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Despite Snow-10 Blizzard, St. Valentine’s Day Luncheon Busted $400,000

Two days before the Saint Valentine’s Day Luncheon & Fashion Show co-chair Rainey Fogiel (pictured in pink with co-chair/daughter Natalie Fogiel) sounded like General Patton: “LUNCH WILL GO ON!! It will be almost as FABULOUS as last year. . . I’m being positive about the weather…!!” She must have made a deal with Mother Nature or the Devil or both. “Just hold off with the big stuff until after Thursday’s show.” Too bad that the NBA All-Stars, Valentine florists, and D/FW International didn’t have Rainey’s connections with the powers-that-be for them.

If you’ll recall, Thursday morning Dallas was showing the first ripple of the blizzard of Sno-10 as snow and more snow fell (pictured). But it was not enough to deter the 800 Ladies Who Limo from helping to raise funds in the battle for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of North Texas.

First challenge of the day was making it to the event. Smart ones entouraged. Brynn Bagot hitched a ride with her former step-mom Shelle Sills. Amy Stainback and Cathy McKnight had no troubles navigating the route because they “came with a friend Boston who had no problem.” Clever ones carpooled ala limousines ranging the color spectrum from black (pictured) to white. Hummer limos were MIA. Guess they’re just not that fashionable nowadays.

As the guests arrived at the Anatole’s Chantilly Ballroom’s covered walkway, they were greeted by a sea of black bumbershoot-toting valets. The guests were rewarded with major handholding for their trek efforts. Hardly a toe touched slush or a follicle was christened with a snowflake.

While the guests arrived and chit-chatted about their mushing to the luncheon, Runway General Jan Stimple had all her legions of models, stylists, and dressers (pictured) nestled warmly backstage preparing for the show. Yes, it would be delayed a bit, but that was to be expected. Only unexpected news was word of Alexander McQueen‘s suicide in London. Such a loss to the fashion world.

But back to the gathering out front. Once inside the hotel, many of the fur-bearing ladies opted to keep their coats on even though the temperature was not too toasty, not too chilly, but just right. Unlike the traditional colored limos, the furs came in all colors — brown, black, pink (pictured), red, white, you name it. For NBA-visiting guests at the Anatole (aka NBA Home Away From Home), it may have appeared that a convention of meerkats was sharing their digs.

Then it was time for lunch. Much to the relief of Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of North Texas’ Tina Garcia and Michelle Northcutt, nearly all the tables were filled. They were amazed at the turnout. . . Janie Condon table hit-and-ran despite surgery on her arm just a day before. . . Amy Turner (pictured right with, from the left, Kathy Klingaman and Christine Handy) was also on the mend with a hard-to-see band aid on her forehead covering a little surgery to remove an old scar . . . Rob Sumner of Park Place Dealerships laughed when asked about potential body work resulting from the pending blizzard. . . Winnie Anderson (pictured) was having fun scene-snatching in her black and white. Think Carnaby Street meets Harley-Davidson . . . All in white, Marilyn Klepak chuckled that even at 76, she’s still lunching around. . . Doris Jacobs looked all nice and warm in her coat with matching muff, while daughter Teffy (pictured left with Doris) was in a colorful coat of fabrics and fur. The gals could take the day off from real estating. It’s doubtful anyone would want to see an estate in this snowstorm. . . Past luncheon chairs DeeDee Lee and Claire Emanuelson looked terrific. DeeDee was probably grateful that when she chaired last year’s luncheon the AC had to be turned on.

As lights dimmed, FOX Channel 4′s Clarice Tinsley brought the group to order. She’s an old hand at it since this year is her eighth and according to organizers, “all she gets is a free lunch.” First on the agenda was a fashion show with volunteers and special friends including the likes of Denise Wolford (pictured) accompanied by a Cavalier Spaniel, that looked a tad bit nervous with all the furs in the room.

Then it was time for co-chairs Rainey and her daughter Natalie to enthusiastically thank the gathering for being there. Special thanks went to Crawford Brock (Stanley Korshak provided the clothes), committee members, underwriters and especially Nancy C. Rogers.

Rainey didn’t tell the audience (but sent word to SweetCharity via email) that Nancy, who helped provide $100,000 underwriting for the event. . .

