The Revels singing at the Casa gala entrance
Silver Belle honoree Sharon Bradford and husband Dr. David Bradford at the Casa
way, it was lit with crystal chandeliers hanging from the trees and luminaries lining the drive. The entry fountain held a large Christmas tree all decorated in the Silver Bells theme. I heard it blew over a couple of nights before in the big wind. The Revels choir dressed like Scottish merrymakers singing carols greeted all the guests. Signature champagne cocktails were waiting for us garnished with a piece of fir green and cranberries. Inside the house was totally open for browsing upstairs and down with docents to answer questions. The fireplace in the living room was roaring
The Casa committee Mari McAlister, Susan Jackson, Elizabeth Storm McGovern, Meghan Stoll, Sharon Bradford, Emily Jones, and Cheryl Ziegler
and another tree was glittering with vases of deep-red roses and peonies all around. The dining room table was truly laden with goodies. A true Norman Rockwell scene! The outside garden was transformed
with sofas, cocktail tables, fire pits and lots of heaters. Also bars and an entrée station. The evening’s honoree was Sharon Bradford, crowned Silver Belle – the first time for someone to be honored and certainly deserving.
Sharon served on the Casa’s board of trustees for six years and chaired the event committee for two years. A few of her volunteering jobs have been the Botanic Garden, Elings Park, Direct Relief, the zoo, the Historical Museum, and the WWW Foundation. She chaired the Music Academy gala twice and is a member of the Garden Club. Co-chairs Elizabeth Storm McGovern and Meghan Stoll headed up the event committee. Some of their “elves” were Jen Abed, Kelly Cox Bilek, Heather Biles, Alexandra Bongaerts, Jessica Bowlin, Laura Bridley, Dinah Calderon, Susan Jackson, Emily Jones, Mari McAlister, Betsey Moller, Susanne Tucker, Brett Vapnek, and Cheryl Ziegler. A monumental job ya’ll did. Also attending from back east were two family members who still serve on the board: Albert Hinkley and Pharibe Wise. The Casa is also pleased to welcome their new executive director, Jessica Tade, Ph.D. As she said, “You are the heart of the Casa. We couldn’t do it without you.” The Steedman home that she stewards was built in the 1920s and only the family ever lived in it. When they passed on, it became a foundation and is open to the public
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OYSTER PERPETUAL
EXPLORER II
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