Shelby's Social Diary
Rodeo fever stretches to River Oaks Country Club and the Pearl Ball goes litewith Texas theme
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Tradition took a backseat to youthful enthusiasm Thursday night when the 24th annual Good Samaritan Pearl Ball morphed into Pearl Ball Lite. Goodbye miles of glistening pearls and the typical ladylike theme, hello Texas-style food, fun and attire. Could it be the impending rodeo that blew the wind in a westerly direction?
Courtney and Jason Fertitta and Randa and Charlie Williams chaired the Texas chic-themed gala that raised serious dollars for the Good Samaritan Foundation's efforts in supporting nursing education in Texas. Since its inception, the Pearl Ball has raised more than $4.6 million. With these younger couples in the lead, the turnout was decidedly more youthful than in years past.
Guys in Texas tuxedos (jeans and boots) and gals adding turquoise jewelry to their party frocks and also wearing boots mingled with a more traditional black-tie crowd. They sat down to tables covered in burlap, draped in antique lace covers and topped with bountiful bouquets of Texas-style wildflowers, roses and hydrangeas. Credit for the whimsical decor goes to the talented Bergner & Johnson.
In keeping with the theme, dinner featured short ribs and cheese grits and for dessert those killer ROCC pecan balls and/or peach cobbler. After the chow, The Spiffingtons performed keeping the dance floor busy until closing time.
Two-stepping through the Pearl Ball Lite were Elizabeth and Zack Fertitta, Ellen and Hank Bachmann, Ann and Randy Fowler, Ginger and Jack Blanton, Margaret Williams and Jim Daniel, Celina and Jason Stabell, Laurie and Reed Morian, Joella and Steve Mach, Mollie and Dan Castaneda, Bobbie and John Nau and Vanessa and Eduardo Sanchez, who will chair the ball in 2013.
