The sixth annual Oscar Night America at The Olmsted on Feb. 27 was a knockout evening to benefit Louisville's Family & Children First.
Arriving was so much fun - Walden Theatre students were the "paparazzi" in black had their cameras flashing on the red carpet. A gossip-type interviewed guests, who were greeted by Harry Potter, Glenda the Good Witch in a glittering pink dress and magic wand, and Merlin the Magician in a long white robe and white beard.
Kevin Swansey, production genius did the great decorations inside with cameras and reels of film and a lot of glitter, pure Swansey. Melissa Swan of WHAS-TV was emcee, beauty and brains. The silent and live auctions were packed with goodies. Dan Fox, executive director of Family & Children First, and gala chair Ken Kapp wore white roses with baby's breath (very appropriate) in their buttonholes. Leslie Hazlett was auction chair. A list of sponsors follows (they deserve top billing), but the show must go on first!
Chuck Norris (Scott Newlen), Reba McIntire (Mary Jean Collins in sequins), Wynonna Judd (Chase Nutter) and Tim McGraw (Scott Kohler, his cowboy hat tilted to perfection) were there.
I asked naughty Joe Pesci if he had said any bad words. He muttered "Plenty" as he chewed a cigar. "Have you said any GOOD words tonight?" I persisted.
"Yep, one. Drink!"
The women guests wore gorgeous clothes - WAVE-TV's Jackie Hays came in a long pale gown, which set off her delicate beauty. Her handsome husband Paul Bickel was distinguished with salt and pepper hair and beard. He was wearing a stylish tuxedo.
Especially glamorous in a long red gown with sable trim was gala committee member Elaine Crockett, wife of board member good looking and young John R. Crockett III. They were with Leslie Hazlett and Tim, who is a board member. They posed for me with Ira Goldberg development director of the center. Ira has an expressive animated face full of character and is a darling.
"You ought to be a movie star," I said.
"And YOU," he said dramatically, "would make a GREAT ... movie critic!"
How's that for repartee!
I came with interior designer Michael Weber who was a fashion plate in a black cashmere coat. We ought to be in a "Friends" reality TV show, because in reality we celebrating our 50th anniversary as friends! Michael was working for Hubbuch's in 1955 and helped Irving Long and me to decorate our new home on River Bluff Road with antiques.
Jay May of Fulltone Photographers, who looks like a movie star, took great pictures as souvenirs for the guests.
Board vice president is Aegon's Jeff Rosen, whose wife Ashley is a Voice-Tribune staff writer. She painted a child's rocking chair so artistically it sold for $110.
Board member Larry Williams and his wife Sara attended. He fussed at me last year because I said he looked like Peter O'Toole with those blue eyes, blond hair, and tall physique. He still does!
Dinner by Masterson's was superb: lovely green salad with dried cherries and walnuts; chicken cordon bleu: baby lamb chops, tender and delicious; new potatoes (the best I've ever had, cut like little mushrooms and steamed in lamb stock with butter); broccoli served with lemon and butter. Dessert was perfect: cheesecake dribbled with chocolate and cherry sauces on the plate. Congratulations, Masterson's!
Favors were chocolate stars, official Oscar Night programs same as Hollywood and 45 official cities of Oscar Night, and a knockout Oscar color poster with a gift certificate for 15 percent off to be framed by Framemakers Gallery. The poster colors were hot pink, gold, Kelly green and aqua in blocks around His Oscar-ness. Distinguished Paul Diaz, of presenting sponsor Kindred Healthcare Inc., very generously promised to be presenting sponsor next year.
He discussed the beneficial and dramatic impact of Family & Children First here. A representative couple who benefit from these programs were present with some of their children. Founding sponsor is Brown & Williamson, marquee sponsor was Rodes For Him And Her, which donated a live auction $3,000 gift certificate; official Oscar Night airline was American Airlines, which donated a $1,200 round-trip ticket for two to any destination in the continental U.S.; Canada or Mexico. Aegon, Bank One and YUM! Brands were star sponsors.
Read more at ://www.voice-tribune.com/socialside3_3_05.html
