AT OUR BEST

Groups mark Mardi Gras

Chefs chip in

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Anne Carroll (from left), Vince Pianalto, Justus Moll, Case Dighero, Maudie Schmitt, Johnny Bakker and Susan Chase, Steven Brooks and Sarah Chase welcome guests to Chase the Blues Away.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Anne Carroll (from left), Vince Pianalto, Justus Moll, Case Dighero, Maudie Schmitt, Johnny Bakker and Susan Chase, Steven Brooks and Sarah Chase welcome guests to Chase the Blues Away.

Chase Family Foundation backers and area chefs helped raise over $30,000 and let the good times roll at the foundation's Chase the Blues Away Mardi Gras benefit Feb. 13 at the Fayetteville Town Center.

The group's main focus is senior hunger and food challenges. To that end, since 2010, the foundation has donated some 65,000 pounds of food to some 1,120 Northwest Arkansas seniors. In the past year the group also donated 1,500 pounds of food to 7 Hills Homeless Center and distributed more than 1,500 pounds of pet food.

At a Glance

Chase the Blues Away

Who: The Chase Family Foundation

What: Area chefs played host to the benefit and provided Cajun fare.

When: Feb. 13

Where: Fayetteville Town Center

Information: (479) 601-4800 or chasefamilyfoundati…

Masquerade Ball

Who: Walton Arts Center

What:

When: Feb. 17

Where: Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville

Next: Art of Wine Festival Uncorked!, June 8; Winemaker’s Dinner, June 9

Information: (479) 443-5600 or waltonartscenter.org

Area chefs pitching in to help Chase the Blues Away were:

Justus Moll -- River Grille Steakhouse;

Maudie Schmidt -- Cafe Ru Orleans;

Steven Brooks -- Cook with Brooks;

Sarah Chase -- Eleven at Crystal Bridges;

Crissy Sanderson -- Mockingbird Kitchen;

Anne Carroll -- The Farmer's Table Cafe;

Case Dighero -- Eleven at Crystal Bridges; and

Vince Pianalto -- Brightwater

Next up for the foundation is the Help the Girls benefit Sept. 20 to collect bras to be donated to area women's shelters.

Those chasing the blues away with the foundation included Susan Chase and Johnny Bakker, Penny Storms, Rose Ann Pearce, Nita Cooper, Andrea Martin, Nancy Hairston, Kristin Kley, Pam Baker, Dina Wood, McGee Meredith, Lance Taylor, Karen and Bob Rogers, Carol and Jonny Waddle, Bridget Schultz and Deb Euculano.

The Mardi Gras celebration continued Feb. 17 at the Walton Arts Center Masquerade, presented by the organization's Corporate Leadership Council. The council consists of business leaders who support WAC's education and outreach programs.

Arts education programs offered by the center include the Colgate Classroom Series, which provided access to the arts to more than 40,000 area school children last year; teacher training for integrating arts in curriculum; master classes with visiting artists; and Creative Conversations as part of the 10x10 Arts Series.

Guests enjoyed performances from Hogtown Hot Club, Quixotics and Lagniappe.

Upcoming events include VoiceJam A Capella Festival April 6 and 7, the 18th annual Art of Wine Festival June 8 and 9 and Artosphere's Beethoven Masterworks on June 19.

Masked arts education patrons included David Wurm, Judith McKenna and Phil Dutton, Marjorie and Todd Hanus, Kathy and Joe Farnan, Catherine Chu, Coya and John Reid, Aaron Medina, Sue and Charles Redfield, Sue and Jim Parker and Lynn Murray.

For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society.

Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].

NAN Profiles on 03/04/2018

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