What: Great Age Movement inaugural fundraiser.
Where: St. Regis Hotel.
The scoop: More than 200 guests came out for the jazz-inspired luncheon to support Houston geriatric rehabiliation specialist Fritz McDonald's quest to build a park dedicated to the needs of senior citizens. Noted jewelry designer Peter Martino co-chaired the fundraiser with Tony-award winning actress Liliane Montevecchi and Carolyn Farb, who told the crowd, "To quote George Bernard Shaw: 'We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.' "
Gordon Bethune presented McDonald with a proclamation from Mayor Sylvester Turner and Welcome Wilson Sr. received the first G.A.M. Award which honors a senior in the Houston community who exemplifies both personal and civic achievements for the betterment of our society. “Time is a great teacher but a horrible beautician,” Wilson quipped.
Guest of honor, octogenarian supermodel Carmen Dell'Orefice, was unable to attend since she was recovering from a bad fall in her New York apartment, but participated in a telephone interview with Houston Public Media's Ernie Manouse. Houston songbird Bubba McNeely also entertained the crowd.
The inaugural event raised more than $50,000 to help build Houston’s first senior playground at a to-be-determined location.
Who: Seen in the crowd were Jessica Rossman, Joanne King Herring, Joanne Wilson, Carolyn Farb, Arthur and Philomena Baird, Graydon Parrish and Scott Ballew, McKay Otto, George Lancaster, Shirlee and John Jamail, Jr., Marguerite Swartz, Beth Wolff, Mary Ann McKeithan, Joan Lyons, and Shannon Hall and Marcus Sloan.
Bubba McNeely, Joanne King Herring.
