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MySweetCharity Photo Gallery Alert: 2026 Compass School Of Texas Fiesta Live Auction And Concert
The Compass School Of Texas wasn’t deterred by a little thing like Mother Nature throwing all types of curveballs at its Third Annual Fiesta Live Auction And Concert. With temperatures ranging from the 80s with sunshine on Thursday, March 5, to Friday’s showers and thermometers dropping into the 40s, most event planners would have shuddered at the idea of planning during the topsy-turvy weather month of March.
But leave it to Compass Co-Founders Francis Harrison, Caroline Harrison Loehr and Frances Mitchell, 2026 Fiesta Co-Chairs Stefy and Michael Prentiss, Honorary Co-Chairs Sara and Alex Wilcox and Committee Co-Chair Louisa Harwood to have everything under control. After all, when one has a hangar like JSX’s for the venue, the partying and the fundraising will definitely take off with success, complete with the SMU Spirit Pom Squad and miniature burros at the front door, and Fin Ewing And The Wrong Direction and Ryan Bingham And The Texas Gentlemen performing on stage.
And speaking of the stage action, Heath Hale and his Cowboy Auctioneers had their hands full as the live auction rose to new heights.
Adding to that success was the crowd of fashionable and well-known types like Laurie Sands Harrison, Mackenzie Servers, Katherine Wynne with Sharron Hunt wearing cowboy earrings, Katy Brooks, Taylynn Snyder and Heida Vassa, who are always standouts in any crowd.
While the post is being rounded up, check out the MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.
The Stewpot’s “Love Your Neighbor Week” Starting Sunday Is Full Of Volunteering Opportunities
As part of The Stewpot‘s 50th anniversary year, it is launching a seven-day program for the community “to participate in more than 650 volunteer opportunities serving neighbors experiencing poverty and homelessness.”
From Sunday, April 19, to Saturday, April 25, the “Love Your Neighbor Week” program will encourage people to volunteer to “serve meals at The Second Chance Cafe, assist at The Stewpot Food Pantry, support outreach programs, assemble snack bags and hygiene kits and help care for The Stewpot clients.”
One of the week’s highlights will be the Neighbor Talent Show taking place at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, at 1610 S. Malcolm X Boulevard, where neighbors will be able to share “their gifts through art, essays, singing, and instrumental performances.”
Other opportunities include
- Food Pantry Volunteers (Monday–Friday mornings and afternoons) – Volunteers assist neighbors selecting groceries.
- Streetside Showers Outreach (Thursday, April 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) – Volunteers support guests receiving showers and hygiene services.
- Throughout the week volunteers are welcome to serve meals at The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center at 1818 Corsicana Street.
On the final day (aka Saturday, April 25) from 9:30 a.m. to noon, All Ages Volunteer Day will allow families with children to “assemble snack bags and hygiene kits together,” instilling the importance of volunteering and better understanding the basic needs of others.
If you have the time to make a difference and to celebrate The Stewpot’s mission to help the homeless and poor, you can view the opportunities here and how to get involved.
* Graphic courtesy of The Stewpot
Mahjong Aficionados Were Game For DSOL’s Inaugural Winds And Winds Tournament
While Mahjong is the go-to indoor sport for North Texas gals, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League kicked off its Winds and Winds Mahjong Tournament at “a local country club”‘ on the afternoon of Thursday, March 5. The DSOL fundraiser’s check-in fee of $1,000 to $10,000 didn’t discourage these Mahjongests including Karen Cox, Nancy Labadie, Choy Leng Scott and Catherine Wetzel. Here’s a report from the field:
The inaugural Winds and Winds Mahjong Tournament, presented by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League, was a lively and elegant evening filled with spirited mahjong play, music, and festive dining. The event took place on Thursday, March 5, in a private venue, where the room was arranged with colorful tablecloths adorning tables set for foursomes of enthusiastic players.
Hostesses arrived prepared for play, bringing a 2025 NML mahjong card—known as “The Big Card”—along with a full mahjong set for each table.
Guests were welcomed by attentive servers offering chilled sake and a refreshing grapefruit cocktail, accompanied by an array of sushi rolls that set a celebratory tone for the evening.
Event co-chairs Chelsea Hargrave, Kelly Ongena and Claire Busch greeted attendees and introduced DSOL President Claire Catrino, who enthusiastically shared the purpose of the gathering. While the evening was designed for fun and friendly competition, it also served as a meaningful FUNraiser benefiting the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s community and engagement programs.
