Crowning achievements

Majestic Mad Hatter's takes English garden-party elegance to new heights in Dallas

The big Coronation may be a few days and an ocean away, but Dallas style queens donned their own crowns for a decidedly regal 35th Mad Hatter's Luncheon on April 20 at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.

With the theme "Majestic Mad Hatters - A Celebration of English Elegance," co-chairs Anne Stodghill and Kristina Wrenn, along with honorary chair Kim Hext, had hoped to set a dignified tone for the event. "We pay homage to the late Queen Elizabeth II with her sense of style, love of hats, and indominable spirit," they wrote in the program.

Many of the 650 attendees boasted grand and graceful millinery that any British garden party baroness might envy. The younger set went with darling little fascinators propped daintily on their 'dos.

But this was, after all, Mad Hatter's, an event with a reputation for glue-gun gloriousness and sky-high kitschy splendor.

Were there tea party sets teetering precariously over heads? Of course. Castles, crowns, and Queen dolls embellishing chapeaus, and entire English gardens flowing down from them? Yep. (Scroll through the photos above to see these creations and more.)

The highlight of Mad Hatter's each year is the hat competition, adjudicated by celebrity judges who pick winners in several cleverly named categories. This year's judges and winners were:

Ryan Ross, president of Neiman Marcus, presented "The Princess of Wales: Best Overall Ensemble" award to Yvonne Evans.

Nathan Johnson, creative director of Gro Floral and Event Design, presented "The Chelsea Flower Show: Most Creative use of Fresh Botanicals" award to Kristi Boylan.

Cassie MacGregor, accomplished milliner, presented "The Queen’s Choice: Most True to Theme" to Sarah Jo Hardin.

Barbara Bigham, founding member of the WCDABG and Past Mad Hatter’s Chair, presented "The Hybrid: Best English Garden Hat with a Texas Twist" to Claire Catrino (who revealed that the feathers in her hat were from a "fresh kill" on her Texas ranch).

David Yarrow, celebrated UK fine art photographer, presented "The Head Turner: Best in Show" award to Megan Clark.

Emberli Pridham, author of a recently published children's book about Princess Diana, presented "A True Princess Diana: Sure to be a lasting Fashion Legend" award to Kathy King (who fiercely wore Princess Di's famous little black "revenge dress," pearl necklace, and bracelet).

Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia, fashion designers and artisans, presented "The Royal Enclosure: Group that could attend Ascot Together" to the High Tea Group.

People’s Choice award went to Elizabeth Smith (who carried a stuffed corgi doll along with her floral crown).

And a special, Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by Barbara Bigham to Kunthear Mam-Douglas, a golden lady, from head to toe.

In a format departure, this year's luncheon divided the group between the larger Rosine Hall and the smaller pavilion at A Tasteful Place. Awards presentations were given in both venues, and attendees could enjoy their British-inspired lunch of Coronation chicken salad, traditional scones, berries, and English rolled brandy snaps in plenty of air-conditioning (blessedly) instead of outdoors, under tents.

Another big change from years past was the inclusion of a post-luncheon keynote address rather than a fashion show. Renowned designer Michael Faircloth took to the podium to talk about "The History, The Humor, and The Hope of the Hat."

One thing that didn't change? The champagne that flowed throughout the reception in the garden. Flutes in hand, guests posed for photos, browsed silent auction items, and purchased special Lady Primrose candles - all to help raise funds for A Woman's Garden at The Dallas Arboretum.

It was a windy day, but patrons deftly held onto their hats with one hand and sipped sparkling wine with the other. The Queen - who was said to enjoy a glass of bedtime bubbly every night - would have been proud of this Dallas crowd, indeed.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron and Celeste Cass

Elizabeth Smith, People’s Choice award winner, with corgi in hand and a queen in her floral crown.

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Coffee news

Starbucks partners bestow $53K in grants to favorite Dallas nonprofits

Courtesy

Chalkboard at Starbucks celebrates Resource Center.

In a one-of-a-kind charitable program, coffee giant Starbucks has bestowed more than two dozen grants to organizations across Dallas — organizations selected by Starbucks employees themselves.

Called The Starbucks Foundation’s Neighborhood Grants program, it's unique as a charitable effort thanks to its profound level of engagement, by allowing employees to nominate nonprofit recipients.

The Starbucks Foundation is the company's charitable arm which issues grants to nonprofits — from coffee and tea-growing communities around the world to neighborhood groups.

The Neighborhood Grants program gives their "partners" (what they call their employees) the opportunity to support the local organizations they care most about. This year, more than 3,200 grants are being awarded across the U.S. and Canada. Of that number, 27 organizations in Dallas received a Neighborhood Grant, totaling $53,000.

That included a $4,000 grant to Resource Center, a Dallas provider of LGBTQIA+ services and a big Starbucks staff favorite: It was nominated by an unprecedented 40 partners, and has previously earned seven grants totaling $20,000 from The Starbucks Foundation since 2019.

Resource Center's director of corporate engagement & events Bill Scott says that the grant is part of a larger meaningful partnership.

"In the current climate, we've seen many corporations turn away from our community, but Starbucks has remained steadfast," Scott says. "And we see it in ways that go beyond the grants, whether it's volunteering at our food bank or being ready for any fundraising event where they'll set up a coffee station to distribute to our guests."

Founded in 1983, Resource Center focuses on three pillars: positive social engagement in safe spaces, supportive services to promote wellness, and skill-building opportunities to promote growth.

Resource Center accepts grant from Starbucks Foundation, from left to right: Bill Scott (RC), Daniel Sanchez (RC), Tres Brown (RC), and Howard Jackson (SBUX).Jeffrey McWhorter

"The grant will help us continue to serve and uplift our community with more programming in areas like health and wellness," Scott says. "Last year, we opened our first low-income affordable housing complex for seniors, and before it even opened, it was sold out. We can see that the services we provide fill a real need."

It's a rare scenario in the corporate world, Scott says.

"There are not many companies I have dealt with like the Starbucks Foundation where they rely on their partners to make recommendations and listen to their partners," he says.

For Starbucks partners like Marsh King, an operations consultation manager who's been with the company for nearly 28 years, Starbucks' priority on being mission-driven has been a big incentive to stay with the company.

"When you see a grant that might give Resource Center the funds to do something like buy more refrigeration for the food pantry they just opened — it's gratifying to see that direct impact and know that you're a part of it," she says.

The level of engagement is very grass-roots, says senior partner employee relations associate Howard Jackson.

"We have customers who come in and say, 'I saw you at that event last weekend," he says. "We support the community, and they are our customers, as well. Through this work, we connect a lot of dots."

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