Perhaps the Community Partners Of Dallas‘ 2024 Chick Lit Luncheon should have been renamed Chic Lace, what with Co-Chairs Cathy James and Lisa Ogle and keynote speaker Rita Wilson all dolled up in various styles and brands of lace at the Hilton Anatole on Friday, March 22. Going against the lacy trend was NBC 5 Morning Co-Anchor Laura Harris, who would interview Rita and was all decked out for the occasion in a denim pantsuit festooned with sparkly hearts.
The fashions were no less eye-catching at the VIP Reception in the Wedgwood Ballroom, which was filled with guests like Jennifer Swift in from Nashville, Ryan Ross, Robbie Kruithoff, Mary Bowman Campbell with Jimmy Heinpel, former CPD President and CEO Paige McDaniel, Holly Huffines, Stacey Walker with her mother Kay Sims, Honorary Chair Christine McKenny, Tricia George, Cindy Turner, Heather Baker, Kristen Gibbins, Andrea Nayfa, Kennedy Donate with Michelle Donate and “Real Housewives of Dallas” alumnae like LeeAnne Locken with Community Partners of Dallas Board Member Vince Ceccacci and his husband Brian Harkins. Speaking of husbands, LeeAnne reported that hers, Rich Emberlin, had a date with a surgeon for spinal surgery.
Across the room, “Real Housewives” ‘ D’Andra Simmons Lock was with her mom Dee Simmons, who had just turned 83 but looked decades younger.
As for D’Andra, she was svelte, checking in at less than 19% body fat thanks to an intense workout program and healthy eating. She was looking forward to a project that had been a long time in the making — a theatrical “designing” debut scheduled for the days ahead.
Another gal with longtime plans was presenting Co-Sponsor Lara Tafel, who was nearing the opening of a nail salon called Polished. Lara emphasized that the salon will focus on services for nails to remain healthy and beautiful. Will it open in Dallas proper? Nope. Lara is opening Polished in Grapevine because, as she explained, she doesn’t want to tap the goodwill of friends and family. Rather, her goal is to have Polished emerge based on its own merits for the likes of its programs and customer service.
And speaking of health-conscious types, red-haired Dr. Stacie Stephenson was head-turning as a videographer followed her around the room. Her Barbie pink-and-white checked outfit that showed off her longer-than-telephone-pole legs complimented a display of her two books — “Vibrant” and “Glow,” both of which would be found in the event’s goodie bags. She made more than an impression with her looks and books. She was there to support the CPD mission and her friend, Co-Chair Cathy, as the event’s Speaker & VIP Reception Sponsor.
As the VIP ended and the day’s more than 1,000 guests made for the cavernous Trinity Ballroom for the luncheon, whose honorary chair was Christine McKenny, they were greeted first by thumping disco music just outside the ballroom, then by DJ Lucy Wrubelspinning “Higher Love.” Settling into their tables, they were welcomed by Cathy and Lisa before Rev. Elizabeth Mosely of First United Methodist Church of Dallas delivered the invocation.
Tucking into their meal prepared by Executive Chef Arnaud Masset — Greek Salad with Harissa Marinated Chicken and Blackberry Glazed Cheesecake — the attendees watched as CPD President and CEO Joanna Clarke presented the Paige McDaniel Partners for Children Award to a group called Capital for Kids. It’s a Dallas-based network of volunteers from the investment management community that supports North Texas children in need, including clients of CPD.
Joanna also explained that, this year, Community Partners would serve more than 20,000 abused and neglected children in Dallas County, providing them with everything from pajamas to holiday toys. Before asking guests to open their wallets and donate to the nonprofit’s biggest annual fundraiser, she assured them that 81 cents of every dollar given would go “directly to changing children’s lives.”
She then thanked the event’s presenting sponsor for the last 16 years — Lara and Dr. Robert Tafel — and brought up Laura, who introduced Stacie.
A best-selling author, philanthropist, doctor of chiropractic and pioneer of functional and integrative medicine, Stacie disclosed that she was “a little shaky,” as she was making her first public appearance since giving birth to her third child, a now-six-week-old baby girl. She told the guests she turned from her clinical practice to writing books because she could persuade more people about “getting back to the basics” of good health with the so-called Vibrant Triad: diet, exercise and connection with others.
