Every woman has at least one go-to little black dress in her closet, the one she pulls out when she wants to look good for something that requires a little dressing up. On Friday, the Durango Friends of the Arts paid homage to that fashion staple by making it the theme for its annual luncheon and fashion show.
And pull out the LBDs, they did, dresses with bows, glitz and glamour, swanky dresses, slinky dresses and dresses accessorized to the nines. Because the event also features a hat contest, chapeaux galore were on display. giving judge Nancy Macho some tough decisions to make.
Not only did Diane Welle create a hat for herself that won the prized Best of Theme Award, she had made so many hats for other ladies that could have won the award, she should have won whether or not she herself had actually worn a great hat.
Carolyn Plested took the Most Humorous Hat award for “Fifty Shade of ...” Mistress of ceremonies Deborah Uroda Siegele went ahead and filled in the blank with the infamous book title, but after the luncheon, Plested said maybe it should be “Fifty Shades of Fun.”
And Dottie Robinson received Most Elaborate Hat honors – I bet her neck was a little sore by the end of the festivities.
Ricci Dawson enjoyed judging the table decorations, and we all agreed that Buff Rogers nailed the Best Table Based on the Theme, complete with a mannequin sporting elegant accessories, a Judith Lieber minaudière (that’s a fancy evening bag) and the famous little robin’s egg-blue boxes from Tiffany’s.
Caroline Todd, Barbara Morrison, Pat Dworkin and Mike Todd helped decorate those tables that didn’t have a hostess and the rest of the Ballroom at the DoubleTree Hotel.
The event started with a wonderful silent auction, featuring one-of-a-kind items such as a handmade shawl by Penny Haney, jewelry from Karren Little’s enviable collection, piano lessons by former music professor Marilyn Garst, an antique working slot machine, and a Disney-themed child’s saddle courtesy of Dennis and Marian Pierce.
After a luncheon featuring a Mediterranean salad and the DoubleTree’s famous chocolate chip cookies, guests enjoyed the fashion show organized by Joanie Petersen Thomas, Little and Susie Ammann, featuring fashions by Appaloosa Trading Co., Blu Boutique, Eureka!, Dolce Boutique, Giddy-Up 409, La Plata Gifts at the DoubleTree Hotel, M. Moose and Co., in Farmington, Overland Sheepskin Co., Renae Marie and There’s No Place Like Home.
In addition to the organizers, models included Jana Goldstein, Roxanne Hamilton, Emily McCardle, Maggie Sauer, Peggy Zemach, Sydney Morris, Mary Chapel, Kitsy Williams, Nancy Jones Wynn, Marcia Baxter, Mary Orsini and the very dapper Tom Robinson.
In fact, there was quite a male presence at this event for a change. Gary Penington handled the sound and a number of husbands showed up to see what had their wives so engaged. Tim Sullivan, who donated a performance with his band. Narrow Gauge, not only escorted the models onto the stage, he actually auctioned his own donation.
Also sold at live auction was a jewelry making class at Orsini’s home with instruction by the ladies of Style ‘N’ Stones. Every guest will enjoy a luncheon and go home with some bling.
Entertainment included a performance of “Mein Herr” choreographed by Suzy DiSanto and performed by the cast of the Durango Arts Center’s upcoming production of ‘Cabaret.” Irish songbird Gemma Kavanagh, accompanied by Garst, delighted on Michel Legrand’s “What are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?” and a parody of “My Favorite Things” by Richard Rodgers. (Botox and Fixodent, anyone?)
Congratulations to Co-chairwomen Cindy Cortese, Myriam Palmer and DFA President Carol Bruno, who managed the 10-ring circus and chaired a lot of the subcommittees. And of course, as is always the case with Durango Friends of the Arts, a cast of thousands – well, OK, dozens – helped pull it off.
They’re still tallying the results, but the event definitely brought in more than $15,000 for the Grants Fund, which will help artists and arts organizations entertain us and enrich our lives, adults and children alike.
HHH
Enjoying the first of the October birthdays are Ashley Miller, Tim Orlowski, John Welcher, Carroll Groeger, Mary Southworth, Bryan McCoy, Matthew Ogier, Donna Arriza, Lucas Baken, Lynn Bell, Brett Englund, Elijah Oyler, Patricia Martens, Mary (Crow) Dunlap, Marilyn Swanson, Richard Nobman, Kathryn Eppich, Hope Hamilton, Tonya Gardner Ensign, Jonah Michael Unterreiner (4!) and Chris Colwell.
HHH
Kudos to Director Andy White and the staff members of the Durango Public Library, as well as the Durango Friends of the Library, for another successful Literary Festival over the weekend.
I’m not sure how they scored the appearance by author C.J. Box, who happens to be one of my personal favorites, but he was engaging and personable, with some great stories. Not only did he speak to a standing-room-only crowd of about 150 on Friday evening, Box also had lunch with about 50 committed fans who bought tickets for lunch with him the next day as a fundraiser for the friends.
Box practically grew up in the Casper, Wyo., Public Library, and he’s a writer who understands that libraries are where readers discover authors, going on to purchase books by someone they have borrowed first. White did some research and discovered that every single day at the library, at least one of Box’s books is checked out.
Box writes two different series and standalone thrillers. The series about Joe Pickett led to one of Box’s funnier moments as an author. He was speaking at a state library conference, when one of the librarians kept scowling at him.
Finally, he asked her if he had offended her in some way, and she asked Box, “Why would I want to read about gay Mormons?”
It took him a moment before he got it.
“Ma’am,” he said, “Joe Pickett is a game warden.”
She was still embarrassed when she ran into him a couple of years later, but she gave him a great story.
Friends President Nancy Peake had discovered that the Discount Liquor Store in Wheatland, Wyo., had once hosted a Box booksigning.
He thought that factoid was both funny and obcure. It turned out to be a favor for two women he went to high school with who had just bought the store. Ah, the glamourous life of an author, even a New York Times bestselling one.
I was one of about 20 local authors (with my co-author Bud Poe) who was on hand for the Local Authors Fair on Saturday afternoon. It was an amazing cross section of local talent, including poetry, mysteries, historical fiction, memoirs and how-tos ranging from rock climbing to building with a historical Japanese clay technique, complete with demonstrations of local clay by author Emily Reynolds.
What a nice celebration for the readers among us!
HHH
Enjoying crisp fall days and changing colors for their anniversaries are Richard and Bonnie Jung, Zeke and Glennda Baumgardner, Tim and Debbie Smith and Rege and Nancy Leach.
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