A most fashionable soirée was chaired by Sharon Ballew and hosted by Allison Brodnax, Luncheon Chair of the KidneyTexas, Inc. Runway Report 2025 Luncheon and Fashion Show, in her lovely Preston Hollow home featuring announcements for the Friday, September 26, 2025 luncheon at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas.  
        
The buzz was all about the exciting news, logo and theme reveal as Mari Epperson, President of KidneyTexas, Inc., welcomed guests saying the nonprofit is celebrating its 26^th year.  She welcomed Presenting Sponsors Anne and William Seanor and announced Donna and Herb Weitzman as Honorary Chairs. Anne is a steadfast board member and supporter of KidneyTexas. She and William are also loyal supporters of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Texas Health Resources. Donna has been dedicated to the fight against kidney disease for many years. She was president of KidneyTexas, Inc. in 2022 and just last year, she received the Sue Goodnight Award for her extraordinary service and commitment to the organization.
        
After a lively round of applause and congratulations, Allison gave special thanks to Sharon for chairing this evening’s event and thanked Preston Hollow Catering for underwriting the delicious food, which included a sumptuous charcuterie spread, hot hors d’oeuvres, mini sandwiches and gourmet bites.
        
Sharing the scoop on the upcoming luncheon and fashion show, Allison said that the morning will begin with a champagne reception followed by an always entertaining fashion show produced by Robyn Chauvin featuring the latest styles by NorthPark Center, followed by a delicious luncheon prepared by the executive chef at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas.
        
Literally flipping the cover off the huge original artwork, the fashionable French-inspired logo created by the talented Beth Dunham was revealed.
        
Allison said, “This year’s theme is The French Connection. We will be celebrating the life-saving collaboration between French and American doctors in the fight against kidney disease. This collaboration traces back to visionaries like Dr. Jean Hamburger of France, whose early work laid the foundation for kidney transplantation, and Dr. Willem Kolff, whose dialysis innovations transformed treatment options worldwide. Today, research teams from institutions like INSERM in France and the National Institutes of Health in the US continue to push the boundaries of what is possible.”
        
Anticipating a sell-out, Allison encouraged everyone to claim their tables, buy their tickets, underwriting and sponsorships for the event now, since over 100 tickets have already been sold. Capacity is 400.
        
Parting favors were delicious macarons packaged with a QR code to buy tickets. Everyone was also encouraged to contact Reservation Chair, Briana Pearson, with any questions.
        
With heartfelt gratitude, Allison thanked her host committee of over 100 members strong and everyone who attended this evening’s event saying, “Thanks to you, we are going to be able to improve the lives of children and adults living with kidney disease in North Texas” and emphasized that all funds raised stay in North Texas and benefit Texas Health Resources Foundation, Children's Medical Center Foundation, Baylor Scott and White Dallas Foundation, Camp Reynal and Southwest Transplant Alliance.

        
Sponsorships are $5,000 and up. Individual Patron Level Tickets are $1,000 and $500. Purchase here: https://e.givesmart.com/events/G4L/ 
        
Visit the website at  http://www.kidneytexas.org, email info@kidneytexas.org or call 214-891-0896.

Mission Statement: The purpose of KidneyTexas, Inc. is to provide funding to improve the methods of treatment, the search for a cure and prevention of kidney disease and other kindred or contributory diseases; and to develop more adequate provision for the care of persons suffering from such diseases.

Statistics: Debilitating kidney diseases impacts approximately 35.5 million people in the United States today. Groups at high risk include African Americans, Hispanics, senior citizens and people with diabetes. In Texas as of 2023, there are over 50,000 people on dialysis and 8,294 people on a transplant list. There were 2,394 kidney transplants in Texas in 2022.

History: Since 1999, the dedicated volunteers of KidneyTexas, Inc. have worked in tandem with our generous underwriters to raise $5 million for local efforts to improve the ability to diagnose and manage kidney disease. 

Each fall KidneyTexas, Inc. hosts its Luncheon & Fashion Show in an effort to raise money for designated beneficiaries and awareness for a disease that affects millions of people each year. The success of this event depends heavily upon the contributions and dedication of our Dallas business and community leaders. Your support is crucial to the success of our mission.

