Prior to the start of last weekend?s Flower Mart, The Walters Art Museum hosted a breakfast of flowers.
Kristy Harris and Tara Cammarata from Catholic High greeted guests with long-stemmed roses, giving the day a sweet-smelling start.
William Donald Schaefer served as host and Carolyn R. Simmons as hostess.
But the true face of the Flower Mart belongs to executive director Carol K. Purcell (who I feel saved this event from wilting away). She was beaming because of the glorious weather for this year?s first two-day event.
To kick off the breakfast celebration, Joan Dunn sang the national anthem, and the crowd joined in for “America the Beautiful.”
This year, the Flower Mart had its own song, “It?s Springtime in Baltimore,” written and performed by Pat O?Brennan.
While enjoying the morning?s munch, I caught up with WBAL radio?s velvet-voiced Alan Walden and his lovely wife, Jeanne; City Council Member Helen Holton; Lourdes Morales; Joan Dunn of the city?s Convention and Visitors Association; Magic 95.9?s Sandra E. Biggs (the daughter of the late Bea Gaddy); Jennifer Vitale; Channel 13?s Dick Gelfman; and Constellation Energy?s Jim Choplick and Gretchen Tomkies.
Channel 45?s Tony Pagnotti gave a special shout-out to Floraine Applefeld, the director emeritus of the “Maryland You are Beautiful” program, “for all her years of hard work on behalf of the great state of Maryland.”
This was a wonderful way to kick off the city?s spring centerpiece event.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND A JOB WELL DONE
More than 650 people from the community of the Krieger Schechter Day School gathered this past weekend to celebrate the school?s 25th anniversary. The Revelation Gala took place at the Chizuk Amuno Congregation and honored headmaster Dr. Paul D. Schneider for his 23 years of leadership. Congrats!
PRESIDENT?S GALA AT NOTRE DAME
Dr. Mary Pat Seurkamp, president of the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, welcomed more than 180 supporters to the Tremont Grand?s Edinburgh Hall on Saturday.
The program included remarks from Seurkamp and Stephanie Allred, a senior who spoke of her studies abroad and thanked the alumni and donors for their ongoing support of the college.
Alums at the event included Dr. Mildred Otenasek, Patricia Knott Smyth, Helen Passano (with husband Mac), Kathleen O?Ferrall Freidman (with husband Richard), Patricia Bosse and Penelope J. Taylor (with husband Stewart).
The gala served as a special thanks to the Mary Meletia Society, which honors those who give $1,000 or more to the college?s annual fund.
Anne Boone-Simanski is The Examiner?s society columnist and can be reached at 410-878-6131 or [email protected].
