Snow on the ground and predicted ice to follow did nothing to chill support for the 10th annual Chilirhea benefit Feb. 28 at the Fayetteville Town Center.
The event that started as a small gathering of a dozen or so friends in 2004 grew this year to a crowd of some 800 people joining in support of Alzheimer's Arkansas and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Alzheimer's Disease Center.
At a Glance
Chilirhea
What: The 10th annual chili competition helped raise some $70,000 for Alzheimer’s Arkansas and the UAMS Alzheimer’s Disease Center.
When: Feb. 28
Where: Fayetteville Town Center
Information: chilirhea.net
Diamond Jubilee
Who: Symphony of Northwest Arkansas
What: The symphony marked its 60th anniversary with a benefit dinner honoring patrons Billie Starr and Sara and Frank Sharp.
When: March 2
Where: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville
Next: July 4th Spectacular featuring SoNA at the Walmart AMP in Rogers
Information: (479) 521-4166 or sonamusic.org
Amber Scott, Chilirhea board member, said this year's event helped raise some $70,000 -- nearly doubling the group's goal of $40,000.
This year's benefit featured 37 entrants in the chili cook-off, an extensive silent auction and live music from Uncrowned Kings. An Oreo bar afforded guests an opportunity to cleanse their palettes between chilis with five flavors of Oreos -- red velvet, mint, lemon, original and golden.
The Stoltz family, Grub's and P3 Waste Consulting took top honors for champion chilis.
Alzheimer's Arkansas is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission "is to provide the information and support needed so that all Arkansans affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are able to live with dignity and comfort until a cure is found."
Offerings include family support groups, family education sessions, early-stage patient support groups, toll-free 24-hour telephone support for caregivers, public policy advocacy, training and financial assistance for caregivers.
Among those braving the snow for Chilirhea were Amber and Cory Scott, Payton and Robert Bridewell, Susan Robinson, Jared Roberts, Kyle Hunt, Jessie Kursh, John Threet, Blake Pennington, Jack Threet, Tim Stidham, Wendy Teal, Frankie Navarro, Aaron Duncan, Aaron Minor, Brian Stahl, Susan and Colby Ezell, Alli and Scott Quinlan, Aaron Stahl, Sean Curtis and Chase Williams.
The Symphony of Northwest Arkansas marked its 60th anniversary March 2 with a benefit dinner honoring long-time symphony patrons Billie Starr and Sara and Frank Sharp.
The evening at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Fayetteville included live and silent auctions and dinner. Peter Lane, Walton Art Center chief executive officer, on the bass and Matthew Herren, SoNA executive director, on the cello, treated guests to a surprise performance of Gioachino Rossini's "Duetto."
The 2014-15 season finale, "A Night at the Movies," set for April 25 will feature 100 years of movie music and Michael Chertock, pianist, as special guest.
The symphony will begin the 2015-16 season with a bang with the July 4th Spectacular at the Walmart AMP.
Those marking the milestone with the symphony included Shannon and Michael Arcana, Sara and Kent Starr, Ellen and Malcolm Hayward, Susan and Orville Hall, Shirley and Pete Esch, Daymara and Barry Baker, Janet and Jimm Hendren, Cynthia Benward Smith, Terrye and Patric Brosh, Diane and Bob Shaw, Joyce Stafford and Jack Cole, Hannah and Greg Lee and Bill Mitchell.
For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].
NAN Profiles on 03/15/2015