Symphony lauds patrons

Seeds sprout scholarships

Symphony of Northwest Arkansas patrons gathered April 25 at Mermaids Seafood Restaurant in Fayetteville for the nonprofit organization’s third annual SoNA Spring Gala.

The benefit was also an opportunity for the group to pay tribute to longtime backers Mary Ann and Reed Greenwood. Sandy Edwards served as guest speaker and presented the award to the Greenwoods.

Zsolt Eder, SoNA associate concertmaster, and Gloria BritezScolari, SoNA violist, presented a musical surprise for guests with Eder playing while Britez-Scolari narrated Ferdinand the Bull.

Proceeds will help support the nonprofit organization’s artistic and educational initiatives.

Next up for the symphony is the season finale “Pops: Music and Animation,” June 3 at the Walton Arts Center.

Those supporting the symphony included Billie Starr, Terrye and Patric Brosh, Betsy and Loyd Phillips, Lynn and Joel Carver, Denise and Hershey Garner, Megan Baureis, Julianne Brown, Don Deweese, Margaret Whillock, Lindsey and Brock Gearhart, Judy and Bill Schwab, Ann and Morriss Henry, Marti and Kelly Sudduth, Sheri Rothwell and Woody Bassett and Cynthia Coughlin.

The Northwest Arkansas Community College Foundation played host to Plant a Seed on April 28 at Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food in Bentonville. Mike Luttrell, foundation officer, told those gathered that Brightwater provides “world class training in food as art, food as wellness and food as business.”

The culinary laboratory offers learning and training opportunities for students and professionals in areas such as “cuisine and the

culinary arts, food systems and service, traditional and artisinal food crafts and entrepreneurial development.”

Plant a Seed guests had the opportunity to tour the 27,500-square-foot facility’s kitchen classrooms with cooking demonstrations and tastings of dishes that included buffalo-style cauliflower with bleu cheese aioli, Brightwater Sandies and the Herbivore cocktail.

Proceeds from the fun foodie night will go to the college’s general scholarship fund.

Among those planting a seed for scholarships were

NWACC President Evelyn and Charles Jorgenson, Virginia and Mauricio Herrera, Denise and Hershey Garner, Janet and Jimm Hendren, Suzanne and Joe Spivey, Dayle and Dan Shewmaker, Debbie and Mike Luttrell, Emily and John Douglas, Jennifer and Tom Stallbaumer, Caelli and Craig Hull, Alison and Richard Levin and

Becky Paneitz, NWACC president emeritus.

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

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Paul Haas, SONA music director (from left), Reed and Mary Ann Greenwood, Matt Herren, SONA executive director, and Ciel Haas (front) pause at the SoNA Spring Gala on April 25. The Greenwoods were honored for their support of the orchestra.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Ann and Morriss Henry (from left) and Billie Starr enjoy the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas’ Spring Gala on April 25 at Mermaids in Fayetteville.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Glenn Mack, Brightwater executive director (left), and Vince Pianalto, pastry and baking instructor, welcome guests to the Plant a Seed fundraiser April 28 at Brightwater in Bentonville.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Stephanie Long and Pedro Alegria, Brightwater students, serve guests at Plant a Seed.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Ellen and Malcolm Hayward help support SONA at the Spring Gala.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Suzette and Paul Haas and daughters Ciel (left) and Lumi attend the Spring Gala.

STAFF PHOTO CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Craig and Caelli Hull (from left) and Alison and Richard Levin help support Northwest Arkansas Community College at Plant a Seed.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Tania Hernandez (from left), Abdul Muhammed and Karen Macias, Brightwater culinary students, give tours of the school’s pastry kitchen during Plant a Seed.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER