Within the Park Cities is a marvelous home that’s not too big, not too small but just right for any occasion. Whether it’s raising a family or raising funds, Carolyn and David Miller’s place is where simply ideal. So, the 2018 Crystal Charity Ball advisory committee, the 2018 CCB beneficiaries and the CCB committee members who researched the beneficiaries came together on Thursday, April 5.

The purpose was to thank the advisory board and to let them get to know the class of 2018 beneficiaries (After-School All Stars North Texas, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Boys And Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, Buckner Children And Family Services Inc., Friends of the Dallas Public Library, Mosaic Family Services, Nexus Recovery Center and Ronald McDonald House of Dallas Inc.).

Unfortunately, at one point in the get together host David told one and all that despite the invitation saying the party would end at 9, he invited all to stay as long as they wished. There may be some folks still there.

While the post is being prepared, check out the reception at MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.

The valets of the Crystal Charity Ball Advisory Board get together on Thursday, April 5, were told to expect 50 cars. But the line of cars around Carolyn and David Miller’s marvelous Highland Park home was so full that the number had to be beyond the predicted count. But that was to be expected, since the invitees included the 2018 CCB beneficiaries, the CCB advisory board members and the CCB members who had researched the beneficiaries.

It was the first time that the 2018 beneficiaries had come together and share their excitement about making the cut.

But before the program began, a ground zero developed in the hallway of the home. As one gent said eyeing the center of the crowd, “There’s nothing but beautiful women here.”

Well, there were some natty guys there, too, like 2018 First Husband Dwight Emanuelson in a new suit from Hadleighs and Claude Wilson, who was sporting an ivy cap due to some surgery.

Annette Simmons and Jerry Fronterhouse said they were ducking out early, but that was easier said than done as they made their way past SuSu and Jerry Meyers and Lisa Troutt.

Due to the close quarters, host David decided that it would be best to move the group to the backyard for 2018 CCB Chair Claire Emanuelson to address the crowd that included Marisa Castro McKoy, Miller daughter Meredith Beebe, Jan and Fred Hegi with daughter-in-law Amy Hegi, Alison Malone, Norma Hunt, Candace Winslow, Belinda Reyes, Piper Wyatt, Christie Carter, Margaret Elizabeth McKissack and Pat and Charles McEvoy. Wise move. The Ashley Bellamy designed backyard was made for any occasion.

With the majority of the guests standing on the upper-level terrace and down the steps leading to the yard, Claire welcomed the group officially and had event underwriter RGT Wealth Advisors‘ Managing Director Chuck Thoele thanked the 2018 beneficiaries, and the CCB advisors and committee members for their work.

As Claire announced each of the beneficiaries (After-School All Stars North Texas, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Boys And Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, Buckner Children And Family Services Inc., Friends of the Dallas Public Library, Mosaic Family Services, Nexus Recovery Center and Ronald McDonald House of Dallas Inc.), hands and shout-outs arose from representatives in the crowd.

Just when the program was about to end, David stepped up and said that while the time on the invitation said nine o’clock, he said there was plenty of food from Parigi and there was no need to leave by nine.

Evidently some of the guests took him at his word and stayed put. But who could blame ’em? Once in the Miller home, it’s hard to leave.

The time has come to commit or regretfully skip for the 2018 Crystal Charity Ball‘s Ten Best Dressed Fashion Show. According to 2018 CCB Chair Claire Emanuelson and 2018 Fashion Show Chair Heather Esping, there are just a very few seats available. It seems that the moment the sponsorship letters went out, the tables were gobbled up. And by the time, you read this post, the remaining seats just might be snapped up, too!

If you’ve got your table already reserved for your posse, then start thinking about what to wear for the fashion extravaganza on Friday, September 14, at the Neiman’s flagship. Remember this year’s collection will be courtesy of the Oscar de la Renta team (Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia).

In addition to the fashion collection on the runway will be the presentation of the ten best dressed (Anita Arnold, Delilah Boyd, Lisa Cooley, Jennifer Dix, Tucker Enthoven, Cate Ford, Cara French, Amy Hegi, Kimberly Whitman and Piper Wyatt), Hall of Famer Robyn Conlon and Honorary Chair Norma Hunt.

