Not only did Saturday night’s Columbian Ball serve as the Museum of Science and Industry’s annual fundraiser, it also marked a transition of service for the outgoing and incoming president and chief executive officer.
Chairman of the Board Andrew McKenna paid tribute and said goodbye to outgoing president James “Jack” S. Kahn, and welcomed new president David R. Mosena.
But there were other highlights at this black-tie event as well, including a live auction, which saw a high bid of $12,000 for a trip for six to New Orleans by private rail.
Including money raised from the live and silent auction, the evening netted about $450,000. Proceeds are earmarked for the museum’s general operating fund. Helping making the evening a success were co-chairs Alan Sussna and Brenda Bock Sussna.
In keeping with this year’s theme, “Ever-Changing Adventure,” the ballroom was festooned with an array of changing colors –from dark blue to peach to pink, each signifying different exhibits. Different centerpieces graced each table, such as test tubes with green liquid to represent science and medicine.
The elegant menu included smoked prawns, baby Asian greens and filet mignon with portobello mushrooms. Finishing the meal was a dessert of mixed berry trifle with chocolate truffles. The evening ended with dancing to the strains of Ray Vombrack and PULSE.
– In a surprise showing, country music star Garth Brooks appeared live via satellite (from Pittsburgh) to announce to the audience attending Saturday night’s Ronald McDonald House Charities “Awards of Excellence” gala that he planned to donate proceeds from a series of overseas concerts to the charity.
No plans have been finalized but Brooks plans to play about five or six concerts (at his expense) next summer and donate the proceeds to RMHC. Brooks told the crowd of 2,100 that he expects to give away “anywhere from $15 to $30 million.”
Saturday night’s fundraiser at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare garnered about $1.6 million. Among the evening’s high points: awards going to renowned pediatrician T. Berry Brazelton, (who spoke about preventive health care for children) and Gen. Colin Powell, retired chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Powell plans to donate his award money to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
———-
Please submit items in writing three weeks in advance to The Chicago Tribune, Amanda Barrett Hamel, Places,Parties,People 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill., 60611.
