“The White Ball – White Out Cancer” was the theme creatively chosen by our Ball Chairs Sharon Gustafson, Shannon Brooks and Susan Rindley for our 41st Anniversary Tiara Ball which was held at Pier Sixty Six Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Upon arrival, guests were welcomed by hostesses holding elegant white roses provided by our Hostess Chair, Judy Droder.
As we approached the registration table, to our delight and amusement were two gorgeous young ladies posing statue-like donned in dazzling white-feathered headpieces and white bejeweled bodysuits. Four other young ladies dressed in silver and white were helping at the registration table with Mary Kay Follin, Ann Rentoumis and Peggy Sudbrink. Our extra help – and additions to the ambiance – were very happy to accommodate us as they were earning their required community service as students from the Fort Lauderdale High School.
As we enjoyed the cocktail hour, iced martinis and hors-d'oeuvres, shopping at the wonderful silent auction, JR Dunn Jewelry cases and an innovative JR Dunn Champagne Raffle, we were jazzed by the sounds of a Soul Suvivors duet.
The Crystal Ballroom doors opened, and our band Soul Survivors were rockin’ the room. Guests were barely settled in before they hit the dance floor! The gourmet dinner was superb, the champagne and wine flowed and everyone was feeling festive.
WSVN Channel 7’s Shireen Sandoval from Deco Drive was introduced as our Mistress of Ceremonies. She was effusive in her compliments about the Royal Dames of Cancer Research, the funds we raise for cancer research and our “White Ball – White Out Cancer” Tiara Ball. Everyone was thrilled to see Shireen, and we were quite honored, as she is quite the celebrity around these parts! Shireen then introduced our President Janet Davis.
Janet welcomed everyone and thanked them for helping to make this year’s ball a huge, sold-out success! Janet then introduced the chairs of the evening’s fabulous event, Sharon Gustafson, Shannon Brooks and Susan Rindley.
Sharon, Shannon and Susan also spoke glowingly about all the wonderful support and thanked everyone for their attendance. Sharon shared with the audience that she wanted to honor her mother, Ellen Innes, “The Belle of the Ball” with this Tiara Ball, that the date is the same as the date that her mother passed away a few years ago, and how supportive she had always been. Our Ball Chairs then expressed on behalf of the Royal Dames their appreciation and gratitude to all the underwriters who included Lorraine Thomas, Carol Harrison, Barry Florescue/The Florescue Foundation, Nova Southeastern University, Arthur E. Benjamin as The Arthur E. Benjamin Foundation, Rick and Rita Case, JR Dunn Jewelers, Janet and Karl Davis, Sally and Shep Osherow, A.J. Acker, Debbie and Steve Day, Grey Goose Vodka, Linda and Doug Von Allmen, Hyatt Pier 66 Resort and Spa, Classical South Florida 89.7, WSVN Deco Drive, Go Riverwalk Magazine, Las Olas Lifestyle Magazine, City & Shore Magazine, Day and Nite Printing and MGM Commmunications.
Our Mistress of Ceremonies Shireen Sandoval returned to the stage and introduced the Chancellor of NSU, Ray Ferrero, Jr. Chancellor Ferrero offered much praise of the Royal Dames in their fundraising efforts for cancer research and informed the audience how grateful Nova is of our present, past and future relationship.
Following the fabulous program, Soul Survivors struck up the band and we were only too happy to “strike a pose” on the dance floor and dance the night away, as well as put in our final bids for the Silent Auction It was an entertaining and fun evening and we all carried home special memories of another Royal Dames Tiara Ball.
