Bring a friend and join in supporting the second annual United for Heroes Tea and Mother Daughter Fashion Show on Monday, April 30, 2018 at the fabulous Belo Mansion in Dallas to benefit the Army Scholarship Foundation and provide educational opportunities for our military families.

Chaired by Rose Gault, President of the Army Scholarship Foundation with Carmaleta Whiteley Felton as Advisory Chair, this event is crucial to help provide funding for scholarships for the children and spouses of Army families and is supported by numerous sponsors and underwriters. 
         

Honorary Chairs are Lucy Billingsley and Carmen Hancock.   This year’s Mother Daughter Fashion Show will feature the latest spring and summer  fashionable frocks and more styles from Betty Reiter and children’s fashions from Kidbiz.

Last year’s tea was held at the Crow Library and featured refreshments and a delightful presentation by Royal Chef Darren McGrady, chef to Queen Elizabeth II, Diana, the Princess of Wales and Princes William and Harry for fifteen years.  A moving testimonial by scholarship recipient Ms. Samantha Nance highlighted the struggles and triumphs facing many military families today.  The event concluded with a series of mesmerizing musical performances by professional opera singers Rezeda Raskiewicz, Jared Duncan and pianist Igor Chernyshev.

Models include business and community leaders and friends who will be walking the fashion runway along with their children showcasing the latest styles.  A special musical tribute will be presented by Ellen Batch of Cherry Valley, California.
         

Host committee members are Betsy Crousen, Connie Carreker, Barbara Daseke, Linda Ivy, Dee Simmons, Karen Seanor, Carmaleta Whiteley Felton, Wendy Jenkins, Christine Martin, Kathy Cothrum, Elaine Everitt, Kay Hammond, Doris Jacobs, Suzanne Palmlund, and Rose Gault.  
         

Please join us for a fun afternoon!     

Since 2001, the Army Scholarship Foundation has provided hundreds of academic scholarships to military family members.  The Foundation was established in 2001 by a group of Army veterans to serve our military families by helping children and spouses of soldiers fulfill their dreams of higher education.
         

Tickets range from $175 to $500 each, and sponsor and underwriter benefits include preferred seating, special program visibility, and more.
         

Donations are encouraged by visiting the website at ArmyScholarshipFoundation.org or contact Rose Gault at rose.gault@armyscholarshipfoundation.org  or call 703-599-8029.

Mission Statement:  The mission of the Foundation is to provide college scholarships to the sons and daughters of those who have served our nation honorably as soldiers in the United States Army and to provide college scholarships to spouses of enlisted soldiers serving on active duty in the United States Army.

History: In the year 2000, a handful of U.S. Army veterans joined together to develop plans for establishing a foundation to assist the needy sons and daughters of soldiers and Army veterans in achieving their dreams of higher education. It was the vision of these Army veterans that the Foundation would grow and be able to benefit an ever increasing number of deserving children of soldiers. 

In 2001, the Internal Revenue Service recognized the Foundation as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, making all donations to the Foundation fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by federal law.  

In 2017, the Army Scholarship Foundation awarded a record 126 scholarships to deserving Army family members in pursuit their educational dreams.  Since 2001, the Foundation has awarded hundreds of scholarships averaging approximately $1,000 each.  Unfortunately, many highly qualified applicants do not receive awards due to lack of funding.

The Army Scholarship Foundation continues today as an all-volunteer organization, run by caring individuals seeking to assist Army family members in their educational pursuits as a small way of saying "thank you" for the many sacrifices made by Army families.   

Photo by Dana Driensky.

The Women’s Auxiliary of Nexus Recovery Center invites everyone to attend the Spring Luncheon on Monday, April 23, 2018 at the Dallas Country Club. Park Cities residents and luncheon chairs Lauren Gillette and Lindsay Billingsley are proud to announce Will Bracken Evans as the speaker. Honorary chairs are Cai and Robin Glackin. Liz Pasquinelli is president of the Women’s Auxiliary of Nexus.