2018 Crystal Charity Ball Chair Claire Emanuelson and CCB Fashion Show Chair Heather Esping are just about to close the reservation book for the Ten Best Dressed Fashion Show And Luncheon. There are just six places left ranging from $2,000-$2,500.

If you’ve put it off til the last minute, your seconds are running out. So, stop hemming and hawing around and lock down your spot to see the Ten Best Dressed, Hall of Famer Robyn Conlon, Honorary Chair Norma Hunt and the Oscar de la Renta presentation of fashions with the new Oscar team of Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia on hand.

The designing duo has shown their versatility in the couture world. At the recent Met Gala where it’s hard to be the real stand out, they knocked it out of the park with Nicki Minaj’s sinfully red gown.  Just days later and across the pond, they made headlines with their creation for a certain mother-of-the-bride recently?

Stop reading. Break open that piggy bank, email or call 214.526.5868, Ext. 25  and get your place to see what will be on the runway at Neiman Marcus Downtown on Friday, September 14.

Since its first fundraiser back in 1952, there have been 64 women who have chaired the Crystal Charity Ball. (For math majors that doesn’t make sense unless you realize that CCB Founder the late Nancy Chandler chaired it twice.)

Back to the CCB former chairs who have provided $143,392,064 for Dallas children’s charities over the decades. Of those 64 gals, 45 are still alive and kicking and on Thursday, May 10, it appeared as if almost all were in attendance at the annual CCB Former Chairmen’s Dinner at Deedie Rose’s Pump House.

According to 2018 CCB Chair Claire Emanuelson, this was one of the largest turnouts in memory. And what a turnout it was with the likes of Barbara Varel, Lyda Hill and Sistie Stollenwerck, all of whom chaired the legendary gala back in the 1970s.

While the post is being polished, the MySweetCharity Photo Gallery has proof of the gathering including a group picture.

To celebrate the past Crystal Charity Ball chairs, who have together provided $143,392,064 for area children’s charities, 2018 CCB Chair Claire Emanuelson and her team managed to lock down Deedie Rose’s Pump House on Thursday, May 10.

For first timers and some bets the see-thru floor over the aged waterworks is still a little daunting. What if the weight of the guests, tables and chairs were too much for the clear floor to beat? Not to worry. Many a crowd had enjoyed the room with a view of Exall Lake.

2005 CCB Chair Jill Smith had been a doubtful show, but she managed to make the event having just returned from Israel despite rockets being launched and a sand storm. Husband Bob Smith had also flown in from Spain. Jill laughed, “We don’t travel together.”

Katherine Wynne was still thrilled over the Triumph Over Alzheimer’s dinner and forum earlier in the week. Little did guests know that Katherine had suffered the loss of a relative to Alzheimer’s just days before.

MIA were 2018 CCB First Husband Dwight Emaneuslon and 2019 CCB First Husband Charles McEvoy. Dwight was finishing up his term with the Washington And Lee Board and Charles was out of town on business.

Newly elected Highland Park Mayor/2004 CCB Chair Margo Goodwin was receiving congrats on her landslide election. When asked if the White House in her long-term plans, she laughed.

Senior CCB Chair of the night Barbara Varel, who chaired the event in 1970, was with her son Mark Varel. Upon departing, Mark said, “We’re the last to arrive and the first to leave.”

Also representing the 1970s for the night were former chairs Lyda Hill (1975) and Sistie Stollenwerck (1977).

2002 CCB Chair Lydia Novakov reported that her mother, Isabell Haggar, was home after about with pneumonia… 2017 CCB Chair Pam and Vin Perella were in the pack-em-up stage of remodeling their home. Estimated time of the project is a year…2010 CCB Chair Cynthia Mitchell reported that former CCBer Vinnie Reuben and husband Neiman’s exec Malcolm Reuben were back in California after a trip to Egypt… Leslie Diers arrived with husband Bryan Diers thinking that The Pump House’s sprinkler system had gone off. Organizers checked. Twasn’t sprinkler system. It was the mosquito system.

After a group photo of the past chairs plus Claire, Evening Underwriter Bank of America President of the Dallas Market Richard Holt congratulated the past chairs for the millions of dollars provided by the group.

