The Mardi Gras 2006 Wrap party sponsored by Grotto and PaperCity was a smashing success! Over 450 people celebrated! Brooke Hortenstine, Society Editor and Co-Editor, Rob Brinkley, Co-Editor and HOUSE Editor, Kate Rush, all from PaperCity were there. On behalf of Grotto, Paul Pettit, Manager, Scott Marshall, Sr. Regional Director; Brandon Busch, Director Operations, Richard Flowers, Executive VP National Events. Everyone partied down. Grotto is located at 2222 McKinney at Pearl. The scoop will be here soon! Photos by Kristina Bowman and Dana Driensky.

Dallas Mardi Gras February 2006:
The event chairmen emphasize the importance of the Dallas Area Red Cross' mission and also thank their sponsors and underwriters for their continued support, many of whom have been involved since the beginning of the Dallas Mardi Gras Gala Event in 1998 and also offer a very special thanks to kick off party sponsors and hosts this year, The Empire Room and Gil's Elegant Catering.

"Our committee is a collective group of talented ladies who have donated so many hours to make Dallas Mardi Gras such a wonderful success," Ms. Wyatt said. "They have brought all of their skills together to make it an exciting and fun party, while doing some great fundraising in the process."

Final Stats: 392 in attendance.
The money raised the night of event (casino, raffle & auction) was $42,700 and combined with sponsorships and underwriting, the total NET donation to the American Red Cross: $164,950.

The event: Dallas Mardi Gras happens every year and is the largest, single fundraising event organized by the Dallas Chapter. Unless specifically earmarked for other uses, donations made to the American Red Cross - Dallas Area Chapter stay in the Dallas metropolitan area to benefit its citizens.

Tickets for Mardi Gras begin at $125 per person. For more information on next year's event, contact Audra Russell, Development Associate, Special Events at 214.678.4402 or email: arussell@redcrossdallas.org

Welcome! American Red Cross ~ Dallas Area Chapter Dallas Mardi Gras 2006: January 28, 2006 Sarah and Alan Losinger, Honorary chairs Merry Munson Wyatt, Chairman Belo Mansion ~ Dallas, TX - 7:30 until midnight Contact: Audra Russell: 214.678.4402 (Internet publicity sponsored by socialwhirl.com)

Edwin Holt's singin' the blues rocks Dallas Mardi Gras 2006 - benefiting the American Red Cross - Dallas Area Chapter

(Photos by Dana Driensky)

The Belo Mansion was rocking away to the powerful blues tunes from Dallas' own Edwin Holt and his 12-piece Conspiracy Band at Dallas Mardi Gras. The stage was packed for hours. Visit Edwin's website for details about him: http://www.edwinholt.com Everyone was celebrating the spirit of Mardi Gras, wearing crowns, hats, wacky make up; boas and feathers were everywhere. Surrounding the band's stage and huge dance floor were tables with seating for guests, gambling, tarot card reader, bartenders pouring champagne, wines and everything else. This is the perfect event for parents to enjoy with their adult children, friends and couples to make a fun night of complete partying: food, dancing, great silent auction items and the people watching is its own party.

Merry Mynson Wyatt, chairman with her husband, Brady	Tracy Schnyder

Fabulous decorations	Patrick McGonigle and Meg Munson

Alan and Sarah Losinger, Honorary Chairs; John Losinger; Bianca Elliott, Lydia Elliott

J. B. Hayes; Teffy Jacobs	Kristen Johnston; Melissa DeLeon, Susan Spain

Amy and Brent Carreker	Linda LN: Audra Russell

Hank Bashore, president, Board of Directors with his wife, Suzy	Here is Meg Munson, Ben (dad) and Merry, our chairman.

Who was there: The Munson family: Merry Munson Wyatt, chairman and her husband Brady; Meg Munson, Susie and Ben Munson (mom and dad. The Tabasco bar was named Ben's Tabasco Bar, honoring his penchant for spicy foods).

Honorary chairs, Sarah and Alan Losinger, with their son, John. Maggie Cooke and Hadley Hammons, auction co-chairs; Angela Choquette and Angela Jones, underwriting co-chairs; April Miller, the Dallasite who did not get the rose from the Bachelor in Paris, looking absolutely adorable with her friend, Paula Masters; Amy and Brent Carreker; Angela and Doug Nash; Don Hicks with Dr. and Mrs. J. L. La Manna; J.B. Hayes and Teffy Jacobs with her parents, Jack and Doris.

Ashley Melnick, Colton Klatt

Meg Munson and her decorations committee did a fabulous job!

Doug and Angela Nash	Kim and Greg Miller	Lynette and Mark Scruggs

Patrons helped themselves at the well-stocked food stations featuring a Jambalaya Station, Carving Station with Chef Cajun Blackened Beef Tenderloin and Dessert Station with White Chocolate Bread Pudding, Vanilla Sauce.

Decorations by the lovely Meg Munson and committee were absolutely fabulous: huge Mardi Gras masks, red draping everywhere, with gold, black and white accents, mirrors and the big hit, one of the girl's trainers covered himself completely in gold make up and wore nothing but a gold leather sash around his waist. He was the "live statue" of the evening.

Top Auction Item: Vacation at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa and two roundtrip flights provided by American Airlines - $5,500.

Close Second: Vacation at Rosewood's newest property - CordeValle in San Martin, California (also included two roundtrip flights provided by American Airlines) $4,800.

Angela Jones and her husband	Angela Choquette and her husband

Kimber and Michael Hartmann

John Giesler, Laura McClung	Stephan Reddick; Laura Holt; David Lory

Veronica Stigers; Stacy Wright, Jester; Kelley Stewart

Guy and Blair Hartfield	Paula Masters, April Miller

Christian Clark and Maggie Cooke	Hadley and Travis Galt	Dan and Erik McCarthy

Auna Riggs; Katie Harris

Don Hicks; Mrs. Evelyn and Dr. J. L. LaManna