RECORD-BREAKING GIFT OF SIGHT GALA HONORS GREG HYDER

“What can you say about Greg that hasn’t already been said?” This line was the opener for the introduction that Hazel Barr and I were honored to deliver to the Midwest Eye-Bank’s 2010 “Man of Vision,” Greg Hyder, at the 12th Annual Gift of Sight Gala at the Peninsula last week. Over 250 friends, fans and family of Greg showed up to celebrate this man of extraordinary achievements. The love in the room was palpable—no one wanted to leave and many didn’t, continuing on to the cozy Pen bar after the dancing stopped. And even then, I think people would’ve kept dancing WITHOUT the music! The room was packed with the Who’s Who of Chicago and indeed, as Greg jokingly said in his speech, “I think I’ve chaired something with someone from every table in this room” and he was so right. He has raised more than $1 million for the many charities to which he devotes his time such as Cystic Fibrosis, Howard Brown Health Center, Center on Halsted, Lupus Foundation of America and the Apparel Industry Board. He has also served on the board and committees of organizations including Vital Bridges, PAWS and the Service Club (where he has been a popular model for their fashion events for the last nine years). He also performs with a professional choir group, With 1 Voice, which donates its talent to raise social awareness and funds for non-profit causes. As if this weren’t enough, he served four years in the Peace Corps in South Africa, was named CS magazine’s “Man of Style” and Chicago magazine’s “Man to Watch.” I hope we can create more titles for him to win because not only is he a hard worker but he is a friend to so many…“He’s our Greg!” Preliminary tallies for the Gift of Sight Gala indicates they shattered all goals and topped any of their best years in the last decade in every revenue-generating category. The event had the largest silent auction ever thanks to the hard work of the auction co-chairs, Charles Hocevar and Izabella Stefnis – over 44 percent bigger than their biggest, with one-of-a-kind items everywhere you looked: A vintage Phantom V Rolls Royce limo with driver (courtesy of Deb and John Gross), Joffrey Ballet tickets plus Joffrey goodies, a “Day of Beauty” at Charles Ifergan plus dinner at Gibson’s was a favorite among bidders. Event Chair Amy Wimer calls it the “Year of the Hyder” and I couldn’t agree more. Even the décor matched Greg’s inimitable style thanks to the genius of Tom Kehoe. The room was aglow with uplights on every table and glorious multi-colored flowers winking from every corner. And it seems like all of the guests made an extra special effort to be as glam as possible—probably in an attempt to imitate Greg’s always perfect style. And it worked! Every chic guest looked like they were straight out of central casting. The program began with emcee Ryan Baker from CBS2 introducing Anthony Diaz, the 10-year-old soccer player who is a double corneal transplant recipient. Anthony told Ryan he “watched” him do the sports on TV and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. It brought the point home why we were all there. Then Amy Wimer graciously welcomed everyone along with her co-chairs, Dr. David Donnersberger Jr. and Dr. Claire Kenneally, and thanked the major sponsors: Spex, American Airlines, Chicago magazine, Swank Audio Visual, BBJ Linens, Tom Kehoe and last year’s honoree (along with her husband Heinz Kern) Mary Ann Rose who donated lovely sterling silver picture frames for each attendee. Dr. Donnersberger acknowledged