Chaddie Kumpe Platt and Charlie Platt (from left) and Alisa Williams help support Soldier On Service Dogs.
Patrons of the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas gathered March 6 at Mermaids Seafood Restaurant in Fayetteville for the nonprofit organization’s fourth annual SoNA Spring Gala.
The group honored Ellen and Malcolm Hayward, longtime symphony supporters, “for their extraordinary contributions to SoNA and the arts in Northwest Arkansas.”
Kristen Salinas, associate principal flute, Mount Sequoyah Women of Music chairwoman; Miho Oda Sakon, principal second violin; and Jesse Collett, principal viola, presented a musical surprise for guests.
The more than $30,000 raised from the benefit will help support the nonprofit organization’s artistic and educational initiatives.
Next up for the symphony is the season finale, Masterworks III: La Boheme, May 5 at the Walton Arts Center.
Those supporting the symphony included Billie Starr, Terrye and Patric Brosh, Melanie and Thad Beck, Ann and Morriss Henry, Marti and Kelly Sudduth, Cynthia Coughlin, Margaret Whillock, Carol and Ed Clifford, Nancy and Jim Blair, Barb Putman and Peter Lane, Laura and Bruce Wilkins and Sandy Edwards.
Boys & Girls Club of Benton County celebrated the Youth of the Year and other outstanding club members March 8 at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers. Top honors went to Imana Junior of Bentonville. Ethan Campbell and Melany Chavez were also finalists for the award.
Organizers presented Keith Penn Junior Youth of the Year to one of 12 Youth of the Month finalists from each of the club’s five units. The annual awards go to “someone who has shown outstanding membership qualities and acted as a role model for other members through club leadership.” The 2018 winners are: Hannah Woods, Bella Vista Unit; Keturah Albritton, Bentonville Teen Center; Halen Wallace, Pea Ridge Unit; Adriana Recinos, McKinney Unit; and Jaheidi Garcia, Rogers Unit.
Soldier On Service Dogs supporters showed up in force for the nonprofit organization’s second annual Hero Tales — Red, White and Blue benefit March 10 at the Arkansas Air and Military Museum in Fayetteville.
The group trains and pairs service dogs with veterans who are in counseling and whose mental health professionals say would benefit from and be able to care for a dog. Many of the dogs are teamed with veterans with post traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury.
The group recognized veterans — Gary Profit, Ed Harwell and Gil Bloyd — as Hero Tales Hangar Party honorees as “notable individuals who survived wartime and returned to influence their community in a positive way,” said Summer Backstrom, grant development associate.
For more event photos — nwadg.com/photos/society.
Spring Gala
Who: Symphony of Northwest Arkansas What: The group celebrated symphony patrons Ellen and Malcolm Hayward. When: March 6 Where: Mermaids Seafood Restaurant in Fayetteville Next: Masterworks III: La Boheme, May 5 Information: (479) 521-4166 or sonamusic.org
Youth of the Year
Who: Boys & Girls Club of Benton County What: Club and community leaders recognized outstanding youth club members. When: March 8 Where: John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers Next: Sip, Savor & Support, Aug. 23 Information: (479) 273-7187 or bgcbentoncounty.org
Hero Tales — Red,
White and Blue
Who: Soldier On Service Dogs What: The western-theme benefit for service dog training included a performance by Barrett Baber. When: March 10 Where: Arkansas Air and Military Museum Information: (479) 521-9301 or soldieronservicedogs.org
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected] .