Truly an Evening of Magic
By Megan McKinney
John and Myra Reilly, Stanley Paul and Linda and Mark Heister.
One can always count on the Service Club of Chicago’s annual gala to provide fabulous music produced by Stanley Paul and his orchestra within a spectacular environment created by Tom Kehoe’s Kehoe Designs. However, this year there was one major switch: After decades in the Four Seasons Grand Ballroom, the 2017 ball, Making Magic Happen, moved across the street to the newly renovated Grand Ballroom of The Ritz Carlton Chicago.
Co-chairs were Pamella Capitanini, Cheryl Rhodes Coleman and Kristine Farra, with Mary Ann Childers and Jay Levine once again emcees. A special treat was the appearance of the musical mentalist Sidney Friedman, who actually made magic happen by reading minds onstage.
More than 300 guests in black-tie elegance enjoyed a cocktail reception amid roving magicians and were able to sample a phenomenal silent auction featuring such extravagant items as yachting excursions and deluxe items of jewelry.
The gala’s honoree was one of the town’s most active ladies, Myra Reilly, who was recognized for 38 years of unwavering dedication to the Service Club, including three terms as president, three as a gala chairman, 12 as a Day on the Terrace co-chair and much, much more.
Philanthropist Susan Regenstein and Barry Frank.
Susan Griffiths Gohl with Jonathan Grabill.
Sylvia and Kurt Muller.
John and Sherrill Bodine.
Co-chairman Cheryl Coleman, Linda Heister and Mamie Walton.
Melissa Sage Fadim and Honoree Myra Reilly.
Mary Ann Rose and Heinz Kern.
Alfredo Capitanini of Italian Village fame with Co-chair Pamella Capitanini.
Buddy and Averill Leviton.
Heather Jane Johnston and Shana Jones.
Marguerite Hark and Service Club President Simona Garcia.
Candance and Chuck Jordan.
Honoree Myra Reilly and Co-chairman Cheryl Coleman.
Wayne and Lisa Kraus, of Chanel, with Brenda and Terry Keating.
Greg Hyder, The Peninsula’s popular Director of Catering , with Vonita Reescer.
Denise Tomasello and Donald Conover.
Yolanda “Dusty” Stemer and Dr. Alex Stemer.
Mitchell Hatcher, Myra Reilly and Kye DeSantis of Drury Lane Theatre.
Photo credit: Steve Stembach
Co-chair Kristine Farra, Emcee Jay Levine, Charlene McMann Seaman and Lezley Hodes.
Photo Cedit:
John Reilly Photography
Author Photo:
Robert F. Carl
