Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Food bank makes bank
Arts advocates awarded
Frank and Barbara Broyles Foundation backers gathered Nov. 15 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville for An Exclusive Acoustic Evening with John Oates featuring David Starr. Proceeds from the performance will go toward “our mission of providing support for Alzheimer’s caregivers through support groups, individual coaching, resource distribution, training and education,” said Linda Vigil, foundation administration director.
Among those enjoying the acoustic evening were Betsy Broyles Arnold, Jacob Arnold, Linda Vest, Billie Starr, Sarah and Kent Starr, Shannon and Michael Arcana, Craig Shellburne, Allison Lynch, Sandy Hardcastle, Marti and Kelly Sudduth, Katrina and Lance Osborn, Kim and Mark Dutton, Joan and John Threet and Anna Threet.
Theatre Squared patrons gathered for the Gala for Education and Access on Nov. 16 at the Fayetteville Town Center. The evening helped bring in more than $170,000 to help support the company’s efforts that reach some 25,000 Arkansans.
Programs include the Arkansas Schools Tour that takes original plays to 75 schools — 18,000 students — statewide; teacher training; “Lights Up,” free and discounted tickets for students and low-income community members; and “Word/ Play” semester-long classroom residencies for professional artists.
The professional theater organization presented the Arts Advocate Award to Carolyn and Nicholas Cole in recognition of “their indelible contributions to the arts through leadership, inspiration and hard work, for the lasting benefit of Northwest Arkansas.”
Melinda Kalb Beith, Little Rock Central High School teacher, was named the Arts Educator Award honoree.
Benefit guests enjoyed a command performance by Liz Callaway, Tony Award nominee and
Emmy Award winner.
Honorary co-chairmen of the benefit were Marybeth and Rick Hays, Cynthia and Steve McClanahan, Linda and Bob McMath, Shannon and Terryl Ortego, Ann Rosso, Anthony Sumlin, Richard Anderson and John Berry, Tami and Mark Bever, Melissa and Greg Cherry, Carol and Ed Clifford, Jane and David Gearhart and Gwynne Gertz and David Jolliffe.
Northwest Arkansas Food Bank backers at the Jewels of Giving Gala on Nov. 17 at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers helped the nonprofit organization raise enough money to provide 1.9 million meals to Northwest Arkansans in need.
Kent Eikenberry, food bank president and CEO, presented the 2017 Hunger Heroes award to Carrie Harlow and her mother, Sandy Michael.
Those joining the food bank to help fight hunger were Megan and Ryan Crozier, Cheri and Larry Thompson, Spencer and Annetta Tirey, Ed Nicholson, Mary and Darryl Zettle and Gina and Bert Kell.
For more event photos — nwadg.com/photos/society.