Posts Tagged ‘Donna Wilkinson’

It’s all a matter of fond memory now like the bitter-sweet humor of Noel Coward, Dorothy Parker and our town’s society doyenne Anne Desloge Bates. I’m not talking about life, liberty and the pursuit of terrorists. I’m talking about some of our most precious heritage like the quaint and colorful people who’ve lived here. Then there are civic leaders, empire builders, the developers and the conservationists who are so dedicated they’ll probably be investigated by a Congressional committee. Maybe they should be sent back where they came from except that where they came from is now a Home Depot. Do-gooderism has always been suspect in this misanthropic society of ours, and large segments of the public are inclined to look upon the do-gooder as some kind of village idiot. Martin Mathews. Donna Wilkinson, Virginia Weldon, Blanche Touhil, David Clohessy, Robert Archibald, Steve and Kimmy Brauer, Chris Chadwick, Cheryl Polk, Sam Fox and Roberta Cohen come to mind as today’s leading do-gooders. To a much lesser degree there was businessman David Hanley. In 1972 he crashed his Cadillac convertible into a skyjacked 727 as it was on the tarmac at Lambert preparing for takeoff.  The resident of Florissant was later sued for more than $100k  by his insurance company for damages incurred on the plane’s nose gear. Update: skyjacker Martin McNully has returned to our town after serving 37 years in federal prison for skyjacking and air piracy. Nowadays, he lives on Magnolia Avenue near the south Grand Boulevard district.

Michael Douglas

Celebrated actor and producer Michael Douglas has agreed to appear Sept. 17 at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark Hotel to benefit The National Children’s Cancer Society. The 67 year-old son of Kirk Douglas will focus on his own bout with cancer by way of an interview and a slide presentation of his career. Last August he was diagnosed with advanced stage IV throat cancer and underwent aggressive treatment. According to the Cancer Society’s Donna Wilkinson, Douglas will discuss “beyond the cure and what children with cancer should know about the long-term effects.” It is yet unknown whether his wife-actress Catherine Zeta-Jones will accompany him to our town. For those who came in late, Douglas’ prolific film career included “Fatal Attraction”, ”Wall Street”, “War of the Roses”, “Basic Instinct” and “The American President.”

Carol and Bert Walker

Like the Gestapo guarding their Chancellor, security personnel was heavy Friday night at the entrances of a cocktail party at the Chase Hotel. Employed by Peabody Energy Corp., they were positioned to screen guests headed to the Epworth fund raising dinner of which Peabody was the premiere sponsor. One of them, a likely candidate for the Feb. 25 Mr. Leather Missouri contest, ordered the columnist, “No interviews or photos of the Greg Boyces!” (Oh, yeah?)

Donna Wilkinson and Sue Engelhardt

Greg is chairman and ceo of Peabody Energy Corp. Enter Sue Engelhardt and Donna Wilkinson, who rescued the columnist and explained to the Gestapo that they had invited him.  Engelhardt continued to explain, that her husband,Irl, once was chief of Peabody Energy and continues to head up Patriot Coal, a spinoff. Their pleas were met with stone faces much like the limestone sculptures guarding the former Kiel Opera House – now the Peabody Opera House. Greg, a member of Civic Progress, who does not live in the city, was espied yammering with former Ambassador to

Tim O'Leary and Kara Graziano

Hungary Bert Walker, while Walker’s gracious wife, Carol, caught up with news from a gaggle of pals.  BTW: The Boyces received the Pillar of Strength award from Epworth Children & Family Services, an honor that was to ensure a sold-out party. While a photo of the Boyces with four African Americans, adorned the cover of the program, only about six African American guests were spotted among the massive crowd. On hand were Opera Theater of St. Louis’ Tim O’Leary and his wife, Kara, who bubbled over about the company’s upcoming season. Then it was farewell to the Gestapo after which Barbara and Dolph Bridgewater were ogled heading to the Chase Cinema to catch a showing of “The Social Network.”

