The Magnolia Ball celebrated 40 years at the Dunwoody Country Club. Guests were spoiled with top line beverages, surf & turf, and keepsake pewter magnolia charm attached to Nothing Bundt Cakes from Gloria Mattei. Fly Betty Band kept the dance floor full to the last song.
The theme, Be a Part of History, celebrated the 120th anniversary of President Theodore Roosevelt’s 1905 visit to Bulloch Hall, childhood home of Mittie Bulloch where she married Theodore Roosevelt, Sr. Their son, Theodore visited Roswell during a reconciliation tour.
40 years of Magnolia Ball photographs were displayed throughout the venue. Gold sponsors and above will make history as their names will be inscribed on a permanent plaque prominently displayed at Bulloch Hall. Sponsors from bronze and higher will be on posters, in the eNewsletter, and on the website as members of the prestigious Bulloch Hall Society 1839.
Bob Hagan, President of Friends of Bulloch, Inc., captured the evening saying, “I could not be more pleased. What a tremendous success! From a sell-out crowd of 288 to record-breaking fundraising of $100,000 (to illuminate Bulloch Hall with exterior lighting and restore damaged areas). Many thanks to our dedicated sponsors, volunteers, co-chairs and the Magnolia Ball Committee for a wonderful experience.”
“Bulloch Hall is Roswell’s only nationally recognized historic site and it’s on the National Register of Historic Places, known for its meticulous restoration and stunning Greek Revival architecture," said event Co-Chair Jonathan Crooks. "As the childhood home of Theodore Roosevelt’s mother and grandmother of Eleanor Roosevelt, it’s one of the few homes tied to two U.S. Presidents.”
Highlights of the Ball included Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson, City Council
members Lee Hills and David Johnson as talented live auction "auctioneer". Bob thanked presenting sponsor Malon D. Mimms; Diamond sponsors: Drs. Betty & Tom Price, Patsy & Bill Wolff; Platinum sponsors: Robert W. Hagan Family Foundation, Jonathan Powell Crooks, John Michael Brunetti, Stacey & Mayor Kurt Wilson; and Gold sponsors: Carol Abreu, Nancy & Richard Alterman, Tod Baker, Carolyn & Bob Bauman, Pam Billingsley, Sandy Buhler, Cheryl & Jim Coyle, Rae & Will Colley, Sid Disher, Jodi & David Grace, Claire & Dave Hallman, Lee Hollingsworth, Felicitas & Bill Johnson, Judy & Rick Meer, Drs. Anu & Aman Mongia, George Polatty, Susan & Bob Rumble, Karen & Charlie Schwank, Colleen & Jim Taylor, Blake Turner, Sunny K. Park, Synovus Bank, Marge & Bob West, and Margie Watson. Guests commented that
this Magnolia Ball was the “best ever”!
The Magnolia Ball was more than a party. It was a reminder of what we’re here to protect, added Co-Chair Karen Schwank. “I hope people heard the important words in the letter from Mrs. Robert Templeton, the first Magnolia Ball chair. It's our ‘duty to safeguard, preserve, and carry forth into the next generation this heritage that was left to us in trust.’