Symphony of Northwest Arkansas patrons gathered April 25 at Mermaids Seafood Restaurant in Fayetteville for the nonprofit organization's third annual SoNA Spring Gala.
The benefit was also an opportunity for the group to pay tribute to longtime backers Mary Ann and Reed Greenwood. Sandy Edwards served as guest speaker and presented the award to the Greenwoods.
At a Glance
SoNA Spring Gala
Who: Symphony of Northwest Arkansas
What: The nonprofit organization lauded long-time patrons Mary Ann and Reed Greenwood.
When: April 25
Where: Mermaids Seafood Restaurant in Fayetteville
Next: “Pops: Music and Animation,” June 3
Information: (479) 521-4166
Plant a Seed
Who: Northwest Arkansas Community College
What: Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food was the star of the annual benefit.
When: April 28
Where: Brightwater in Bentonville
Information: (479) 619-4184 or nwaccfoundation.org
Zsolt Eder, SoNA associate concertmaster, and Gloria Britez-Scolari, SoNA violist, presented a musical surprise for guests with Eder playing while Britez-Scolari narrated Ferdinand the Bull.
Proceeds will help support the nonprofit organization's artistic and educational initiatives.
Next up for the symphony is the season finale "Pops: Music and Animation," June 3 at the Walton Arts Center.
Those supporting the symphony included Billie Starr, Terrye and Patric Brosh, Betsy and Loyd Phillips, Lynn and Joel Carver, Denise and Hershey Garner, Megan Baureis, Julianne Brown, Don Deweese, Margaret Whillock, Lindsey and Brock Gearhart, Judy and Bill Schwab, Ann and Morriss Henry, Marti and Kelly Sudduth, Sheri Rothwell and Woody Bassett and Cynthia Coughlin.
The Northwest Arkansas Community College Foundation played host to Plant a Seed on April 28 at Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food in Bentonville. Mike Luttrell, foundation officer, told those gathered that Brightwater provides "world class training in food as art, food as wellness and food as business."
The culinary laboratory offers learning and training opportunities for students and professionals in areas such as "cuisine and the culinary arts, food systems and service, traditional and artisinal food crafts and entrepreneurial development."
Plant a Seed guests had the opportunity to tour the 27,500-square-foot facility's kitchen classrooms with cooking demonstrations and tastings of dishes that included buffalo-style cauliflower with bleu cheese aioli, Brightwater Sandies and the Herbivore cocktail.
Proceeds from the fun foodie night will go to the college's general scholarship fund.
Among those planting a seed for scholarships were NWACC President Evelyn and Charles Jorgenson, Virginia and Mauricio Herrera, Denise and Hershey Garner, Janet and Jimm Hendren, Suzanne and Joe Spivey, Dayle and Dan Shewmaker, Debbie and Mike Luttrell, Emily and John Douglas, Jennifer and Tom Stallbaumer, Caelli and Craig Hull, Alison and Richard Levin and Becky Paneitz, NWACC president emeritus.
For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].
NAN Profiles on 05/14/2017