University of North Alabama - Diorama Yearbook (Florence, AL)

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STATELY ROGERS HALL stands at the southern end of campus at the head of North Court Street. The antebellum home was built in 1855 by wealthy cotton planter George Washington Fos- ter. Courtview was sold to the university in 1948 by the Thomas Rogers family. (Photo by Grant Lovett) IN WHITE TIE AND TAILS, Harold Peck enjoys the compliments given his most formal evening attire as his wife Frances beams with delight. (Photo by Lee Puckett) A WHITE TOURING CAR parked on the lawn of the Tate Springs estate lends an air of authentic- ity to the Gatsby festivities. Nancy Trowbridge ' s fringed dress was in one of the most popular colors for 1920 ' s formal wear, white. Chairman Butch Marlar ' s dapper ensemble won best dressed honors. (Photo by Lee Puckett) Tim

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Thx)ject Qourtview was the primary beneficiary, and Quests at the Gatsby Celebration were HaVink a all. KICKING UP their heels, Ginger and Alan Tom- linson dance a mean Charleston at the July Gatsby Ball. The Tomlinsons took first place honors in the dance contest. (Photo by Lee Puck- ett) lay Gatsby would have felt quite at home. Latter-day flappers and their es- corts were given the chance to Charles- ton to their hearts ' content one night last |uly when Benefit Ball, Inc. brought the pages of an F. Scott Fitzger- ald novel to life at the Great Gatsby Ball. All proceeds from the event were donated to Project Courtview, the ren- ovation of Rogers Hall on the universi- ty campus. Held on the lovely grounds of Tate Springs in Florence, the ball was at- tended by approximately 400 persons who purchased a $25.00 minimum do- nation ticket in exchange for a little bit of fantasy from the 1920 ' s. The guise under which the fantasy became real — Benefit Ball, Inc. — is the result of the combined efforts of ten concerned persons who met at UNA last spring with the idea of planning a fund-raising event for Project Court- view. Earlier in the year, it had been an- nounced by university officials that Rogers Hall, which is listed on the reg- ister of historic places in Alabama, would not receive a $75,000 matching grant applied for from the Alabama Historical commission. Officials had hoped to apply the additional $75,000 to a $75,000 fund existing from pre- vious Project Courtview benefits and start major renovation on the building. The group met every Wednesday night at 6:00 for three months until plans for a Gatsby Ball were finalized. According to the group ' s chairman. Butch Marlar, it was Nancy Trow- bridge, administrative assistant to uni- versity president Dr. Robert Guillot, who originated the idea for the 1920 ' s theme. I give Nancy credit for the idea, but the hard work involved in making the idea real is shared by doz- ens of others, Marlar said. The goal set by the group was simply to raise as much money as pos- sible, Marlar said. He added that as the first endeavor of Benefit Ball, Inc., the Gatsby party was most of all a valu- able learning experience. Marlar emphasized that no money from previous Project Courtview earn- ings was used for the ball ' s expenses. but instead came from the pockets of each charter member of Benefit Ball, Inc. We bought our tickets early, he said. All of the hard work culminated in a night of 1920 ' s splendor. The grounds of Tate Springs were transformed into an authentic picture from history books. White tables dotted the estate ' s rolling green lawns. Mirrors placed un- derneath the centerpieces on the table reflected the goldfish swimming in the vases filled with brightly colored flow- ers. Backswing, a Memphis-based band, recreated a 1920 ' s hit parade and the dance floor was never empty as en- thusiastic guests danced the night away to such tunes as Little Brown Jug and Misty. Cigarette girls mean- dering from table to table provided just one more bit of authenticity. Tents set up around the grounds provided tables filled with food and liquid refresh- ments for the guests. Judges strolled the grounds as the colorfully costumed guests arrived and later in the evening, after a difficult de- cision, announced the best dressed male and female guests present. Mary Martin Nordness carried away first prize in the ladies division in her white and turquoise flapper cos- tume complete with braid and feathers. In the gentlemen ' s category. Butch Marlar, wearing white knee pants, a navy jacket, plaid vest and golf cap, was chosen best dressed. At 10:15 in the evening a dance contest highlighted the festivities. En- trants wearing large numbers across their chests danced until tapped by a judge which indicated their elimina- tion from the contest. After several minutes only two couples remained. Penny and A.E. Joiner were eliminated, leaving Alan and Ginger Tomlinson to accept the grand prize. According to Bess Cox, a charter member of Benefit Ball, Inc., the pur- pose of the organization is to enhance the social and civic mindedness of the Shoals area. The group plans to make the summer ball an annual event bene- fitting a different charity each year. — Donna Bryant student Life 21