With that Stacie brought up Rita, who settled into a chair across from Laura for the luncheon’s keynote conversation. The multi-talented singer/songwriter, actress and producer proceeded to address a variety of topics, from how she mustered the confidence to pursue singing to what she does to recharge her batteries. Here are some highlights:
- Asked by Laura if “there’s nothing you can’t do?”, Rita replied, “There’s so much that I can’t do. I can’t lose that 20 pounds I’ve been trying to lose! And I’m not even on Vitamin O/Ozempic, like everybody else in my hometown is. What drives me is curiosity. I get curious about things. I feel like I’ve been put on earth to do something, and I try to listen to what that might be. So I go wherever that voice leads me.”
- Explaining her decision to pursue music, Rita said she’d once read an interview with Oprah Winfrey in which Oprah explained she was able to do everything she does because “I know what it is that I want. And when you know what it is that you want, you can take the steps to get there.” Applying that to her own life, Rita said it first seemed selfish to “want” something, because she was already so blessed with good health, good parents, and a family. “And then, two or three months later, the answer came to me, and it was music,” she said. “When you think back to what you loved to do as a child, that is probably something that you are gifted in. For me, that thing was singing.”
- Rita said she is half Greek and half Bulgarian, and “so proud of my heritage.” She told about taking her Greek mother to a screening of the film “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” which Rita produced and which critics said portrays Greek families as close, traditional, often ridiculous and a little weird. When the movie was over, Rita asked her mother what she thought of it and her mom answered, “Oh, ho ho ho ho ho! This movie, these people are crazy! That’s nothing like us!” Rita begged to differ, pointing out that, for one thing, her sister lives right next door to her mother.
- Asked by Laura if the Hollywood red carpet is as glamorous as it looks, Rita replied, “It’s as fun for me as going to the prom. That doesn’t get old. I still love it. I enjoy it all, and feel lucky to be able to do it. The only thing I don’t like now is heels. And yet I wear them. I want somebody to invent like the coolest flats!”
- Explaining how her new album of duets, called “Rita Wilson Now And Forever Duets,” came about, Rita said it was inspired by her love of 1970s music by songwriters like Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon, a body of music that she considers the “modern American songbook.” She said to herself, “‘Gosh, I don’t think there’s any duets of those songs!’ So, I started reaching out to people with this idea, and people [like Smokey Robinson, Willie Nelson and Jackson Brown] said yes. These people, I revere them so much. I feel very fortunate, and hope I get to do it again — maybe with women.”
- Rita said she’s a big believer in “leaving yourself time to reflect. That’s a big thing that I feel is so important. Like Dr. Stacie was saying, we need to find time to have time alone, to reflect, to meditate, to pray, so that we know that we are in touch with our higher power, our God and ourselves. So that we’re connected to that.”
- “How do you recharge yourself?” Laura asked. Answered Rita, “Outside. Gotta be outside — walking, hiking, swimming, skiing, anything that is outside. I just love the outdoors.”
- Rita said she’s observed that male journalists, unlike female ones, tend to focus less on her creative endeavors and more on her relationship with her famous husband [actor Tom Hanks] and her family. “I’m obsessed with my husband,” she confessed, noting that “we’ve been married 36 years next month, which is great. That’s like a thousand in dog years, Hollywood years. But I say, ‘There’s nothing new to report. We’re still here, still married, still going.’ Most men haven’t yet gotten into asking what you’re up to.”
- Laura ended the conversation with a “lightning round” of brief questions and rapid-fire replies. “You’re currently reading?” she asked. Answered Rita: “I haven’t started it yet, but a bunch of Raymond Carver short stories. I’m also reading, on audio, “Tom Lake,” by Ann Patchett. Meryl Streep is the narrator.” Your happy place? “Anytime I’m in the water.” Best part of being a mom? “Your kids teach you.” Favorite restaurant in L.A.? “Probably Giorgio’s. Wonderful fresh Italian food.” Best beauty tip? “A good night’s sleep.” When Laura then asked Rita to name one designer whose clothing she would wear for the rest of her life, the star of the 2024 Chick Lit Luncheon brought down the house. Her reply: “Spanx.”