Will Bracken Evans was born in Houston, though he spent his idyllic childhood in Tyler, Texas on his family’s ranch.   While in middle school, he moved with his siblings and mother to Highland Park. While still in high school, Mr. Evans joined the Marine  Corps  and  after  serving  his  country,  returned  to  Dallas  to  spend  more than 25 years in the commercial real estate business.   It was during his successful career in real estate when he began his downward spiral into addiction. On October 5, 1989, Will walked into a treatment center for drug and alcohol addiction, which would ultimately save his life. The Women’s Auxiliary of Nexus is honored to have Will share his story.  After almost three decades of sobriety, Will continues to actively participate in his own recovery by working with others and sharing his story of hope. He is married to Mary Elizabeth Evans and has two sons and two step- children.  He currently spends his time between Dallas and New York City.

GRATITUDE, COMMITMENT, BLESSING, ANGEL, HOPE— these are the words the clients of Nexus Recovery Center begin to recognize in themselves and others every day, as they recover from trauma-based alcohol and drug addiction.  Support from the community, underwriters and sponsors for this luncheon enables the Auxiliary to continue to serve these women and children in crisis.

All proceeds will benefit Nexus Recovery Center in Dallas, where 2,091 women and 305 children were served last year. This integrated program has a continuum of care that includes prevention and intervention, detoxification, residential recovery treatment, early childhood and high school education onsite, afterschool and summer programs for school aged children, life and parenting skills training, outpatient care, transitional housing and alumni programs.

Sponsorships and underwriting are available priced from $2,500 to $20,000. Individual tickets begin at $200 with limited availability.  Visit the web site at www.nexusrecovery.org,  email lgibbs417@gmail.com  or call 972-322-8416.

Courtesy photos.

Mad Hatter's Tea is Celebrating its 30th Year benefiting the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and A Woman’s Garden

It is always a festive and fun event when those involved with Mad Hatter’s Tea are celebrated. TOOTSIES in Preston Center hosted the Judges Reveal soirée enticing invitees with Mimosas and Millinery featuring spring’s finest frocks, hats and a personal appearance by milliner Christine A. Moore, who flew in from New York especially for this event. In addition to being the fashion show sponsor, TOOTSIES is a most generous host. Along with Christine, they donated a portion of the proceeds from the sales of the hats back to the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, the Mad Hatter’s Tea beneficiary organization.
         

As everyone  was having an absolute ball trying on hats and posing for photos, Mad Hatter’s Tea chair Venise Stuart was joined by Women’s Council president Melissa A. Lewis, as they beckoned the crowd together saying this is truly a year of celebration, Mad Hatter’s Tea 30^th year anniversary and the Women’s Council’s 35^th anniversary. They also thanked Linda Burk, honorary chair and Sandy Secor, co-chair.
         

Tickets and tables are selling quickly for the Thursday, April 12^th event. Themed A Garden By The Sea, it will reflect a time of grace, elegance, style and sophistication. Think of men in trousers, blue blazers and straw hats and women in elegant, long flowing dresses, parasols, hats with ribbons and lace with accessories of coral, sea shells and hydrangeas. The hat design possibilities are endless!
         

Venise announced the following judges and hat design themes: Hat Judges: Patti Flowers, Patti Flowers Design Studio; Lee Fuqua, Duckworth Vodka; Empress Gilbert, Empressive GeoDesigns; Ali Nugent, 2013 Miss Texas and the 2013 Miss America, 5th Runner Up; Alanna Sarabia, WFAA co-host, Good Morning Texas; John Tesar, Chef, Knife and Knife Burgers; Joe Vilaiwan, Vilaiwan Fine Jewelry.
         

Hat Categories are:  All That Jazz - Best Group (4 or more).  Men may participate in this one very special category with or without women in the group; To the Nines: People's Choice: The Best of the Best as voted by the attendees; Elegance of Earlier Days: Most Sophisticated: Grace, Elegance and Whimsy; Gilded Age: True to Theme: Everything from the era of the Astors, Vanderbilts, Gettys; Grace and Folly: Most Creative: Shells and Pearls, Stepping Out; Peacocks on Parade: Best Botanical: Hats adorned with beautiful flowers.
         

Nerissa von Helpenstill, managing director of TOOTSIES, introduced guest milliner Christine, who spoke about the special hand-made attention to detail as each hat is created. Afterwards, Christine took time with each customer, assisting in color choice and hat design to coordinate with their outfits.
         

Mad Hatter’s Tea is a fabulous and fun party and has been an ongoing fundraising event sponsored by the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Monies raised grow and maintain A Woman’s Garden, a major garden at the Dallas Arboretum.  
         

