The sun was shining. The thermometers were starting to fall into the summer 90’s mode. And Salum was closed for lunch on Thursday, June 4. The reason was the Crystal Charity Ball Midpoint Lunch that has become an annual touch base with the goal just six months away. Even past CCB chairs like Debbie Oates, Aileen Pratt and Robyn Conlon were on hand to support the 2015 team.
Michal Powell and Aileen Pratt
Unlike years before of very proper reports about the status of the fundraising, CCB Chair Michal Powell became a trail boss rewarding drovers…uh, like Salum owner Abraham Salum and the CCB staffers (Cindy Ethel, Bevin Shaw and Terry Van Willson) … with gifts like hot sauce made in Texas.
Abraham Salum
Hey, Michal is a West Texas gal and she was gonna make sure that the thank-you was true blue Texas. Let’s just say there was a lot of “Yeehawing” going on. Even the menu had a Texas feel to it (appetizers — goat cheese stuffed fried okra with spicy red pepper aioli and baby argula salad with heirloom tomatoes and avocado ranch dressing; entree — chicken fried chicken with mashed potatoes, French green beans with homemade pancetta and red-eye gravy, biscuits and creamed corn; and dessert — Texas peach crumble with vanilla ice cream).
Nancy Carter and Emilynn Wilson
But before things got underway, the ladies had to do one last chat up before disappearing for the summer. Cara French was being congratulated on being selected to co-chair the 2016 Cattle Baron’s Ball…Gina Betts was hinting that in addition to her legal practice, she’ll be back in the 2016 fundraising saddle. More about that when all plans are finalized…Celebrating Women Luncheon Chair Nancy Carter and Equest chair Emilynn Wilson were comparing notes…Lots of the ladies left their stilettos in the closets and donned their fav boots to match the day’s western feel.
But before lunch was served and the awards were handed out, CCB Underwriting Chair Tucker Enthoven announced that petite Paige Slates had a hidden talent that had just been discovered at a lunch hosted by Tucker. It turns out that Paige is a hip hopper. Donning sunglasses, Tucker and her fundraising posse served as backups for Paige to hip-hop about CCB. The performance received more yeehaws and applause.
Tucker Enthoven, Leslie Diers, Vinnie Reuben, Pat McEvoy, Susan Farris and Paige Slates in sunglasses
Then the Texas-theme awards were handed out including:
- Trail mix for the Trailblazer Award (first contract in) April Abney, Janie Condon and Elizabeth Gambrell
- Tito’s vodka for Tip Your Hat Award (most dollars in) — Elizabeth Gambrell, Cheryl Joyner and Stacey Walker
- Pecans for Shake that Tree award (most contracts in) — Katherine Coker, Cheryl Joyner, Sarah Losinger, Lynn McBee and Pam Perella
- Texas olive oil for the Spindletop Gusher Award (most dollars in) — Katherine Coker, Laura Downing, Margaret Hancock, Cheryl Joyner, Sarah Losinger, Lynn McBee, Pam Perella, Amy Prestidge and Kristina Whitcomb
- Texas honey for Stickin’ to it Award (extra effort) — Carole Lou Bruton, Brooke Shelby, Shelle Sills and Kristina Whitcomb
As a surprise, inactive CCB members Nancy Carter and Emilynn Wilson were recognized for being the co-chairs of the Inactive volunteers, a group of inactive members who still assist with fund-raising activities.
Posters of 2015 Crystal Charity Ball beneficiaries
The ladies didn’t dawdle because they still had a record-breaking goal to achieve. As a reminder, posters of the 2105 beneficiaries were placed along the wall of banquet seating.