The art of the small reception is underrated. It takes a great deal of thought to balance the right people, place, decor, food, drink and timing. And to know when to stop.
Mark Kennedy Shriver and Namkee Choi
The backers of AWARE, the city’s Alzheimer’s group, punctuated that art beautifully this week. They selected the classy party rooms on the 32nd floor of the Four Seasons Residences, put the bar on a large balcony and arrayed not too much finger food on a table indoors.
Debbie Hanna and Susan Hackney
The guests included some of the city’s top social set, but also University of Texas scholars and one local media star: KLBJ’s Ed Clements, who has loyally and prominently supported AWARE for as long as I’ve known about the group.
Rebecca Hardeman and Susan Auler
The man of the hour, however, was Mark Shriver, son of late Peace Corps, Jobs Corps and Head Start founder and vice-presidential candidate Sargent Shriver. His book, “A Good Man: My Father Rediscovered,” includes thoughts on his dad’s late-life dementia.
Charismatic, accessible and, let’s face it, handsome, he is a Kennedy through and through.
A former member of the Maryland House of Delegates, he now works for Save the Children. Earlier in the day, he spoke at UT. Several admiring folks from the School of Social Work clustered around him when I arrived. Pure star power.
A short speech, some more chat and the reception was done. Perfect.