Tornadoes were dancing through Denton on the evening of Thursday, May 7, but tradition, respect and friendships were not going to dissuade the former Crystal Charity Ball chairs from their annual dinner.
Gail and Cliff Fischer
Despite the recent loss of 1955 Chair Dale Wigley, 18 of the past chairs gathered at Gail and Cliff Fischer’s home for dinner presented by Bank of America.
Scott and Jennifer Chandler, Bryan and Leslie Diers and Kathy and Richard Holt
For those like Lindalyn Adams (1976) and Barbara Varel (1970) the steps leading up to the Fischer mansion required a bit of assistance For Lindalyn it was her grandson Carlton Adams, who will be president of the SMU student body this next year. As for Barbara, it was her son, Mark Varel, who was an old hand at such gatherings.
Carlton Adams, Lindalyn Adams and Louise Griffeth
Barbara Varel and Mark Varel
Following a group shot of the chairs — Barbara Varel, Lyda Hill (1975), Lindalyn Adams, Sara Martineau (1993), Tincy Miller (1997), Linda Beach (1998), Becky Bright (1999), Karen Shuford (2000), Nancy Chapman (2001), Louise Griffeth (2003), Margo Goodwin (2004), Debbie Snell (2006), Gloria Martindale (2008), Debbie Oates (2009), Connie O’Neill (2011), Aileen Pratt (2012), Caren Kline (2013) and former chair-to-be Michal Powell (2015), on the stairway, the group slowly adjourned to a seated dinner in the Fischer’s two-story living room.
From the left: (first row) Lindalyn Adams, Barbara Varel, Becky Bright, Karen Shuford and Michal Powell; (second row) Debbie Snell, Nancy Chapman, Lyda Hill, Aileen Pratt and Gloria Martindale; (third row) Caren Kline, Louise Griffeth and Debbie Oates; (fourth row) Connie O’Neill, Margo Goodwin and Linda Beach; (fifth row) Sara Martineau; and (sixth row) Tincy Miller
Kristi Hoyl
2015 CCB Chair Michal Powell thanked the Fischers and the evening’s Co-Chairs Kristi Hoyl and Patty Leyendecker. She paid tribute to the women in the room for they had contributed during their tenure as chairmen and in their ongoing support of CCB.
Despite knowing the goal that Michal had set for her committee of 100, these veteran CCB fundraisers were still a bit in awe when Michal said they were on track to raise $6,310,957 adding the $117,418,803 that her predecessors had provided for North Texas children’s charities since 1953.
Former Crystal Charity Ball Chairmen’s dinner
One very savvy businessman in attendance said, “If that’s their goal, that’s the mark they’ll hit. These women are as efficient, dedicated and smart as any Fortune 500 CEO.” He then laughed and added, “They’re probably smarter than a lot of them (Fortune 500 CEO’s).”
Following the blessing provided by Bank of America’s Richard Holt, the group settled down to a Cassandra feast including East Texas watermelon salad with micro greens, heirloom tomatoes and mozzarella and balsamic caviar; crusted beef tenderloin with cream cheese whipped potatoes, crispy onions and garlic butter haricot vert; and bittersweet chocolate custard in a crisp white chocolate shell and cookie tuille.