Chilirhea battles dementia

Masquerade Ball benefits education

The 14th annual Chilirhea benefit on Feb. 16 at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Fayetteville helped raise more than $105,000 for Alzheimer’s Arkansas, UAMS Reynolds Institute on Aging and the The Frank and Barbara Broyles Foundation to help fulfill its mission “to provide funds aiding in research that helps eradicate Alzheimer’s disease as well as provide resources for caregivers caring for Alzheimer’s patients.”

More than 30 teams competed to cook up the winning batch of chili, with Culpepper Family Dentistry taking top honors for best chili.

Wendy Farrer, director, said the event has evolved over the years. “We started as an all-day party, but as we got older, we’ve had to think about our growing families and how to make this an event for the whole family. Over the past three years, we’ve made a lot of efforts to brand ourselves as a communitywide event. There is something for everyone, and we are proud of that!” This year’s event included a children’s zone with pony rides and a petting zoo.

Those gathering for Chilirhea included Trevor Malloy, Marie Jeffery, Rebecca Newcome, Alyson Dunnaway, John Threet, Jack Threet, Tanya Mims, Rusty Walker, Cindy and John Baldridge and Blake Pennington.

Masked Walton Arts Center patrons joined the nonprofit organization Feb. 16 for the ninth annual Masquerade Ball at the center in Fayetteville. Hosted by the center’s Corporate Leadership Council, the event helps support arts education program offerings such as the Colgate Classroom Series, which provided access to the arts to more than 40,000 area school

children last year; teacher training for integrating arts in curriculum; master classes with visiting artists; and Creative Conversations as part of the 10x10 Arts Series.

Next up for the arts center is the Art of Wine Festival Winemaker’s Dinner on May 16 and Uncorked! on May 17.

Those joining the masquerade included Honorary Chairwoman Judith McKenna and Phil Dutton; Marjorie Beck, co-chairwoman; Marti and Kelly Sudduth, Sue and Mark Henneberger, Terry and Mike Johnson, Sarah Diebold and Jason Myers and Day and Brian Crowne.

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

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Jen and James Beck (from left), Judith McKenna and Phil Dutton, Barb Putman and Peter Lane and Marjorie and Todd Hanus gather at the Walton Arts Center Masquerade Ball on Feb. 16 at the arts center in Fayetteville.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Colyn Flipington (from left), Carl Weathers and Trevor Malloy compete at Chilirhea on Feb. 16 at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Fayetteville.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Marie Jeffery (from left), Rebecca Newcome and Alyson Dunnaway enjoy Chilirhea.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Sue and Mark Henneberger enjoy the Masquerade.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Jason Myers and Sarah Diebold (from left) and Day and Brian Crowne help support the Walton Arts Center.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Jack Threet (left) and John Threet volunteer at Chilirhea.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Terry and Mike Johnson (from left) and Marti and Kelly Sudduth visit at the Masquerade Ball.