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Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild Announces 2019 Debutantes

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild (HSOG) has announced the 28 young ladies who will be presented at the 2019 Symphony Ball. The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild has presented the ball annually since 1964 and is a major fundraiser for the symphony.

The HSOG Ball is a time-honored and gracious tradition that begins each summer with teas and parties. Rosemary Latham will serve as chairman of the 2019 Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Ball.

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild is pleased to announce the debutantes for 2019.

Catherine Dyar Ahia

Margaret Diane Bryant

Savannah Sumners Cagle

Jessica Lee Cape

Audrey Lee Greenwood Clayton

Elizabeth Bankston Creech

Lauren Kate Dodd

Sydney Summers Flesch

Margaret Virginia Gardner

Anne Elizabeth Hardin

Alice Kathleen Henshaw

Margaret McKenzie Huckaby

Katherine Montgomery Hunter

Caroline Lamar Jewell

Elizabeth Marie Johnson

Katherine Lee Jones

Caroline Emily Kattos

Juliana Catherine Kattos

Olivia Kathleen Kattos

Mary Catherine Kelly

Crosby Camille Loftin

Margaret McCulloch Mitchell

Sara Laine McNew

Eve Kathryn Schoenrock

Margaret Ruth Smith

Caroline Coleman Stucky

Elizath Clay Walker

Lucy Margaret Yarbrough


Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild Silver Tea 2018

For over 50 years, guests have looked forward to the Silver Tea to support the Huntsville Youth Orchestra and community music education. After an extensive renovation, the home owners graciously welcomed their first guests at the 2018 Silver Tea. The Tea was held on the traditional first Thursday in December and truly was the perfect way to kick off the holiday season.

Guests were warmly greeted by home owner Christie Penney, Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild President Marie Newberry, 2018 Silver Tea Chairman Courtney Allen, Huntsville Youth Orchestra Executive Director Deborah Brown, President of the Huntsville Youth Orchestra Board Dr. Camilla Pruitt, and Huntsville Youth Orchestra Music Director Joe Lee.

The “Weakly-Hay-Holmes House” which was built in 1904, is rich in architectural detail both inside and out. The renovation updated the home with elegant and modern touches while retaining all of its historic charm. With addition of windows throughout all three floors, guests were treated to inviting, natural light and to inspiring views of the grounds while they toured the home. Fresh greenery and flowers throughout accented the beautifully and brightly decorated home.

The dining room was filled with a delicious variety of afternoon tea treats by Betty Lankford and Sallie Ennis. These culinary delights were paired with White Christmas punch and Spiced Cranberry Wassail tea served by past Presidents of the Symphony Guild. In the great room, the talented musicians of the Huntsville Youth Orchestra performed throughout the Tea. The beautiful music and cheerful conversation of guests created a festive ambiance. It was a lovely and social afternoon enjoyed by all.

A big “Thank You”  to the members of the Silver Tea Committee who worked so hard to make the Tea successful and memorable: catering liaison, Susie Fortner; cloak room, Naomi DuBois; HYO liaison, Ina Wilson Smith; database, Jamie Saunders; invitations, Susi Mann, past Presidents, Pam Gann; publicity, Tricia Murray and Jody Bridges; reservations and finance, Ginger Liles; room hostesses, Rosalie Smith; silver bowl, Linda Akenhead; transportation and security, Kathy Williford and Rosemary Latham; volunteers, Belinda Ivy; and advisor, Samantha Bentley. And to Christie Penney for opening her beautiful home and to Courtney Penney Allen for chairing this amazing event.

Huntsville Youth Orchestra Opens the 2018-2019 Season

 

The Huntsville Youth Orchestra opened the 2018-2019 season October 21st at Trinity United Methodist Church. Four orchestras performed various works from ballets of Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, and others. The next concert is December 2nd and Randolph’s Thursber Auditorium. Several chamber ensembles will perform at the annual Silver Tea on December 6th.

2018 Symphony Ball Advisors Announced

Press Release For further information, call
From Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild Jennifer Lapidus, 256-520-6175
September 11, 2018

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild’s long-standing tradition continues in 2018, as Symphony Ball Chairwoman, Debbie Washburn, named her Ball advisors for the year and hosted them at an end-of-summer social on Sunday, August 26, 2018. A select group of the community’s distinguished men in positions of civic leadership are chosen annually to provide business and financial advice to the Ball Chair and support the event.

