 with tickets going for a hefty $25 per person.

Nancy had put together a recipe of panache, glitz and glamour that put the event on the map nationally. Unlike the hoop-la of “Giant’s” portrayal of Texas big events, this one was sleek, elegant, intimate and fun. With celebrity pianist Hoagy Carmichael entertaining and Stanley Marcus and actors Greer Garson and Dan Dailey drawing names for the three door prizes, one of the highlights was the midnight drop of ceiling balloons containing prize-winning numbers and a late-night supper. Another was Dailey’s performing.

Still Nancy’s dad, Howell Smith, wasn’t certain that his little girl’s project would work. The country was still recovering from the war and, after all, start-up ventures were always risky. Why he even offered to cover expenses if a profit wasn’t made.

He needn’t have worried. That very first CCB sold out and provided a whopping $17,730 for The Dallas Polio Chapter. Remember this was back in 1952, when cars were selling for $1,700 and gas went for 20 cents.

From the start, it was a hands-on effort. The CCB office was closed, so the committee could create the decorations and entertainment rehearsals. According to the late Dale Wigley, “In those days we had to work hard for the money… I mean really scrounging! Making $15,000 was a big deal, engaging our efforts all year long. But we certainly did put the ball on the map, didn’t we?”

The next year more than 750 attended with guests arriving from New York, California and Europe for the ball that Nancy would chair once again. This time it resulted in an even larger check for the Children’s Development Center, a training school for children with emotional and mental challenges.

Over the years, CCB grew in size of membership (100) and guests (1,500), activities (10 Best Dressed Fashion Show), beneficiaries, corporate involvement, prestige and reputation. It was no longer a debutante’s dream. It was the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval in fundraising circles, as well as a generous benefactor.  

As for Nancy, the 1950s were also a turning point for her personally. The beautiful blonde married Dr. Buck J. Wynne and had two children, Howell Wynne and Nancy Wynne Saustad. Following his death in 1979, she was married to World War II hero Alfred Chandler in 1981 until his death in 2013. But all the while she watched her little project provide more than $131,244,558 for thousands and thousands of children.

It was announced that Nancy died Friday, December 15, having celebrated her 93^rd birthday on December 3. But in the decades to come, her legacy will live on through her “brainchild” helping Dallas children.

Services are pending at this time with Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home.

* Photo provided by Crystal Charity Ball

2018 Crystal Charity Ball Chair Claire Emanuelson just announced the newest members of the CCB Advisory Board. Drum roll, please. Charlotte Jones Anderson, Richard Eiseman, Sarah Losinger and Nancy Perot will serve a three-year term on the Board.

Charlotte Jones Anderson (File photo)

Richard Eiseman (File photo)

Sarah Losinger (File photo)

Nancy Perot (File photo)

The recent death of Lifetime Advisory Board Member Ruth Altshuler leaves Annette Simmons as the only CCB Lifetime Advisory Board Member.

The munchkins wandering through the Anatole toward the hotel’s Peppermint Park must have thought the Crystal Charity Ball’s “An Evening In The Alps” was part of the Park layout on Saturday, December 2. So did their parents, as they shot photos of the kids standing in front of the snowy hill scene with red sleigh tilted picture-perfect on the upper level of the Chantilly Ballroom’s lobby.

Bob McCreath, Brandon Perella, Medley Wollenman, Vin and Pam Perella, Lauren Perella, Adam Ryan and Carolyn Curl

The backdrop proved to be ideal also for the CCB crowd in their finery. First to try it out was 2017 CCB Chair Pam Perella and her family (husband Vin Perella, mom Carolyn Curl, dad Bob McCreath, daughter Lauren Perella with Adam Ryan and son Brandon Perella with Medley Wollenman). That was quickly followed by a snap of Pam with the members of her leadership committee (Anne Besser, Leslie Diers, Elizabeth Gambrell, Cheryl Joyner and Kristina Whitcomb).

Elizabeth Gambrell, Cheryl Joyner, Pam Perella, Leslie Diers, Kristina Whitcomb and Anne Besser

No sooner had the final official photos been taken than the 1,500+ guests, including Diane and Hal Brierley, Barbara and Ralph Babb, Luanne and Aaron McWhorter, Wendy and Boyd Messmann, Martha and Doug Hawthorne, Liat and Amit Berger, Calee Dillon, Christina and Christopher Durovitch, Lee Bailey, Brent Christopher, Robin Robinson, Lindalyn Adams with grandson Carlton Adams, Greg Bieberding, Eddie Ortega, Isabell Novakov with Trey Higginbotham, Kathleen Gibson, Kim and Greg Hext, Linda Perryman Evans, Joanna Clarke with Michael Royal, Cindy Stager with Oscar Durham, Kristen and Reed Gibbins, Kristi and Ron Hoyl, Angela Nash with Billy Martin Jr., Margot and Bill Goodwin, Louise and Guy Griffeth, Caroline Rose Hunt with Del Frnka, Karen and David Shuford, Barbara and John Stuart, John Clutts, Dr. Sami Arslanlar, Billie Leigh Rippey with daughter Paige Locke, Norma Hunt with son Dan Hunt and his wife Toni Munoz-Hunt, Brenda and Bob White, Su-Su and Jerry Meyer, Dana and Greg McGowan, Scott Everett with Kristy Lohse, Elizabeth and Paul Dougan, Susan McSherry with John Zogg, Jan and Fred Hegi, Peggy and Dr. Dan Meyer, Laura and Paul Hudson, Andrea Devaldenebro and Leonardo Gonzalez Sangri, Amy and Michael Meadows, Kimberly and Justin Whitman, Stacey and John Relton and the Neiman’s crowd (Mimi and Rich Sterling, Neva Hall and soon-to-retire Malcolm Reuben with wife Vinnie Reuben), arrived through a tree-lined entry hall that immediately set the mood with a whiff of the evergreen.