 Photos by Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio

Celebrating 35 Years Fighting Alzheimer’s, Supporting Care Partners

 The kick-off for the AWARE Affair Boots, Buckles and Brain Health 2025 gala was graciously hosted by Gail Plummer and John Cattaneo at their home where guests enjoyed bites and cocktails in celebration of AWARE’s 35^th anniversary.  AWARE is a nonprofit organization that empowers North Texans to rise above the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, together.

 Karen Koop, AWARE’s president, welcomed the crowd with gala chair David McDavid Jr. and recognized Greg Osler, whose late wife, Amy Osler, is the namesake of the Amy Osler Spirit of Education Leadership Award. Karen also invited everyone attending to join Friends of AWARE, as the membership drive is ongoing and she said the benefits included receptions in private homes, educational luncheon meetings, special event invitations, the opportunity to become familiar with AWARE’s Grant Recipients and more.       

David encouraged everyone to mark their calendars for the gala happening on Friday, April 4, 2025 as it returns to Gilley’s for a boots, buckles and brain health evening with supporters coming together for a night fighting Alzheimer’s and supporting care partners. Guests will enjoy a delicious seated buffet dinner, dancing to The Breckenridge Band, lots of fun brain health activities, silent and live auction, and a meaningful evening with friends and family while raising money for AWARE.       

Trailblazer Presenting Sponsor is Anne Davidson. Honorary chairs are Bo and Jeff Parker. Honorary chairs emeriti are Sally and Forrest Hoglund, Lee Roy and Biddie Jordan, Venise and Larry Stuart, Todd Terry and Amy Terry Kriegel honoring the legacy of their mother, Ellen Terry.       

Venise Stuart will receive the Founder’s Spirit Award and Karisti Julia will receive Amy Osler Spirit of Education Leadership Award.           

Tickets and sponsorships will be published soon. Check the website for updates at www.awaredallas.org        

About AWARE: AWARE is a nonprofit organization that empowers North Texans to rise above the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, together. Since AWARE’s founding in 1989 by a group of volunteers, the Dallas-based organization has invested more than $14 million in local providers, researchers and innovators fighting for our loved ones and a cure. Every dollar that AWARE grants stays in North Texas to benefit the local community.

AWARE also invites North Texans to join Friends of AWARE—a community of individuals, caregivers and professionals with a vested interest in supporting the best care in our region today and hope for a cure tomorrow. Individuals navigating the challenges of these diseases—including patients, caregivers and professionals—connect, learn and advocate for solutions in North Texas.

The community can support AWARE’s mission by joining Friends of AWARE, attending its annual signature fundraiser, AWARE Affair, or making a donation. Join Friends of AWARE at www.awaredallas.org. Together with compassion and dedication we can make a difference. Instagram: @awaredallas   Facebook: @awaredallas

AWARE is a component fund of The Dallas Foundation, a 501c3 publicly supported charity.

AWARE Dallas 2024-2025 Grant Recipients

Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation:   Support toward the salary of a Care and Support Specialist at the Baylor Scott and White Memory Center.  The Specialist guides patients and families with education, training, support groups, elder law, financial planning, and a 24/7 helpline.

Bishop Arts Theater Center:   Support for the continuation and expansion of the Creative Aging Program.  The program incorporates stories, music, visual arts, and dance to improve the quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other related dementias living in predominantly low-income memory care facilities.

Center for Brain Health:  (The University of Texas at Dallas)  Support for printing and distributing 1,000 copies of the Guide to Proactive Steps (GPS), a resource book for people affected by Alzheimer’s, and for developing and launching GPS seminars and one-on-one consultations.

Dallas Symphony Association:   Support for DSO Cares, a series of free, one-hour concerts presented within senior living facilities and hospitals in the greater Dallas community. The program features chamber music performances by select DSO musicians who perform in duets, trios, or quartets for audiences.

