20th Anniversary Signature Event
Stramski Center staff Ioana Pal, Candace Perisho, Medical Director Dr. Gary Feldman, Gricelda Alcantar-Vega, Natalia celebrate the Steel Magnolias’ 20th anniversary.
Steel Magnolias celebrates 20th anniversary at Gatsby on the Green Event
By Shirley Wild
A ‘20s themed party seemed appropriate as the Steel Magnolias celebrated their 20th anniversary with “Gatsby on the Green.” Founded in 1999 in support of the Stramski Children’s Developmental Center of Miller Women’s and Children’s Hospital the group has raised more than $5.6 million for the Center in the last two decades.
The crowd of 150 gathered at the Virginia Country Club home of Dr. Marlene Farooq and Craig Carter, which was transformed into a 1920s speakeasy for the Sept. 15. It was held al fresco in the expansive grounds of their home with breathtaking vistas of the golf course. Diaphanous drapery wafting in the breeze adorned the view.
Ladies arrived clad in drop-waist dresses, cloche hats, oodles of pearls and lots of fringe, while gents donned knickers, argyle sweater vests and newsboy hats eagerly channeling their inner Jay Gatsby. There was even a gangsta’ in a black shirt and white tie, with humongous shoulders clad in pinstripe, wearing spats and suspenders.
Once the sun set and the weather cooled, things began to heat up. Guests had to give the password to be shuttled to the undisclosed location. They disembarked at imposing gates only to be faced with gun-toting gangsters, a fleet of vintage automobiles and a very wily card magician. To see all of the ostrich feathers, strings of pearls, gold cloth and drapery one could imagine the opulence of the era.
It might have been the era of prohibition, but there was plenty of libations and decadent food to go around thanks to TGIS Catering. Entertainment included a show by the Satin Dollz along with a wisecracking ventriloquist.
Seen at the Scene: President Sofia Riley, Event Chair Anthony Gagliardi, Co-Chair Gary Lee Wolf, Don and Julie Knabe, Auctioneer Phil and Jeannie Jones, Susan Whitecotton, Hilda Sanchez and Dave Rigby, Founder Shirley and Dr. Bill Wild, (Hilda and the Wilds were clad by (Biannca’s Historic Costumes), Harry and Maria Saltzgaver, Fay Abed, Dr. Gary Feldman, Richard Brown, Ioana Pal, Katherine Keesal, Mari Hooper, Susan and Clyde Kendzierski, Liz and John Krummell, Dave and Carmen Bubar, Kelly Lucera, Bonnie Scott, Denise Dahlhausen, Paul Diego, Jack and Lynn Gesner, Loree Scarborough and Dennis McConkey, Suzanne and Doyle Powell, Kathy and Brent Sears, Stephanie Davis, Elizabeth Borsting, Jo and David Murray, Judie Johnsen, Suzanne and Jim Mills-Winkler, Jean and Jerry Green, Dara France and Mark Bernardini, Dominic and Karen Gagliardi, Claire and Mark Guillen.
