Swank River Oaks Home Hosts a Little $414,000 Cocktail Party

The party crush in the swank River Oaks home of Sheridan and John Eddie Williams was feeling particularly generous Wednesday night as more than 300 guests rallied in support of Legacy Community Health. While the Williamses set what might have seemed like an optimistic fundraising goal of $300,000, the tally soared to more than $414,000.

Not bad for a little weeknight cocktail party.

This was the second year that the annual Legacy luncheon was swapped out for a cocktail event. Last year, Elizabeth and Gary Petersen opened their River Oaks home to a merry throng that declared the cocktail event the best “luncheon” ever.  Legacy CEO Katy Caldwell and director of development Chree Boydston liked the response and the concept.

Thus, the second annual evening supporting the Legacy’s Little Readers program presented by H-E-B.

The Williamses magnificent home provided a stunning backdrop for the clutch of fans of Richard Flowers, the evening’s honoree. Best friend of ball chairs, uber party designer and basic good guy, Flowers is more accustomed to being in the background than in the spotlight as he and The Events Company have been the forces behind more stunning party scenes and weddings than imaginable. From the beginning and through its several incarnations, he has been an ardent supporter of Legacy.

In fact, The Events Company did the flowers and decor for the party while chef Barbara McKnight‘s Catering by Culinaire whipped up a tasty spread of Flowers’ favorite southern comfort foods. Think fried chicken, white cheddar mac and cheese, classic deviled eggs, crab cakes, mini squash casseroles and a smoked prime angus brisket so delicious that at least one guest uttered a four-letter word of approval on first taste. In all four food stations tempted with delectables that included yummy desserts.

Presiding over the lively milieu was the fabulous team of chairs — Sheridan Williams, Elizabeth Petersen, Melissa Mithoff, Katherine Murphy, Shannon Hall and Marcus Sloan. Monies raised included $100,000 earned from the live auction that guaranteed completion of Legacy’s new pharmacy building which will be dedicated in Flowers’ name. Thank you, auctioneer Jeff Smith.

Ponying up: Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Eliza and Stuart Stedman, Whitney and Jim Crane, Scott McClelland, Bonner and George Ball, C.C. Connor, Lauren Randle, Ceron, Cyndy Garza Roberts, Michael Mithoff, Diane Lokey Farb, Monsour Taghdisi, Lora and Dr. John Clemmons, Tony Bradfield, Christina Stith, Yvonne and Rufus Cormier, Hallie Vanderhider, Ginni and Richard Mithoff, Lisa and Greg Harper, Marnie Greenwood, Laura Casey, Bill Baldwin and Neal Hamil.