For Love and Art:   Support for the continuation of the Celebrating the Art Experience, an hour-long therapeutic visual arts engagement program that is presented by volunteer “Art Angel” docents in memory care facilities throughout the greater North Texas area. Docents showcase art images from partner museums around the world and stimulate conversations with program participants.

Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas:  Support for the Older Adults Program to expand in-home mental health counseling, care management, and daily living support to older adults living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias, allowing them to remain living in their own home.

Juliette Fowler Communities:   Support for Fowler’s campus-wide dementia care initiatives which include the Continuation of Cognitive Health, I’m Still Here®, Dementia Friendly Dallas, music therapy, and caregiver support.

NorthPark Presbyterian Church:   Support for Casa de Vida, a program at the church designed to give respite relief to caregivers by providing trained one-on-one care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other related dementias.

Plano Symphony Orchestra:   Support for Healing Notes, a program designed to provide free music-therapy concerts by professional musicians to residents with Alzheimer’s and related dementias who live in predominately low-income memory care centers.

The Senior Source:   Support for Senior Companions, a program that matches compassionate and trained older adult volunteers with home-bound older adults living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias to provide respite to family caregivers and help with meals, errands, and light housekeeping.

Stomping Ground Comedy Center:   Support for Improv for Caregivers, a fun and interactive program that uses improvisational comedy techniques to teach effective communication skills that are specific to the needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

Texas Winds Musical Outreach:   Support for the Concerts for Seniors program, which provides interactive concerts in nursing homes and adult day care facilities bringing joy, relief from isolation, and peace to individuals affected by memory loss.

The University of Texas at Dallas  (Lab of Dr. Chandramallika Basak): Support for the purchase of a portable Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) system that will include physiological measures, allowing for neural and physiological data collection from various locations in the brain, add convenience to patients, and allow the expansion of the study of brain aging beyond the laboratory.

The University of Texas at Dallas  (Lab of Dr. Kristen Kennedy):   Support to add measures of newly discovered blood-based markers of neural and glial structural health to the University’s NIH funded longitudinal study.  If these new cellular markers that are readily available from a simple blood draw can be closely linked with how well brain cells are aging or degrading, then powerful, noninvasive biomarkers can be found for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.

Wilshire Baptist Church:   Support for Friday Friends, a program addressing the need to provide respite to those who care for a dementia relative at home, and who have little or no assistance for relieving them of the constant care and supervision of their loved one, while providing a stimulating day of art, music and games for the individual with Alzheimer’s.

Myrna D, Schlegel AWARE Scholarship Fund:  Support for nursing students at Baylor University, Texas Women’s University, and Texas Christian University toward their studies in gerontology, especially in the field of dementia.

Photos by Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio

2025 Reed and Stanley Graff Texas History Symposium Features Two Dynamic Speakers

Join us on Saturday, February 22, 2025

Sponsored by the Dallas Historical Society | CPE credit is available for educators

There is a very special treat in store for Dallas Historical Society (DHS) members and all Alamo and history enthusiasts on Saturday, February 22nd at the 2025 Reed and Stanley Graff Texas History Symposium sponsored by DHS. The event features two dynamic speakers: Ernesto Rodriguez III, Senior Historian at the Alamo and Sherri Driscoll, who from 2010 to 2024 served as the Director of Education for the Alamo, designing and coordinating programming for students, contributing to their understanding of Texas History.
        
Ernesto is a San Antonio native and has devoted over 25 years to historical research at this incredible site. His deep knowledge and love for the Alamo’s story and Texas history was recognized in 2019 when he was promoted from Associate Curator to Curator. As Curator, Ernesto is dedicated to the scholarly research that underpins both interpretive planning for the Alamo museum and a greater understanding of the Alamo’s archive and artifact collections.
        
This entertaining and informative symposium begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Hall of State in Fair Park at 3939 Grand Ave. Dallas, Texas 75210. The event is free and open to the public. Parking is free. Free continental breakfast. CPE credit is available for educators.  Register now! What a fun Saturday!
        
Plus afterwards, go right next door to the interactive massive diorama of the Alamo, Texas Liberty Forever,  ( https://www.dallashistory.org/exhibitions/ ) and use the iPads to hear the sounds of the battle, see close-up images and hear brief explanations of the different scenes. The app can also be downloaded to your own cell phone to experience this fabulous diorama. 
        
