Since Adele and Beyoncé were both busy with the Grammy Awards last weekend, the Junior League of Cobb-Marietta went with Plan C and asked me to be the "celebrity judge" at Saturday's Mardi Gras 5K Fun Run and Walk.
The job was nearly impossible, as the runners all looked fantastic, and indeed the real winners are the community causes aided by proceeds from the race. The organization's community partners include the Center for Family Resources, the Cobb County Youth Museum, SafePath Children's Advocacy Center and the former YWCA of Northwest Georgia, now known as liveSAFE Resources. See jlcm.org for information on other events or membership.
All right, ready for the winners? Crystal Jordan earned best female costume honors and Kevin Littrell was the best costumed guy. The team spirit prize went to Emily DeFusco and her mom, Melanie DeFusco, who wore Mardi Gras masks affixed to their faces with eyelash glue. That's dedication to the cause, ladies.
Honorable mentions among the team ensembles were “Not Fast but Fabulous” and the “Hot Mess Express.” Claiming the prize for their custom-made tutus were the members of “Skeleton Krewe.”
And best overall winner went to a creatively costumed couple. Congrats to Heather and Brian Honea.
Stewards of historic properties to be honored at Georgia Trust gala
The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation’s upcoming gala will honor people from around the state whose efforts have preserved historically significant properties.
The event, planned for 7 p.m. April 1 and themed "Georgia in My Mind," will be held at the historic DuBose/Smith family estate in Atlanta. Guests will enjoy cocktails and classic Southern dishes prepared with Georgia-grown products before taking to the dance floor. The gala chairs are Teri and Mose Bond.
Honorees are:
Frances and Nat Hansford of Lexington, who have worked to preserve historic sites in Oglethorpe County, including the 1898 Oglethorpe County Jail, a Georgia Trust Preservation Award winner.
Libby and Ira Levy of Rome, who have restored more a dozen residential properties around the country. For the past 30 years, they have focused on Rome, where they have helped revitalize the city's historic downtown district with multiple preservation projects.
Mary and Howard Morrison of Savannah, supporters of the city's preservation movement and the current occupants of Lebanon Plantation, a historic property that has been in Howard Morrison's family for the past century. Lebanon produces agricultural products including ginger and turmeric grown on the land.
Susan and Mike Starr of Atlanta, who have worked with organizations including the Friends of the UGA Marine Institute at Sapelo Island and the Georgia Cities Foundation, which aims to revitalize Georgia downtowns. The Starrs have served as trustees for the Georgia Trust and worked to preserve its headquarters, Rhodes Hall in Midtown.
Tom Wight of Macon, whose leadership and support of the historic Hay House property earned him the honor of having its cupola named after him.
Tickets to the Preservation Gala, the Georgia Trust's biggest fundraiser of the year, are $150 for members, $200 for nonmembers (that ticket price includes membership) and $100 for guests under 40. See www.georgiatrust.org or call 404-885-7812 for information.
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