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Catering to Charity A Congressional Gala for Children’s Inn, gourmet dining to fight human trafficking and a wedding of note BY DONNA SHOR

DINING FOR A CAUSE

the gala’s mistresses of ceremonies) and NPR’s

It wasn’t too surprising that “Recipe for Giving,” the annual Congressional gala that builds new kitchens for Children’s Inn at NIH, was a foodfocused event. Five leading Washington area chefs served hors d’oeuvres in Union Station’s foyer. After dinner, guests got a copy of “Mr. Sunday’s Soups,” recipes Lorraine Wallace created to sustain husband Chris Wallace when he came home exhausted after his early-morning job as anchor of “Fox News Sunday.” Since the Inn’s 1990 opening, over 10,000 ailing children who have not been helped by conventional medical care have been treated by the Inn’s specialists in a caring, homelike setting. The Inn’s Starlight Award was given to a dedicated supporter since 1992: Cokie Roberts, NPR’s senior news analyst and ABC News political commentator, dubbed a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress. Her husband, journalist and TV pundit Steve Roberts, was in the crowd along with her mother, former Rep. Lindy Boggs, who was elected to her Louisiana congressional seat after her husband, Rep. Hale Boggs, died in a plane crash in Alaska in 1972. She later served as U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. Dianne Kay and Debbie Dingell were spotted along with two Congressional wives, Linda Bachus and Abigail Blunt (who served as

Nina Totenberg with her surgeon husband, Dr. H. David Reines. TV’s Sam Donaldson and his wife, writer Jan Smith, were fresh from a

book signing for “The Whole Damn Deal” by Cathryn McGarr, the niece of legendary lawyer and political strategist Bob Strauss. Handing a

before Thanksgiving at the Washington Club. Chef Dean Feddaoui created a dozen dishes, including a stupendous dessert, and roasted 40 Cornish hens for the buffet at John’s home. This year the ball will benefit four effective hands-on groups that work directly with victims: Bridge to Freedom, Courtney’s House, HIPS and WEAVE.The groups organized ball-sponsored parties to raise additional funds, gathering at inspots such as Lima, Rivers, Mie’nYu and L2. Committee heads are Tanya Sabel, Michele Lebar, Liz Sara and Marco A. Garcia. LOVE IN THE AIR

“The most romantic wedding imaginable,” guests said of Sydney “Nini” Ferguson and Jay Johnson’s nuptials Above: Florence Prioleau, Cokie Roberts, former Rep. Lindy at Christ Church in Boggs and Holly Hassett at the Children’s Inn Gala (Photo by Georgetown. They are Stephen Purcell) Left: Dean Feddaoui cooks up specialties at the Capital City Ball’s thank-you dinner. (Photo by Temka Battlemen) a matched set: both are tall and terrific, love the copy to Cokie, Jan said,“I brought you a present outdoors and are business honchos. He is CEO because it is very good, very well-written, and of General Dynamics and a retired four-star admiral and she is a recognized authority in the you are in it.” That’s how a gala becomes a tribal gathering global energy field. Nini, resplendent in an ecru lace oneof the Washington media “clan.” shouldered gown and a handsome shawl, was given away by her son Duncan and daughter CHEF’S SPECIALTIES The Capital City Ball — the charity founded Charlotte. by John Dunford and Bruce Fries, two pals After their first dance to Peter Duchin’s who love parties and hate human trafficking — Orchestra at the Metropolitan Club reception, hosted a terrific dinner to thank key supporters romantic wives among the guests said they were of the event, which annually draws 400 guests. thrilled to be led to the dance floor so their It will be held for the fifth time on the Saturday husbands could hold them in their arms.

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