Swanky Search Party

Charitable Dallasites chase clues for fun at Great Adventure Hunt

Nearly 250 participants showed up to The Joule for the Great Adventure Hunt benefiting ChildCareGroup. They said to heck with a traditional gala, opting instead for a little friendly competition to raise money for a great cause.

This year's co-chairs — Diane and Daryl Johnston, Amanda and Byron Neuhoff, and Kit and Kemp Sawers — tapped Kellie Rasberry, co-host of the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning show, to serve as emcee. Rasberry even joined in the fun by hunting with friends, as other teams of six went head-to-head solving puzzles and clues in an attempt to emerge victorious.

This year’s puzzle master was Tom Shroder, an award-winning journalist, best-selling author and former editor of the Washington Post Magazine. Along with humorists Dave Barry and Gene Weingarten, Shroder is also known for the creation of the Herald Hunt in Miami and the Post Hunt in Washington, attended by thousands each year.

So now for the good stuff. Who won? The 2014 overall champion was the Baker Botts LLP team, led by Bart and Elizabeth Showalter. The JPMorgan team, led by Dotti Reeder,won the “Whodunnit!” end clue, which solved the murder mystery of the clue-themed evening. Teams also won fun prizes for Best Team Name and Last Place.

Hunters — including Mayor Mike Rawlings, Erin and Brad Struck, Sharon Morrison, Emmitt Smith, and Ronelle and Pete Lanace — celebrated their victory or lamented their defeat at the first-ever after-party hosted by The Joule in the hotel’s all-glass terrace room overlooking downtown.

The 2014 Great Adventure Hunt raised more than $200,000, and the raffle and live auction sales raised more than $25,000, to support ChildCareGroup’s early childhood education programs.

Mr. Green, Professor Plum, Ms. Peacock, Ms. Scarlet, Ms. White, Col. Mustard

Photo courtesy of ChildCareGroup

Mr. Green, Professor Plum, Ms. Peacock, Ms. Scarlet, Ms. White, Col. Mustard

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Night at the museum

Perot Museum gala-goers with a taste for adventure raise $2 million

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Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps and Chris Shurtleff

On a balmy Saturday night in November, the doors to Dallas' Perot Museum of Nature and Science closed to the public and reopened for nearly 1,000 chic party-goers. They dined, danced, and played with the exhibits to raise funds at 2024 Night at the Museum Gala.

Led by co-chairs Dr. Pamela J. Okada and Mark Okada, the crowd of "after-hours scientists" raised $2 million to support the museum’s educational programs and expand STEM learning opportunities across North Texas.

Perot Museum, Night at the Museum Gala 2024

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps and Chris Shurtleff

The event, designed by Valdivia Ventures, included live music, a captivating performance by dancers of Texas Ballet Theater, and innovative food activations by Wolfgang Puck Catering (the flaky, piping hot truffle pot pies that gala guests always look forward to).

As patrons explored the museum, they were greeted by hundreds of white orchids from Jackson Durham Events and were serenaded in exhibit hall by musicians provided by Jordan Khan Music Company.

A highlight of the evening was the "10-Minute Tasting Restaurant," an adventurous pop-up type experience that transformed the Museum Store into a five-star dining experience. Of course there were cocktails, too, and the lychee martini was a fan-favorite.

The evening concluded with a high-energy after-party on the lower level of the museum, presented by the Eugene McDermott Foundation. Guests danced the night away to beats by DJ Romi Q, struck a pose at the interactive photo booth, and ended the night at a decadent dessert room featuring a variety of sweet treats.

Funds raised from Night at the Museum will support educational programs, fund day-to-day operations, and provide financial aid to ensure the museum remains a welcoming and inclusive space for all.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the night, were Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps, Chris Shurtleff, Tim Peck, Missy Rogers Peck, Tori Mulford, Linda Silver, Emory McKim, Shelby Wagner, Niven Morgan, Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez, Regen Horchow, Ken Hersh, Dennis Cail, Annika Cail, Grace Cook, Caleb Stearns Wiley, Sarah-Michelle Stearns Wiley, Jason Valdivia, Katherine Stenesen, Chantel Boudreaux, Jeffrey Bragalone, Lexi Dennis, Mickie Bragalone, John Spradling, Miriam Spradling, KC Hurst, Koli Hurst, Magda Veja, Ashley Chellgren, Maria Zajia, Geraldine Parker, Meredith Abbott, and many more patrons and supporters.

museums night at the museum perot museum gala galas