Christina and Christopher Durovich

Ralph and Barbara Babb

Jerry and Su-Su Meyer

Trey Higginbotham and Isabell Novakov

Lindalyn Adams and Carlton Adams

Calee Dillon and Amit and Liat Berger

Oscar Durham and Cindy Stager

Del Frnka and Caroline Rose Hunt

Pat and Charles McEvoy and Jill and Bob Smith

Norma Hunt, Dan Hunt and Toni Munoz-Hunt

Lee Bailey

Mimi and Rich Sterling

Malcolm and Vinnie Reuben

Since the evening’s temperatures didn’t require outerwear, guests bypassed the coat check and headed to the gaming tables, the lavish silent auction gallery, James French’s pop-up studio, The Alpine Shop for perusing and the rustic “warming hut” with its mountains of shrimp and buffets of other delicacies.

And, of course, there were the CCB committee members with the balloons selling chance tickets for the 2018 Lexus. CCB newbie Lisa Singleton was joined by CCB vet Lynn McBee in selling raffle tickets. Her goal was $15,000, but within the first 20 minutes she had only sold $350. A few minutes later, she had doubled that amount. Things were looking up.

CCB-ers Lisa Cooley and Alison Malone set up shop at a table to the left of the entry and next to the bar. They had come in second last year and were bound and determined to sell the most tickets this year. Not only did they, but Alison’s husband/advertising guru Mike Malone told Katherine and Key Coker that Alison won the raffle last year and it would bring them good luck to buy their ticket from her. He was right. The Cokers had the winning ticket. And, yes, Lisa and Alison sold the most tickets of the night.

Key and Katherine Coker

Jim and Kristen Hinton

Among the first-time guests in the crowd were Baylor Scott Scott and White Health CEO Jim Hinton and his wife Kristen Hinton and Dallas Summer Musical’s Ken Novice and his wife Kouy Novice. Despite having been in town just seven months, Ken reported that the DSM had just signed a 20-year partnership agreement with Broadway Across America and is planning on an aggressive outreach to young people — around Fair Park and via the Dallas Independent School District. He admitted that, “We’re going to need to increase our budget,” which means stepping up fundraising efforts. He also wants to update the Music Hall at Fair Park, including changes in parking and traffic flows and increasing seating capacity.

John Clutts, Ken and Kouy Novice and Sami Arslanlar

And speaking of business, RED Development’s Paul Rowsey was optimistic about Amazon’s coming to North Texas. He believes Amazon will split its new headquarters between two cities, with Dallas having a good chance of being one of them… Ben Lange was introducing Evelyn Costello, who had just been named executive director for Luke’s Fastbreak Shirts.

Evelyn Costello and Ben and Tracy Lange

Robyn and Don Conlon

But it wasn’t just guys talking business. Former CCB Chair Robyn Conlon was beaming over her son Keith Conlon’s recent accomplishments. Not only did he get $10K taken off the price of his Rangers 2018 season tickets after hitting a home run over the Bud sign at Globe Life Park, but Keith had just been named general manager at Allie Beth Allman and Associates as well.

Midway through the cocktail reception, word was passed — “Do you know Tagg?” Was it a new social media hashtag? There was just a bit of distress as the question continued to be asked. The answer was that, thanks to high-tech cars, “Mr. Tagg” had left his car running with the valet and joined the throng inside. Only problem was he had taken the key with him. When he disappeared into the throng inside, the car dutifully came to a grinding stop, creating an unplanned conversation piece blocking the valet line. Finally, he …or, more importantly, his key was found and the flow of high-end vehicles rolled back into place.

And while the crowd grew in the lobby, the final preparations were being made in the Chantilly Ballroom for the doors to open at 9 p.m. The ballroom’s walls were covered with shimmering floor-to-ceiling draping, with towering screens displaying videos of wintry ventures. A mammoth stage was set up along the back of the ballroom for the bands.

At Pam’s and Annette Simmons’ table were monogrammed napkins along with gargantuan floral arrangements. 

Other tables also impressed with centerpieces highlighted by candles in suspended globes hovering over silver tablecloths, crystal. In the chairs were such favors at Tiffany boxes containing Tiffany weave porcelain bowls and the 2017 Children’s Book and the 2018 Calendar.

Right on cue, the Anatole’s Catherine New did the countdown for the staff to open the doors at 9 p.m. to the elegant dinner starting with a first course (poached lobster and roasted beets , arugula and frisée salad and grilled figs, shaved fennel, pickled watermelon radish, citrus mountain blooms and champagne vinaigrette) followed by the entrée (grilled filet of beef, roasted Cipollini red wine demi-glace, gratin dauphinoise, grilled farmer’s market carrots and turnips and seared asparagus). For dessert, it was Toblerone Swiss milk chocolate mousse with honey and almond nougat, Basler Brunsli crisp and coconut snow.

