State Sen. Missy Irvin was prepared to give the blessing over the dozens of legislators and approximately 200 guests of the seventh Serving Up Solutions dinner at the Governor's Mansion on June 19, but first she made a plea on behalf of Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance and the reason for the assembly.
"I want to encourage you to vote."
Bid! She meant bid.
The crowd erupted.
"Yeah, vote! You can tell I'm fresh off the campaign trail."
She corrected, "I want to encourage you to go and bid."
There were a bunch of silent auction items and nine live auction items set to go off. That, along with sponsorships and donations, helped the organization raise about $100,000, its biggest haul to date, says spokesman Nancy Conley.
"Always be campaigning," Irvin joked, spinning the old ABC of sales, always be closing.
The joy of the Solutions dinner is that our legislators -- 28 this time, a record -- literally serve the voters and constituency groups like steel-maker Nucor Corp. and Entergy. "Folks have gotten used to the more laid-back flow," according to alliance Executive Director Kathy Webb.
Indeed, it's so laid-back that people visited right through event chairmen Kyle and Ben Noble's introductory remarks, despite Ben Noble's best efforts to wrangle the garrulous gathering inside the Grand Hall.
Several local chefs gave their time and expertise, including Capi Peck of Trio's, Rosalia Monroe of Bossa Nova, a threesome from South on Main and another from the Governor's Mansion.
This was the seventh year for the dinner, and the seventh and likely last for first lady Ginger Beebe, who has never failed to serve.
High Profile on 06/29/2014