Living Legend

Golf great Ben Crenshaw ensures MD Anderson lunch is a record-breaker

Dallas donors contributed a record-breaking $1 million to MD Anderson Cancer Center’s coffers recently at A Conversation With a Living Legend luncheon at the Hilton Anatole. The draw? One of the most beloved golfers on the PGA circuit, Ben Crenshaw, who chatted candidly with CBS Sports golf commentator Dave Feherty.

This was the 25th anniversary of the event that was started by Dallas philanthropist Lyda Hill and has welcomed such notables as Nolan Ryan, Walter Cronkite and George W. Bush. This year’s event chair, Deborah Gunter, recruited some heavy hitters to serve on her committee, including Allie Beth Allman, Gene Jones, Jan Pickens and Amanda Bush.

Master of ceremonies Bill Melton, who has served as the voice of the event for the last 25 years, welcomed guests as they dined on the first course. The Oak Cliff native and former Dallas County treasurer announced that it would be his last luncheon and was later given an award by MD Anderson for his services.

The luncheon continued with music from the Steve Bayless Orchestra until Ron DePinho, M.D., president of MD Anderson, took the stage to give guests an update on what is happening at the hospital, including a video further explaining Moon Shots, an unprecedented program launched in 2012 to dramatically accelerate the pace of converting scientific discoveries into clinical advances that significantly reduce cancer deaths.

Then it was time for the conversation everyone was waiting for. Feherty introduced Crenshaw, whom he knows through their time on the professional golf circuit. Crenshaw impressed the crowd with his photographic memory in terms of the history of golf, and Feherty kept the crowd laughing with his wild banter and honest opinions. Crenshaw also excited the golf lovers in the crowd when he talked about the Trinity Forest Golf Course that his firm, Coore & Crenshaw, is set to build on 400 acres of city-owned land in Southern Dallas.

Ron DePinho, David Feherty, Deborah Gunter, Ben Crenshaw

Ron DePinho, Ben Crenshaw, David Feherty, Deborah Gunter, Living Legends Luncheon

Photo by Grant Miller

Ron DePinho, David Feherty, Deborah Gunter, Ben Crenshaw

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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.

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