To show appreciation for their service to the Guild, Debbie and her Ball Committee hosted the men and their spouses at an Advisors’ Dinner party in their honor at the home of Debbie and Ben Washburn. Dinner food provided by Bruce Roy of Belle Fleur, included an outstanding menu including a Five Peppercorn Beef Tenderloin Carving station with Cocktail Croissants and Horseradish Sauce, Shrimp and Chicken Creole with Saffron Rice, Bacon wrapped Almond Dates, Roasted Rosemary Potatoes, and Prosciutto wrapped Mango. The desserts were delicious Mini Cheesecake Bites with Praline and Chocolate Sauce Toppings and Embassy Key Lime Pie.

The Symphony Ball will be held on October 27th in the Von Braun Center North hall. It will be the 55th Ball held to benefit our community by supporting the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild established the Symphony Ball as a major fundraiser for the orchestra in 1964.

First row…Randy Roper, Brian Scholl, George Lewis. Ben Washburn, Patrick Robbins Second row…John Wilmer, Ken Rivenbark (master of ceremonies), Norm Tew, John Johnson, Richard Clay, Carl Humphries

First row… George Lewis, Randy Roper, Brian Scholl, Debbie Washburn, Ben Washburn, Patrick Robbins 2nd row… John Wilmer, Ken Rivenbark (MoC), Norm Tew, John Johnson, Richard Clay, Carl Humphries

The 2018 Symphony Ball advisors are as follows:

Dr. Richard Lloyd Clay is a Cardiothoracic Surgeon at the Heart Center. He is married to Julie Huettel Clay. His civic interests and activities include the Huntsville Museum of Art. Professional associations are Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, Diplomate of the American Board of Thoracic Surgeons. He has been honored as the physician of the year for the American Heart Association. Richard’s hobbies are golf, travel, collecting art and he is an audiophile.

Dr. Carl Arthur Humphries, is a Doctor of Medical Dentistry who established his practice in Arab, Alabama. He is married to Luanne Shivers Humphries. Carl is a member of the American Dental Association and the Alabama Dental Association. He enjoys gardening, landscaping, fitness and traveling to his favorite destination in Key West, Florida.

Dr. John Dee Johnson, Jr. is a Neurosurgeon at SportsMED and is married to Kim Floyd Johnson. His civic interests and activities include the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board Member 2005-2015, Auburn University College of Science and Mathematics Advisory Board and Von Braun Center Board of Control. John is a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurological Surgeons. His hobbies are family travel, hiking, biking and scuba diving.

Mr. George Edson Lewis is a Colonel, US Army retired. He is married to Anne Carns Lewis. His civic interests and activities include Rotary Club of Greater Huntsville and Burritt on the Mountain volunteer. George is a member of the Military Officers Association of America. He enjoys travel and reading.

Mr. Patrick Adair Robbins is the Director of Professional Services Revenue Cycle at Huntsville Hospital. He is married to John Christopher Wesley. Patrick’s enjoys the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and has served on the Board of Trustees, Thrive Alabama former Board member and volunteer. His hobbies are music, reading and pottery.