Claire then thanked the past chairs and her committee (Underwriting Chair Angie Kadesky, Foundation Chair Kristina Whitcomb, Children’s Book Chair Alison Malone, Silent Auction Chair Cara French, Special Gifts Chair Piper Wyatt and Charity Select Patty Leyendecker). Then she announced that a special thanks was due to Pogos for providing the liquid refreshments for the year at cost. That announcement raised the well manicured eyebrows of the past chairs to new heights as they looked at each other knowing how that budget items was impressive to say the least.

For more photos of the night, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.

While some farewells might be bittersweet, the showing of the final collection by Carolina Herrera herself was far from teary eyed. Instead the colorful creations brought smiles of delight from the Crystal Charity Ball members on Tuesday, May 15, for the new members brunch at the Herrera salon in Highland Park Village.

But before the first model strolled around the elegant country-style table, the ladies showed their fashion savviness with jewelry new and old and couture outfits of their own.

While the post is being finished, check out the faces and fashions at MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.

While the annual Crystal Charity Ball new members lunch at Highland Park Village’s Carolina Herrera‘s salon is a festive occasion, this year’s gathering on Tuesday, May 15, was rather poignant. It would be the showcasing of the last collection orchestrated by the legendary Venezuelan designer. Moving forward Lady Herrera will still be a part of the Herrera team, but she will be serving as the luxury ambassador for the brand’s assortment of fashions, perfumes and accessories.

As the 2018 CCB newbies (Ashley Allen, Kara Axley, Marybeth Conlon, Lissie Donosky, Anne McPherson and Lisa Rocchio) went through the typical get-to-know-you motions, the old timers compared notes like Meredith Bebee due to deliver any day… La Fiesta De Las Seis Banderas Co-Chairs Anne Besser and Elizabeth Gambrell were preparing for the La Fiesta’s week of activities starting Tuesday, June 5… Tiffany Divis was just back from Europe…. While a number of the guests were in floral designs by Herrera, Janie Condon was a standout in Alexander McQueen slacks.

And while Herrera clothes main have been the the featured item of the program, jewelry had back stories worth repeating. Christie Carter‘s delicate silver charm necklace had been a gift from her late mother… Emilynn Wilson had transformed a broach that she had discovered into a necklace… Recent Salvation Army Fashion Show Chair Lisa Singleton‘s new Sue Gragg earrings were a Mother’s Day gift from husband Marvin Singleton. Unbeknownst to Lisa, he has made the winning bid for them at the Salvation Army Fashion Show Luncheon silent auction.

Then the ladies took their places in country-style chairs at a table extending the length of the salon for the introduction of the new CCB members and the showing of the fashions which was a visual delight.

It’s a good thing the gowns and dress spoke for themselves, since the PA’s music made hearing the commentary a challenge.

For loads more photos of the faces and fashions ala Herrera, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.

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.

Within the Park Cities is a marvelous home that’s not too big, not too small but just right for any occasion. Whether it’s raising a family or raising funds, Carolyn and David Miller’s place is where simply ideal. So, the 2018 Crystal Charity Ball advisory committee, the 2018 CCB beneficiaries and the CCB committee members who researched the beneficiaries came together on Thursday, April 5.

The purpose was to thank the advisory board and to let them get to know the class of 2018 beneficiaries (After-School All Stars North Texas, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Boys And Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, Buckner Children And Family Services Inc., Friends of the Dallas Public Library, Mosaic Family Services, Nexus Recovery Center and Ronald McDonald House of Dallas Inc.).

Unfortunately, at one point in the get together host David told one and all that despite the invitation saying the party would end at 9, he invited all to stay as long as they wished. There may be some folks still there.

While the post is being prepared, check out the reception at MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.

The valets of the Crystal Charity Ball Advisory Board get together on Thursday, April 5, were told to expect 50 cars. But the line of cars around Carolyn and David Miller’s marvelous Highland Park home was so full that the number had to be beyond the predicted count. But that was to be expected, since the invitees included the 2018 CCB beneficiaries, the CCB advisory board members and the CCB members who had researched the beneficiaries.

It was the first time that the 2018 beneficiaries had come together and share their excitement about making the cut.

But before the program began, a ground zero developed in the hallway of the home. As one gent said eyeing the center of the crowd, “There’s nothing but beautiful women here.”