Over 450 guests, some from as far away as California, plan their trips to Dallas not only to take part in the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party – many in wild and wonderful over-the-top hats - but to view the glorious springtime azalea displays and flowers that grace the Dallas Arboretum.
         

The morning begins with a champagne reception in Ginsburg Plaza, followed by a professionally staged and choreographed fashion presentation produced by the inimitable Jan Strimple and sponsored by TOOTSIES, followed by a seated luncheon under elegantly draped tents. Hats are judged in different categories. Winners are announced at the fashion show and strut the runway.
         

Media Sponsors are PaperCity Magazine, The Park Cities News/The Waters Family, MySweetCharity.com.        

Individual Patron tickets begin at $350 and can be purchased via the website at  www.womenscouncildallasarboretum.org  Underwriting opportunities and naming sponsorships are available. Contact Sharon Ballew, First Vice-President – Fundraising, at mslj01@sbcglobal.net or 214-282-1595.

Beneficiary:  Since its inception in 1982, the Women's Council has supported the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.  It funded and continues to develop and maintain A Woman's Garden, the only public garden in the nation built by women and dedicated to the universal spirit of women.

* Photos from this event are by Dana Driensky.

For photos from past Mad Hatter’s Tea Parties and more information, visit the website at www.womenscouncildallasarboretum.org

Updates:     For updates and photos, visit the Mad Hatter’s Tea Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MadHattersTeaLuncheon

America's Got Talent Singer and Kidney Transplant Recipient Angelica Hale Urges Everyone to "Heart Your Kidneys"

Expanded public awareness campaign relaunches for March, National Kidney Month

Photo from the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Serving Texas free kidney screenings on World Kidney Day, March 8, at the Dallas County Health & Human Services Department. The community received a risk survey, blood pressure check, body mass index measurement, an opportunity to speak with a healthcare professional, free educational materials and for individuals at risk, an ACR urine test for albumin.
         

Throughout the month of March, which is National Kidney Month, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) reminds all Americans to “Heart Your Kidneys.”
         

More than 30 million American adults are estimated to have kidney disease, the 9^th leading cause of death in the U.S., and growing in prevalence. To further raise awareness among the young and the young at heart, NKF has partnered with 10-year-old America’s Got Talent singer and kidney transplant recipient Angelica Hale. NKF and Angelica are advancing the “Heart Your Kidneys” public awareness campaign introduced last year to elevate knowledge about, and concern for, kidneys to the level of the body’s other, better-understood, vital organs such as the heart. 

People also need to know that kidneys are the foundation for a healthy heart.  Kidney healthy is also heart healthy, so when you “heart your kidneys,” you also show love for your heart!  The number one cause of death in people with kidney disease is heart disease.

At age 4, Angelica’s kidneys failed. Her mother, Eva Hale, donated one of her own kidneys to her daughter to save her life. Today, both mother and daughter are healthy.  Angelica’s story is a reminder that when your kidneys stop working, so do you. Dialysis or a transplant is needed just to stay alive.  

“Eat right, exercise, drink water, and keep your kidneys healthy, because whatever you’re good at, there is only one you,” said Angelica as part of a new series of “Heart Your Kidneys” video public service announcements she recorded for NKF. Also, earlier this week, Angelica became NKF’s newest face of kidney advocacy on Capitol Hill during this year’s Kidney Patient Summit in Washington, D.C., where she helped support key NKF legislative priorities.

NKF Serving Texas urges anyone with diabetes, hypertension, or a family history of kidney disease to speak with their doctor this month, or anytime, and ask about getting tested for kidney disease.  “It takes just two simple tests at the doctor’s office to check your kidney health.  Even if you inherit kidney disease, you may be able to slow down progression of the disease with lifestyle changes,” said Neil Foote, local board chair.

Join the conversation on social media by looking for and posting the #HeartYourKidneys hashtag.

Kidney Disease Facts

30 million American adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease—and most aren’t aware of it. 1 in 3 American adults are at risk for chronic kidney disease. Risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and family history of kidney failure. People of African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian or Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease. African Americans are 3 times more likely than Whites, and Hispanics are nearly 1.5 times more likely than non-Hispanics to develop end-stage renal disease (kidney failure).