“. . . woke up yesterday (ed. note: Thursday) money and felt so bad and worried that we would not make our numbers as we do raise quite a bit of money thru raffle and selling those 130 beautiful flowers crystal leaded bowls. She told herself that she was going to give us an additional 25K over what she had originally pledged. What a Saint!! When she told me that. I was floored but I had the presence of mind to ask her if she would also throw in that beautiful necklace that she was wearing!! She looked at me and thought about it for 2 split seconds and gave me a big NO!!!!”

They then announced that the “Heart of Gold Award” was being made in the name of the late Lynda Adleta, who died this past September after a battle with blood cancer. Her longtime friend Ellen Terry made the presentation with a moving introduction for this year’s recipient Gigi Potter (pictured left with Ellen), who had chaired the luncheon in the past but also is celebrating her tenth year of being cancer free of lymphoma.

Then Clarice introduced Alicia Landry for the presentation of the “Spirit of Tom Landry Character Award.” Now, Alicia knows how to make an entrance — on the arm of former Dallas Cowboy Randy White, who still looks mighty powerful. Named after Alicia’s late husband, the award was given to Zach Rigby (pictured right with Randy and Alicia), who is an adorable version of Jake Gyllenhaal. Zach’s story of being diagnosed with Adult Hodgkin’s Lymphoma on March 8, 2007 (his 16th birthday) and his treatments were almost as remarkable as his understanding of the challenges facing him. It’s a story worth reading time and time again about this University of Texas freshman. Attention, class: Be very nice to this young man. He’s going to be very important in the years ahead.

The final award of the day went to the Rapp group, which had donated all the creative elements (invitations, website, etc.) to the event. All of their work was rather gangbusters.

It was now time for the show of Korshak finery finishing the parade of lovelies with the spring line (pictured) from hometown sweetheart Lela Rose, who videotaped a message to the crowd. As usual, it was a stellar show, but then what else would you expect when Jan and Korshak get together? Only challenge in the whole procession of clothes was one model who almost let one of the highly-platformed shoes throw her off balance. But like a pro, she regained her footing and carried on with that model glare.

As soon as the lights came up, the raffle items were announced. The Fogiel family did well and not so well. Son Patrick (pictured), who wore his Troy Dungan tie (we thought he looked more like Tucker Carlson), bought a ticket and won a $1,000 gift certificate to HP Village. Mom Rainey bought ten tickets and got “nada.” Well, that’s not exactly right. Seems that big-spending Patrick treated the Fogiel clan to dinner at Mia Cocina in HPV that night. The moment the dinner was on the table, the lights went out, and the family enjoyed dinner in the dark. Thank heaven for Patrick’s gift certificate, because none of the Fogiels had any cash and the credit card machines were dead.

At this point, most event descriptions would end happily-ever-after, but there was a hiccup that needs to be mentioned. As the 800 snow angels scurried to the valets for their modes of transportation home, they were directed to the Anatole Tower’s porte-cochere. It was much more protected from the elements than the original drop off walkway. But even so, the wait times ended up varying from a few minutes to more than a half hour. The Pampered Patrons now looked like a casting call for March of the Penguins as they huddled together for warmth. They couldn’t go inside for fear of missing their cars.

One bundled-up committee member muttered, “I left the lunch early, so I could make a 1 p.m. meeting. I was one of the first ones here and I’m still waiting 30 minutes later.”

A professional in the valet business shook his head saying that not enough parkers had been hired to “handle the 200 cars.” While SweetCharity was not running a tab on the number of vehicles, it is highly suspect that there were only 200 vehicles for the 800 guests. From our vantage point, it appeared that one of the problems was the mega limos trying to do-si-do with the luxury SUV’s into the two available lanes, as well as confusion on locating vehicles in the snow. On the lighter side, it was rather humorous seeing a little SmartCar sneak in among the mega-wheels.

One Nike salesman in town for the NBA All-Star weekend waiting for his car marveled at the long-legged beauties getting into their limousines and proclaimed, “This is beautiful, just beautiful.” (Did he really think this activity was part of the “Welcome to Dallas” program?)