Well, there were some natty guys there, too, like 2018 First Husband Dwight Emanuelson in a new suit from Hadleighs and Claude Wilson, who was sporting an ivy cap due to some surgery.

Annette Simmons and Jerry Fronterhouse said they were ducking out early, but that was easier said than done as they made their way past SuSu and Jerry Meyers and Lisa Troutt.

Due to the close quarters, host David decided that it would be best to move the group to the backyard for 2018 CCB Chair Claire Emanuelson to address the crowd that included Marisa Castro McKoy, Miller daughter Meredith Beebe, Jan and Fred Hegi with daughter-in-law Amy Hegi, Alison Malone, Norma Hunt, Candace Winslow, Belinda Reyes, Piper Wyatt, Christie Carter, Margaret Elizabeth McKissack and Pat and Charles McEvoy. Wise move. The Ashley Bellamy designed backyard was made for any occasion.

With the majority of the guests standing on the upper-level terrace and down the steps leading to the yard, Claire welcomed the group officially and had event underwriter RGT Wealth Advisors‘ Managing Director Chuck Thoele thanked the 2018 beneficiaries, and the CCB advisors and committee members for their work.

As Claire announced each of the beneficiaries (After-School All Stars North Texas, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Boys And Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, Buckner Children And Family Services Inc., Friends of the Dallas Public Library, Mosaic Family Services, Nexus Recovery Center and Ronald McDonald House of Dallas Inc.), hands and shout-outs arose from representatives in the crowd.

Just when the program was about to end, David stepped up and said that while the time on the invitation said nine o’clock, he said there was plenty of food from Parigi and there was no need to leave by nine.

Evidently some of the guests took him at his word and stayed put. But who could blame ’em? Once in the Miller home, it’s hard to leave.

With the sweltering heat on Wednesday, May 30, it was a little wishful thinking to imagine the chilly temperatures of December. But that was exactly what was on the minds of more than 50 women at Salum. It was the Crystal Charity Ball’s “Midpoint Luncheon,” where the year’s chair reports on how things are going for the annual fundraiser for Dallas children’s nonprofits.

As usual, things were moving right along according to Claire Emanuelson with the September 14th fashion show on the verge of a sell-out* and underwriting contracts coming in.

Before the presentation of the awards got underway, there was the talk over lunch. Former CCB Chair Robyn Conlon and Kim Quinn were both in Carolina Herrera purple-and-white check silk dresses. Robyn explained that she had picked hers out because she was going to a funeral of a dear friend, who loved bright colors… La Fiesta de Las Seis Banderas Co-Chairs Anne Besser and Elizabeth Gambrell somehow managed to be at the luncheon despite their back-to-back activities for La Fiesta de Las Seis Banderas in just five days. This year’s theme is saluting Spain, so Anne and Elizabeth managed to have the Duchess and Doll luncheon at Meadows Museum and that’s just one of seven activities planned…. When former CCB Chair Christie Carter acknowledged that her necklace had been a gift from her late mother, Alison Malone with a double strand of pearls highlighted with double “C”s laughed, “Chanel didn’t give me mine.” … Melissa Macatee was at her own midpoint having been mother of the bride [McBride Macatee] in April and soon to be mother-of-the-bridegroom [George Macatee V] in June. She confessed that she had gained four pounds following McBride’s wedding due to all the cake eating… Speaking of weight, Salum owner Abraham Salum had lost 40 pounds in four months going from 212 to 172. The secret? A doctor’s diet that restricted him to 500 calories a day and no alcohol. He was also headed to Mexico to check on his father, who had broken his hip, had it repaired and just fallen again that day.

No sooner had lunch been finished than the awards were handed out. Keeping with Claire “Downton Abbey” internal working theme, the awards ranged from books on Meaghan and Harry and Chef Darren McGrady to champagne.  Recipients of the awards were the committee members, who risen to the top for the first half of the year. And the winners were:

Off To The Races (First Contract in):

• Underwriters — Mary Martha Pickens
• Silent Auction Special Gifts — Michell Lockhart
• Children’s Book — Fredye Factor
• Foundations — Marie Dean

Tally Ho (Most New Dollars):

• Underwriters — Leslie Diers
• Silent Auction Special Gifts — Margaret Hancock
• Children’s Book — Marybeth Conlon
• Foundations — Bunny Cotten

