Shelby's Social Diary
Inspirational 14-year cancer battle of Holly Harwood Skolkin brings song,tributes & glamorous crowd
In song and in words, the annual Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation spring dinner at Fleming's celebrated the memory of Holly Harwood Skolkin, sister of Cindi Harwood Rose who with her husband, plastic surgeon Dr. Franklin Rose, created the non-profit. Skolkin died of breast cancer in February after a 14-year battle with the disease.
Her brave struggle was inspiration for the foundation, which was renamed, from the original Rose Ribbon Foundation, following her death.
As is tradition, the lavish dinner for 100 was hosted and underwritten entirely by Fleming's operational partner Sam Governale, who continues support begun by Maeve Pesquera several years ago.
With the Rose family involvement, the evening always attracts a glamorous, colorful crowd that on Tuesday night was led by dinner chairs Shayna Melcher and Jessica Rossman, channeling a youthful Ava Gardner.
This evening had a particularly serious side with Kristine Mills performing a song she had written in Skolkin's memory and dinner honoree Kelli Cohen Fein, taking the opportunity to give a heartfelt remembrance of and tribute to Skolkin. (Before the party got rolling, she said that she had accepted the honor in order to turn the attention to the memory of her late friend.) Skolkin's husband, Dr. Mark Skolkin, shared words in her honor as well.
The party crowd included United Airlines exec and benefit auctioneer Dave Hilfman; Lucho's Hector Villarreal, who provided his signature cigars for the gents in the house; Gordon Bethune, who did his share of bidding in the live auction; and Marc Melcher there supporting Shayna.
Relishing the amazing dinner were Martin Fein, Caroline and Gary Kenney, Joanna Barrett, Karen and Roland Garcia, Maria Bush, Debbie and Rudy Festari, Trish Rauch, Ben Rose, Angelica and Ed Chapman, Susan and Dan Biggio, Jared Lang and Cenk and Catherine Ozdogan.