2017 Hot Springs Debutantes complete ‘Little Season’ events
The 2017 class of Hot Springs Debutantes recently concluded their “Little Season” series of parties and events that were made possible by members of the local community.
The season began July 7 with a kick off party and Father-Daughter Bowling night. The debutantes, sponsors and hostesses all arrived wearing their collegiate colors and greeted their fellow collegians and alumnae. All were treated to a TCBY cookie cake and homemade desserts which were decorated to resemble bowling balls and bowling pins. Everyone was given a playful, glow necklace to wear when the lights were dimmed to give all bowlers a more challenging experience. As a party favor, the hostesses gave the debutantes a cosmetic bag with monogrammed initials, which was then filled with the official
2017 debutante season shirt. Hostesses for the evening included Mrs. Karl Palczynski, Mrs. Jonathan Stringer, Mrs. Timothy Webb, Mrs. Wayne White and Mrs. J. Michael Wood
On July 8, the debutantes arrived at the YMCA for instruction in self-defense. Numerous self-defense strategies were taught, including making and using an improvised weapon, and how to escape or avoid an attack. Instructors for the class were: Chris Meggers, CEO of Patriot Close Combat Consultants, Daniel Sullivan, Matthew Putman and Jesse Wright. After class, the debutantes were treated to a variety of nutritious snacks and given cooling/dry towels for the hot summer months. Event hostesses were Mrs. Bryan Beasley, Mrs. Edward M. Brown, Mrs. Christopher Corjay, Kala Dean, Mrs. David Hafer, Mrs. Trip Qualls, Mrs. Robert Snider and Mrs. Tim Winston.
The afternoon of July 9, the debutantes and their fathers gathered in the Arlington Hotel Resort Hotel & Spa’s Crystal Ballroom for a Father-Daughter Waltz rehearsal led by the debutante choreographer, Amy Bramlett Turner. She instructed the group in waltz lessons in preparation for the debutantes’ December Red Rose Charity Ball.
On July 11, the debutantes gathered in the Parish Hall of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church to complete a portion of their Charity Service Project sponsored by Our Promise Cancer Resources. Each debutante designed a Creations of Hope to gift to someone whose life has been touched by cancer. The Creations of Hope program was founded by debutante sponsor and cancer survivor, Frances Iverson. Creations of Hope are bare mannequin heads that have been transformed into symbols and stories of hope; each creation is meant to encourage the artist and recipient, even amidst the turmoil of cancer, to focus on refinement and hope. The debutante’s stunning works of art will be displayed at the debutante ball in December and then donated to people whose lives have been touched by cancer (patients, survivors, caregivers, oncology professionals, etc).
The following day, the debutantes participated in a Mother-Daughter Yoga Party in the Christian Life Center of First United Methodist Church. Instructor Karen Watson Reeves,
E-RYT200/RCYT, led the debutantes and their mothers in a yoga class to enhance their physical and emotional wellness. This class raised awareness about the weekly “Yoga as Awareness for Cancer” class for cancer patients and their caregivers, made possible by Our Promise Cancer Resources. Treats included lemonade, protein bars and fresh baked cookies. Each debutante received a personalized yoga mat as a gift from the hostesses, which included Mrs. James Arthur, Mrs. Fred Divers, Mrs. Dan McDonough, Mrs. John Webb and Mrs. Gregory Whorton.
On July 13, the debutantes expressed their creativity again when they were invited to a “Beading for a Cause” party held in the Daffodil Room at CHI St. Vincent’s Cancer Center. The young ladies fashioned bracelets in the 30 different cancer colors and donated them to local cancer patients. They also assembled care packages, with the help of Our Promise’s Young Men of Distinction, and made fleece blankets to distribute to patients undergoing cancer treatments. During the event, the debutantes toured areas of the cancer center to see resources and materials such as wigs, which are sponsored by Our Promise Cancer Resources.
The debutantes also met CHI Cancer Center Clinic Director Adam Jarrett and radiation oncologist Dr. David Pruitt. Finally, Dr. Lynn Cleveland gave an informational presentation regarding cancer facts and prevention. The debutantes were treated to a variety of snacks, pink lemonade and cookies by Jane Campbell decorated to resemble debutante dresses and the official cancer symbol. The hostesses gifted each debutante with her own set of personalized thank-you cards to reinforce the notion of showing gratitude toward others. Hostesses were Mrs. Alfred Blount Jr., Mrs. Tim Dean, Mrs. Nick Eubanks, Mrs. Stuart Fleischner, Mrs. Don Gooch, Mrs. Blake Lester, Kelly Rodewald, Mrs. Randy Rodewald, Mrs. Douglas Ross and Mrs. Paul Strozyk.
The grand finale of the Little Season was held July 14, when the debutantes and their mothers were treated to a “Hats off to Debutantes” luncheon at the Hot Springs Country Club. The luncheon served to honor the debutantes for their commitment to Our Promise Cancer Resources and the cancer community. Guests were asked to wear their fanciest hats and to bring a hat, cap or scarf to donate to local cancer patients. The debutantes thoughtfully attached hand-written notes of encouragement to each donated item. Guests enjoyed dining on a salad luncheon served on tables decorated with an assortment of blush roses and hydrangeas. Dessert was an assortment of pink iced chocolate cake balls and iced sugar cookies from Taste of Eden decorated to resemble derby hats.
The ladies saw the latest in fashion trends presented by Pink Avenue’s store owner, Jessica Heller. Modeling outfits for fall social events and football games were: Grace McClanahan, Maggie Trieschmann, Abbey Little, Raegan Hickam and Maddy Atkinson. The debutantes received an exclusive shopping invitation to the local boutique.
The luncheon concluded with guest speaker Kerry Lockwood Owen, who shared her cancer journey and encouraged the young ladies to be leaders in their community, to nurture and improve society, and to treat all people with respect and kindness.
Hostesses gave the debutantes khaki-colored baseball caps with the Kentucky Derby logo. The hostesses joined with the debutantes in donating hats and scarves to local cancer patients. Hostesses were Mrs. Heath Chambers, Mrs. Robert Chastain, Glenda Dunn, Mrs. Michael Ellis, Katy Ferguson, Mrs. J.R. Folds, Mrs. Jeffrey Fuller-Freeman, Mrs. John Horner, Mrs. Michael Ihrie, Mrs. Travis Kinder, Mrs. Todd Lawrence, Mrs. Ron Magby, Mrs. John Skinner, Mrs. Jeremy Stone and Mrs. Tylar Tapp
The 19 young ladies will be presented at the 72nd Red Rose Debutante Ball on Dec. 16 in the Arlington Hotel’s Crystal Ballroom. It is an invitation-only event for friends and families of the debutantes. However, all former Hot Springs debutantes are welcome to attend, space permitting. Any former Hot Springs debutante who would like additional information, please call Mrs. Brian Gehrki at 617-2784.