MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER (August 12, 2005)

By Deborah Hayes Moore

More than 100 patrons gathered at the Red Star Tavern last Thursday night to attend a special celebration and fundraiser to benefit MANE -- the Montgomery Area Non-traditional Equestrians.

The private Red Party at the new Shoppes at EastChase location was a red-hot opportunity to sip, sample and mingle amid the restaurant's exciting and clubby atmosphere.

Red Star organized the benefit, and Liza Sherman, director of marketing and public relations, arrived from the restaurant's corporate Illinois offices especially for the evening, which was themed to coordinate with the Red Star name.

Red cocktail attire was encouraged, and guests arrived in red dresses, pantsuits, and red accents to enjoy the restaurant's signature red martinis and strawberry champagne cocktails.

Red roses and carnations sprang from large silver epergnes to give the area an added boost of the regal color, and a special red fabric-swagged staging area not only featured champagne but highlighted a chocolate fountain and luscious strawberries for decadent dipping pleasures. Jambalaya, large Gulf shrimp and crab cake balls were among the yummy special offerings, and though they weren't red, the chocolate martinis proved to be a big hit.

Beyond good food and good drink, members of the fundraiser's planning committee included a silent auction to add continuing excitement for a good cause. The select group of items included framed and unframed art prints, a red martini basket, Waterford crystal items, a bronze from Gallery East and an incredible Red Star carrot cake.

Will Wilson enjoyed the evening with his wife, Kelly Wilson, who is president of MANE's board of directors. Kelly helped welcomed arrivals with MANE's executive director, Bettie Borton, and her husband Tom, along with the organization's program director, Starla Raiborn, and MANE board member Lindy Blanchard, who accented her evening attire with a pair of stunning red boots.

Lindy's husband Johnny was there, as were board members Robert Gilpen, Mary Ellen Harrison, Nancy Ellis, Jim Wilson, Cindy and Spencer Longshore, Monica Allen, Ashley Paige, Doug Rice, Tye Eiland, Lee Ellis, Haley Lowery, Linda Valeska, Chris Vaughn, Laura and Jason Wilson, Jean and Jim Drummond and Gordon Martin, vice president of the Southern Division of Alabama Power Co., and his wife, Margaret.

Also there were MANE board member Jim Ridling and his wife Kathy, Beverly and Richard Stabler, Marylou Bailey and her husband, Jim Winton, Judy and Mike Barranco, Denise and Arthur Ducote, Cindy and Shelly Burnside, Dru Phillips, Ashley Smith, Joan and Jeff Forst, Paul MacIsaac, Rachel Mims, Kay Yarbrough, Debbie Taylor, Georgia Holmes, Brian Harrison, Lisa Taylor, Kristen Bell, Allison and Ed Kendall, Toni and Dicky Flowers, Levis Ruston, Carol Mysinger, Tamara Eubanks and Jason Wilson, who came from Florence in north Alabama for the special event.

The festive occasion culminated with 100 percent of the donations directly benefiting MANE, a non-profit organization formed in 1994 that provides safe and effective therapeutic horseback riding opportunities to tri-county children and adults who have physical, cognitive and developmental disabilities. MANE's 30-acre facility in east Montgomery operates year-round and features indoor and outdoor riding areas and other amenities. Monies derived from the Red Party festivities will be used to provide riderships for area children and adults with disabilities who are unable to pay MANE's tuition fees. This funding is extremely important to the organization, as tuition fees cover only about one-third the actual cost of rider participation.

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