Ciara Cooley, Bela Cooley and Isabell Terry

Betsy Crousen

Dwight and Claire Emanuelson

Libby and Al Allred

But as glorious as the room and menu were, the CCB guests once again were setting a standard for OMG fashion with the ladies in labels bearing such names as Herrera (Pam Perella, Christi Urschel, Jennifer Dix, Piper Wyatt, Kristina Whitcomb, Laura Moon), Zac Posen (Claire Emanuelson, Pat McEvoy, Delilah Boyd, Patty Leyendecker), Pamela Roland (Lisa Troutt, Gail Fischer), Armani (Paige Slates), Anne Fontaine (Amy Hegi), Chanel (DeeDee Lee), Dior (Betsy Crousen, Kara Goss and Dianna Miller), Badgley Mischka (Nikki Webb), Tom Ford (Heather Esping), Galvan (Lynn McBee), Oscar (Annette Simmons, Lisa Singleton), Tom and Linda Platt (Cheryl Joyner) Lela Rose (Linda Secrest), Marchesa (Ciara Cooley), Etro (Janie Condon), Escada (Caren Kline), Mackenzie Brittingham (Bela Cooley, Nancy Collins), Worth Collection (Alicia Wood), Patti Flowers (Lisa Cooley, Tanya Foster) and Michael Faircloth (Tracy Lange, Tiffany Divis, Mary Martha Pickens, Libby Allred, Elsa Norwood, Diane Byrd, Sue Scala, Stephanie Scala). Michael is probably in designer recovery.

On their well-pedicured feet were such slippers as Jimmy Choo, Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, Weitzman, Rene Caovilla, Gianvito Rossi and Adrianna Papell.

Needless to say, Judith Leiber dominated the clutch department, followed by Chanel, Charlotte Max Design, Alexander McQueen, YSL and Jimmy Choo.

And, of course, it just wouldn’t have been a glittery affair without the bling-bling from Eiseman, Diamonds Direct, Bachendorf, Neiman’s, Sue Gragg, deBoulle, Julianna LeBlanc, William Noble, Cartier, Tiffany and family treasures.

Kara and Randall Goss and Dianna Miller

Delilah and Sam Boyd

Pete and Tanya Foster and Alicia and Scott Wood

Paige and John Slates

Crayton and Nikki Webb

Mike and Piper Wyatt

DeeDee Lee and Randy and Ginny Bailey

Tiffany and Paul Divis

But the most popular look of the night for the ladies was the caterpillar false eyelashes that would have made Liz Taylor’s double row of lashes look thin. It seems that along with having hair done, makeup applied and nails polished, one must have an appointment to have an extra layer of lashes.

On the other hand, the gents in the crowd held their own with tuxedos by Bob Baumann (Richard Dix), Chris Despos (Clay Cooley), Isaia (Vin Perella), J. Hilburn (Kenny Troutt), Bruno Cucinelli (Dwight Emanuelson), Edward Baumann Clothiers (Scott Wood), Zegna (Charles McEvoy), Q Custom Clothier (Al Allred) and loads of Armani (David Condon, John Slates, Les Secrest).

Amy Simmons and Joe Crafton

Lisa and Kenny Troutt

Laura and Dennis Moon

Christie Carter and Hudson Weischel

Simply Irresistible

Mary and Robert Black and Cliff Fischer

As Atlanta’s Simply Irresistible took the stage, Amy Simmons and husband Joe Crafton were the first on the dance floor followed by Francie Moody-Dahlberg and husband Kevin Dalhberg, Laura and Dennis Moon, Mary and Robert Black, Gail and Cliff Fischer, Christie Carter and Hudson Weischel, Connie and Denny Carreker, Pam and Vin and Leslie and Bryan Diers.

Annette Simmons and Jerry Fronterhouse

Kelli and Jerry Ford

Jerry Jones

Gayle Stoffel, Gene Jones and Anita Arnold

Having just as much fun on the sidelines were Michal Powell, Aileen and Jack Pratt, Mary Clare Finney with Chris Branscum and Annette Simmons’ “Jerry table” including her husband Jerry Fronterhouse, Jerry Ford with wife Kelli Ford and Jerry Jones with wife Gene Jones as well as Anita and Truman Arnold and Gayle and Paul Stoffel. But the music was too hard to resist, so soon Annette and her Jerry were on the dance floor, too.

2018 Crystal Charity Ball Chair Claire Emanuelson has just announced the newest members of the 66-year-old fundraising organization for Dallas-area children’s charities.

Ashley Allen (File photo)

Kara Axley (File photo)

Marybeth Conlon (File photo)

Let’s cut to the chase. The frosh class of 2018 include Ashley Allen, Kara Axley, Marybeth Conlon, Lissie Donosky, Anne McPherson and Lisa Rocchio. 

These ladies join decades of predecessors, who have provided more than $137M for more than 140 nonprofits. Just imagine — the children who benefited from that initial fundraiser at the Baker Hotel in 1952 are now AARP types with grandchildren of their own.

If the Crystal Charity Ball members have been MIA lately, it’s because they’re in the final days of selecting the 2018 beneficiaries.

Assistive Listening Device*

And to prove that the CCB’s fundings do pay off for Dallas County children, the Dallas Children’s Theater is a perfect example.

Thanks to a CCB grant provided in 2015 for sensory-friendly programming, the DCT is now offering Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) for shows in the Baker Theater.

It will be available for “patrons who would like some amplification of the dialogue, music and additional sound effects of DCT shows.”

Dallas Children’s Theater staff trying out ALD*

According to DCT Associate Artistic Director/Education Director Nancy Schaeffer, “We know that some audience members need help to hear all of the wonderful sounds of a live DCT show. Now they can use the Assistive Listening Devices for any show in the beautiful Baker Theater. No one needs to miss a beat or feel left out.”

