Last Saturday's Ak-Sar-Ben Coronation and Ball was “For One Night Only,” but events surrounding the ball filled several days with activities for the royal participants.
After a morning rehearsal Oct. 7 at the Qwest Center Omaha, Ak pages and standard bearers and family members attended the Candyland of Quivira luncheon in their honor at the Happy Hollow Club.
Women's Ball Committee chairwoman Mary Johnson and luncheon chairwoman Kyle Robino welcomed guests. Page chairwoman Amy Schmid introduced the pages. Assistant page chairwoman Gina Greder presented the children with engraved silver frames holding photos of them in their page costumes. About 150 people attended the luncheon.
Guests checked in at the Candyland candy buffet. The area was decorated with various apothecary jars filled with everything from gumballs to Pixy Stix. Each child found his or her lemon lollipop place card before entering the Candyland Ballroom for a group photo.
The tables were decorated with red licorice, giant lollipops, cotton candy and ice cream bubbles.
Each page left with a plush zebra stuffed animal wearing an ivory page hat.
Oct. 8 kicked off an exciting time for the 2009 Ak-Sar-Ben Omaha princesses, Heartland princesses and Omaha and Heartland escorts. The Royal Court luncheon, planned by the Ak-Sar-Ben Floor Committee, was held at the Qwest Center.
Speaking at the afternoon event was Tom Gouttierre, dean of international studies and programs at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the University of Nebraska Medical Center and director of UNO's Center for Afghanistan Studies.
Hosts for the event were Sheila Christ of She-La's, Bill Spire of Mr. Tuxedo and Floor Committee chairmen William Ochsner and Tyler Owen.
Centerpieces created by Robino with Old Market Habitat carried a fall theme using moss topiary balls with tiger orchids and grapevine in clear glass cylinders.
Each Omaha and Heartland princess received earrings specially made to match her designer Coronation Ball gown from She-La. Each escort was given an engraved silver picture frame from the Women's Ball Committee.
“Unveiling the Pride of the Kingdom” was celebrated that evening at the Councillors Party.
His Majesty's Council of the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben hosted an evening of dinner and dancing at the Mutual of Omaha Dome.
The festivities honored the 2009 Court of Quivira and their families for their contributions throughout our region.
Serving as co-chairmen were Robert C. Dalrymple and his wife, Susi; Nathan P. Dodge and his wife, Meg; and James R. Greisch and his wife, Anne.
Centerpieces featured giraffes, assorted wild animals and spheres with orange roses, yellow sunflowers, yellow craspedia and red and green berries, designed by the Peony Park Hy-Vee.
Following dinner, guests danced to the music of Bozak & Morrissey.
Ak-Sar-Ben Board of Governors' wives hosted a luncheon Oct. 9 at the Omaha Country Club.
Susan Cutler, wife of Coronation Ball chairman Bill Cutler, was chairwoman of the event and was assisted by Betsy Murphy, wife of Coronation Ball adviser Chris Murphy.
The annual luncheon, always held the day before the Coronation Ball, honored the mothers of the princesses, escorts and standard bearers.
Mary Maxwell spoke on the history of Ak-Sar-Ben, reminisced on past coronations and related a few humorous anecdotes. Johnson explained the coronation theme, “For One Night Only.”
Vibrant Ak-Sar-Ben colors of green, yellow and red in the flower arrangements created by Stems at Countryside Village accented the excitement of the coronation weekend and its traditions.
The festivities did not end with Saturday's Coronation Ball. On Sunday, the 113th king of Ak-Sar-Ben, Dr. Lee Simmons, and his wife, Marie, invited friends and special guests to the king's brunch at the Omaha Country Club.
On Monday, newly crowned Queen Allison Conley and her mother, Deborah Marks Conley, and her father, John Conley, hosted the Queen's Royal Coronation luncheon at the French Cafe.
The queen's gown, designed by Kenneth Poole, was displayed along with the queen's official portrait, crown and scepter.
Mimes from Marian High School welcomed and ushered guests into the cafe for an aperitif of champagne, apple cider or sparkling water. French music added to the celebration.
Individual boxes of gourmet French chocolates from Richart Paris served as place cards for the guests.
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As always, fashion was front and center during the ball. Standouts included:
Ÿ Mary Johnson in a Chris Kole kiwi-colored, silk shantung strapless A-line gown with an asymmetrical draped bodice and double-faced looped bow on the shoulder with a crystal-sequin butterfly pin.
Ÿ Mary Jo Langdon in an iridescent smoky blue/black silk taffeta gown with beaded portrait lace and a full-sleeve bolero with a scalloped edge.
Ÿ Diny Landen's strapless navy silk taffeta gown with a handmade draped top, Alencon lace and a matching silk taffeta stole by JJ Couture.
Ÿ Emma Link, daughter of Chris Link and Jenni Toebben, wore a vintage gown with family history. She wore a dress that her grandmother, Phyllis Toebben, made for the 1970 coronation when Toebben's son, Scott, was a page. With a few alterations, the lithe Link glowed in the copper-colored empire-style dress embellished with brocade trim. Toebben was not aware that Link was wearing the dress to the ball until she saw her at the start of the event.
“It was the perfect way to start my evening,” said Toebben, who with her husband, Del, was part of the Court of Honor.
“I wore this dress because my grandmother had given it to me several years ago,” Link said. “When I received it, I knew I had to wear it to the Coronation Ball someday.”
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