Greg Boyce

Dolph and Barbara Bridgewater

Dennis Reagan, Jill McGuire, Michael Scully, Lisette Dennis, John Wright

The outline of downtown appeared like a bee in amber on late Wednesday afternoon, when the columnist popped into America’s Center to get an earful of song at the American International Choral Festival. During the reception, guests dripped with charisma and Emerson Electric Corp.’s senior veep of administration Robert M. Cox, Jr., was no exception.  Chatting with his pal, The Muny’s Dennis Reagan,  Cox said, “When I joined Emerson, the company had annual revenue of $1 billion and we expect to reach $25 billion this year.”  Turning to the city earnings tax controversy, Cox pointed out, “(Emerson ceo) David Farr and Civic Progress are looking into alternative solutions.” Beaucoup gemutlich surrounded the gathering with the Regional Arts Commission topper Jill McGuire helming the event. The native of Fulton, Mo., said the RAC paid $137,000 to host the 400 singers from far and wide to participate, including those from China, Croatia, South America and Canada to compete through Saturday in its first festival in the U.S.  She added, that the Doris Duke Foundation has given a grant to the RAC, whose budget is $5 million annually.  The ebullient, bouncy blond McGuire will be feted on her 25th anniversary as RAC topper on Dec. 6 at the St. Louis Club, hosted

Larry and Barbara Poger, James Bommarito, Judy and Jerry Pogger

by Donna Wilkinson.  Nearby was John Wright, an African American historian and author, who said his latest book is based upon the history of Carondelet.  He described it as tracing the area’s roots including the 18th century houses, the very first kindergarten and the Civil War gunboats.  On hand was the Convention & Visitors Commish’s John Bettag, who said that the First Robotics conclave of 25,000 will be here in April for another competition featuring kids four years-old and up. It was late when I left and was panhandled by a few hoods along the “shooting gallery” of Washington Avenue. But fortunately,

the people outnumbered the birds.  Bumped into a few AB InBev district managers in town for a meeting.  They enthused over the brewery’s 2011 launch of Shocktop Raspberry.  Then, a stop at Tony’s and joined boniface James Bommarito in congratulating insurance consultant Larry Poger and his wife, Barbara, on their 50th wedding anniversary.  They were accompanied by Larry’s bro, barrister Jerry Poger and his wife Judy.  Bumped into toxic litigator Tracy Cowan, who swooned over Vince Bommarito‘s care and feeding of

Dennis Reagan, Robert Cox

diners. “We had just moved our offices into this building and we called down to Tony’s to ask for a takeout,” he said. “We had no furniture yet, but Vince sent up our dinners on china.  My wife, Jeanne, and our 2 year-old daughter sat on the floor savoring the food and the restaurant has become our favorite ever since.”

Caught off-guard, the columnist asked Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder if he is going to run as the 56th Missouri governor. He exclaimed, “Yes!”  Then, he backtracked with another thought: “Er, I’ll make a decision in six weeks, but don’t write that.”  Ubiquitous Kinder  was among 300 in a stable of mostly elegant and timeless swells at the Memories and Melodies event atop the Chase Hotel to benefit Memory Care Home Solution (MCHS). “Have you met my florist?,” joshed Joe Werner, who turned to retired Mo. Botanical Garden’s Peter Raven.  Raven said he’s enjoying retirement “with less harassment.”  Werner was with his infinite beauty of a wife, Stevie, who offered that her sis-in-law Anne Desloge Bates remains loquacious albeit a massive stroke five years ago. Iconic royals Mary Lee and Robert Hermann, who were to receive Alzheimer’s Community Service Awards, were glad-handed on their 30th wedding anniversary.  The Science Center’s Doug King introed his wife, Stacy, as owner of a jewelry business.  Santa Barbara-based Michael Pulitzer was on hand, while still mending from surgery. Hermann’s brother, Fred, escorted his daughter, Holly Gulick, while David Blanton, III, said he flew in from his home in Sausalito to laud the Hermanns.  “My friend (U.S. District Judge) Jean Hamilton couldn’t be here and is probably eating lousy food,” said Blanton.  Lisa Baron, who founded MCHS, spoke of the homecare the agency provides those with Alzheimer’s and dementia by offerng social workers and training families to care for the patients.  Among the revelers were: Ann and Lee Liberman; George Erker; Betty and David Farrell; Donna Wilkinson; Harris Frank; Patti Disbrow; Marion Black; the St. Louis American’s Donald Suggs; Mary Randolph Ballinger; Julia Barnes and John and Anabeth Weil.

