If it was indeed the last social function by the Junior League of North Little Rock at the E.O. Manees House, the group's home of 54 years, there were no signs of sadness or remorse. The night of Nov. 18, they threw a "Party Like It's 1999" -- or well, you get the idea.
About 40 gals and their dates roamed the halls and open spaces of the circa 1895 house at 216 W. Fourth St., North Little Rock, bidding on silent auction items, snacking on hors d'oeuvres, sipping on cocktails and other beverages and then, later in the evening, getting jiggy to music by disc jockey and karaoke master Craig Niswonger of Conway.
They called the affair the Farewell Mingle at Manees because a neighboring property owner is due to close on the property in mid-December (it's owned by the city and leased to the Junior League). The place was decorated to the hilt, inside and out, with elaborate, overstated garlands around the front door, the Christmas tree inside and over the main fireplace.
President Kelly Phillips said the event raised about $5,000, with four Disney World passes as the best-selling auction item. Proceeds will benefit the league's Early Childhood Literacy efforts in the North Little Rock community.
"The last Mingle at Manees was a fitting tribute to a grand house that has served so many for so long," Phillips said. "We will miss the building, but we have the memories of a community well served while we were headquartered there."
Though the Junior League is leaving the house, it's not disbanding, Phillips said. The search is underway for a new place to congregate.
-- Story and photos by Cyd King
High Profile on 11/27/2016