We always appreciate innovation on the charity ball scene. How often, after all, can you reinvent the black-tie gala or tweak it enough to make it different and interesting? Mark one up for Winter Ball chairs Jan Carson and Virginia Reisman, who shook up the tried and true presentation of the ABC/Channel 13 Women of Distinction to give the 700 attending the gala something fresh.

The 11 honorees, dressed to the hilt in lavish gowns, were presented in the round — arriving from different sides of the ballroom and stepping atop individual pedestals on the dance floor of the Hilton Americas-Houston as the spotlight embraced them.

Taking their bows for a multitude of accomplishments and good works were Susan Boggio, Jacqueline Chaumette, Lavonne Cox, Beth Madison, Judy Nyquist, Lisa Richardson, Kristi Schiller, Shawn Stephens, Pattie Dale Tye, Laura Ward and Philamena Baird, the latter named Women of Distinction Ambassador.

The women were escorted primarily by Ch. 13 news anchors including Dave Ward, who took a break from his duties as co-emcee of the evening with Tom Koch, to join his wife, Laura, on her walk of fame.

In another twist on Winter Ball tradition, there was a guest speaker, one so compelling that the audience was hushed as he spoke, something of a rarity at H-town black-tie galas. San Diego Chargers Hall of Famer Rolf Benirschke held the crowd at rapt attention as he talked about his battle with ulcerative colitis. Benirschke is national spokesman for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, beneficiary of the Winter Ball.

Keeping with Winter Ball tradition, designer Darryl Murchison worked his magic to create a dramatic ballroom interior in a nod to the "Northern Lights & Starry Nights" theme of the gala.

Helping raise $800,000 for CCFA was an impressive contingent that included honorary chair Mary Ann McKeithan and David McKeithan, Paige and Tilman Fertitta, Cora Sue and Harry Mach, Sue and Lester Smith, Tim Connolly, Dr. Neal Reisman, Terry Zmyslo, Betty and John Hrncir, Phyllis and Cornel Williams, Ed McMahon, Nidhika and Pershant Mehta and Merhnaz and Ned Gill.