Mr. John Randolph Roper is owner of Randy Roper Interiors. His civic interests include serving as President of the Twickenham Historic Preservation District Association, and he is a past member of Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board and the Foundation Board of the Huntsville Museum of Art. Randy’s honors include Path of Honor, Senior Center; Honoree at 1st American Diabetes Association Roast and a recipient of the Nell Oliver Award, Huntsville Museum of Art.
Dr. Brian Michael Scholl is an Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon at The Orthopaedic Center. He is married to Catherine Ritter Scholl. His civic interests include being a member of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board. Brian is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. His hobbies are fishing, hunting, reading, astronomy and computers.
Mr. Norman Edward Tew is Vice President and General Manager, Boeing Missile and Weapon Systems. He is married to Kathi Goedert Tew. His civic interests and activities include Greengate School for Dyslexia Board President, Auburn University Research Advisory Board, and Hudson Alpha Ambassador. Norm’s honors include Aviation Week’s Defense Grand Laureate Award (2015, 2018), National Space Club’s Nelson P. Jackson Award (2018), National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Leadership Excellence (2017), Auburn University Electrical Engineering Alumni of the Year (2018), Honorable Order of Saint Barbara. Norm’s hobbies are jet skiing, coin collecting, gardening and golf.
Dr. Thomas Benton Washburn, Jr. is a Cardiothoracic Surgeon at the Heart Center. He is married to Deborah Glover Washburn. His civic interests include the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees. Ben’s professional associations include Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Member of Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and Diplomate of the American Board of Thoracic Surgeons. He was honored to be the American Heart Association’s Physician of the Year 2017. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, knife and firearm collecting.
Mr. John Anthony Wilmer is a Shareholder at Wilmer and Lee, P.A. He is married to Sylvia Tucker Wilmer. His civic interests include the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce: Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative (HREGI). John’s professional associations are the Alabama State Bar; Huntsville-Madison County Bar; Pennsylvania Bar Association; Huntsville Industrial Group (HIG), Executive Director, 2014 – present. His honors include Mid-South Super Lawyers, 2016; Lawyer of the Year, 2014 and 2015 in Huntsville and Madison County; Best Lawyers in America, 2007 – present; Alabama Super Lawyers, 2010 – present; AV rated for Preeminent Lawyers, 36 continuous years. John and Sylvia enjoy traveling.
Master of Ceremonies: Dr. Kenneth Ray Rivenbark is owner of Rivenbark & Roper Antiques. Ken is a 20-year veteran educator who has served as a national education consultant with an emphasis on training educators in the teaching of writing and was listed in “Who’s Who Among Top Teachers“ in 1998, 2005 and 2007. In 2006, he authored “Poetry and Prose Prompts: A Quick Guide to Teaching Writing Style.” He created and hosted the cable television show “Southern Heirlooms with Ken Rivenbark” from 2014-2017. Ken is a graduate of Leadership Huntsville/Madison County, Class 22. He serves as an Ambassador for Hudson Alpha Institute for Biotechnology and a member of Downtown Huntsville, Incorporated. Ken has served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Governor’s Mansion in Montgomery, the Huntsville/Madison County Library Foundation Board of Directors, and the Advisory Board of the Greater Huntsville Humane Society, the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees and the Huntsville Museum of Art Foundation Board of Directors. Ken is a member of Church of the Nativity in Huntsville.

Painting With Debs

The Debutantes of 2018 kicked off their season with a “Painting with Debs”
party on Saturday, May 19, 2018 hosted by the parents of the Honorees, Mary
Elliott Aderholt, Kate Brown, Elizabeth Giles Calvert, Abbie Childs, Betsy
Hamm, Rachel Junen, Bradley Plott, Raquel Scherlis, Julia Shoemake, Cayla
Whitehurst and Ana Worthington.

As they arrived, the Debs were greeted by the Honorees and their Mothers at
the Commons at Randolph School. The girls wore a variety of casual outfits
ranging from rompers and shorts to light sundresses.

The morning began with a light lunch featuring Chick-Fil-A nuggets with
Chick-Fil-A sauce, chips, fruit, water and Milo’s Tea and was polished off
by a dessert of brownies and the traditional Debutante Dress cookies
accented with pearl and sparkle candies. The table featured a tablecloth of
turquoise, lime green and navy blue medallions with the center of the table
anchored by a gorgeous flower arrangement created by Glenn’s Florist using a
container provided by Judy Worthington. It contained a spring mix of white
and blue Hydrangeas, blush Roses, pink Peonies, orange Tiger Lilies and
other sundry mixes.

After lunch, special guest, Leslie Lockhart, lent her artistic talents to
guide and instruct the girls in painting their very own Debutantes. They
were given boards on which to paint and a lovely array of colors to mix as
they pleased. Leslie encouraged and assisted each of the girls in creating
their own unique designs. Along with the painting itself, each of the
girls received a purple and white gingham smock with their initials
monogrammed in white on the pocket.

It was a beautiful day and fun was had by all. The girls not only created a
forever keepsake from their Debutante party, but also lasting memories to
take with them always.

2018 Symphony Ball Debutantes Flower Arranging Summer Party

A floral arranging party honoring the was given June 3, 2018 from 2pm-4pm in the afternoon at the home of Mrs. Darren Malone. After refreshments of mint tea, lemonade, cucumber sandwiches, summer fruits and petits fours, Charlotte Wessel of Buckets and Blooms skillfully instructed the young ladies in the art of assembling floral arrangements of coral roses, spray roses, astilbe, hydrangeas and Queen Anne’s lace in decorative white urns. Each young lady was presented with a pail filled with floral arranging supplies, Zinnia Seeds, floral inspired cookies and a delightful monogrammed apron in addition to the artful arrangement of their own creation. The lovely event was hosted by 2018 Symphony Ball Debutantes Miss Rachel Caudle, Miss Ella McCary, Miss Mary Leigh Oliver, Miss Alexa Nunn, Miss Liddy Malone, Miss Victoria Spera, and Miss Susannah Thompson. A good time was had by all.