The Full Monty (Most Contracts In/Most Grants Written):

• Underwriters — Libby Allred
• Silent Auction Special Gifts — Suzy Gekiere
• Children’s Book — Lynn McBee
• Foundations — Susan Farris

Wimbledon Cup (Most Dollars In):

• Underwriters — Meredith Bebee
• Silent Auction Special Gifts — Katherine Coker
• Children’s Book — Suzy Gekiere
• Foundations — Alicia Wood

My Fair Lady (Overachievers):

• Underwriters — Libby Allred/Marybeth Conlon
• Silent Auction Special Gifts — Janie Condon
• Children’s Book — Leigh Anne Haugh
• Foundations — Emilynn Wilson

For more photos, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.

* Update: The Ten Best Dressed Fashion Show and Luncheon is sold out.

While Cinderella only had one fairy godmother, the Dallas children’s charities have 100 godmothers, who make up Crystal Charity Ball. Their sole purpose is to raise funds for Dallas County children. Since 1952, the CCB ladies have provided more than $143M for more than 100 children’s charities.

To get things going for the next group of beneficiaries, 2019 CCB Chair Pat McEvoy has just laid out the plans for the selection of the 2019 recipients. Here’s the timeline:

• Tuesday, September 4, 2018 — Applications become available online or by calling the CCB office (214.526.5868, Ext. 18).
• Wednesday, September 12, 2018, at 9 a.m. — a brief prospective application orientation will be held at Communities Foundation of Texas. It’s not mandatory, but it “is strongly encouraged” to attend.
• Tuesday, October 16, 2018, at noon — All applications must be delivered to the Crystal Charity Ball office (3838 Oak Lawn Avenue, Suite L 150). No email applications will be accepted.
• Thursday, February 7, 2019 — 2019 CCB beneficiaries will be selected.

Before you start putting all these dates in your calendar, consider your organization must:

• serve children in Dallas County.
• have had a 501(c)(3) designation for at least three years.
• have provided services in Dallas County for at least three years.

Also, realize that the process may seem to be challenging. Like the late, great North Texas Food Bank CEO Jan Pruitt warned her team that if they wanted to submit an application, it was a daunting experience. Still she added that receiving one was like the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. BTW, her team did submit an application for a 2015 grant and received $750,000 for their efforts.

So dream up your wish-project; get the application; attend the orientation meeting; fill out the application and keep your fingers crossed that your wish is granted.

Some crummy old construction along Preston Road couldn’t keep guests from attending the 2018 Crystal Charity Ball Platinum Circle Dinner hosted by Ralph Babb and  Comerica at the Dallas Country Club on Thursday, September 6. The occasion signaled the CCB’s Fall fundraising festivities for the 2018 eight Dallas children’s nonprofits (After-School All-Stars North Texas, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, Buckner Children and Family Services Inc., Friends of the Dallas Public Library, Mosaic Family Service, Nexus Recovery Center and Ronald McDonald House of Dallas).

Despite a late arrival by one of the Ten Best Dressed for the pre-event photo shoot, the evening provided a giggle thanks to WFAA’s Ron Corning and a splash of splendor in keeping with the Friday, September 14^th designer team of Oscar de la Renta.

While the post of the occasion is being finalized, check out the evening’s faces and fashions at MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.

Preston Road between Beverly and southern Oklahoma was a slo-mo cha-cha due to construction reducing the four lanes to two on Thursday, September 6. At time drivers of Hondas looked to their left to see multi-millionaires grimacing in their luxury vehicles stuck in the opposite lane.

But those who opted the eastern approach to the Dallas County Club’s members-only and the ordinary folks entrances it was a snap. The occasion attracting the fashionable crowd to the DCC despite the traffic jam and the area’s threatening storms, it was the 2018 Crystal Charity Ball Platinum Circle Dinner hosted by Ralph Babb and the Comerica team.

Despite the late-bird arrival of Ten Best Dress Anita Arnold, the pre-event photo shoot took place with the Ten Best Dressed class of 2018 (Anita, Delilah Boyd, Lisa Cooley, Jennifer Dix, Tucker Enthoven, Cate Ford, Cara French, Amy Hegi, Kimberly Whitman and Piper Wyatt), Hall of Famer Robyn Conlon and Honorary Chair Norma Hunt, then with Ralph and then with the evening’s emcee Ron Corning.

