16 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2011
SOCIAL
An Evening in Africa
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Birmingham Zoo Celebrates Gala in Style in New Trails of Africa Exhibit
T
more
he Birmingham Zoo hosted its largest fundraising event of the year, ZooGala 2011, sponsored by Iberiabank, Sept. 17. Chairmen were Lee O. Perry, Misti S. Weaver and Amy M. Jackson. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., guests at the black tieoptional event enjoyed cocktails in the Junior League of Birmingham-Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo. African drummers and dancers from Umdabu South African Dance Theater added to the festivities, while guests mingled with a serval, Burmese python, great horned owl and other animals. The zoo’s locomotives, the Red Diamond Express and the Birmingham Zoo Express, transported guests to Trails of Africa, the zoo’s signature exhibit, for an 8 p.m. seated dinner. Donohoo Autos provided luxury vehicles that were displayed throughout the zoo during the event. African bull elephants made special appearances as the guests were welcomed to Trails. Kathy G & Co. provided the décor and the food, which included Bibb lettuce salad with grilled peaches, spiced pecans, feta and citrus vinaigrette; grilled beef tenderloin over saffron risotto; asparagus served with lemon-chive buerre blanc sauce; and two variations of tiramisu. During the meal, a special presentation photos at was made in honor of longtime supporters Sandy and Don Logan. They were awarded the titles of Philanthropists of the Year. After dinner, guests danced to music by Lava Lamp, who played hits from the ’70s. Jewelry from Empire Diamonds was featured throughout the evening. A portion of the proceeds from the jewelry sale contributed to the night’s fundraising efforts. All funds raised from the event will go towards the zoo’s operational efforts. Among ZooGala guests were: Dr. Bill Foster and Jean Cecil, Jesse and Laura Vogtle, Wally Nall III, Cissy and Steve Jackson, Robin Sparks Davis and David Davis, Randy and Lauri Jordan, Minda Riley Campbell, Jim Priester, Don and Anna James, Austin and Amanda Davis, Joseph and Amanda Welden, Lee and Charles Perry, Misti Weaver, Amy and Steve Jackson, Don and Sandy Logan; Kendall and Greg King, Charles and Cheryl Mayer, Jason and Jenny Waters, Mayor Terry Oden and Sandra Oden, Councilor Johnathan Austin, Mayor Tony Petelos and Judge Teresa Petelos, Rep. Paul DeMarco and Jacqueline DeMarco, Erin and Pete Donohoo, Chris and Denise Donohoo, Fred and Connie McCallum, Pam and Greg Siddall, Keith and Kristy Parrott; Katrina and Gregory Cade, Karen and Phil Carroll, Missy and Stewart Cox, Bill and Catherine Cabaniss, Allison and Jim Ingram, Ashley and Robert Spotswood, Pratt Austin-Trucks and Christopher Cole, Stacey Morales, Leigh and Keith Forstman, Philip and Cheryl Crane, Kathy Whatley, Peter and Sally Worthen, David and Leigh Perry Davis; Gordon and Margaret Martin, Jim and Sheila Richardson, Paula Beck and John Holmes, Beau and Joy Grenier, Lee and Kelly Styslinger, Kathleen and David Roth, Jennifer and Pat Cope, Kim Tew, Britt and Chuck Redden; Jeanne and Richard Monk, Kara and Delane Myers, Jess and Chris Mason, Ruth and Hank Spencer, Tracy and Gordon Sproule, Alison and Jim Ingram, Betsy and Steve French and Kathy and Jay Skinner. ❖
Among those attending the 2011 ZooGala were from left: David Davis and Robin Sparks-Davis, Jacqueline DeMarco and Rep. Paul DeMarco, Laura Vogtle, “Captain the Llama”, Jesse Vogtle, Jean Cecil and Dr. William Foster.
OTMJ.COM
Left: Others at the gala included, from left: Mountain Brook Mayor Terry Oden, Sandra Oden, Jean Cecil and Dr. William Foster. Right: Posing with Captain the Llama at the Zoo Gala are from left: Joseph and Amanda Welden and Austin and Amanda Davis.
Also at the gala were from left: Greg and Kendall King, Cissy Jackson and Karen and Phil Carroll.
Photos special to the Journal