Seton offers rainbow of color and fun amidst thunder and rain

Silver screen perfection

Published On: May 27, 2010

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Have you ever arrived at a gala and been immediately reminded of a certain movie theme?  The patrons at this year’s Seton Celebration, benefiting patient’s assistance funds at both Baptist and St. Thomas Hospitals, must have felt as though they had been dropped into a scene from The Perfect Storm. With tornado watches in effect the entire day, the ‘90s hit, Twister came to mind. But at 6:30 p.m., the rains ceased. The downpour stopped long enough for the 400 guests to enter the Schermerhorn before the heavens parted anew.

With a fun-loving nod to the movies, let’s view the Seton Society gala gazing toward Hollywood with our Eyes Wide Shut. The cocktail reception was reflective of the Julia Roberts film, Pretty Woman with co-chairs Lisa Karpos and Betsy Crossley bedecked in long, flowing dresses in varying shades of brilliant Avatar blue. Celeste Holt looked sultry in a sheer, embroidered black silk sheath while Kathy Follin, channeling Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City, looked svelte in an ivory silk charmeuse column and diminuitive Lou Dimond glowed in a black-sequined cocktail creation.

When the doors to the main hall opened, there was a collective gasp from the crowd as they saw The Color Purple washing over each table in the room. The floor-length damask cloths were topped by glass vases holding lavender roses and orchids and surrounded by smaller vessels containing tiny flowers best described by Branches’ Mark Weber and Mike Whitler as “ice cream sundaes.” There were even lilac champagne glasses for toasting honorees Linda and Mike Curb, Richard Tomichek and Ron Overfield. Guests enjoyed the musical stylings of Anna Wilson, who brought to mind The Jazz Singer.

Two thumbs up to Jenny Richter Corts and her crew for creating a seamlessly perfect night, in spite of the Wizard of Oz-like weather.  When it was time to depart, the crowd stepped cautiously toward the exits and out Into the Dark Night. The inclement weather had magically vanished, Gone with the Wind-style. GH

—photographs by
tommy lawson