Tinsel and Tails throws a party to fight Alzheimer’s

story and photos by Ruby Dean

More than 375 guests attended the 21st Anniversary of “Tinsel & Tails 2009 — A Celebration with Friends.” The event included live and silent auctions, food, dancing, complimentary photos and wine, a champagne toast, live music and more that began at 6:30 p.m. New Year’s Eve at the Holiday Inn City Center Ballroom in downtown Fort Smith.

Quadra Jazz supplied music while the guests ate steak and parmesan tilapia. After the live auction, Mr. Cabbage Head and The Screaming Radishes took the stage with guests dancing to the rhythm.

The Alzheimer’s Association’s goal is to raise $85,000 to help support their programs.

“There are more than 100,000 people who are affected with Alzheimer’s in Arkansas,” said local association director Beth Deramus. “Some of the programs provided by the Alzheimer’s Association are free services to families, caregivers and Alzheimer’s patients. They provide them with information, education and awareness about this disease in 18 counties in western Arkansas.”

A few of the items that were up for live auction were an autographed Bruce Springsteen guitar, a copy of the first program from the new Cowboys Stadium autographed by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones which came from the inaugural Dallas-New York Giants game, a white gold and diamond bracelet donated by Newton’s Jewelers, and a new boat from Brad’s Boat Sales.

At the stroke of midnight, guests had a complimentary champagne toast while balloons dropped from above the dance floor and a free breakfast buffet which included the traditional black-eyed peas.