Happy faces were everywhere – even the champagne seemed to have extra fizz – when the Junior Symphony Guild celebrated the 30th anniversary of its signature fundraiser, the Designer Showhouse.
Part I was the members-only tour of the finished show-house. Part II came 90 minutes later when the doors to Pike’s Park, one of Denver’s oldest and grandest homes, were locked for the night and everyone headed to the Denver Design Center for cocktails, a silent auction, dinner and dancing.
Pike’s Park (see Suzanne Brown’s related story on 3L) is at 325 E. Iliff Ave. and remains open to the public through Mother’s Day.
Marie Cramer and Andrea Mezger led the committee that produced Showhouse 2005. Kim Monson chaired the gala, while committee chiefs included Mari Fountain (Showhouse treasurer), Nancy Roddy (house and design), Noelle Jackson and Jane Carlstrom (retail), Rosemary Anna (social), Evelyn Wright (staffing and tickets), Darlene Ried (liaison to the CSO) and Marcia Norman (communications).
For 30 years, the Junior Symphony Guild Showhouse has given thousands of metro-area residents the chance to combine history with the best that interior decorators have to offer. It has been a profitable venture too, raising $3.5 million.
The JSG’s first Showhouse was at 100 Vine St. in 1975 and was chaired by Zanni Ridgley. In subsequent years, events included Richthofen Castle, the Todhunter Mansion, the Hudson Moore and Cranmer-Kerwin estates, the historic Fisher Mansion and last year’s Mansfield House: Modern Nostalgia.
The 30th Anniversary Gala also paid tribute to the 46 women who have served as presidents of the guild, a group that includes Chris Agner, Gail Berliner, Brittany Dawson, Sherry Engleberg, Jeannie Fuller, Joan French, Marla Gentry, Barbara Reece, Beverly Anderson Nemiro, Jane Wilson, Stevie Liptak, Debra Kelin, Barb Hatton, Kaye Music, Pam Riebesell, Denise Sanderson and Mary Lou Walters.
Another organization with reason to celebrate is Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, which recently added a second chapter in the metro area.
Theta Zeta Sigma chapter, whose members primarily reside in Aurora and Centennial, have hit the ground running by establishing a Rhoer Club for teen girls, a scholarship fund, recognition luncheon, service project and Debutante Cotillion. Melba Salter is the president, and Ollie Smith is chairing the cotillion, which takes place May 22.
The new chapter takes its place next to Beta Rho Sigma chapter, whose programs are similar to those sponsored by the women of Theta Zeta Sigma. “Those of us who live in Aurora-Centennial decided that we wanted to plant good seeds in our communities,” Smith says, adding that the new chapter’s Debutante Cotillion will ensure even more deserving young women are recognized for their achievements.
The Sigma Pearls Recognition Luncheon, emceed by Tracy Drayton and Erica Smith, took place last weekend at the Embassy Suites Tamarac and featured an address by Kim Williams, author of “40 Hours: An Unwritten Rule.”
In addition, seven scholarships named for local Sigma Gamma Rho dignitaries were presented. They honor charter member Irma Simpson; the late Ernestyne T. Henry and Iva Lois Wiggins; and retired educator Mary Boston, who established the Sigma debutante tradition in Denver. Members also collected new shoes that were given to needy students at Sable and Fulton elementary schools in Aurora.
The guests included debutantes Tammy Gay, Channyl Holmes, Ashley Meredith, Brittany Page and Nayo Thomas; Rhoer Club members Kirsten Polk-
McKereghan, LaTia Walker and Chontavia Cooper; Rhoer Club advisers Kathy Jackson and Ebony Smith; sub-debutantes Victoria Ramirez, LaTara Duell and Jessica Drayton; Soles for Little Souls chairwoman Cynthia Oten; and scholarship chair Andrea Law.
Circle the date
Five homes with architectural styles ranging from Victorian to Frank Lloyd Wright are open for public view 11 a.m.-5 p.m. today as part of the Hilltop Home Tour benefiting Graland Country Day School’s scholarship fund. The $15 tickets can be purchased at Safeway Cherry Creek or at the following addresses: 12 S. Eudora St., 100 Dexter St., 300 Glencoe St., 171 S. Glencoe St. and 530 Fairfax St. … An ensemble from the Central City Opera will perform at Opera on Tuesday, a May 3 brunch hosted by Denver Lyric Opera Guild. For reservations for the 10 a.m. event at Cherry Hills Country Club, call 303-761-2655.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-820-1314 or jmdpost@aol.com.More online: See pictures from the Junior Symphony Guild’s 30th Anniversary Gala www.denverpost.com.
