Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1387793
By Billy Fong Photography WJN Photo MAMBO DE MAYO Ann Hobson, Kit Sawers Kelli Ford Nancy Rogers W ho needs a g r o u n d h o g to tell you that spring has sprung when you're greeted by a tray of Mi Cocina's signature Mambo Taxi cocktails in a Highland Park garden. Guests to that enchanting space, where a mariachi band set the mood and delicate lanterns swayed gently from trees above, were members of Klyde Warren Park's President's Circle, who joined Ann and Lee Hobson in their gardens to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Dallas' beloved Klyde Warren Park made a daring leap by launching its premier donor group, the President's Circle, in the middle of the 2020 pandemic. Actually, co-chairs Ann Hobson and interior designer Alvise Orsini were asked to serve as chairmen by the park's president, Kit Sawers, prior to the March lockdown, and immediately the two said, "Yes, what can we do to help?" After a few understandable stops and starts, events began last fall. Holding their first 2021 fête to coincide with Cinco de Mayo made perfect sense: It was announced at the start of this year that Mi Cocina on the Park would replace Savor in architect Thomas Phifer's gorgeous glass-enclosed building in the center of the park. One of my favorite party games of years past was looking for the furtive glances toward the door as guests planned their exit strategy. Alas, pre-COVID it seemed as if no one could be bothered to stay anywhere longer than 45 minutes. One iconic octogenarian who shall remain nameless (but whom one might call Dallas royalty) once mused to me, "Cocktail hour needn't be a full hour." However, those days seem long gone, as everyone wanted to stay well past sunset to catch-up — this being the first time many had seen one another in over a year. Don't fault me for playing favorites, but among the many well- heeled guests, my award for most entertaining and best-dressed must go to Georgina Hartland. She never fails to show up in something dazzling that rivals her bewitching sense of humor. Another standout was Nancy Rogers, looking like she was plucked from the recent Prada runway. Others from the social posse included Sandra Moon, Sheila and Jody Grant, Kaleta Blaffer, Deborah and John Scott, and, in town from San Antonio, Lisa Kopecky. Bill & Wendy Payne, Lynn & Allan McBee Maria Valim, Cornelia Guest, Brad Kelly, Nancy Dedman Billy Fong, Georgina Hartland, Tim Headington Jeny Bania Catalina Gonzalez Lindsay Billingsley 78