Prior to ALDs, the DCT has offered American Sign Language interpreted performances.

The ALDs debuted Friday with the DCT’s first show of the 2018 season, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show.”

* Photo provided by Dallas Children's Theater

While 2018 Crystal Charity Ball Chair Claire Emanuelson was settling into her office, 2017 CCB Chair Pam Perella was putting on the finishing touches of the year with a reception for her committee on Friday, December 15, at her Beverly Drive home.

Originally scheduled for Thursday, December 14, the occasion was postponed to Friday due to the funeral service for Ruth Sharp Altshuler just blocks away at Highland Park United Methodist Church.

Claire Emanuelson and Pam Perella

Pat McEvoy and Shelle Sills

While the talk at the team was highlighted by the impressive event honoring Ruth, Shelle Sills summed it up by saying that the service had been an inspiration to do more for the community.

Charley

Meslissa Macatee, Bevin Shaw and Cindy Ethel

Beth Thoele, Patti Flowers and Leslie Diers

Elizabeth Gambrell, Sara Lee Gardner and Susan McSherry

Still there were other topics filling the Perella home site. Nine-year-old Yorkie Charley was the perfect host wagging his tail as he wandered throughout the guests, who reciprocated with pats and strokes. In the library a life-size Santa stood in the window. With a flip of the switch, he waved to drivers buy. Not back for a gent, who had been part of 2017 CCB First Husband Vin Perella’s childhood…Melissa Macatee reported that the first printing of her book, “Steeples of Texas,” was such a success, a second printing was on the horizon. In the meantime, she has two weddings in her future — daughter McBride Macatee will be waltzing down the aisle to wed Madison Oden in April and son George P. Macatee V will marry Kailee Wilson in June… Robyn Conlon was receiving congrats on her birthday… Pam Busbee arrived late into the festivities due to a retirement party for a 17-year staffer at her mid-rise… Caren Kline was all smiles with her mom, Bettye Whiteman, who had arrived from New York for the holidays… 2019 CCB Chair Pat McEvoy looked great despite having surgery the day before. She maintains that husband Charles McEvoy doesn’t realize what he’s gotten into as 2019 CCB First Husband…  And then there was Vinnie Reuben, who after years of scrambling to match guests with tables and juggling all types of names behind the scenes was bidding a fond farewell at an active CCB member. She and husband/Neiman Marcus NorthPark Czar Malcolm Reuben were moving to California on Christmas day. Still, Vinnie the loyal CCB-er said the Reubens would still pop up for CCB in the years to come. Despite Vinnie’s protest for a going-away luncheon, her pal former CCB Chair Cynthia Mitchell had a book commemorating the Reuben’s years of friendship.

Pam Busbee and Christie Carter

Bettye Whiteman and Caren Kline

Kim Miller and Robyn Conlon

Vinnie Reuben and Cynthia Mitchell

As the ladies left to prepare for the holiday, Pam admitted that she hadn’t even begun to start planning for the holidays. A former CCB chair upon hearing Pam’s lament smiled and said, “Don’t worry. You have a great excuse.”

The next item on their agenda will be the selection of the 2018 beneficiaries. Stay tuned. That announcement will soon be announced.

The Crystal Charity Ball’s 2018 Ten Best Dressed and Hall of Famer plus an additional surprise were just announced at Neiman Marcus Downtown.

2018 CCB Chair Claire Emanuelson, Luncheon Chair Heather Esping and NM Downtown General Manager/VP Tim Adair revealed the following ladies shall make up the class of 2018: Anita Arnold, Delilah Boyd, Lisa Cooley, Jennifer Dix, Tucker Enthoven, Cate Ford, Cara French, Amy Hegi, Kimberly Whitman and Piper Wyatt.

This year’s newest member of the Hall of Fame will be Robyn Conlon, who chaired the 2014 CCB.

As for the surprise, for only the sixth time in the 44-year history of the fashion show/luncheon will there be an honorary chair. It will be longtime CCB supporter Norma Hunt. Previous honorary chairs have included the Margaret Hill (1995), Gene Jones (2001), Nancy Dedman (2009), Annette Simmons (2011) and Ruth Altshuler (2015).

The luncheon featuring Oscar de la Renta’s fall fashion collection will be held on Friday, September 14, at the NM Downtown.

The announcement of Crystal Charity Ball‘s 2018 Ten Best Dressed had a couple of surprises for the guests in the Couture Salon of Neiman Marcus Downtown on Wednesday, March 21. Yes, the word had already gotten out that the Oscar de la Renta team would be providing their fall collection for the fundraising fashion show and luncheon on Friday, September 14. And sure money was that some of last year’s 10 BD-ers would be making a return, but there were four new names announced, as well as the latest Hall of Fame honoree.

Still another surprise was the announcement that for only the sixth time in the event’s history there would be an honorary chair.

And, of course, what is a fashionable occasion without a fashion oops? That was provided by 2017 CCB Chair Pam Perella and 2018 CCB Chair Claire Emanuelson.

While the post with all the answers is being polished up, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery and the clues are there. Wink, wink.

Like the swallows returning to Capistrano, the delivery trucks queued up, gobbling up Neiman Marcus Downtown’s valet parking on Wednesday, March 21. Their timing was a bit of a challenge for the valets accepting the vehicles of the Crystal Charity Ball 10 Best Dressed announcement guests. At times the head valet looked like a skilled conductor as he directed traffic, trying to protect the couple of spots between the delivery vans and trucks.

