The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League held a Party of Note with concertmaster Alexander Kerr and DSO violinists Lydia Umlauf and Nora Scheller on October 12 at Nick and Sam’s Grille Park Cities.

The reception and dinner was limited to 50 people, making it an intimate evening for the guests. The musicians spoke briefly before playing a special musical piece for the guests.

The dinner was generously underwritten by Nick and Sam’s. Proceeds from the event will benefit the education and community programs for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

Photos by Deborah Brown

Key to Photos

1. DSO musicians Lydia Umlauf, Alexander Kerr, Nora Scheller and DSOL President, Melissa Lewis.
2. 2 Dixie Marshall, Candace Tyson, and event chair Margaret La Rocca.
3. Don and Mari Epperson.
4. Peter and Meg Carlsen.
5. Alex Bolton and Christina Geyer.

Fresh insight into the extraordinary lives of three of the 20^th century’s most iconic trailblazers in the fields of Landscape Gardening, Haute Couture Fashion and Interior Design will be presented in “Designing  Women/Artistic Vision” , the ninth annual “A Writer’s Garden” Literary Symposium and Luncheon. The event is presented by the Women's Council of the Dallas Arboretum and will be held at the Arboretum’s Rosine Hall, Tuesday, November 3, 2015 - 9:30 am to 1:30 pm.

Noted authors featured at the literary symposium are:

Judith B. Tankard, award-winning architectural and garden historian, scholar, international lecturer and preservation consultant beautifully describes in her book Gertrude Jekyll at Munstead Wood the home and garden of the woman whose landscape design work laid the basis for modern garden design.

Diane Dorrans Saeks, best-selling author of twenty-one books, editor, design lecturer and founder of the design/travel /style blog The Style Saloniste provides an inspiring and surprising insider view of private collections of rare antiques, exquisite paintings and craftsmanship in Anne Getty: Interior Style.

Meryle Secrest, recipient of the 2006 Presidential National Humanities Medal, Pulitzer Prize finalist, renowned biographer, feature writer and creative writing teacher brings the Queen of Fashion to vivid life with her biography Elsa Schiaparelli highlighting the fashion designer’s unique collaborations with Salvador Dali, Jean Cocteau, Alberto Giacometti and Jean Schlumberger.

A “Meet & Greet the Authors” Patron Party for “A Writer’s Garden” Sponsors and Underwriters is planned for Monday evening, November 2, 2015, 6:00 to 8:00 pm, at a private residence.

Since 1986, the major goal of the Women’s Council has been the design, construction, funding and endowment of A Woman’s Garden, the centerpiece garden of the Dallas Arboretum.  A Woman’s Garden is the only public garden in the nation conceived by women, funded by the efforts of women and dedicated to the spirit of women. The support of over 600 members of the Women’s Council make possible the continued expansion and maintenance of A Woman’s Garden.

Funds raised from “A Writer’s Garden” will benefit A Woman’s Garden. Individual tickets for “A Writer’s Garden” Literary Symposium and Luncheon are $150. For Patron and Sponsorship opportunities and to purchase tickets on-line, visit: www.womenscouncildallasarboretum.org . For information: Liz Respess 214-739-6013 or brrer2@aol.com.

The Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce was  in attendance for the ribbon cutting of the new 500-square-foot facility expansion for Youth Believing in Change (YBC). The organization, located at 8574 Stults Road, is also celebrating its 20th anniversary. YBC was formed in 1995 to give children the spiritual and educational foundation they need to succeed. The ministry hosts after school programs for children ages K-12 from Sept. through May, which includes ...hot meals, tutoring, mentoring and homework help. In addition, YBC offers an eight-week summer program during June and July that mirrors regular school hours. It includes a music program, art enrichment, leadership and other educational efforts.

The expansion was made possible by a matching grant from Steve Van Amburgh, CEO of KDC Real Estate & Investments. With the contribution from Van Amburgh, who has been an YBC advisor for several years, YBC was able to reach the $250,000 financial threshold needed to begin construction on the major building initiative. This included added classroom space, which will double the number of children that can be served.

The following contractors and suppliers contributed to the expansion: Austin Commercial, Potter Concrete, Martin Marietta Materials, Teddy Peinado, Goodall, Piper-Weatherford, Drywall Interiors, Weir Brothers, JMEG, Intertech Floors, Harmon, Brandt, Nova Landscaping, DGB, Shahan & Son Painting, H3, Chatham Worth, Chamberlin Waterproofing and Roofing, Maverick Framing, JLB Partners, Moore Disposal, Green Electronic Solutions and Strip-A-Zone.

The Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce welcomed MY SALON Suite of Lakewood to the East Dallas area with a ribbon cutting ceremony. It is located in the Skillman Live Oak Center at 6115 La Vista Drive. My Salon Suite is a private, upscale beauty complex that leases fully furnished salon space to established beauty and wellness professionals who wish to operate their own businesses. Each suite is private, secure, and lockable and each tenant operates his/her business independently.

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League is celebrating the 30^th anniversary of the Presentation Ball which will be held on February 22, 2016. TOOTSIES hosted a reception and fashion show on August 27 to honor the ball chairs and co-chairs for the past 30 years.

The Presentation Ball, which was first held in 1987, is the largest fundraiser for the DSOL. More than $10 million has been raised for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through the annual event, which was created with the vision of long-time League member Tincy Miller, who chaired the first ball.

In attendance was founder and chair of the first ball Tincy Miller (1987) and familiar faces from past balls included Caryl Keys (1994), Anne Rodgers (1999), Emilynn Wilson (1993 Co-Chair), Kay Weeks (2013), Dixey Arterburn (2014), Venise Stuart (2015) and Nancy Labadie (2016). 2017 Chair-Elect Jolie Humphrey was also in attendance.

In February 43 debutantes will make their bows on the stage of the McDermott Concert Hall inside the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.

Photos by Deborah Brown

Key to main photo

1 Jo Anne McCullough, DSOL President 1992-1993; Sarah Frazee and Claire McCormick, Assembly officers; Caryl Keys,  1994 Chair; Jolie Humphrey, 2017 Chair-Elect; Venise Stuart, 2015 Chair; Tincy Miller, 1987 Chair; Anne Rodgers, 1999 Chair; Dixey Arterburn, 2014 Chair; Kay Weeks, 2013 Chair; Melissa Lewis, DSOL President; Nancy Labadie, 2016 Chair.