Thanks to Jonathan Moosmiller, the top floor of The Boston Building smelled heavenly.
Moosmiller, who's the executive chef of Southern Hills Country Club, was the genius behind the bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with Gorgonzola, seared Ahi tuna with ginger creme fraiche and other edible awesomeness served at the recent "Top of the Top" cocktail party.
Hosted by the board of directors of Iron Gate, the evening honored retired Tulsa World columnist Danna Sue Walker, and Juley Roffers and Jim Langdon of TulsaPeople and Langdon Publishing - all three lauded for their contributions to Tulsa's nonprofit community.
Walker is the honorary chair, and Roffers and Langdon the legacy chairs of the Oct. 10 "Cooking for a Cause" gala, Iron Gate's biggest annual fundraiser.
Among the first people I sought out upon arrival was the indefatigably fabulous Connie Cronley, Iron Gate's executive director, who took me to the kitchen to introduce me to Moosmiller, who has arranged for the Top 10 chefs and restaurants for October's fete.
On the way to the kitchen, I ran into bluesy-smooth Devre Jackson, who provided the evening's entertainment along with Chuck Fluker on guitar, Mat Maxwell on bass and Elton Jewel on sax.
Eventually, everyone gathered in the sunset-lit boardroom, where Susan Fuller Palmer acknowledged those who made the evening a success. Among them were John Hawkins and his precious wife, Nancy, who provided the amazing space.
The Rev. John C. Powers, who founded Iron Gate with Gene Buzzard and Keenan Barnard, introduced Roffers and Langdon, referring to the couple as "communitarians." Then, Bobby Lorton introduced Walker, whom Palmer referred to as a "reluctant heroine ... to let us honor her publicly."
Among those attending were Walker's best friend, Roxana Lorton, there with her husband, Robert. Also, songstress Jane "Celtic Cowgirl" Duenner, Hilary Zarrow, Henry and Jane Primeaux, and Meghann Ray, an amazing Iron Gate employee helping make sure the evening ran smoothly.
I spied the lovely Linda Goldenstern, and I had opportunity to catch up with the incomparable Ginny Creveling, then gab with one of Tulsa's most fun couples, Mark and Mary Barcus.
Other minglers included Kathryn Cooper and Tulsa World Managing Editor Susan Ellerbach, there with her husband, Richard. Also, Nancy Day, Pat Woodrum and Alice Blue.
For more about "Cooking for a Cause," visit
tulsaworld.com/cookingforacause
Original Print Headline: 3 Lauded For Nonprofit Efforts
People & Places
Any evening that starts with a red carpet and Spartan soldiers forming a sword-drawn canopy over your head deserves writing about.
Come December, Shannon West will be a college graduate.
