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THE ANNUAL GARDEN PARTY WAS AN EVENING TO RIVAL ANY FITZGERALD-PENNED AFFAIR. ANNE LEE PHILLIPS STROLLS THROUGH THE GROUNDS. PHOTOGRAPHY JENNY ANTILL CLIFTON, WILSON PARISH. FORGET East Egg TAKE ME TO BAYOU BEND I t was a perfect spring evening on Buffalo Bayou, with nary a mosquito nor cloud in the sky, only a light breeze to carry whispered conversations through the air. Ladies traipsed over the bridge and through the boxwoods in flowing spring dresses, many in apropos azalea pink, escorted by gents in dapper navy blazers with colorful ties, heading for the grand, John Staub-designed estate bordering Memorial Drive for the annual Garden Party. McDugald-Steele Landscape Architects and The Events Company created a setting that would have made Ima Hogg proud, with a stunning tent on the south lawn, cascading with flowers. For the theme, chairs Carol and Michael Linn paid homage to Houston's history as the original Magnolia City, from the painting of the trademark Southern spring bloom on the invitation to centerpieces of porcelain magnolias. David Caceres serenaded supporters with jazz tunes on his saxophone during the seated dinner from City Kitchen, which began with a tomato, watermelon and sorbet salad and finished with decadent white chocolate bread pudding. Even without an auction, the civilized evening raised an impressive $700,000; Atlantic Trust came in as a major underwriter, as did Laura and John Arnold, Rolanette and Berdon Lawrence (both couples were unable to attend), Bobbie and John Nau, and Jeannie Kilroy Wilson and Wallace Wilson, much to the delight of Bayou Bend director Bonnie Campbell, and MFAH director Gary Tinterow, who attended with partner/ antiquarian Christopher Gardner. Blue bloods in the green gardens: the chairs of the prior day's Neverland-themed Bayou Bend children's party Kelli Kickerillo and Todd Forester; Elizabeth Beaman of Christie's, in from New York to attend with colleague Jessica Phifer; Kathy and Marty Goossen, who took a turn on the dance floor while the fabulous Hustlers Brass Band played, with sons Jay and Matthew and wife Lacey; Cornelia and Meredith Long; Nancy and Rich Kinder; Soraya and Scott McClelland; Margaret Williams; Pat Breen; Bell Blakemore with Ford Beckham; Betty Newton; Kelty Crain; and Dancie and Jim Ware. MAY | PAGE 12 | 2015 Betty Newton Kelty Crain Bobbie Nau Jackie Sibley Stephen Sibley Eliza Stedman Gwen Goffe Ed Eubanks Michael Margolis Vivien Caven Scott Caven Jessica Phifer Kathy Goossen Marty Goossen Todd Forester Kelly Kickerillo Elizabeth Beaman Juanita Markwalter Jack Markwalter Lacey Goossen Matthew Goossen Courtney Solleveld John Nau Cynthia Petrello Randy Powers Karen Payne Bill Caudell Dancie Ware Jim Ware Cyvia Wolff George Passela Melvyn Wolff Denise Monteleone Jim Martin Jeanie Kilroy Wilson Wally Wilson Jerry Ann Costa Chair Michael Linn Chair Carol Linn Frances Marzio Gary Tinterow John Bookout Ann Bookout Scott McClelland Soraya McClelland Christopher Gardner Kristen Nix Sheridan Williams Elizabeth Passela Bas Solleveld Ellie Francisco Pat Breen Mitra Mujica- Margolis