But before the announcement took place in the second floor Couture Salon, the 10 BD-ers (Anita Arnold, Delilah Boyd, Lisa Cooley, Jennifer Dix, Tucker Enthoven, Cate Ford, Cara French, Amy Hegi, Kimberly Whitman and Piper Wyatt) and Hall of Famer Robyn Conlon were holed up back in the bridal salon fitting rooms. After all, they couldn’t be out front and let the surprise out of the shopping bag, so to speak. Still, it became apparent who some of those making up the class of 2018 would be, thanks to relatives in attendance.

Bob Schlegel’s ladies were out in full force, including former 10 BD-er/mama Myrna Schlegel with daughters Realtor Kari Kloewer and fashion blogger Krystal Schlegel, who had her cellphone ready when older sister Kimberly Whitman was announced.

Cate Ford’s mom, Carolyn Beach, joined Cara French’s mom, Prissy Gravely, on the second row.

Marybeth Conlon thought she was just there as a new member of CCB. Seems mother-in-law Robyn Conlon hadn’t told anyone including the family that she had been selected for the Hall of Fame.

Honorary Chair Norma Hunt laughed when she was asked about attending the first Super Bowl. She said that she just tells folks that she was 8 years old when she attended the first Super Bowl. Joining her were daughter-in-law Tavia Hunt and Toni Munoz Hunt, who is doing triple duty nowadays. In addition to tending to husband Dan Hunt’s back surgery and raising three-year-old Darlington Hunt, she’s expecting another daughter in June.

According to Delilah Boyd, Oscar de la Renta sales executive Patricia Jefferies had met with the 10 BD-ers the day before and explained that when the late couture designer turned over the reins to Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, he was adamant that their designs should make a woman look beautiful and not look like a box.

Lisa Cooley left her leg brace at home and wore stilettos for her presentation. Then it would be back home to host a fundraising reception and then a 7 a.m. departure for the Turks.

While the four new member of the 10 BD (Jennifer Dix, Cate Ford, Cara French and Kimberly Whitman) were in the lineup, Tucker Enthoven was MIA. She was traveling, but she’ll be at Neiman Marcus Downtown on Friday, September 14, when Oscar de la Renta’s fall collection is on the runway with the class of 2018.

As for the NM staff, they were ready to rock and roll despite the fact that NM Special Events VP Sandy Marple was MIA due to recent back surgery… This was NM Downtown General Manager/VP Tim Adair’s first hosting of a 10 Best Dressed event, but he got the hang of it quickly… Couture Sales Associate/CCB member Elsa Norwood admitted that she looked forward to this day each year because it was like old home week…. Corporate Communications and Public Relations Director Mimi Sterling was introducing Corporate Communications and Public Relations Manager John Walls to the crowd… NM Couture Manager Franco Salluce claimed to have the easiest job of the NM staff coordinating the day’s event. He just had to present each 10 BD-er and Hall of Famer with the gray gift box.

For the 10 BDers, the Hall of Famer and the Honorary Chair, “reserved” cards were placed on front-row chairs. Veterans of the announcement event saved their spots by simply placing their purses on chairs.

And while there are the occasional fashion “oops” even with this crowd, they know how to handle them. Perfect example was 2018 Crystal Charity Ball Chair Claire Emanuelson and 2017 Crystal Charity Ball Chair Pam Perella. Now, normally if two gals wore the same dress, it might not be all that noticeable in a group gathering. But the dresses that Claire and Pam were wearing were so orange that words like Popsicle, tangerine and Bevo came to mind. How did they handle it? They laughed about it; they were photographed together and, as Claire started her remarks from the podium, she asked Pam if she would like to join her on stage. Claire also advised guests not to try on clothes with Luncheon Chair Heather Esping because “she can wear all those size two samples and still have room.

Immediately after the presentation was completed and the group photos were shot, Tim returned to running the store and Claire, Christie Carter, Piper Wyatt and Angie Kadesky filled their plates with items from the buffet. As one of them said, “It would be a shame to see all this good food got to waste.”

Hall of Famer Lee Ann White and Tiffany Divis scrambled downstairs after the presentation to a waiting car being driven by event producer Tom Addis for a meeting about the upcoming Sweetheart Ball benefiting research at UT Southwestern.

BTW, don’t bother writing those checks out yet. Heather reported that the sponsorship letters won’t appear in mailboxes until the end of April.

For more photos from the announcement, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.

There are oops and then there are “really oops”. That’s what happened on Tuesday, March 27, before the 2017 Crystal Charity Ball’s presentation of more than $5,804,123.35 to eight Dallas County children’s nonprofits took place. Unlike years past, this year’s presentation took place at Arlington Hall at Oak Lawn Park [formerly known as Lee Park].

With only expected 60 cars arriving for the event, the Oak Lawn Park staff had initially suggested that valet parkers were unnecessary. However, the CCB-ers insisted on three parkers due to concerns about the popular area’s parking availability and the forecast of rain. Alas, on the big hand-out night only two virile valets were on hand to tackle the show of recipients and CCB committee members in the rain.

But who cared once inside Arlington Hall where the year’s work would be reduced to eight priceless envelopes. 2017 CCB Chair Pam Perella opened the program by directing the attention of the SRO crowd to the two crystal chandeliers suspended from the ceiling. They were remnants of the Baker Hotel, where according to Pam, the CCB founders gathered for their first fundraiser. Looking at the beauty of the glimmering chandeliers, they decided to call their project “The Crystal Charity Ball.”