Just as the photo shoot was winding down, the record number of guests including Myrna and Bob Schlegel, Moll and Charles Anderson, Jan Miller, Shelle and Michael Sills, Niven Morgan and Shelby Wagner, Barbara Babb, Dwight Emanuelson, Kelli and Jerry Ford, Billy Esping, Richard Dix, Greg and Kim Hext, Heather Furniss, Patti Flowers and Tom Swiley, the gal posse (Nancy Carter, Emilynn Wilson, Linda Secrest, Pam McCallum, Di Johnston, Vicky Lattner, Beth Layton, Nancy Duncan and Susan Roberds), the Neiman’s crowd (Downtown GM Tim Adair and Executive VP of Stores Neva Hall), 2019 CCB Chair Pat McEvoy and husband Charles McEvoy and former CCB chairs Louise Griffeth, Connie O’Neill, Aileen Pratt, Robyn Conlon, Christie Carter and Pam Perella arrived for the cocktail reception that spilled from the lobby to the ballroom. CCB Chair Claire Emanuelson, Ten Best Dressed Luncheon Chair Heather Esping, Platinum Circle Dinner Chair Lauryn Gayle White and Tom Addis has transformed the ballroom into something akin to the Academy Awards. Really? The reason was a tip of the hat to the featured designer — Oscar de la Renta — for the Friday, September 14^th fashion show at Neiman Marcus Downtown.

At one end of the ballroom were sketches borrowed from Neiman’s displayed in front of sleek white draping. Across the way on the opposite wall was the group photo of the group taken by Dana Driensky at the March announcement sans Tucker, who had been out of town.

While Tommy deSalvo played the ivories, the talk of the night included Ben Lange revealing that the family get-away home on the East Coast was just a fortnight from being completed… Megan and Keith Conlon are expecting another daughter, who is due in January… CCB security official Steve Walthall was home and on the mend following surgery at UT Southwestern… Ashley and Ward Hunt returned to Dallas this past summer with their twins after a couple of years of camping out in NYC… and ever fashionable types like Annette Simmons wearing pearl earrings to match the mega pearls on her black sleeves, Norma Hunt in Oscar and Tiffany Divis in vintage Oscar.

As for the program, Claire and her team knew that the guests wanted to enjoy catching up with friends, so Claire and Ralph kept their comments very brief. They were followed by Ron’s announcing the honorees. Going off script and with tongue firmly planted in cheek, the WFAA morning man added that Norma Hunt had been one of the original Ten Best Dressed in 1974 and was known for her bell bottoms and peasant top. The room busted out in laughter with Norma leading the charge.

For more faces and fashions, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.

With the 2018 Crystal Charity Ball just three weeks away, plans are already underway for 2020. 2019 CCB Chair Pat McEvoy revealed that Tucker Enthoven “has agreed to serve as the 2019 Ball Chairman-Elect and the 2020 Ball Chairman.”

According to Pat, “Tucker’s extensive experience in the Dallas community, her proven fundraising skills, intellect, generous and kind spirit and commitment to this organization will ensure the continued success of Crystal Charity Ball.”

Since joining CCB in 2009, Tucker has served in various positions including Underwriting, New Member Liaison and Silent Auction. This past year, she has held the roles of treasurer and ball reservations co-chair. In addition to her new role as 2019 Ball Chair-Elect, she will also be treasurer, ball contribution ticket co-chair and underwriting co-chair in the upcoming year.

But her Tucker’s involvement in North Texas’ fundraising has not been limited to CCB. Besides chairing the 2017 Celebrating Women for Baylor Health Care System Foundation, the Stanford graduate is on the board of The Hockaday School, Big Thought, The Senior Source and the St. Phillip’s School and Community Center.

But her support has extended beyond sitting on boards. Time and time again, Tucker and her husband Rich Enthoven have opened their home to host everything from letter signings to patron parties.

Congratulations to CCB and Tucker. May the multi-million dollar fundraising continue.

