The Azalea Luncheon - A Blooming Success!

The rain may have been falling on April 2nd, but the spirits of our guests were anything but dampened at the Third Annual Azalea Luncheon, held at the stunning Joule Hotel in downtown Dallas. This sold-out event proved once again that spring’s magic—and our community’s generosity—shines through, rain or shine.

The afternoon began with a reception in The Terrace, a dazzling glass pavilion accessible by private elevator, offering panoramic views of Main Street and the iconic Eye sculpture. Guests were greeted by J.D. Trueblood, President & CEO of Turtle Creek Association, and Sharon Ballew, Vice President of Development and Luncheon Chair, while enjoying passed hors d’oeuvres, chilled champagne, and a signature Toby-Rita cocktail. The elegant reception was sponsored by Sue Krider of Allie Beth Allman & Associates.

Joining in the festivities were Honorary Chair Mary Brinegar; Honorary Chair Emeritus and TCA Board Member Ann Stuart, Ph.D.; Honorary Chair Emeritus and current Board Chair Deborah Stanford; and TCA Board Member Andrea Willett, of Worth Ross Management Co., who generously sponsored the event.

The venue was transformed into a springtime dream with lit Chinese Elms trees and more than 70 red carpet roses placed throughout the space—available for sponsorship and later to be installed along the Turtle Creek corridor.

Guests then made their way into the Fortnight Ballroom, where the spring theme continued with more glowing trees, blooming carpet roses, and vibrant floral centerpieces at each table.

Sharon Ballew welcomed the crowd, followed by TCA Board Chair Deb Stanford, who greeted attendees and recognized TCA Board members Teresa Byrd, Karisti Julia, Ann Stuart, PhD, Wayne Smith, Andrea Willett, and Dr. Stephen Worsham.

J.D. Trueblood then offered brief opening remarks and recognized Judith Lipscomb as one of the original founders of TCA. He also acknowledged Andrea Willett of Worth Ross Management Company as the event sponsor and presented a special gift in appreciation of her contributions.

J.D. then introduced Mary Brinegar, who shared heartfelt remarks about the extraordinary work being accomplished by the Turtle Creek Association. Sharon returned to the stage to thank Mary and present her with a gift of appreciation.

The crowd then turned its attention to the runway. The highly anticipated fashion show, presented once again by Betty Reiter, delivering a stunning preview of the latest styles from Paris, London, and Milan. Making its debut this year was a men’s fashion segment, sponsored by Pockets, which drew enthusiastic applause and admiration from the audience. Following the fashion show a beautifully plated three-course lunch was served.

For the closing, J.D. Trueblood addressed the urgent challenges facing the health of Turtle Creek and emphasized the importance of continued preservation efforts. A poignant, updated video followed—powerfully highlighting why protecting this urban oasis matters, not just to nearby neighborhoods but to the entire Dallas community. The video was created in-house by Maurice Ballew, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to him for his time, talent, and creativity in bringing our message to life.

We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to our event sponsor, Worth Ross Management Company, and our presenting sponsor, The Joule Hotel. Additional thanks to our incredible supporters: Sue Krider, Betty Reiter, Pockets, Sharon and Wayne Smith, Elyce and David Walthall, Home Health Champions, Castle Group, Cinnamon Shore, Belmont Village Senior Living, and Teresa Byrd.

We are also deeply grateful for the support and presence of all our special guests, sponsors, and members of the TCA community. The Azalea Luncheon continues to grow as one of the most anticipated events of the season—and a vital fundraiser for our mission to preserve, protect, and enhance the beauty and sustainability of Turtle Creek.

Thanks to you, this year’s luncheon was truly a blooming success!