Created by Pennsylvania-based artist Thomas Feely Jr. over 18 years and stretching across 336 square feet, the Texas Liberty Forever! diorama is the largest depiction of its kind and serves as the centerpiece of the Battle of the Alamo Exhibit at the Hall of State. The re-creation of the besieged Alamo compound features over 2,000 hand-painted figures sculpted in 1/32 scale (54 mm).
        
Karl Chiao is the executive director of the Dallas Historical Society and Charles Lipscomb is board chair.
        
The 2025 Reed and Stanley Graff Texas History Symposium is funded by a donation from Dallas native Stan Graff with the goal of preserving the history of Texas by bringing educational and informative speakers to the Dallas Historical Society's Hall of State, and to invite participation by the general public in these free events.       
        
For more information, the public can contact David Lee at (214) 421-4500 ext. 104,  email education@dallashistory.org  and visit the website to register at  https://www.dallashistory.org/event/10567/?instance_id=737   

The Dallas Historical Society: Whether someone is new to Dallas or a native Texan, the Dallas Historical Society offers programs and exhibits that educate and inform visitors about their home city and reveal insights and little-known facts that one might be unable to attain from history books alone, especially with the museum’s newest permanent exhibit, the interactive Texas Liberty Forever: The Battle of the Alamo diorama by Thomas Feely.

Ongoing events include Brown Bag Lectures, An Evening With programs, and Pour Yourself Into History happy hours. Join in discovering more about Dallas and take part in one or more of these wonderful programs. Visit the website for more information at www.dallashistory.org

The Dallas Historical Society Celebrated Its Centennial Year In 2022 

The stories of Dallas are shared each day at the Dallas Historical Society through the three million items that comprise our archives and artifact collections. Established in 1922, the Dallas Historical Society collects, preserves, and exhibits the unique heritage of Dallas and Texas to educate and inspire future generations.

Housed at the Hall of State in Fair Park since 1938, DHS presents these collections through education programs, exhibitions, tours, access to research materials and workshops. 

Among the three million historical artifacts at DHS are such treasures as Sam Houston’s handwritten account of the Battle of San Jacinto, the only known original Juneteenth document, James Fannin’s watch, and Santa Anna’s spurs. The DHS collection houses over 10,000 bound volumes and receives more than 1,500 research requests annually.

Each year, the Dallas Historical Society is visited by over 160,000 people and serves more than 20,000 students through guided tours and educational programming at the Hall of State, as well as outreach programs at schools. Visit the website for more information at www.dallashistory.org        IG: @dallashistory  FB: @DallasHistoricalSociety 

 Courtesy photos DHS.

Preservation Park Cities (PPC) 2024 Distinguished Speaker Luncheon chairs Lindsey Doramus and Cate Ford were joined by honorary chairs Jenny and Richard Mullen and a wonderful group of speakers. Presented by Highland Park Village, the event began with a champagne and wine reception as guests arrived and chatted about the upcoming presentations.         

Alisa Sell, PPC’s president said, “We are so pleased with the sold-out turn out! The panel discussion with Thomas Feulmer, Curator at The Warehouse Dallas; Ashley Avrea Cathey, Founder & Principal of Avrea & Company; and Robyn Siegel, Advisor at CCS Fine Art, moderated by Joyce Goss, Phillips Regional Director, was brilliant.  They discussed how to value art and how to create a more exciting, thoughtful connection with works of art when they enter the most important space in our lives – our home. From the perspective of their roles in the art world, they talked about the practical matters of acquiring and owning art, as well as the bigger question of how a relationship with art might evolve and deepen over time."            

Sharing PPC’s mission, Alisa said the Distinguished Speaker Luncheon celebrates historic preservation and is designed to generate awareness of the role history and preservation play in enhancing the quality of life for everyone who lives and works in the Park Cities communities. Remember to check out Preservation Park Cities’ newest book, The Houses of the Park Cities, An Architectural Guide to the Historic Houses of Highland Park and University Park Texas, which is a comprehensive survey of the architecturally significant historic homes in the iconic Dallas suburbs by R. Lawrence Good. Alisa also encouraged everyone to visit the PPC website at www.preservationparkcities.org and take a few minutes to watch the videos, including the Oral Histories of the Park Cities, which interviews long-standing and influential members of the community highlighting how the history, architecture, people have shaped this unique place we call home.
          
