Barrett Baber -- Marion native and Season 9 standout on NBC's The Voice -- crooned a collection of endearing country songs before an appreciative audience Aug. 10 at the Arkansas Governor's Mansion. The occasion: The annual Governor's Mansion Circle Dinner, a black-tie-optional event. Members of the Governor's Mansion Circle are those who have donated at least $1,500 to the Governor's Mansion Association.
Susan and Gov. Asa Hutchinson greeted guests, who enjoyed cocktails and conversation before sitting down to elaborately decorated tables in a Grand Hall that had been transformed into a floral, pink-tinted wonderland.
Chris Kane of KATV, Channel 7, steered the event. "Tonight is really a night that is all about you. It's our chance to say thanks to all of you [and] to honor you for your generous support," he said during his opening remarks. Kane went on to give special recognition to a number of notables, including Laurie Smith, board president of the association.
The program also included remarks by Mansion Circle membership committee Chairwoman Jan Zimmerman, who highlighted the work of the Hutchinsons. She credited Susan Hutchinson for moving the Arkansas Artist's program forward, specifically, researching the worth of the The Rain of Faith, a stainless-steel sculpture initially said to have a value of about $3,500 but found to have an actual value of nearly $300,000. Zimmerman also credited Asa Hutchinson with the state's $295.4 million surplus. She introduced the Hutchinsons, who then made remarks.
Dinner began with an arugula salad, segued to a double feature of grilled petite filet and pan-seared Alaskan halibut and, after a champagne toast, concluded with a trio of mini-creme brulees. Chef Dan Darrah spoke briefly about the meal. Baber finished up the evening with a small-but-rich collection of his songs, including hits "I'd Just Love to Lay You Down" (whose lyrics tell of a man's love for his wife of many years) and "Delta Dawn," along with state song "Arkansas (You Run Deep in Me)"
Circle members will also have a chance to attend a private Christmas reception hosted by the Hutchinsons in December.
High Profile on 08/18/2019