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is the largest, most comprehensive and longstanding organization dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease. For more information about NKF visit www.kidney.org.

Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society Announces
Gail and R. Gerald Turner as Honorary Chairs of Taste • Tour • Explore and Addresses of the Homes on the Spring Tour

Taste • Tour • Explore includes the Distinguished Speaker Luncheon featuring Jenna Bush Hager, April 11, 2018
Historic Home Tour, April 14, 2018
Classic and Antique Car Show April 21, 2018
Presented by Allie Beth Allman
Presenting Media Sponsor: D Home

         
 Lucinda Buford, president of the Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society (PCHPS) is honored to announce Gail and R. Gerald Turner, president of SMU, as the honorary chairs of the Society’s Spring Taste • Tour • Explore events, which begin on Wednesday, April 11 with the Distinguished Speaker Luncheon featuring Jenna Bush Hager as the speaker, chaired by Tish Key at the Brook Hollow Golf Club.
         

Hager is a contributing correspondent on NBC’s Today show and an editor-at-large for Southern Living magazine. She is also the author of The New York Times best seller Ana’s Story: A Journey of Hope, which she wrote after traveling to Latin American in 2006 as an intern with UNICEF. Hager is the daughter of former U.S. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush.
         

Jana Paul, chair of the Historic Home Tour, has also just announced the homes on the tour on Saturday, April 14. They are 3925 Potomac Avenue, 75205; 3928 University, 75205; 3504 Hanover, 75225; 4516 North Versailles Avenue, 75205 and 3712 Maplewood, 75205. 
         

Polly and Dan McKeithen are chairing the Classic and Antique Car Show happening on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at Burleson Park, 3000 University Boulevard, by Southern Methodist University. It is open to the public at no charge.
         

Tickets for the luncheon are on sale now and start at $150 each. Patron single seating starts at $300 each and include a Patron Party invitation. Other levels include more benefits. Sponsorships and table underwriting are available beginning at $1,500 up to $10,000. Check the website for updates: http://www.pchps.org or email mailto:info@pchps.org for sponsorship forms.
         

Advance tickets for the Saturday, April 14 Historic Home Tour will be available one month before the tour online at www.pchps.org and at these Tom Thumb stores: Snider Plaza, Preston Center, Greenville/Lovers Lane, Inwood/University, Lincoln Center.  For more information, call the PCHPS office (214) 582-0021.
         

The 2018 Historic Home Tour features architecturally and historically significant homes of the Park Cities.
•  The purpose of the annual Historic Home Tour is to show case architecturally and historically significant homes of the Park Cities and illustrate how these homes have been restored or remodeled and updated to serve the lifestyle needs of families today.
•  The Historic Home Tour and Distinguished Speaker Luncheon are the Society’s only fundraisers each year. The proceeds are allocated for scholarships and to help further our mission to promote, protect and preserve the historic, architectural, cultural and aesthetic legacy of the Park Cities.
•  The Society landmarks architecturally and historically significant homes in the Park
Cities, some of which are on the Historic Home Tour.
•  Members of the Society enjoy historic and preservation oriented educational programs.
         

Sponsors as of December 14, 2017: Presenting Sponsor, Allie Beth Allman & Associates. Home Sponsor: Capital Distributing; Lucinda Buford/Tessa Mosteller, Briggs Freeman.  Legacy Sponsors: Highland Park Village, William Briggs Architect, Venise and Larry Stuart. Vintage Sponsors: Carol and Clair Storey, Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International; Cynthia H. Beaird, William S. Briggs, David Dike Fine Art, Eiseman Jewels NorthPark, Harold Leidner Landscape Architects, Jana and Hadley Paul, Lentz Landscape Lighting, Sleepy Hollow Homes, Southwest Gallery.  Presenting Media Sponsor is D Home. Newspaper media Sponsor is The Park Cities News/The Waters Family
         

PCHPS mission is to preserve and promote the history, architecture, aesthetics and cultural traditions of the Park Cities. Proceeds of the fundraisers will be used to help preserve and maintain the Park Cities House at Dallas Heritage Village, support the new PCHPS archives at the University Park Library, fund the Society’s landmarking initiatives and award scholarships to Highland Park High School graduating seniors planning to study architecture, history or preservation. Membership in PCHPS is open to the public. For more information visit http://www.pchps.org

###