Over the summer Brook Hollow Golf Club’s ballroom had undergone some refreshing and on Wednesday, October 17, the new look was spectacular. And it could not have looked more beautiful with three rows of tables topped with candles and white floral arrangements extending halfway from the center of the room. The occasion for such beauty was the 2018 Crystal Charity Ball’s Circle of Angels seated supper.

And matching the look of the room and the New Orleans-flavored menu were the guests, who make up the top level contributors to the Dallas County children’s fundraiser.

While the post is being polished off, check the photos at MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.

Despite the need to build an ark, North Texas philanthropists steered their way to Brook Hollow on Wednesday, October 17, for Crystal Charity Ball’s Circle of Angels seated supper sponsored by Deloitte. This group is considered the top-most tier of the CCB donors, providing $25,000 or more to benefit this year’s Dallas children’s nonprofits including After-School All-Stars North Texas, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, Buckner Children and Family Services, Friends of the Dallas Public Library, Mosaic Family Services, Nexus Recovery Center, Ronald McDonald House of Dallas and The Crystal Charity Ball Endowment Fund.

Once inside, guests like Aileen and Jack Pratt, Marilyn Augur with daughter Margaret Hancock and her husband Barry Hancock, Beth and Chuck Thoele, Lauryn Gayle and Tom White, Mary Catherine and Don Huffines, Robyn ad Don Conlon, Jacqueline Fojtasek with Ross Ameringer, Christie Carter with Hudson Weischel, Tucker Enthoven with her mom Julie Ford, Deloitte’s Jason Downing with wife/CCB member Laura Downing, found the newly refreshed ballroom divided into an elegant setting. On the left was the bar and seating, with greenery suspended from the ceiling insets. In the center of the room was a white floral arrangement that dominated a round table with small envelopes for guests to learn their seating assignments.

There were only three long tables extending from the center of the room to the far right end of the ballroom. In the center of the rows were arrangements of white flowers and candles. In keeping with 2018 CCB Chair Claire Emanuelson’s “A Celebration of Nouvelle-Orléans” theme, the dinner menu was New Orleans cuisine at its finest, including Commander Salad (Mesclun greens, crumbled bacon, grated parmesan cheese, egg and Commander’s dressing) and an entree including a petite filet of beef with bordelaise sauce, pan seared red snapper with chive beurre blanc and haricot verts and caramelized pearl onions. Complementing the supper were Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay (2014) and Hanzel Sebella Pinot Noir (2016). For dessert, it was a soufflé duet of Grand Marnier with crème anglaise and chocolate with fresh whipped cream.

As Party Chair Lisa Cooley greeted the nearly 120 guests, Claire and husband Dwight Emanuelson didn’t let on that they were facing two weeks of packing. Seems their two-lot home in old Highland Park had sold, with the new owners eager to take possession. Oh, well, Claire had nothing going on, except putting on the 2018 CCB Ball on Saturday, December 1, at the Hilton Anatole.

Snapshots: Annette Simmons and Jerry Fronterhouse tableside with Gene Jones and across the way from Nancy Dedman and Brady Kelly…Cristina and Chris Durovich recalling how Children’s first involvement with CCB was due to past Children’s Foundation Chair Pete Kline… Lee Bailey was back from London and getting ready to move out of her home so that its hardwood floors could be refinished. Her date for the night was Doris Jacobs… Michal and Loyd Powell in the final stages for their daughter’s destination wedding. The timing is pulling Michal in two directions. Just days before the Saturday, October 27, wedding, she’s co-chairing the 2018 Celebration Women fundraiser for Baylor Health Care System Foundation on Thursday, October 25, with Pat McEvoy… Aimee Baillargeon Griffiths and Paul Griffiths were hardly there. Seems the twosome had decided that there needed to be reduction in their lives. Results: Aimee had lost 50 pounds. and Paul had dropped a whopping 153 pounds. Another family drop had been Aimee’s dad, Bob Baillargeon, who peeled off 50 pounds himself. In other words, Aimee, Paul and Bob had lost more than 250 pounds. BTW, Aimee was just back from Warsaw as part of her duties as head of the MoneyGram Foundation. Her next travel for MoneyGram will take her to the Orient.

Speaking of travels, Mary Martha and John Pickens were back from Iceland. John recalled how as they were on their way to see the Northern Lights, he realized that his Canon DSLR needed to be adjusted. Without hesitation, he turned to YouTube for a quick lesson or two.

