Paris, je t’aime: In the spirit of classy and fashionable, the Bosque Museum Docents host their annual April In Paris Tea & Style Show fundraiser with a taste of “ooh, la, la”
CLIFTON – The dark silhouette of the Eiffel Tower set off against fragile pink cherry blossoms; a poodle with a beret waits patiently at the door guarding a leather valise; Edit Piaf’s “La Vie en Rose” fills the air; ladies in elegant floral dresses and striking hats with clutch handbags and pearls on display chatter over tea and cakes.
The afternoon’s motto “A girl should be two things, classy and fabulous,” and the black, white and pink color scheme channeled the incomparable Coco Chanel. It’s April in Paris. Oh wait, no it’s not. It’s the Bosque Museum Docents’ extremely successful and lively 2023 Tea and Style Show fundraiser April 15. Of the 88 possible seats, 87 were sold.

The planning and executing committee under the inspired guidance of Karen Cornett included Laynie Miller, Peggy Sue Reed, Darlene Thomas, Linda McDowell, Pam Sitler, Joanne Blossom, Cindy Upton, Erin Shields, Bryan Davis, Miriam Wallace, Katelyn Robinson, Carla Sigler, Ginger Albrecht, Mike Upton, Lance Allen and Amanda Cornelius to the delight of their 88 ticket holders put “un après-midi tellement merveilleux.”
“I think everyone had a great time,” Cornett said. “The docents had fun doing it. I think the ladies enjoyed dressing up in their finest Tea attire with pearls and hats. Everyone seemed to be in a festive mood.”
The exquisite table settings and delicious snacks were executed with the most beautiful details, transporting the guests to the chic cafés of Paris’ Rive Gauche. The magnificent china – often family heirlooms – was provided by the docents.
Sponsors and donations by Peggy Sue Reed, Mimi Wright, Cindy Leonard, Joanne Blossom, Darlene Thomas, Dee Sharp, and Karen Cornett, Laynie Miller, Cindy Upton, Martin Jewelers, Susan Frazier, and Albrecht’s Pharmacy provided wonderful door prizes and raffle items, including some very “Oh-la-la” handbags.
The afternoon’s style show provided by different local retailers, also followed Chanel’s advice of “Fashion changes, but style endures” and presented wearable, timeless outfits. It concluded with a friendly hat contest which was a fun way for the guests to show off their attire. The lovely Billye Dunnahoe’s red gauze hat which set off her charming blue and white spring ensemble garnered the loudest applause.
So until next year’s stylish event, it’s “Au revoir et tant des bisous, mes amies; à l'année prochaine!” We can’t wait to see what fun theme the docents will come up with.














The Docent program at the Bosque Museum marks its 40th anniversary this year. Docents are much more than the award-winning Bosque Museum’s army of volunteers. They help host museum functions; serve as tour guides for school groups and visitors throughout the year, undertake outings to fascinating places in Central Texas as inspiration, and host fundraisers such as the Tea and Style Show to help with purchases to support the Museum.
In the past few years alone, the docents supplied new tables, a 14-foot Christmas tree, and recently approved the purchase of a new table and seating area for eight in the Museum Pavilion by the Olsen cabin. Besides the Docent Tea and Style Show, this spring the Bosque Museum has a lot of engaging activities going on, like the Sporting Clays fundraiser last weekend, the upcoming Giant weekend Apr. 28-29, the opening of the Sights and Sites art show May 7 and two summer camps for the youth.














Photos by SIMONE WICHERS-VOSS
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