While an “Awe” was heard throughout the room, the focus was on Pam presenting the eight envelopes and 2017 CCB Underwriting Chair Leslie Diers handling the Texas-sized checks:

• Autism Treatment Center — $582,000
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star — $500,000
• Children’s Health — $1,111,735
• Dallas Holocaust Museum — $526,770.35
• Hunger Busters — $1,192,500
• Presbyterian Communities and Services Foundation — $541,098
• Rainbow Days — $500,000
• Santa Clara of Assisi Catholic Academy — $850,000

The acceptance talks were touching from helping children living in hotel rooms due to lacking of permanent housing, youngsters in need of meals when schools aren’t in session, little ones going through the loss of life of a family member to students being able to see the devastation of the lack of tolerance.

While the checks amounting to $5,804,123 was amazing, it was also gratifying to see the various children’s nonprofits learn about others with similar needs.

But that’s not to say there moments of humor like when Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star CEO Pierce Bush announced that despite having just gotten married over the weekend, he had left his bride to be on hand to be part of the presentation… Autism Treatment Center’s Executive Director Anna Hundley announced that they would be back in the years to come to submit for another grant…scored points for having the youngest guests in the crowd. They brought along some of their students to receive their check…. Holocaust Museum President/CEO Mary Pat Higgins revealed that it was their grant that got the 35 cents in addition to the $526,770.

As 2018 CCB Chair Claire Emanuelson and her fellow committee members watched, they were reminded by so many of the nonprofits that CCB’s naming them as recipients of the funding was worth much more than the dollar value. As one recipient told the group, passing muster by CCB had provided them with a level of accreditation that they had never had before.

2018 Crystal Charity Ball Chair Claire Emanuelson gathered her committee members, vendors and supporters together at Beth and Fin Ewing‘s splendiferous Park Cities home to announce the theme of the Saturday, December 1, fundraising gala for Dallas children’s charities.

Combining her New Orleans roots, her late much-beloved French mother and the 300th anniversary of the Big Easy, she announced the feel of the evening at the Hilton Anatole would be “A Celebration in Nouvelle-Orléans.”

With that, a band from 2018 CCB beneficiary Booker T. Washington appeared from the putting course and paraded around the pool as “hurricanes” were served up. The only thing missing was some Spanish moss hanging from the trees.

More details to follow, but did want you to start getting your designer thinking French, fashionable and forever fabulous.

2018 Crystal Charity Ball Chair Claire Emanuelson has just announced the newest members of the 66-year-old fundraising organization for Dallas-area children’s charities.

Let’s cut to the chase. The frosh class of 2018 include Ashley Allen, Kara Axley, Marybeth Conlon, Lissie Donosky, Anne McPherson and Lisa Rocchio. 

These ladies join decades of predecessors, who have provided more than $137M for more than 140 nonprofits. Just imagine — the children who benefited from that initial fundraiser at the Baker Hotel in 1952 are now AARP types with grandchildren of their own.

If the Crystal Charity Ball members have been MIA lately, it’s because they’re in the final days of selecting the 2018 beneficiaries.

And to prove that the CCB’s fundings do pay off for Dallas County children, the Dallas Children’s Theater is a perfect example.

Thanks to a CCB grant provided in 2015 for sensory-friendly programming, the DCT is now offering Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) for shows in the Baker Theater.

It will be available for “patrons who would like some amplification of the dialogue, music and additional sound effects of DCT shows.”

According to DCT Associate Artistic Director/Education Director Nancy Schaeffer, “We know that some audience members need help to hear all of the wonderful sounds of a live DCT show. Now they can use the Assistive Listening Devices for any show in the beautiful Baker Theater. No one needs to miss a beat or feel left out.”

Prior to ALDs, the DCT has offered American Sign Language interpreted performances.

The ALDs debuted Friday with the DCT’s first show of the 2018 season, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show.”

* Photo provided by Dallas Children's Theater

While 2018 Crystal Charity Ball Chair Claire Emanuelson was settling into her office, 2017 CCB Chair Pam Perella was putting on the finishing touches of the year with a reception for her committee on Friday, December 15, at her Beverly Drive home.

Originally scheduled for Thursday, December 14, the occasion was postponed to Friday due to the funeral service for Ruth Sharp Altshuler just blocks away at Highland Park United Methodist Church.

While the talk at the team was highlighted by the impressive event honoring Ruth, Shelle Sills summed it up by saying that the service had been an inspiration to do more for the community.

Still there were other topics filling the Perella home site. Nine-year-old Yorkie Charley was the perfect host wagging his tail as he wandered throughout the guests, who reciprocated with pats and strokes. In the library a life-size Santa stood in the window. With a flip of the switch, he waved to drivers buy. Not back for a gent, who had been part of 2017 CCB First Husband Vin Perella’s childhood…Melissa Macatee reported that the first printing of her book, “Steeples of Texas,” was such a success, a second printing was on the horizon. In the meantime, she has two weddings in her future — daughter McBride Macatee will be waltzing down the aisle to wed Madison Oden in April and son George P. Macatee V will marry Kailee Wilson in June… Robyn Conlon was receiving congrats on her birthday… Pam Busbee arrived late into the festivities due to a retirement party for a 17-year staffer at her mid-rise… Caren Kline was all smiles with her mom, Bettye Whiteman, who had arrived from New York for the holidays… 2019 CCB Chair Pat McEvoy looked great despite having surgery the day before. She maintains that husband Charles McEvoy doesn’t realize what he’s gotten into as 2019 CCB First Husband…  And then there was Vinnie Reuben, who after years of scrambling to match guests with tables and juggling all types of names behind the scenes was bidding a fond farewell at an active CCB member. She and husband/Neiman Marcus NorthPark Czar Malcolm Reuben were moving to California on Christmas day. Still, Vinnie the loyal CCB-er said the Reubens would still pop up for CCB in the years to come. Despite Vinnie’s protest for a going-away luncheon, her pal former CCB Chair Cynthia Mitchell had a book commemorating the Reuben’s years of friendship.

