Notes on Hope

Strength and faith underline uplifting annual Dallas luncheon

You could have heard a pin drop as bestselling novelist and essayist Anne Lamott shared her experiences with the captivated crowd at the Hyatt Regency Dallas during the recent Nexus Recovery Center spring luncheon.

Lamott — who is the author of seven novels, several bestselling nonfiction books, and numerous collections of autobiographical essays — led a forthright conversation about her own experiences with addiction and recovery, serving as inspiration for the group.

But before the illuminating talk, luncheon chair Chris Ozley and Nexus executive director Rebecca Crowell welcomed the crowd with a brief history of the Women's Auxiliary, which is celebrating its 23rd year and has raised over $3.5 million to date.

Janina Solomon, Women's Auxiliary of Nexus president, then took the podium and declared, "I am living proof that recovery works," stating that she has been sober for 13 years. Former luncheon chair Lindsay Billingsly joined to run the live auction and raffle before a former Nexus client named Lisa gave an earnest and profound testimony of how crucial the nonprofit is to the women of Dallas.

The comprehensive Nexus program includes prevention and intervention, detoxification, residential recovery treatment, early childhood and high school education onsite, after-school and summer programs for school-aged children, life and parenting skills training, outpatient care, and alumni programs.

Honorary chairs Carolyn and Rick Waghorne announced that the day's luncheon also featured a wonderful milestone: the first teen client in recovery at Nexus had graduated from high school.

In 2018, Nexus Recovery Center served 1,969 women and teens and 341 children, including 64 Nexus-born babies. Membership in the Women's Auxiliary is open to the public, and members work to stimulate public awareness and help in the financial support of Nexus' services and projects.

Janina Solomon, Sarah Brown

Photo by Dana Driensky

Janina Solomon, Sarah Brown

literature charity inspiration luncheons fundraisers celebrities

Fundraising fun

Dallas’ Night at the Museum gala brings in $2M for Perot programs

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez

On Saturday, November 8, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science opened its doors, after hours, for one of Dallas’ most anticipated galas of fall: Night at the Museum.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez

Led by co-chairs Shelly and Michael Dee in honor of Sally and Forrest Hoglund, the 2025 Night at the Museum immersed guests in a science-y wonderland of interactive exhibits, fun cocktails, unique cuisine, and more.

Guests agreed: The couldn't-miss highlight of the evening was the 10-Minute Restaurant, which transformed the museum gift shop into a five-star culinary adventure by Wolfgang Puck Catering, reminiscent of how they serve celebrities at the Oscars. Amid all the night's action, it was a great way to sneak in a quick bite and some one-on-one time with a date in a VIP-like setting.

Attendees also noshed from a Living Crudité Bar, an Off the Bone beef station, a paella station, enjoyed "roaming tiramisu," and stopped servers in their tracks for the famous Night at the Museum pot pies. No one went thirsty, either, as guests sipped creative cocktails like Sorbete de Sangria de Cava and the sparkling “Aqua Pearl,” enjoyed a 196 Vodka Seltzer Bar, and a refueled at a coffee cart that opened at the after-party.

Guests got to dig like paleontologists at the Paleo Lab, ooh and ahh at the sparking Aquamarine on the display in the Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall, and learn all about little creepy-crawlies in the Bug Lab Exhibit. Another favorite activity was the Iris Photography, which turned photos of the human eye into works of art.

In total, the crowd of "after-hours scientists" raised $2 million to help fund field trips, outreach, discounted admission and memberships to the Perot, and more.

Among the notable attendees were Margot Perot, Dr. Linda Silver, Marilynn Thoma, Carl Thoma, Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez, David and Mary Henderson, Katie and Jerome Rose, Lyda Hill, Cade McCarter, DeWitt McCarter, Kelly Compton, Kenna McCarter, John Sughrue, Marlene Sughrue, Kate and Steve Sigfusson, Kristina Kirkenaer-Hart, Grace Cook, Laura Compton, Angus Mitchell, Rachel Mitchell, Martine and Michael Philippe, and many more patrons and supporters.

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