four new physician groups who are pioneering sponsors, too: Dr. Marian Macsai, Dr. Tamara Wyse, Dr. Randy Epstein and Dr. Steve Brown. Greg’s boss, Peninsula GM Maria Zec, has been so supportive of Greg and all of his many efforts: The fact that the Pen tops every list of “Best Hotels” is a testimony to their amazing working relationship. Maria arranged meeting rooms for planning the event as well as many of the silent auction packages in support of her friend/employee. The delicious dinner began with pan-seared Diver scallops and braised pork belly with caramelized apples. The non-traditional salad course consisted of white almond gazpacho and lobster/truffle mille-feuille (puff pastry with lobster and truffles). The dessert was Greg’s favorite – twisted carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and carrot sorbet – but my favorite was the pink cotton candy that reflected Greg’s playful sense of humor. Whew…I’m full all over again just describing it all!!!! No wonder everyone danced their little hearts out—no doubt trying to shake off some calories! Stanley Paul and his orchestra played and amped it up with Lady Gaga and even a little Black-Eyed Peas thrown in for good measure! Hazel and I had been practicing and practicing for our four minute introduction of Greg and I think he was very pleased with the results. It had some funny lines all in tribute to the man we both love and adore. Hazel’s song with Stanley’s accompaniment was too cute for words! (Maybe we will take our show on the road, who knows?) And then the man of the hour took to the stage and you could’ve heard a pin drop. He spoke without notes and honored his beautiful mother, Lyndell Snyder (who looks more like his sister than his mother!), as his hero and role model. It was a loving speech from a loving man and the thunderous standing ovation shook the room. And then, the dancing began in earnest…the conga lines kept snaking around the room and it seemed as if no one had a real partner but were rather dancing with the entire group on the floor. It was so very joyous and a very deserving tribute to a man so well loved. Keep on dancing Greg—we all want to dance WITH you for many years to come! Beautiful guests at the gala included his charming life partner Jim Smith, best friends Wayne Harth, Victor Zarroli, Bill Cygnor, Brooke Skinner (who just celebrated her birthday!) and David Brandt, Patrick Sheahan, Tom Kehoe, Pradeep Raman, Brooke and Marc Anderson, Susan Ellefson-Kurtz and her cute hubby Brian, Paul Iacono, Trevian Kutti, Brian Smith, Geyer Monford, Quenten Schumacher, Craig Hogan, Maria and Bob Zec, Joy Germont, 2009 Honorees Mary Ann Rose and Heinz Kern, Joan and Bob Clifford, Chair Emeritus Beverly Blettner, Tiffani Kim and Brad Griffith, Helen Melchior, Shery Dyer, Andy and Jean Antoniou, Tom Wood, Dr. Jeff and Tina Weller, Lynn and John McMahan, Melissa and Richard Gamble, John Carroll, Amalie Drury, Susanna Negovan and Dan Uslan,  William Stogsdill, Tem Horowitz, Britt Szepsy, Mamie Walton, Bunky Cushing, Hazel and Warren Barr, Zarada Gowenlock, Carl Kielsmeier, Daniel Nack, Vicki and Bill Hood, Sean Eshagy, Ken Norgan, Cookie Cohen, Vonita Reescer, Brooke Skinner, Laura Wallace, Maureen Tuffy-Haga, Kevin Ross, Ann and Troy Close, Ed Wlodarczyk (proud hubby of Amy Wimer), Lauren and Dr. Doug Van Putten, Liz and Dr. Joshua Herz, Leonard Goldberg and Jack and Dr. Marain Macsai to name a very few. (Additional fab fotos by Caitlin Saville, Steve Starr and John Reilly Studio’s Violet...click here to view more!).
 