“Pussy” McDonnell, wife of J.S. McDonnell, founder of the aircraft company, was given that unfortunate nickname by her husband and few in those days knew her name other than Pussy; Pitti is Pitti Brandin; Patti Bush, sister-in-law of the former Prez and Poody was the wife of David Calhoun.  Few outsiders in those days knew their given names other than members of the St. Louis Country Club. By the way, most recently added to the club’s roster is Barbara Bryant, the second, solo, female member. The other:  Donna Wilkinson, the powerhouse who raised $300,000 for the National Children’s Cancer Society on Saturday night at the Ballpark Hilton Hotel.  For $750 a ducat, guests could dine in the ballroom; for $500, they could attend a reception in Siberia.  That’s where Roy Pfautch was cornered with Wilkinson, looked around the room and lamented, “This is the great unwashed – middle class!” Apparently, a snafu took place in distribution of tickets, that made Wilkinson so apologetic. Pfautch wiped away her tears.  A nearby guest was overheard to say, “I never invite Bob and Mary Lee Hermann for dinner anymore.  They always arrive at 8, when the invitation is for 7.”  Centene’s Mike Niedorf was caught in his commute between both rooms and said, “I’m in the weeds these days. I only need to talk to my investors – that’s it!”  He did tip that three restaurants are in the running to lease space in the new Centene Tower and that one is well-known to New Yorkers.  Actress Goldie Hawn was among those receiving awards.  Others: Dr. Larry Shapiro; St. Louis Cord Blood Bank; Dr. Timothy Ley; Chase Meacham and Scott MacLellan and Morrison Management Specialists. Across the street, Tony’s was humming with a packed dining room in which Steve Schultz, co-owner of Schultz Brand Instant Plant Food and Potting Soil (was sold for gazillions) and his date, Misty Tusing, gobbled dinner before attending a Symph concert.  He introed her as a staffer with “it’s Just Lunch,” a dating service.  Tony’s casual room, Anthony’s, was where the Rev. Richard Quirk was hosted by John and Mary Clarkson, sister of the late John Ferrara.  We reminisced over Sardo’s, a hot-spot owned by John Sr., and located in the 1950s on Delmar Boulevard near Union Boulevard.  Alas, it was too late to crash the 65th birthday party for barrister Terry Croupen in his Met Building offices.

“I’M THE OLDEST BACHELOR UP THERE”

A Wells Fargo building on Market Street, with the character of a packing case, was where the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra gala took place Saturday evening following the concert at Powell Hall. Class and style are hard to define, but if we’re talking about classic quality, that may describe many of the 520 who attended. There was a dazzling explosion of designer wear, that moved with the women, albeit wrinkles and stretch marks peeping daringly. With her hub, Joe, UMSL’s retired chief Blanche Touhill, a self-described historian, confided she’s writing a book on the history of the campus. Carol Walker was there with her husband, former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary, Bert Walker (who probably can’t go to funerals, because he’s always smiling), swooned over that nation as “much better than England and France.” Bob Duffy, bossman of The St. Louis Beacon, tipped that the online newspaper will present a performance of the comic opera, H.M.S Pinafore on New Year’s Day at The Sheldon. Heading the cast of the Gilbert-Sullivan work are: Christine Brewer; Symph conductor David Robertson and Opera Theatre’s Tim O’Leary. Duffy escorted Susie Weldon Erlinger of St. Charles. “Don’t write St. Charles,” ordered Erlinger, the heiress of Dr. Virginia Weldon and the late cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Clarence Weldon. Mo. Attorney General Chris Koster escorted Chris Kaplan, wife of the much-too-ill real estater Bob Kaplan. Kaplan whispered in the columnist’s ear, “Bob jokingly told me ‘to go with Chris if that dumb son-of-a-bitch is willing to take you.’” Koster, 46, said he’s been divorced for 10 years and “I’m the oldest bachelor up there (in Jeff City).” His mom, Pat, has been re-married to Bob Thompson and Chris said, “She can still break 50 on the Whitmoor C.C. golf course.” Builder Tony Thompson dined with United Way’s stunning Cheryl Polk, while La Chef Catering’s Sherill Gonterman’s staff was serving salmon and tenderloin. A founder of the Contemporary Art Museum, Susan Sherman fawned over her new business as a fine arts consultant with former nightclub owner/restaurateur/sports drink peddler Jimmie Jamieson. Sherman and Miran Halen, wife of concertmaster David Halen, posed for photos in their Dennis Bass outfits, while Sherman said,”I was taught to model for photos by someone in New York.” Conductor David Robertson and his Israeli-born wife Orli’s sons, Peter, 19, and Johnny, 18, watched with awe as the crowds heaped praise on David as Peter proclaimed, “We’re agnostics.” Dr. Bill Danforth praised the Danforth Plant Science Center for its work and added, “The green revolution has saved a billion lives around the world.” With Danforth were St. Louis American’s Donald and Deena Suggs. Donna Wilkinson described her eye-popping outfit as a creation by fashion designer Bob Mackie – “You know, he does all of Cher’s.” I was seated with retired PR maven Anne Tretter and her partner, Holmes Lamoreaux, owner of 52 percent of Sabreliner Corp, which has just received $5 million in state economic development incentives. The company hopes to add 400 employees after construction of a new 27,000 square-foot hangar to house expanded stripping and painting operations in Perryville, Mo. For the U.S. Army, Sabreliner has just completed turning out clam shell doors for VIP’s use on Blackhawk helicopters and will soon make stabilizer parts for Boeing. The company also does major work for Lockheed, said Lamoreaux. Veiled Prophet Queen of the early 1950s, Julia Terry Barnes, escorted by Lee Zingale and his partner, homebuilder Edgar Ellerman took off, while Grand Center patriarch and former mayor Vince Schoemehl, with his wife, Lois, drove away in their fancy Cad. Vince had only one worry – that he’ll be torn down for a parking lot. The gala was dying with a flurry of wraps, hugs and pecks on the cheeks. Out on Market Street, more than a few guests remembered the good times, when the street was anchored by John Cella‘s American Theater and a Union Station, that drew thousands of customers into its Fred Harvey’s coffee shop. So, throw another buck into the slot and remember the good old days. Oh, hell!

