Polo at the Point Committee Announces
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Polo at the Point Committee Announces Second Annual Luncheon Designer Challenge
FAIRHOPE, AL- The 2011 Polo at the Point, hosted by Point Clear Charities, Inc. and presented
by IBERIABANK and Grand Hotel Marriott is set for Sunday, October 16, 2011. This year marks
the Second Annual Polo at the Point Luncheon Designer Challenge. Four local designers, Carl Clark
of Southern Veranda Flower and Gift Gallery; Lenae Cleveland Denson of Cleveland the Florist;
Rene Mashburn of Green Gates; and January Williams, Interior Designer for Infirmary Health, compete
for the coveted People's Choice Award for favorite tent design and decor. The winner is chosen by receiving
the majority of the votes during the popular charity event’s annual luncheon. The designers are assisted by
committee members Lynn Coleman, Robin Coleman, Kathy Cooksey, Sharon Dearing, and Krissa Mull.
“The Designer Challenge is another fun way to engage the luncheon attendees and get them involved in
the day’s festivities,” says event co-chair Linda Lou Parsons. “Last year the crowd really enjoyed the interaction
and it created a lot of buzz throughout the day.” Jamie Leatherbury and Dawn Pilot are also co-chairs of the
premier social event.
Clark, owner of Southern Veranda & Gift Gallery in Fairhope is a member of the American Institute of
Floral Design. He has won numerous awards for his design skills and was Alabama Floral Designer of the Year
and served on the Board of Directors for South Alabama Florist association.
Denson began working for her family's floral business as a teenager. During college she worked in several
large floral shops in the Metropolitan Atlanta area. Upon returning to Mobile, Denson began writing a weekly
column in the Press Register entitled "Living with Flowers" and expanded into television creating an annual
holiday special.
Mashburn is the owner of Green Gates, an upscale home furnishings store near downtown Fairhope
specializing in new designs with an old world richness of style. Continuing her efforts for conservation, the store
joins forces with some of the nation’s most talented artisans in the furniture industry’s movement for transforming
salvaged timbers and metal from old ships and buildings into beautiful, high quality furniture and decor.
Williams is the Interior Designer for Infirmary Health, which includes Thomas Hospital, North Baldwin
Infirmary, Mobile Infirmary and Infirmary West. She uses her creativity to make healthcare design more
functional yet comfortable by including natural elements with local art and history creating positive distractions
for patients. She is involved in the planning, design and coordination of all the healthcare system’s construction
projects.
Since 1988, Polo at the Point has raised millions of dollars benefiting cancer research, local non-profit
organizations, and children’s charities. This year’s main beneficiaries are Mercy Medical’s Guardian Angel
Program and Thomas Hospital’s Pediatric Rehab Program.
Festivities begin with the Player’s Party on Friday night, October 14 at the Grand Hotel
Marriott’s Julep Point featuring the Locust Fork Band, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing. Sunday's event
includes world class polo, gourmet cuisine, champagne, divot stomping, tailgating fun, silent auction,
reserved seating in the luncheon tent, garden party attire, and more. Tickets range from $10 (tailgating)
to $125. The Children’s Chukkar is a new exhibition added to the half-time event, with players
ranging in age from 8 to 15. It will highlight our community's future polo players and provides a great
opportunity for children to participate in a great cause. For more information on Polo at the Point,
please contact the Polo Office at 251.621.4464 or visit online at www.poloatthepoint.com.
Photo: Returning designer Carl Clark of Southern Veranda Flower will again showcase his
talents and creativity in the Second Annual Luncheon Designer Challenge at the 2011 Polo at the Point
event on October 16, 2011 at Sonny Hill-Clearwater Complex in Point Clear, AL. Pictured at last year’s
event is Southern Veranda Flower’s designer tent.