Turtle Creek Association Celebrated its Fourth Annual Azalea Luncheon at the Warwick Melrose Hotel
(Featured photo: Sharon Ballew, luncheon chair; Betty Reiter, Fashion Show sponsor; J. D. Trueblood, President and CEO, Turtle Creek Association.)
After last year’s weather decided to make itself the guest of honor, it was a welcome change to enjoy a rain-free spring afternoon at Turtle Creek Association’s (TCA) Azalea Luncheon at the Warwick Melrose Hotel. The valets were “Johnny on the Spot”— no umbrellas required, no sprinting to the door, just smooth arrivals and smiling faces from the start.
J. D. Trueblood, President and CEO, TCA, was joined by Sharon Ballew, Luncheon Chair, TCA Director of Development and Patricia Kozak, Honorary Chair. Welcoming guests were Sharon Smith and her husband, Wayne, who is also Chairman of the TCA board.
Guests sipped Prosecco at the reception sponsored by Ann Stuart, PhD, while they perused the silent auction, browsed Fashion Show Sponsor Betty Reiter’s pop-up boutique featuring stunning hand-beaded jewelry by Betsy Simpson, and enjoyed the live fashion sketches by ACV Event Designs custom illustrations and took photos at the vignette of gorgeous lush greenery with white flowers by Social Hubb Enterprises.
The ballroom was beautiful with tables draped with dark pink tablecloths topped with places set with gold hued flatware and chargers, goblets tinted in a lovely transparent purple and centered with blooming pink azaleas, setting an elegant scene.
Taking the stage, Sharon Ballew welcomed the crowd and as a surprise, gave away a spa package to a lucky guest celebrating their birthday. J.D. thanked the crowd, saying at this fourth Anniversary, the event has outgrown two previous venues. He recognized Judith Lifson, one of the original founders of Turtle Creek Association, and gave heartfelt thanks to Betty, Wayne and Sharon Smith, Ann, and Kyle Crews for their sponsorships.
J.D. invited Pat to the stage and gave her a gift of appreciation as honorary chair. He also said she started the motion for the Bridges of Turtle Creek effort, which has just wrapped, successfully updating eight bridges, saying, “Your belief in our mission to preserve, protect, and enhance Turtle Creek is what drives this organization forward.”
Betty took the stage and after J.D. thanked her for her continued support over these past years, she began the fashion show, saying that spring and summer are all about bold splashes of vibrant colors. Color is everywhere!
A short video showed the progress of The Bridges of Turtle Creek, as well as the Gateway signage. It shed light on restoring the health of the creek with bank stabilization, dredging of the creek and solving recurring trash and pollution issues; reversing infrastructure decay by eliminating graffiti, restoring the historic bridges and improving safety; beautifying the corridor – TCA wants to create a sense of unity and share pride by enhancing the boulevard experience for both of motorist and the pedestrian through landscaping, lighting and art.
This fall, TCA plans to plant over 2,000 yellow daffodil bulbs across all 20 medians along the boulevard. As one of the first signs of spring, daffodils will create a vibrant, early-season display, bringing color, energy, and that unmistakable “something special” back to the corridor. And the best part? Daffodils multiply over time, meaning this investment will continue to grow and expand year after year.
Closing remarks, J.D. said, “If you love what you experience at the luncheon, if you believe in what we’re building together, I invite you to be part of this next chapter. Your support will help bring this vision to life and ensure Turtle Creek continues to surprise, delight, and inspire. Your donation of $50 will provide 25 bulbs. Please donate today! Thank you again for making this year’s luncheon such a success. I couldn’t be more proud of what we’re accomplishing together.”
In addition to sponsors already mentioned, sponsors included Belmont Village Senior Living, Print Sponsor; Teresa Byrd, Décor Sponsor; Sue Krider, Favor Bag and Dessert Sponsor; Kyle Crews, the Urban Team; Vivante Turtle Creek; Andrea Willett, WRMC, Elyce and David Walthall, Patron Event Hosts.
For more information visit www.turtlecreekassociation.org
About Turtle Creek Association: Turtle Creek Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. TCA’s core mission is to serve as the foremost guardian, advocate, and leader dedicated to preserving, protecting and enhancing the Turtle Creek corridor.
Furthermore, the Turtle Creek Association takes on a range of vital responsibilities. This includes orchestrating seasonal color transformations along the creek, managing irrigation and watering systems, overseeing litter and trash removal from the creek, and upkeeping 25 beautifully landscaped medians.
We play a crucial role in sustaining 2,600 trees that offer a haven for wildlife, and we’re instrumental in providing essential amenities such as drinking fountains, trash receptacles, and benches throughout the parks.
Remarkably, all of these efforts are achieved through the generosity of our donors.
For more information and to join our cause, please visit our website at www.turtlecreekassociation.org. Your support fuels our commitment to preserving the urban sanctuary that is Turtle Creek.
*Photos by Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio
(Sharon Adams, Adams Communications Public Relations, is honored to represent the Turtle Creek Association and its special announcements and events and publish this Philanthropy Lifestyles Scene.)
