The Historic Paramount Theatre was the setting for the “Bonnets, Blossoms and Bows” fashion show and tea. The sold out event raised nearly $5,000 for the Arizona Alzheimer’s Association. The event was held in downtown Casa Grande in order to spotlight local business: The Birds N Blossoms, Elli’s Artisan Gifts, High Mane-Tenance Salon, Cream of the Crop, Big House Café, Inge’s Fashions and the Paramount. Safeway and Walmart provided the refreshments and the Cake Party Place generously discounted the party goods.
In addition to the above participants, raffle items were donated by Grace Snyder Skin Oasis, Lorri Scott, Mary Beth Fisher, Maxine Harrison, Terry Price, Antoinette Witt and Foster Fashions, a new downtown clothing boutique. Mary Lynn Morin designed and donated the programs.
These generous sponsors helped us achieve the goal we set and included private and businesses in Gold, Silver and Bronze categories DM Family Dentistry; Norris Pools; Secure Retirement Solutions, Dave Wilkins; Elite Real Estate Pros, Gene and Heather Simmons; Judy Sobba, Friends of Ann Daughney, Chris Osterman. Sharon Howarth donated her brand new hat that brought $100 in auction thanks to Harriet Smith.
Ladies were encouraged to wear a spring hat and bring their tea cup, and prizes were given for same. There were multiple door prizes from above businesses.
The Strings of the Sonoran, a community group of all ages who play string instruments, provided the musical entertainment. The fashion models were Renee Battafarano, Mary Gilbertson, Kristin Gramando and Jane Kihlstrom, whose lives have been deeply touched by Alzheimer’s.
Cindy Vargo, regional director for the Desert Southwest Alzheimer’s Association, spoke to the attendees about Alzheimer’s and that it is a disease becoming increasingly common as the population ages and that there is no cure. She quoted statistics that more people die with Alzheimer’s than from cancer or heart conditions. Ms. Vargo pointed out that Alzheimer researchers were aggressively searching for an answer. Each attendee was encouraged to take the enlightening information placed at their seats.
This year will be the fifth year Terry Price will coordinate the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Robson Ranch on November 21. This three-mile walk is a great time to get a team together and walk for a loved one or friend. There will be signup sheets at the Sports Center as well as pledge sheets for donations; if you can’t make the walk you can write a check.
The 2016 tea will be held at Robson Ranch Hermosa Ballroom on Sunday, March 6. Contact Mary Beth Fisher at [email protected] or call 520-371-0853 for tickets.
Mark your calendar and dust off your hat for this charity event that could one day make Alzheimer’s a disease of the past.