What especially made this $400,000+ day for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society especially beautiful were the generous underwriters and donors including:

Hope Diamond Valentine ($50,000–$99,999) – Richard and Nancy C. Rogers

Diamond Valentine ($25,000–$49,999) – Rapp

Pink Diamond Valentines ($10,000–$24,999) – American Airlines, Park Place Motorcars Dallas,  Ruth Robinson in memory of Edgar A. Robinson, Stanley Korshak, Becca Cason Thrash, Jack Turpin, Billie Thomas, Jack Turpin in memory of Sally Turpin, and Gloria Somerville Wagner

Sapphire Valentines ($5,000–$9,999) – Claire Emanuelson and Muffin Lemak, Mr. & Mrs. Stanford C. Finney Jr., Modern Luxury, Cindy Rachofsky and Meghan Looney, Michelle and Tim Brookshire, Inette Brown, Rosann Gutman and Ruthie Pack, Maura Costello in memory of Ollie Belle Patrick, The Robert and Nancy Dedman Foundation Fund of Communities Foundation of Texas, Al G. Hill Jr., Tavia and Clark Hunt, Gene Jones, Diane Scovell, Dannye Thomas, and Denise and Larry Wolford

Ruby Valentines ($3,000–$4,999) – Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine,
Cordelia and Tom Boone of The Boone Foundation, The Trammell & Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art, Holly Pellham Davis, Ann and John Delatour, Neva Hall and Shelle Sills of Neiman Marcus, Francis Ryburn of The Moss Foundation, Mac, Lisa and Taylor Tichenor,
Tracy Castleman and Ellen Terry in memory of Lynda Adleta, Elbit Systems of America,
Jill Goldberg and Janet Nylund, Kayla Roughton, Jane Sparks and Maria Stafford, and
Christine and Stephanie Schuepbach

Pearl Valentines ($1,650–$2,999) – Rebecca, Anne and Molly Bruder, Mrs. Michael A. Cagle and Mrs. J. Bruce Martindale, Mona Carlton & Grey Stogner,Sally and Tom Dunning Advised Fund of The Dallas Foundation in honor of Gigi Potter, Rusty and Bill Duvall and Janet Evans,
Linda Perrin, A. L. Chilton Foundation, Baker Botts LLP, Mike and Susie Barnett/Benchmark Bank and Title, Tricia Besing, Ann Carruth, Heather Cooper, Lissie Donosky, Lynn Lemon, Rebecca Lutz, Debra Miller, Sara Sands, Carolyn Toledo and Tamareh Tuma, Kym Comer,
Leah Davis of Right Angle Interiors, Friends of Gigi Potter, Debbie and Lauren Gilmore and Loyd and Jennifer Zisk, Lista and Hayley Hightower, Investigators Club, Gigi Potter, Sandra Roberdeau, Kathi and Scott Shuford of Dallas Auction Gallery, and Tom Thumb

Patron Tickets ($500 and above) – Janet Cobb, Janie Condon, Ola Fojtasek, Tricia George, Natalie and Dr. Edwin Ornish, Barbara Sanger, and Laurie-Jo Straty

Donations ($1,000 and above) – Marguerite Hoffman in memory of Robert K. Hoffman, DeeDee Lee in honor of Rainey and Natalie Fogiel, Mr. and Mrs. Ross Perot, in memory of Henry Jamison Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Fronterhouse in honor of Gigi Potter, Heather Furniss, and Deedie Rose

Donations – Naomi Aberly, Heather Balestri in honor of Gigi Potter, Kerry and Lewis Brown Jr. in memory of Lewis E. Brown Sr., Nancy Carter in honor of Nancy Rogers, Robyn Conlon, Juli Harrison in honor or Crawford Brock, Jennifer Karol in memory of Lynda Adleta, Kathy Mattai,
Cynthia Miller in honor of Lisa Kopecky, Mollie Pin in memory of Sara Foxworth and in honor of Christine Schuepbach, Dorothy Singhal, Dolores & Jeff Staffin in memory of Bruce Staffin,
Vera Thornton in honor of Gigi Potter, Diane Butler, Chris and Becky Carroll in honor of Debbie and Hayley Evans, Mark and Martha Crites in honor of Paul May, Barbara Hunt Crow in honor of Gigi Potter, Leeanne Hunt in honor of Gigi Potter, Max and Betty Anne Hunter, Dorothy Lay,
Becky McCamey, Elaine Notestine, Carol Seay in honor of Gigi Potter, Vicki Stensrud, Charlotte and Alexis Claire Tripplehorn, and Susan Ware