Steel Magnolias

Don and Judy Black, Carolyn and John Faber and Barbara (and

Ned, not in photo) were the high bidders for a party of 24 at Joe Jost’s at

the Steel Magnolia Gala last year.  The group enjoyed the famous Joe Jost’s

Special and pickled eggs, pretzels and of course, beer.

“Bonjour Messieurs et Mesdames” greeted Pat Pratt and her guests on April 7, 2011 as she and her guests arrived at the home of Chefs Carolyn and Pat Bixby for an evening of gastronomic delight.  Pat Pratt is a staunch supporter of the Steel Magnolias of the Stramski Center.  Each year she purchases one of the unique parties offered at the groups fundraising event.  “An Evening in Provence” was this year’s selection.

The group began their tummy-pleasing journey with herbed gougères, shrimp bites, sautéed in garlic, with champagne cocktail. There were oohs and aahs as the group admired the table, set with napery and dishes from France.  The Bixbys are unabashed Francophiles and have made over 10 sojourns there, collecting most of the tableware in their journeys.

More expressions of appreciation as Steel Magnolia volunteers, wearing bistro aprons, served each course.  The menu included artichoke and spinach soup with truffle oil swirl, served with Vouvray white wine; the main course of butterflied leg of lamb roast in garlic and rosemary, was served with white beans with lamb juices and parsley, buttered green beans, complimented with Haut Medoc red wine. Home-grown lettuce with goat cheese and toasted walnuts with edible flowers garni, in walnut oil vinaigrette, was followed by crepes with strawberries, lavender ice cream and crème fraiche ice cream.

Seen at the scene:  Pat Pratt and guests- Jane and Paul Ruksin, Barbara Vaught, Stephanie Quick, Tom Shadden, Angelo Cardono, Chris and Mark Abbott.  Party givers:  Carolyn and Pat Bixby, Kathy Lingle, Candice Stacy, and Garry Sandlin. Gloria Deukmejian and Pat Reep helped with prep, but were dedicating courthouses and visiting grandchildren that evening.

Steel Magnolia Chairman Anthony Gagliardi and 2011 President Judy McNulty Black greet Nancy and Mayor Bob FosterFoster.

Some 94 Steel Magnolias and guests gathered at the festively decorated  Madison Restaurant in downtown Long Beach on December 6, 2010 for their annual Holiday Dinner.  Dulcet-toned Porter Singletary was enjoyed by the mellow crowd as they feasted on gourmet dining.  Fun and fellowship prevailed throughout the evening, typical of the warm Steel  Magnolia’s    “La Familia”  milieu that makes the Steel Magnolias organization so special. Highlights of the evening included a presentation of a check for $215,000 representing the Steel Magnolias donation to the Stramski Children’s Developmental Center, accepted by the Memorial Medical Center Foundation,  MMCF CEO/President Jim Normandin.
Special guests included Mayor Bob Foster and his wife, Steel Magnolia member Nancy Foster and the Stramski Center Medical Director Gary Feldman, M.D. and his wife Cecile. The 2011 new members were presented and welcomed into “La Familia:”  Marion Pincombe, Garry Sandlin, Sherry Loos, Karen Blair, Jorene Hankla, Dia Kaesman, Pam Luckey, Gary Wolf and Renee Pratto.  Not able to attend were new members: Debra Barrad, Janis Krantz, and Kim Neipling.

Porter Singletary was “Singing in the Rain” at the ‘Evening at Anthony’s’ fundraiser for the Steel Magnolias on October 24, 2010. The fun event netted $5,000 for the Stramski Children’s Developmental Center.

The drizzle wasn’t at all off-putting for the 100 or so enthusiasts attending, they just put on their dancing shoes and went “Dancing in the Rain!”