Halos on street lamps over empty sidewalks that knew the tread of feet long ago. So I say hail to a long stretch of Manchester, from McCausland to Big Bend.  As the city grows away from itself, it grows more deeply into itself, perhaps in self-protection.  But it is the last of the constants, where one can hardly find the mythical faubourg on a map. It gets high marks in the minds of night crawlers, columnists and real estate agents. In sum, it is a point of view that points to itself with pride. One of the jewels on the avenue is the born-again Monarch Restaurant, which held a private pouring Saturday night before its opening on Monday. The National Chidlren’s Cancer Society (NCCS) benefited from the event, helmed by Donna Wilkinson. Bob and Carol Jones, heiress to the late oil exec Sam Goldstein, were front ‘n center.  Mary Deverman and David Steward, II, of Nicene Brands announced they will aisle walk Nov. 23 in Chicago.  Steward is the heir of David Steward of World Wide Technology fame. The grand dame of flowers and landscaping, Martha Tobin of St. Louis Blooms, arrived with her son-in-law, Mike Mertz.  She recalled an incident years ago, when she worked for the late Jon Prel. “My daughter asked Prel what his function was at his flower shop.”  According to Martha, Prel shot back, “To kick little girls like you out of the store.” Columnist Deb Peterson diligently worked the room, while lights impinged on her dazzler, given by her new husband, Dr. Tom Steinberg. Peggy and Andy Newman were toasted on their eight grandchildren. Food maven Catherine Neville, with her partner, Jennifer Schoemehl, confided to pals, that copies of her new  publication, Feast, went through the roof.  Asked what her favorite restaurant is, Neville replied, “the Persian restaurant, Cafe Natasha.” Robust wine bar owners Stanley and Arlene Browne were there as were: the Beacon’s Bob Duffy with Marty Kaplan; Marilyn and Dr. Steve Teitelbaum, whose son, Aaron, is partnered at Monarch with Jeff Orbin; Stephanie Arndt with Steve Cox and  Joan Quicksilver, who wore what one bitchy guest described, “Mother Teresa is wearing a practical peasant dress.” Past the new modern American dining room and into the kitchen, the columnist cornered celebrated chef Josh Galliano, while he prepared house specialties: crawfish etouffee, lima bean hummus and grilled spicy steak with onions.

But, the highlight of the evening was Donna Wilkinson‘s tip, that Goldie Hawn has been signed to highlight NCCS’s Oct. 30 gala at the Ballpark Hilton.  Wilkinson also added, that at the event, the organization will unveil a new toy, “Laffy-A-Lot,” that emits 20 different laughs and is capable of recording children and their parents’ messages.