As the ladies left to prepare for the holiday, Pam admitted that she hadn’t even begun to start planning for the holidays. A former CCB chair upon hearing Pam’s lament smiled and said, “Don’t worry. You have a great excuse.”

The next item on their agenda will be the selection of the 2018 beneficiaries. Stay tuned. That announcement will soon be announced.

The Crystal Charity Ball’s 2018 Ten Best Dressed and Hall of Famer plus an additional surprise were just announced at Neiman Marcus Downtown.

2018 CCB Chair Claire Emanuelson, Luncheon Chair Heather Esping and NM Downtown General Manager/VP Tim Adair revealed the following ladies shall make up the class of 2018: Anita Arnold, Delilah Boyd, Lisa Cooley, Jennifer Dix, Tucker Enthoven, Cate Ford, Cara French, Amy Hegi, Kimberly Whitman and Piper Wyatt.

This year’s newest member of the Hall of Fame will be Robyn Conlon, who chaired the 2014 CCB.

As for the surprise, for only the sixth time in the 44-year history of the fashion show/luncheon will there be an honorary chair. It will be longtime CCB supporter Norma Hunt. Previous honorary chairs have included the Margaret Hill (1995), Gene Jones (2001), Nancy Dedman (2009), Annette Simmons (2011) and Ruth Altshuler (2015).

The luncheon featuring Oscar de la Renta’s fall fashion collection will be held on Friday, September 14, at the NM Downtown.

The announcement of Crystal Charity Ball‘s 2018 Ten Best Dressed had a couple of surprises for the guests in the Couture Salon of Neiman Marcus Downtown on Wednesday, March 21. Yes, the word had already gotten out that the Oscar de la Renta team would be providing their fall collection for the fundraising fashion show and luncheon on Friday, September 14. And sure money was that some of last year’s 10 BD-ers would be making a return, but there were four new names announced, as well as the latest Hall of Fame honoree.

Still another surprise was the announcement that for only the sixth time in the event’s history there would be an honorary chair.

And, of course, what is a fashionable occasion without a fashion oops? That was provided by 2017 CCB Chair Pam Perella and 2018 CCB Chair Claire Emanuelson.

While the post with all the answers is being polished up, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery and the clues are there. Wink, wink.

Like the swallows returning to Capistrano, the delivery trucks queued up, gobbling up Neiman Marcus Downtown’s valet parking on Wednesday, March 21. Their timing was a bit of a challenge for the valets accepting the vehicles of the Crystal Charity Ball 10 Best Dressed announcement guests. At times the head valet looked like a skilled conductor as he directed traffic, trying to protect the couple of spots between the delivery vans and trucks.

But before the announcement took place in the second floor Couture Salon, the 10 BD-ers (Anita Arnold, Delilah Boyd, Lisa Cooley, Jennifer Dix, Tucker Enthoven, Cate Ford, Cara French, Amy Hegi, Kimberly Whitman and Piper Wyatt) and Hall of Famer Robyn Conlon were holed up back in the bridal salon fitting rooms. After all, they couldn’t be out front and let the surprise out of the shopping bag, so to speak. Still, it became apparent who some of those making up the class of 2018 would be, thanks to relatives in attendance.

Bob Schlegel’s ladies were out in full force, including former 10 BD-er/mama Myrna Schlegel with daughters Realtor Kari Kloewer and fashion blogger Krystal Schlegel, who had her cellphone ready when older sister Kimberly Whitman was announced.

Cate Ford’s mom, Carolyn Beach, joined Cara French’s mom, Prissy Gravely, on the second row.

Marybeth Conlon thought she was just there as a new member of CCB. Seems mother-in-law Robyn Conlon hadn’t told anyone including the family that she had been selected for the Hall of Fame.

Honorary Chair Norma Hunt laughed when she was asked about attending the first Super Bowl. She said that she just tells folks that she was 8 years old when she attended the first Super Bowl. Joining her were daughter-in-law Tavia Hunt and Toni Munoz Hunt, who is doing triple duty nowadays. In addition to tending to husband Dan Hunt’s back surgery and raising three-year-old Darlington Hunt, she’s expecting another daughter in June.

According to Delilah Boyd, Oscar de la Renta sales executive Patricia Jefferies had met with the 10 BD-ers the day before and explained that when the late couture designer turned over the reins to Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, he was adamant that their designs should make a woman look beautiful and not look like a box.

Lisa Cooley left her leg brace at home and wore stilettos for her presentation. Then it would be back home to host a fundraising reception and then a 7 a.m. departure for the Turks.

While the four new member of the 10 BD (Jennifer Dix, Cate Ford, Cara French and Kimberly Whitman) were in the lineup, Tucker Enthoven was MIA. She was traveling, but she’ll be at Neiman Marcus Downtown on Friday, September 14, when Oscar de la Renta’s fall collection is on the runway with the class of 2018.

