Charleston magazine Society blog

A dinner benefitting the March of Dimes took place in the North Charleston Performing Arts Complex ballroom last Thursday where guests meandered around the room while noshing on light bites prepared by 17 chefs representing local restaurants. My favorite was the Dungeness crab soup prepared by Chef Peyton Smith. It came ladled in a miniature pumpkin that had been hollowed out prior to the event. Fabulous!

On Saturday morning, some of the city’s premier shopping mavens convened at the Renaissance Hotel for the Lowcountry AIDS Services’ Shopping with Friends brunch. A long buffet of fruit, eggs, and pastry greeted guests in the foyer, which is where I also found Charleston magazine’s style guru Ayoka Lucas who had set out a spread of her picks for hot holiday fashion accessories. (I had my eye on one especially sharp Mary Norton clutch—hot!)

After grazing along the buffet and enjoying a little pampering, like super fast manicures courtesy of Stella Nova, guests gathered together for a live auction presided over by SWF founder Karen Siegel. Tickets to the US Open, The Oprah Show, and The Ellen Show were among the items on the auction block.

After the brunch, it was time to hit the streets and shop with 10% of the days sales being donated by participating stores to LAS.

That night, I made my way over to the Daniel Island Club for the Gibbes Museum of Art’s Ready, Jet Set, Go gala. Taking plenty of cues from the aviation industry, the theme set the stage for unexpected comedy, like when “Trixie Layover,” the gala flight attendant, announced that “at no time during tonight’s festivities will your seat cushion be used as a floatation device.”

Guests received their own set of wings, which many promptly pinned to their festive attire, including me— I flew a plane for the first time last week and have been on cloud nine ever since (check out Living on the Edge in the March 2008 issue of Charleston magazine to read about that experience).

The six auction items items were appropriately jet set. The “Weekend” package came with airfare, Gucci luggage, and an iPod accessory, while the “Aristocrat” lot included a gold and diamond bracelet from Croghan’s Jewel Box. The only thing  missing was a helicopter ride to ferry us back downtown after the gala!

Happy Holidays!
Ida

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Saturday shall forever be known as the marathon day of parties and holiday events that started at 8:30 a.m. and went clear through midnight. Whew! The day started out on a high note amidst the frivolity of the 17th annual Reindeer Run 5K, a smash-mouth footrace that wound its way along South of Broad streets and boasted throngs of participants clad in costumes. Julian Smith, director of the Cooper River Bridge Run, was decked out as something, but I’m not quite sure what— I think we was part Hulk, part elf, part The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

Watching the parade of zanily attired participants was definitely the highlight of the race. Everything from candy cane striped knee socks to a trio of girls dressed as the famed singing chipmunks Alvin, Simon, and Theodore whizzed past the starting line. Even Sadie Seinsheimer’s jingle bell collar made for a melodious jaunt through the neighborhood.

This year, everyone was able to get in on the action thanks to the wiry faux fur reindeer antler headbands found in every race bag.

I spotted dozens of the telltale antlers as I ambled over to the farmers’ market and more still at the Maritime Center, site of the 8th annual SPCA Celebrity Chili Cook-off. This year, Charleston magazine’s own Darcy Shankland was among the participants, and her canine-friendly presentation (she served chili with a “chucker” and passed out cornbread shaped like dog bones) earned high marks from everyone who visited her table.

The chili made by State Trooper Corporal Paul Brouthers, a newcomer to the competition, arrived under the protection of riot guard shields, and his fellow highwaymen were an intimidating factor when it came to judging.

According to chefs Bob Waggoner (Charleston Grill), Frank Lee (SNOB), and Aaron Deal (Tristan), the competition was stiff, but they particularly enjoyed Charleston Councilwoman Colleen Condon’s mole flavor, for which they awarded her the Most Unique trophy, and WCBD anchor Brad Franko’s recipe, which earned him the Best in Show trophy. Meanwhile, I enjoyed the vegan chili offered by EarthFare. It was yummy!

While a flotilla of illuminated boats geared up to parade across the harbor, I made my way to Spoleto Festival’s headquarters for a pre CSO Gospel Concert reception hosted by Bev and Wally Seinsheimer. He was instrumental in founding the choir several years ago, and I always look forward to the holiday concert. Unfortunately, parties called, and I had to miss the musical festivities. I hear that this year’s show was the best yet. One day I’ll get the nerve to audition—I even have my own tambourine!

After a brief stop at Fred Himmelstein’s 80th birthday party, followed by a party of Charlotte Street, it was off to Mt. Pleasant for Cabooty’s 18th Annual Holiday Party benefitting Camp Happy Days. Close to 800 people were dancing to music by The Tams when I arrived at the Omar Shrine Temple. Hosted by Allan Cabading, whom I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know during the past three months (we participated in a boot camp program together—you can read about it in the January issue of Charleston magazine), this event raised thousands of dollars to help send kids with cancer to summer camp. Allan and I actually believe our paths crossed many years ago when my best friend Alison Fitzgerald valiantly fought a multi-year battle with leukemia. Allan, a cancer survivor, was an ever-present fixture in their home, which was next door to mine. Although we lost Alison in 1994, it warms my hear to know that Allan has been working to raise awareness and funds all these years for people like Alison, who found so much joy in going to Camp Happy Days.

Allan: if I had a good apple award to give out, I would surely award one to you. Congratulations on another successful event and thanks for all your hard work!

Caritas.
Ida

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