The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Progress, some politics for Swan House Ball
The Swan House Ball is the key annual fundraiser benefiting the Atlanta History Center, and this year’s was one for the history books.
Chaired by Ginny Brewer and Patrice Greer, the event honored former Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell and former Atlanta Mayor and U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young. It was a celebration of our city’s past, present and future.
“We’re so blessed,” Young said. “This is a truly blessed city because we’ve come together: rich, poor, black, white, gay, straight; whatever nationality, continent from which we come. With all our faults, whatever they may be, I don’t know a city anywhere on the planet with the promise, the vision and the future that you hold in the palm of your hands. God has blessed us. Let’s celebrate these blessings and move on and share them with the rest of the world.”
He thanked the many family members who accompanied him, especially his wife Carolyn, “who has been with me through many dangers, toils and snares and who puts up with me still acting like I’m 40 when I’m 86.”
Massell called his friendship with Young “a mutual admiration society” and was moved by the capacity crowd that packed Grand Overlook Ballroom.
“This is such a handsome group of people,” he said. “The fact that you’ve all given your leadership to Atlanta in so many ways, I could talk all night just on the appreciation that you’re all entitled to for how we achieve and how we move forward.”
Then Massell, who turns 91 in August, spotted Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle a few tables over.
“Casey, if I thought I had this many friends, I’d give you a run for your money,” he said. “Is it too late to qualify?”
Quipped Cagle, who’s running for governor, “I’d give it to you, Sam!”
Gubernatorial hopefuls Clay Tippins and Hunter Hill attended as well. During the cocktail hour, former Gov. Roy Barnes found himself quite popular, as those interested in who will move into his former home at 391 West Paces Ferry Road vied for his thoughts.
“I’m so glad to be out of politics,” Barnes deadpanned as the crowd processed from the Swan House lawn into the ballroom for dinner. Barnes and his wife, Marie, live in Marietta now, where the big news around their place includes the baby goats who have joined the menagerie.
The Swan House Ball raises money for the Atlanta History Center and student education programs. Patrons included Cyndae Arrendale, Juanita and Greg Baranco, Trameka and Jerome Bettis, Rosalind and John Brewer, Dennis Dean and Drew Brown, Chad Holman and Keith Traxler, Victoria and Howard Palefsky, Kay and Ron Quigley, Dunwreath and Charles Swanson and Dina Woodruff.
Consider this your savethe-date for next year’s Swan House Ball: it’s planned for April 27, 2019.
In the nearer term, the Atlanta History Center plans a number of summer camp offerings at both the main location at 130 West Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead and the Margaret Mitchell House location at 979 Crescent Ave. NE in Midtown. Each camp is one week long and topics vary. For more details and registration information, see the “Kids’ Programs” section at atlantahistorycenter. com or call 404-814-4000.