22nd Annual Holiday Ball
"Court of Queen Elizabeth"
December 6, 2003

 

Let the Jackson Symphony Guild take you to a Royal Holiday for the 2003 Holiday Ball on Saturday, December 6th, at the Country Club of Jackson. Golden lights will bathe the entrance to the court, the setting of this year’s theme “An Elizabethan Holiday”.

 

“Queen Elizabeth was an incredibly intelligent and complex woman. She became the first Queen of England in 1558 and was CEO of England for longer than most people would act as CEO in today’s world,” said Pat Beffel Jr., Chair. “She survived her earliest years in the court of her father, Henry VIII, and after a period of dangerous years was crowned when she was just 25 years old.

 

“At Court, the holiday period was one of the most festive times of year and included many of the customs that we practice during today’s holiday,” she continued. “Good cheer, feasting and entertainment were sumptuous and lavish. There was music and dancing. The palace was decorated with the greenery that we use today. This year’s Holiday Ball is bringing to us all the rich traditions of the Elizabethan Period.”

 

“An Elizabethan Holiday” will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a receiving line, cocktails and a selection of fine hors d’oeuvres. During dinner, which begins at 8 p.m., members of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra will perform a variety of pieces. Following dinner, The Arrangement will provide both ballroom and contemporary dance music.

 

In addition to this year’s feast, both a raffle and silent auction will add to the festivities. This year’s raffle prizes include a rhodolite garnet-and-diamond pendant, a travel voucher on Northwest Airlines, a jewelry gift certificate, a DeWalt hammer drill/driver kit and executive suite passes at Michigan International Speedway in 2004. Raffle tickets will be available at the JSO office, Beffel Lighting and from Guild members.

 

“This year’s silent auction features incredible, exciting items,” declared Pat Carlton, Chair of the Silent Auction Committee. “We have many items that could be purchased as holiday gifts in a very affordable price range, but we also have week-long vacations, travel opportunities, tickets to sporting events and shows, astonishing artwork and much, much more. Brochures listing a number of items will be mailed in advance. If you know people who might be interested in receiving information on the silent auction items, please give their names and addresses to Pat Carlton, 529-9075, to ensure that they are on the list.

 

Tickets to the Holiday Ball are available starting at $125. All except $45 is tax deductible. Invitations will be mailed at the beginning of November. If you have not received your “Save the Date” card and want to make sure you are on the invitation list, please contact Invitations Chair, Stephanie Rosenberg at 782-4797.

 

If you have other questions, please contact one of the following members of the Holiday Ball Committee: Chair: Pat Beffel Jr., 783-3426; Corporate Tables: Robyn Ladwig, 782-2774; Decorating: Tanya Kval, 990-9543; Raffle: Dan DuBois, 783-3932; Silent Auction: Pat Carlton, 529-9075; Solicitations: Sue Rochester, 783-5709.