2018 Symphony Ball Debutantes Begin Social Season with Afternoon Tea

Press Release For further information, call
From Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild Jennifer Lapidus, 256-520-6175
For Release May 22, 2018

2018 Symphony Ball Debutantes Begin Social Season with Afternoon Tea

2018 Symphony Ball debutantes and their mothers enjoyed a lovely afternoon Tea, Wednesday, May 16th at the beautiful home of Guild member, Pamela Gann. The previous year’s Ball Chairman hosts the annual event and this year, Patti Thornton continued the tradition. The Debutante Tea marks the official start of the Debutante social season.

Attending the event were the 37 young women who will make their debut at the 55th Symphony Ball, October 27, together with their mothers, and the members of the 2018 Ball Committee, past Guild Presidents and officers, past Ball Chairmen, and the wives of the Ball advisors.

Guests were greeted by Pamela, along with 2018 Ball Chairman, Debbie Washburn, and Symphony Guild President, Marie Newberry. A silver wine cooler filled with beautiful spring flowers graced the dining room table. The silver container was given in 1993 by past Ball Chairman, in memory of Robin Lanier Stewart, 1988 Ball Chairman. It has been used every year at the Debutante Tea since 1993.

The young women enjoyed catching up after their freshman year of college as they savored the delicious tea menu selected by Patti. The Tea was catered by Carlton’s Catering and included a variety of delicacies including country ham and biscuits, chicken salad in pastry shells, cheese ring with fresh fruit, tomato and cucumber sandwiches, and variety of sweets that included strawberry and chocolate bites and iced lemon shortbread cookies. The centerpiece in the dining room, as well as the flowers in the den, was towering arrangements by In Bloom Floral Design Studio, with beautiful spring flowers of white and pink roses, pink peonies, snapdragons, lilies and orchids. The den flowers were arranged in a beautiful, gold, footed container and were the first peek at the containers that are going to be used at the 2018 Symphony Ball. Punch and sparkling grape juice were served by past Ball Chairmen and past Presidents Suzanne O’Conner, Penny Bashore, Betty Tomlin, Rosalie Smith, Nancy Colin and Margaret Vann.

The young ladies shared plans for the summer season parties and looked forward to the community service projects and their own celebrations.

The Symphony Ball, sponsored by the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild since 1964, is an annual fundraiser benefiting the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.

Crescen-Dough and the Fantasy Auction: 45 Years of Fabulous Finds

Please join the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild for its 45th Crescen-Dough Auction benefiting the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. The Crescen-Dough Auction is Huntsville’s original and BEST auction. This year the auction will be held on Friday, April 13th in the North Hall of the Von Braun Center starting at 6:00 p.m.

Guests of the Fantasy Auction will be transported to the wizardly world of Harry Potter. They will experience all of the magic from Harry Potter- from its iconic music played by the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, the Great Hall of Hogwarts, “Diagon Alley” for shopping, delicious Butterbeer, and a chance to bid on a trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando.

The Crescen-Dough Auction supports the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, Access Symphony, and the education programs of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild. Since the auction began, it has helped raise over $3.7 million dollars in support of the HSO!

At the Fantasy Auction, guests will have a chance to win stunning jewelry, fabulous trips, beautiful artwork, unique parties, gifts and personal services. We have many opportunities for you to get involved – with over 400 fabulous finds in the Silent Auction, Items of Note, High Notes and Live Auction; to a chance of winning one of four prizes in the Drawing; supporting the HSO Young People’s Concerts in the Fund -A-Need; and playing the Magical Escape Game where you have a chance to win a trip worth $5,600 – there is something for everyone!

So please join us to support the auction, the symphony, and music education. To find out more about the Fantasy Auction, please visit our website at www.crescendoughauction.org. On the website you can purchase tickets to the event, make a donation, and preview some of our fabulous finds! Tickets are $85 per guest and includes a buffet dinner with four different food stations. Cash bar. Seating is limited so don’t miss out on this magical event!