For more looks of the evening, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery!

It’s countdown time for the 2018 Crystal Charity Ball. While some folks are at their tailors for final fittings, the CCB committee was at the Hilton Anatole in sweaters, jeans and ponytails schlepping materials, checking in loads of  silent auction items and helping Event Producer Tom Addis to create Saturday night’s “A Celebration in Nouvelle-Orléans.”

Today Wells Fargo Regional Director Phil White was on hand with 2018 CCB Chair Claire Emanuelson and Underwriting Chair Angie Kadesky for the arrival of the boxes of 2018 Children’s Book. Only thing missing was Children’s Book Chair Alison Malone, who had a prior commitment at her daughter’s school.

BTW, this year’s book is a first. No, Wells Fargo is underwriting the book for a second year. And, no, it still has more than 400 marvelous photos of kids by area photographic artists Holt Haynsworth, James French, Gittings’ Rob Wythe and John Derryberry.

What’s new is the book has a dedication — “The 2018 Children’s Book is dedicated to the memory of three special women who were lifelong advocates for the children in our community.” Those ladies were Ruth Sharp Altshuler, Nancy Ann Chandler and Rita Croker Clements, who passed away this past year.

Above the dedication, Claire had the following quote from the late Mr. Fred Rogers:

“We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It’s easy to say ‘It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.’ Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.”

After months of having their wives, sisters, mother and female whatevers  MIA, the husbands, boyfriends… you get the drift… missing in action thanks to toiling for the 2018 Crystal Charity Ball, the men folk had their moment in the glory… or rather the moonlight on Tuesday, October 23, at Lisa and Clay Cooley‘s estate.

On the heels of the CCB Circle of Angels dinner the week before, this event was strictly to appreciate the fellas who have supported the females in their lives thanks to event underwriter BB&T North Texas Region.

While some might have thought it was a sacrifice play with the first of the World Series between the Boston Red Socks and Los Angeles Dodgers with Dallas’ Clayton Kershaw on the mound in an overtime, the gents girded their shoe laces to be honored.

Shoe laces? Seriously? Sure, the gals compare notes on fashion notes, but the guys were checking out their footwear. Mike Wyatt, who had donned a Hermes zebra tie because “Piper (Wyatt) told me to”… trumped another guest in his Jordan Leather loafers. It seems that leather sole is more highfalutin than the rubber soled type. Ladies, pay attention: while you may dream of red soles, your men folk hunger for Gucci leather soles.

Another fashion note was Claude Wilson in a holiday red sweater vest. Only problem was his falling on the steps of the mansion resulted in his complexion in matching red.

But back to the evening’s program. In gathering the troops together in the den, a clanging of silverware against a glass called the group together. What really sealed the deal was when the shattering of the glass was heard. Nothing brings people together like the sound of the birthing of shards of glass, don’t you know. As laughter replaced the momentary silence, all eyes were directed to the red-faced fellow with the silverware in one hand and nothing in the other.

2018 CCB Chair Claire Emanuelson addressed the herd of guests quoting Jerry Seinfeld — “Being a good husband is like being a good stand-up comic – you need ten years before you can even call yourself a beginner.”

That one brought a major laugh from the married types. She then introduced the evening’s sponsor BB&T North Texas Region President Rob Bowlby, who after admitting that he had only arrived four weeks before the first husbands’ party three years ago, he upped the ante saying that BB&T would be supporting the fourth get together. In the crowd, 2019 CCB Chair Pat McEvoy led the applause to that statement.

With a toast to the women and then to the men in their lives, the launch of the evening of buffeting and dining on the Cooleys’ outdoor terraces was underway under a moon peeking from behind the clouds.

Talk of the night included 2018 CCB First Husband Dwight Emanuelson reporting that the family homestead, where they had raised their boys, had sold. As for their new digs, Dwight had made the bigtime showcasing the new garage on the Learning Channel… US Trust’s Mary Martha Pickens was thrilled over being partnered with Mark LaRoe, formerly with Deutsche Bank AG. Seems that when Deutsche exited the highly competitive North Texas market, US Trust snapped him up…. Pete Foster was giving his review of the newest Apple phones and things to come… Tanya Foster sporting a new haircut.