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CARTI black tie party caps Festival of Trees benefit with big-top theme

Tux 'n Trees was a real circus this year.

That's not to be disparaging. "Cirque du Festival" was the theme of this signature event of the Festival of Trees, held Nov. 19 in the Wally Allen Ballroom of the Statehouse Convention Center. It was the 40th anniversary of the benefit, put on by the CARTI Auxiliary for the facility's cancer patients.

Members from Arkansas Circus Arts performed throughout the lobby and in the ballroom, which glittered with various Christmas trees that were donated or sponsored by various companies and organizations. The trees, along with a host of other items, were on display during what was the last of four days of silent-auction bidding. Attendees chatted, sipped libations, shopped or simply admired the trees while jazz band TP and the Feel performed. The evening meal featured root beer-braised short ribs and dill poached salmon.

Bob Clausen and Ashley Ketz of KARK, masters of ceremonies, welcomed guests, as did Sherry Booles, Tux 'n Trees chairman. Highlighting the evening was a speech by Dr. Lawrence Mendelsohn, CARTI medical director.

"What is it about CARTI that keeps it going? How is it that CARTI keeps advancing, winning the battle against cancer? ... [I] can sum that best up in three things: our purpose, our people, and our place."

Afterward, Mearlene Hunter, a breast cancer survivor, and her daughter, caregiver Tanisha Conway, shared how CARTI had benefited Hunter. A live auction featured the humorous hawking of Gaylen McGee.

Estimated attendance for the four days of events was about 3,000 people, with about $340,000 raised.

Events leading up to Tux 'n Trees included the father-daughter Sugarplum Ball, Festival After Dark and Festival of Fashion. Formerly the Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute, CARTI serves more than 22,000 patients statewide each year.

-- Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams

High Profile on 11/27/2016

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