Guests later enjoyed a hearty buffet of Chinese specialties, including egg rolls, fried shrimp, and chicken served in classic Chinese takeout containers with chopsticks—an entertaining and thematic touch.
Among those spotted enjoying the evening were Anne Stodghill, Katy Bock, Tracy Lange and Joanna Clarke.
Raffle tickets were sold throughout the night to raise additional funds, with prizes generously provided by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Eiseman Jewels, Chelsea Hargrave Interiors and The Charleston Club.
A DJ kept the energy high, spinning upbeat tunes that added to the festive atmosphere as tiles clicked and laughter filled the room.
Event sponsors included Hawkins-Welwood Homes, Compass School of Texas and TT Ranch Group.
Winds and Winds proved to be a lively and sophisticated night in support of the arts—blending tradition, community, and philanthropy in true Dallas style.
* Photo credit: Chuck Clark
JUST IN: 2026 Crystal Charity Ball Theme Announced With Butterflies And Gospel Singers
Despite the threat of rain once again, 2026 Crystal Charity Ball Chair Jennifer Dix had all her ducks in a row tonight in making the theme announcement for the 2026 CCB taking place on Saturday, December 12.
Underwritten by Forvis Mazars, the night had an overflow crowd of CCB committee members, vendors and near-and-dear at Kathy and Harlan Crow’s Library for the formal reveal of Jennifer’s internal working theme: “Be Happy.”
All in hot pink with butterflies highlighting her dress, Jennifer explained, “As many of you know, this year’s internal theme is Be Happy. I chose this theme because research shows us — and our hearts tell us — that happiness grows when we serve others. That same idea inspired this year’s Ball theme.”
She went on to explain, “You may be wondering… why the butterfly? For me, the butterfly has always represented hope, renewal, and joy — and that is exactly what we are working to bring to the children of Dallas County. Hope, renewal, and joy for the children of Dallas — who are our world.”
As the evening’s Chair Tanya Foster unveiled the logo of “Joy For The World,” Jennifer stepped aside and Marquinn Middleton And The Miracle Chorale performed an original song commissioned by CCB followed by “Happy” and “Oh Happy Day.”
JUST IN: Not Even Road Construction Could Stop Las Fiesta De Las Seis Banderas Preview Luncheon Guests
Despite the major construction at Ross Avenue and North Pearl, nothing could stop the La Fiesta De Seis Banderas guests from attending the Preview Luncheon presented by Highland Park Village today at Arts District Mansion.
The occasion was a great opportunity for the 2026 Duchesses and Escorts’ mothers and friends to get a sneak preview of the gowns that would be worn at the La Fiesta De Las Seis Banderas Gala, co-chaired by Leslie Carroll and Missy Finger, at the Fairmont Dallas on Saturday, June 6.
Orchestrated by 2025-2026 La Fiesta Board President Christine Palmer and Luncheon Co-Chairs Gini Florer and Elizabeth Miller, the Mansion’s lobby was highlighted with a mammoth arrangement of flowers and boots on the entry table saluting this year’s theme: “Celebrate The Lone Star State.” On one side of the room was a lineup of past Duchesses’ gowns. Down the hallway adjacent to the ballroom was a display showcasing miniature replicas of each Duchess gown.
It was easy to spot the past La Fiesta chairs in the crowd, like Suzanne Brown, Michaela Dyer, Susan Farris, Elizabeth Gambrell, Connie O’Neill and Kim Quinn. They were the ones proudly wearing the necklaces adorned with the six flags of Texas.
Also in the crowd were veterans of the fundraiser for a variety of Park Cities non-profits like Vicki Howland, whose daughters Elisa Summers and Heather Washburne had both been Duchesses, and whose granddaughters have been presented more recently — like Camille Summers, who will bow this year.
The rest of the class of 2026 Duchesses includes Ann Hinckley Anderson, Lyla Sloan Barrett, Caroline Emery Cardwell, Brooke Armstrong Chandler, Josephine Elizabeth Cherry, Madeleine Claire Denton, Claire Elizabeth Finger, Sophia Ann Ghobriel, Lane Elizabeth Glassmoyer, Heather Marie Greenfield, Karianne Christine Grove, Catherine Jean Hale, Hannah Claire Heflin, Abigail Elizabeth Herring, Madison Marie Imhof, Jane Aubrey Leopard, Emory Love Loewen, Eloise Lanier Love, Madison Mae McBee, Elizabeth Anne McGowan, Margaret Elizabeth McKenny, Molly Mulcahy Murphy, Elise Pauline Neuhoff, Maslan Emalee Pope, Charlotte Lee Pulliam, Jacquelyn Ann Pulliam, Marjorie Blaire Purnell, Ava Louise Saphier, Caroline Reese Schoenvogel, Georgia Katherine Sealy, Anne Virginia Speicher, Elizabeth Avery Steger, Olivia Adams Sterett, Tara Rachael Thomas, Charlotte Ann Tilden, Clara Lynne Tolleson, Katy Ann Vanderwoude, Harper Elise Visinsky, Amy Michelle Wilcox and Alexandra Katherine Wright.