I don’t remember ever seeing a luncheon at the Chicago History Museum look as lovely as it did when I saw it for the “I Do! Chicago Ties the Knot” on May 21st! The room was aglow with all pale flowers, matching crystal vases and silver all set against the backdrop of beautiful cool sage tablecloths. It looked like something right out of a Boucher painting and everyone was oohing and aahing all over the place at the genius of Botanicals, the event designers who helped to create it. Event Co-Chairs Laura Barnett Sawchyn and Heather Farley outdid themselves and it showed in every corner. The exhibition itself was so interesting, too. Besides having lovely gowns and fascinating historical facts, I came away with a question: Did anyone ever eat in those days? My goodness, the gowns looked like they were all made for midgets! As they say, we’ve come a long way baby. This sweeping collection, curated by Timothy Long, includes a stunning array of wedding attire — for brides, grooms, bridesmaids and more — and reveals 170 years of fashion favored by Chicago couples. Each piece is a work of art and includes information, photos and gowns from every era. This amazing, must-see exhibit runs through January 3rd at the Chicago History Museum, located at 1601 N. Clark St. Congrats to the President of the Costume Council, Noren Ungaretti, for another fun and fashionable fundraiser! Click here for more fotos and fun!
 
Speaking of fashionable, the ever elegant Bunky Cushing hosted his latest Early Birds & Bookworm’s Author’s Breakfast at RL recently. Most of the top ladies in town were there by invitation only to hear this year’s author/speaker, the incomparable interior designer Alessandra Branca. She had the crowd riveted with her thrilling stories from Italy and beyond. She said in a recent article, “When you grow up in Rome, you have such magnificence all around you; it takes away any desire for superficial things. My strongest memory is being surrounded by pasta and family at a table. You realize that’s all that matters.” She is a delightful and engaging speaker and after, she signed copies of her latest book, “New Classic Interiors.” This event benefitted The Jane Addams Senior Caucus which is a grassroots organization of 500 Chicago area older adults whose goal is to develop senior leadership for social justice. For more info, please visit www.seniorcaucus.org. Thanks for all you do, Bunky! (Photos by Caitlin Saville...more here!)
 
I don’t care what Roger said about “Sex & the City 2”…I liked it! I thought it was a fun, kitschy romp through NY and Abu Dhabi with some interesting clothes, great shoes and jewelry and some really funny lines. It is not “Wuthering Heights” but then that’s not what we expect from Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda! Ebert called them “bubblehead characters that made his skin crawl.” Come on Rog…they are just girls who wanna have fun and take us along for the ride. Granted, there is a scene with Samantha that made me a little angry with its overkill; let’s put it this way, I don’t think this movie, in its entirety, will be shown on any Arab Emirates flights. But nonetheless, it was playful and, thanks to Brenda Sexton’s Chicago Link Productions, I got to see the premiere. Brenda even presented me with a birthday cake from Tipsycake with my Candid Candace logo on it at Fleming’s for the After-Party! She always brings out the best crowd for her movies and everyone was there including Juanita Jordan, Julee White, Mayari Pritzker, Hedy Ratner, Terry Savage, Linda Yu, Laura Schwartz, Dori Wilson, Kristina McGrath, Korinna Isselhardt, Lyn McKeaney, Jill DeVaney, Lydia and Bruno Cohen, Hedwig and Bob Golant, Adair Schwartz, Diana Scott, Elizabeth Brackett, Todd Lizak, Dr. Lauren Streicher, Lisa Skolnik, Mickey Norton, Kim and Kevin Kline, Marsha Serlin, Mabel Guzman, Maria Wynne, Diane Offereins, Stephanie Storkel, Susanne and Bill Marcus, Scott Schroeder, Maria Wynn, Laurel Bellows, Victor Skrebneski, Maureen and John Barron, Teresa Wilkie, Shelley Rosen, Rashied and Diana Davis and Suzanne LeMignot among many others. And let’s give a big shout-out to our own Brian Atwood who designed many of the shoes for the film and SJP’s promo tour!!! (Additional photos by Jennifer Girard...see more here!)
 
June 10th will be an action packed evening! First off, there is the opening of the new Hermes store (by invite only) at Rush and Oak, next there is Macy’s AWESOME Glamorama Launch Party benefitting Ronald McDonald House Charities which I will be hosting from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Prairie Production (1314 W. Randolph St.) and finally there is the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the original Playboy Club, which opened at 116 E. Walton on February 29, 1960. To celebrate this momentous occasion, PB will host 50 parties in 50 cities around the world on this day and the Chicago celebration will be held exclusively at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana. Special guests will include Bridget Marquardt (former star of E!’s “The Girls Next Door”), Ida Ljungqvist (Playboy’s 2009 Playmate of the Year), Crystal McCahill (Miss May 2009) and moi, although I will be there later in the evening AFTER my Glamorama Launch Party!  
 
Last but not least, Michael Kutza and the 46th Chicago International Film Festival invite you to join them on Saturday, June 12th at the Museum of Science and Industry for their Summer Gala honoring one of the world’s most admired filmmakers, Ron Howard. There will be cocktails, dinner, a live auction and award-winning journalist Bill Kurtis will present film highlights from the director’s long-running career (though he’ll always be my little Opie!). Tickets start at $400. For additional info, please call 312-683-0121, x108 or x115. Gala Committee Co-Chairs are Donna LaPietra and Rich Varnes.  
 
Hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and we’ll “talk” next week!
 
Love,
Candace
[email protected]

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