Despite the heat and thanks to the rain, Turtle Creek has never looked prettier. In addition to the natural pretty factor, the swans and the fountain are the buildings and organizations that are found in the hood.
Newest kids in the area are the Crystal Charity Ball gals, who just moved into their new digs overlooking Turtle Creek at Blackburn. Talk about a change of conditions. For more than 30 years their offices were on the second floor of Highland Park Village and surrounded with charm and tradition. Then as both CCB and HP Village grew and needs changed, they relocated to their ground floor in the sleek highrise office building. And don’t go feeling sorry for their old place. It’s getting a massive renovation with big plans up ahead.
But back to CCB. If their HP Village home reflected years of treasured memories, breathtaking record breaking accomplishments and experiences, the new office space has a feeling of tackling even greater tasks as the needs of area children grow.
Debbie Oates at Blueprints And Bubbly party
To think it was just last April when they had their Blueprints and Bubbly in the raw space at Turtle Creek Village. Now the place has been totally transformed thanks to CCB’s legendary teamwork. From the start it was typical CCB. The location was picked thanks to the Office Selection Committee including Margo Goodwin, Connie O’Neill, Karen Shuford and chaired by Debbie Oates. Perfectly timed, Lincoln Property Company had just the spot on the ground level of its Two Turtle Creek highrise with marvelous views, double the space of their past digs and a Property Management team that helped them from soup to nuts.
Janie Condon at work in conference room
Then multi-tasker Debbie headed up the management of the construction and finish-out process. When it came to the look of the various rooms including the conference room, individual offices, kitchen, supply rooms and hallway, Ashley Hunt was in charge “and oversaw every detail of the installation process.” Well, after all, her twins aren’t due until August, so she had nothing else on her mind. Sure!
New furniture was bought within a budget that was tighter than a fresh face lift. The furnishings from the old homestead were donated to the CCB beneficiaries.
The final step of packing up equipment, files and memories was undertaken by the committee members plus Cindy Ethel, Claire Manigold, Kelsey Turner and Terry Van Willson.
With gray carpeting, white walls and floor-to-ceiling windows, it is elegant but not fancy, showstopping without being showy and the perfect setting for 100 women to raise millions of dollars.
Collages from past CCBs
As for the art on the walls, it’s a combination of past — collages of past CCB years — and contemporary “incredible artwork” on loan from Talley Dunn Gallery. In the conference room are portraits of each of the past CCB chairs dating back to the first gala chaired by Nancy Chandler in 1952.
Caren Kline in new Crystal Charity Ball office
Interesting note about the floor plan. Usually the numero uno in an organization demands the corner office with windows on two walls and spectacular views. Not in this case, though. CCB Chair Caren Kline’s office is to the immediate right of the reception area, not in the corner office which is shared by three other committee members (Pam Perella, Patty Leyendecker and Christi Carter). When asked why she took that spot, she immediately responded, “Because I want to see everyone who walks in immediately.”
Candy abounds in CCB office
Also, in accordance to Caren’s taste, please note that candy, especially chocolates, are in every room.