As for the NM staff, they were ready to rock and roll despite the fact that NM Special Events VP Sandy Marple was MIA due to recent back surgery… This was NM Downtown General Manager/VP Tim Adair’s first hosting of a 10 Best Dressed event, but he got the hang of it quickly… Couture Sales Associate/CCB member Elsa Norwood admitted that she looked forward to this day each year because it was like old home week…. Corporate Communications and Public Relations Director Mimi Sterling was introducing Corporate Communications and Public Relations Manager John Walls to the crowd… NM Couture Manager Franco Salluce claimed to have the easiest job of the NM staff coordinating the day’s event. He just had to present each 10 BD-er and Hall of Famer with the gray gift box.

For the 10 BDers, the Hall of Famer and the Honorary Chair, “reserved” cards were placed on front-row chairs. Veterans of the announcement event saved their spots by simply placing their purses on chairs.

And while there are the occasional fashion “oops” even with this crowd, they know how to handle them. Perfect example was 2018 Crystal Charity Ball Chair Claire Emanuelson and 2017 Crystal Charity Ball Chair Pam Perella. Now, normally if two gals wore the same dress, it might not be all that noticeable in a group gathering. But the dresses that Claire and Pam were wearing were so orange that words like Popsicle, tangerine and Bevo came to mind. How did they handle it? They laughed about it; they were photographed together and, as Claire started her remarks from the podium, she asked Pam if she would like to join her on stage. Claire also advised guests not to try on clothes with Luncheon Chair Heather Esping because “she can wear all those size two samples and still have room.

Immediately after the presentation was completed and the group photos were shot, Tim returned to running the store and Claire, Christie Carter, Piper Wyatt and Angie Kadesky filled their plates with items from the buffet. As one of them said, “It would be a shame to see all this good food got to waste.”

Hall of Famer Lee Ann White and Tiffany Divis scrambled downstairs after the presentation to a waiting car being driven by event producer Tom Addis for a meeting about the upcoming Sweetheart Ball benefiting research at UT Southwestern.

BTW, don’t bother writing those checks out yet. Heather reported that the sponsorship letters won’t appear in mailboxes until the end of April.

For more photos from the announcement, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.

There are oops and then there are “really oops”. That’s what happened on Tuesday, March 27, before the 2017 Crystal Charity Ball’s presentation of more than $5,804,123.35 to eight Dallas County children’s nonprofits took place. Unlike years past, this year’s presentation took place at Arlington Hall at Oak Lawn Park [formerly known as Lee Park].

With only expected 60 cars arriving for the event, the Oak Lawn Park staff had initially suggested that valet parkers were unnecessary. However, the CCB-ers insisted on three parkers due to concerns about the popular area’s parking availability and the forecast of rain. Alas, on the big hand-out night only two virile valets were on hand to tackle the show of recipients and CCB committee members in the rain.

But who cared once inside Arlington Hall where the year’s work would be reduced to eight priceless envelopes. 2017 CCB Chair Pam Perella opened the program by directing the attention of the SRO crowd to the two crystal chandeliers suspended from the ceiling. They were remnants of the Baker Hotel, where according to Pam, the CCB founders gathered for their first fundraiser. Looking at the beauty of the glimmering chandeliers, they decided to call their project “The Crystal Charity Ball.”

While an “Awe” was heard throughout the room, the focus was on Pam presenting the eight envelopes and 2017 CCB Underwriting Chair Leslie Diers handling the Texas-sized checks:

• Autism Treatment Center — $582,000
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star — $500,000
• Children’s Health — $1,111,735
• Dallas Holocaust Museum — $526,770.35
• Hunger Busters — $1,192,500
• Presbyterian Communities and Services Foundation — $541,098
• Rainbow Days — $500,000
• Santa Clara of Assisi Catholic Academy — $850,000

The acceptance talks were touching from helping children living in hotel rooms due to lacking of permanent housing, youngsters in need of meals when schools aren’t in session, little ones going through the loss of life of a family member to students being able to see the devastation of the lack of tolerance.

While the checks amounting to $5,804,123 was amazing, it was also gratifying to see the various children’s nonprofits learn about others with similar needs.

But that’s not to say there moments of humor like when Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star CEO Pierce Bush announced that despite having just gotten married over the weekend, he had left his bride to be on hand to be part of the presentation… Autism Treatment Center’s Executive Director Anna Hundley announced that they would be back in the years to come to submit for another grant…scored points for having the youngest guests in the crowd. They brought along some of their students to receive their check…. Holocaust Museum President/CEO Mary Pat Higgins revealed that it was their grant that got the 35 cents in addition to the $526,770.

As 2018 CCB Chair Claire Emanuelson and her fellow committee members watched, they were reminded by so many of the nonprofits that CCB’s naming them as recipients of the funding was worth much more than the dollar value. As one recipient told the group, passing muster by CCB had provided them with a level of accreditation that they had never had before.

2018 Crystal Charity Ball Chair Claire Emanuelson gathered her committee members, vendors and supporters together at Beth and Fin Ewing‘s splendiferous Park Cities home to announce the theme of the Saturday, December 1, fundraising gala for Dallas children’s charities.

Combining her New Orleans roots, her late much-beloved French mother and the 300th anniversary of the Big Easy, she announced the feel of the evening at the Hilton Anatole would be “A Celebration in Nouvelle-Orléans.”

With that, a band from 2018 CCB beneficiary Booker T. Washington appeared from the putting course and paraded around the pool as “hurricanes” were served up. The only thing missing was some Spanish moss hanging from the trees.

More details to follow, but did want you to start getting your designer thinking French, fashionable and forever fabulous.