History repeats itself. Just ask folks like President Andrew Jackson or Carnton Plantation’s Carrie McGavock.
And no, we don’t mean down the road, in eternity. We mean down the road at the Cool Springs Marriott on Saturday, Jan. 12 at The Star Gala, a history-making black tie event staged by the Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Event chair, Lynda Stone, is a real history buff, thus this year’s gala theme, “The Splendor of the South … A Time to Remember.”
“I’m so passionate about history,” says Stone, who made history of her own in Williamson County with her landmark eatery, the Puffy Muffin, in the heart of Brentwood. “We learn so much from those who have gone before us. The gala will be a huge celebration of history. Guests will be ushered into the past, literally.”
“Puffy Muffin has been here since dirt,” she says with a laugh. “But that’s not the kind of history we’ll be celebrating. We’ll pay homage to Tennesseans, particularly Williamson Countians … heroines, like Carrie McGavock, who turned her home into a hospital during the Battle of Franklin, and Granny White, who was cited by Congress for her self-sufficiency.”
And many of us have thought Granny White is just the name of a subdivision and a street. Tut Tut!
This year’s sixth annual gala promises whispers of the Old South. Belles who don’t have a thing to wear to the ball, take a close look at your draperies. If Miss Scarlett could fashion an elegant gown from velvet draperies… see aforementioned “history repeats itself.”
A night of magic memories…
The Star Gala features cocktails, a small silent auction, a seated multi-course dinner and dancing, the latter courtesy of one of Nashville’s favorite bands, the Pat Patrick Orchestra.
But don’t let the “Orchestra” part throw you. Dancing on this night will not be reels and waltzes, but more along the musical history making sounds of “Mustang Sally,” “Shout,” “Rescue Me” and tunes for the Electric Slide. Pat Patrick, with his lime green guitar, has rocked houses in these parts for several decades now. But the sound remains fresh and fun. Just ask the nearly 1,000 guests who attended the September Heritage Ball in Franklin.
Of course, The Star Gala is about food, fun, fashion and history, but it’s also about contributing to this place we love and call home.
“Since its inception, The Star Gala has contributed more than $175,000 to educational programs in Williamson County,” Stone explains. “This event benefits both public and independent schools. Each year a different piece of curriculum is targeted for the theme. The 2008 gala proceeds will go to the study of history in our schools.”
The gala also benefits the Chamber’s Youth Leadership program.
New additions to the Gala!
Making a bit of history in its own right for this year’s gala is a new on-line auction.
“This is not just a local auction site, but a national site,” Stone says. “We have fabulous items up for bid, ranging from Civil War relics to a Fender guitar to art by a local artist who has work hanging in the Vatican in Rome.”
Another hot ticket is an original necklace, designed and created for The Star Gala by Brentwood Jewelers.
“It’s designed as a pre-Civil War piece. It is magnificent. It sparkles with sapphires, diamonds and pearls,” explains Stone, who will wear it the evening of the gala.
For those interested in doing a bit of early Christmas shopping, log on to www.thestargala.com and bid early, high and often. The on-line bidding concludes by Dec. 31, except for a few items, like the necklace, which goes to its forever neck the evening of the gala.
Presenting sponsor for the 2008 Star Gala is BancorpSouth, appropriately dubbed the Andrew Jackson sponsor. At the Carrie McGavock Platinum level is Community Health Systems and at the McLemore House Silver Sponsor level are Puffy Muffin, Interior Design Services Inc., Regions Bank and Critical Impressions. First Tennessee Bank is the Patron’s Party Sponsor.
Tickets to the gala are $150 per person. A word to the wise: The event will sell out well in advance. To reserve your place at the Gala, call the Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber at 615.373.1595 or visit the Web site.
Time is of the essence. Besides, it takes awhile to convert draperies into ball gowns. Just think of those poor Brentwood belles whose windows are covered with plantation shutters.
It gives new meaning to plantation and “The Splendor of the South … A Time to Remember.”
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