As for the gentlemen serving as the Duchesses’ escorts, they will include the following: Austin Foster Allen, Zachary Edwin Baker, Caleb Spencer Benson, John Edward Burke, Gage Stephen Clark, Anderson Taylor Curtis, Grayson Lawrence Davenport, Theodore Solomon John Fleiss, Jack Devitt Frary, Wilson McCulloch Gill, Maxwell Bradley Haberer, Thomas Jones Hopper, Michael Manning Kovac, Henry Carlton Leigh, Harris Marcel Leinart, Brandon Traeger Lilly, Morgan Joseph Martinez, Jackson Scott McGinley, Gray Crenshaw Miller, Corbin Robert Monk, Sam McFarland Montgomery, Ross Christopher Morgan Jr., John Amir Morse, Colin Thomas Noble, William Charles Ogle Jr., John Gourley O’Grady, Benton Keller Owens, Wyatt Whitfield Peterie, Hunter Andrew Pierce, Braden Lawler Quinn, Knox Andrew Randall, Luke Soriero Sealy, William Hudson Shults, Williams King Signor, Trent Walker Thrash, John Allan Toole, Blake Wylie Trusler, Angus McCrae Wall, Robert Carson Wiles, Andrew Sargent Wilkes and Luke Calhoun Withers.
But before the big night takes place, there will be all types of activities, including teas, luncheon and cocktail parties for the families.
La Fiesta De Las Seis Banderas only proves that North Texans don’t halt raising funds when temperatures rise in June. Can’t wait to see what the coming weeks promise. You go, Duchesses!
Turtle Creek Was Blooming Today With An Azalea Luncheon And Day At The Races Auction Packages
Lovers of Turtle Creek were busy today. For lunch it was the Turtle Creek Association's (TCA) Azalea Luncheon at the Melrose Hotel Dallas ballroom, with guests discovering the ballroom annex where ages ago the swimming pool used to be. Not to worry. The valets were johnny-on-the-spot ready to direct … Read More...
All Points Home’s “Apres Ski” Arrived Right On Schedule At Frontiers Of Flight Museum
For simply ages, North Texans have embraced the hidden delight of the snowy slopes. Whether it's landscapes such as the Colorado Rockies or far-away places like Austria's St. Anton, they love the idea of enjoying a day of skiing (or perhaps just watching others) on the blue, red and black runs, … Read More...
The Senior Source’s Spirit Of Generations Had Cooked Up Surprises For Honoree Jan Langbein
It was a lively crowd of community leaders and corporate executives who filled the Anatole's Wedgwood Room for The Senior Source's 2026 Spirit Of Generations Award on Thursday, March 5. Perhaps it was due to the honoree being the ever-energetic Genesis Women's Shelter And Services … Read More...
2025 Crystal Charity Ball Beneficiaries Celebrate Cashing In Their $7,459,305 Checks
Christmas came early for the seven 2025 Crystal Charity Ball Dallas County children non-profit beneficiaries on Monday, March 2. Taking place in Highland Park Village's Mockingbird Room and underwritten by Truist Bank, the check presentation was the final chapter of the year-long effort to raise … Read More...
Nearly 2 L8 Alert: YES, Cherish The Children And Grand Garden Gala
After recovering from Sunday's search for Easter eggs and brunches, North Texans better prepare to transition for the weeks ahead. Next week already has signs of selling out for some events despite the large number — 21 — taking place. Need some examples? How about these: Nearing the … Read More...
Grovel Alert: Equest Blue Ribbon And Fashion Notes Patrons Are Just Plain Giddy Tonight
If you heard the sound of whooping and hollering around North Texas tonight, it was because there were a lot of very happy people with fundraising goals. They were all attending a couple of patron parties for upcoming events. First, there was the Equest Blue Ribbon Gala patron party at Connie and … Read More...