Sara Fay Egan shared a brief history of her home in the Volk Estates and the joys and challenges of renovating it to preserve the home and said she is honored to help continue this effort to leave a legacy for the future.
          
Led by Joyce, the speakers in the panel discussion shared their experiences with their clients’ artworks, beginning by saying that art is whatever speaks to one’s soul. Another point was that it’s all right to have contemporary art in a classic home or vice versa and that crafts also have a place in every home. If there is not a space for a new artwork, then go ahead and move other art to create a space. They encouraged everyone to be free and express themselves. They said it is good to see art in a dialogue with the room and that the most expensive piece doesn’t necessarily have to be showcased at the front of the house. And to keep a home evolving, it’s all right to put some art in storage to bring out at another time.
          
For more information about Preservation Park Cities, visit the website at www.preservationparkcities.org or email info@preservationparkcities.org

Overview: 

•  The Historic Home Tour, Distinguished Speaker Luncheon and the Park Cities Car Show are the organization’s only fundraisers each year. The proceeds are allocated to help further our mission to celebrate and promote the preservation of Park Cities architecture, history, aesthetics, and cultural traditions.

•  The purpose of the annual Historic Home Tour is to showcase architecturally and historically significant homes of the Park Cities and illustrate how these homes have been restored or remodeled to serve the lifestyle needs of families today.

•  The organization landmarks architecturally and historically significant homes in the Park Cities, some of which are on the Historic Home Tour.

•  Members of the organization enjoy historic and preservation oriented educational programs.

Preservation Park Cities Mission:
Preservation Park Cities mission is to preserve and promote the history, architecture, aesthetics, and cultural traditions of the Park Cities. Proceeds of the Distinguished Speaker Luncheon, Historic Home Tour and the Classic and Antique Car Show will be used to fund:

• Property Landmarking
• Stewardship of the PPC archives at the UP Library
• HPISD Architecture/History Student Scholarship Award
• The Distinguished Chair for History at HPHS
• The “Save the Top 100” campaign and the new book: The Houses of the Park Cities: An Architectural Guide to the Historic Houses of Highland Park and University Park Texas
•  Membership in PPC is open to the community. For more information visit www.preservationparkcities.org              

Photos by Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio

While this event is not open to the public, you can help with donations for homeless children to be distributed on Saturday, December 14 at Saturday With Santa.

For over 28 years, Rainbow Days has hosted its annual Saturday with Santa Christmas event for families experiencing homelessness in the Dallas community. This celebratory outdoor event will spread holiday magic by giving out 1,300 stockings filled with toys, treats and essential tangible items.

Led by over 200 volunteers and all Rainbow Days staff, families will enjoy this bonding experience away from the shelter with outdoor carnival games, holiday activities, pictures with Santa and a delicious lunch.

Sponsors: Central Market, TTG Family Fund, Rees-Jones Family Foundation.

Supporters: Mary Jo and James McKellar, Pepsico – Frito Lay, Thompson Coburn LLP, Darla Whitaker. 

Donate or sponsorships: https://rainbowdays.org/donate-sws/

Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2RK03A5Q9I6Y8?ref_=wl_share

Stocking Instructions:  https://rainbowdays.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Saturday-with-Santa-1.pdf

BACKGROUND:    Rainbow Days is a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Founded in 1982, Rainbow Days has a mission to help children and youth in adversity build coping skills and resilience to create positive futures. Through support groups, life enrichment programs, and tangible items, Rainbow Days makes meaningful connections with more than 10,000 at-risk and homeless children and youth in the Dallas area annually. Rainbow Days expands its impact through international training services, which trains other nonprofit staff, teachers, and counselors in its award-winning CBSG® Program. 

Photos courtesy Rainbow Days, Inc.