Bertram Fields & Roberta Peters
Sen. Patrick Leahy & wife Marcelle
Lucky Roosevelt & Dominican Ambasssasor to OAS Oscar Curry
| Belgian Delights Belgian Ambassador Alex Reyn and his wifeRita bid Washington friends a fond farewellas they hosted the social season finale, theWashington Opera Ball, on June 7. AmbassadorReyn officially retired on July 1, with plans toreturn home, travel a bit, and become reacquainted with Europe.Over 500 guests gathered for drinks, dancing, and dessert at the Reyns' Beaux-Arts styleresidence following 22 individual embassy-sponsored dinners. Tickets for the lavish celebrationcost $1500 (a limited amount were available at$500)and $3 million was raised, including giftsof $1 million each from Ball Chair Betty ScrippsHarvey and Jim Kimsey. Among the guestswere former ball chairs Nina Pillsbury, EvelynDiBona, Jane Sloat, Ina Ginsburg, and MaryOurisman; Sens. Patrick J. Leahy and RichardC. Shelby; Hilda and Arturo Brillembourg;Jonathan Ledecky, Sandra Payson, Selwa"Lucky" Roosevelt, and Hilda and Arturo Brillembourg. New York floral designer Philip Balounconstructed a pavilion that resembled the royalgreenhouses of Belgium's King Leopold II forthe event; the two-story high space took sevenmonths from conceptualization to completion.And, there were the chocolates! Belgian ones.In innumerable shapes and sizes, including chocolate artichokes, asparagus and roses; chocolate-dipped cherries, raspberries and strawberries ina chocolate basket lined with a chocolate napkinon a chocolate tray; hot and iced chocolatedrinks; bonbons, truffles, pralines and madeleines. The dessert specialties were by OccasionsCaterers. Parting is such sweet sorrow! | 
Etel Valtasaari (wife of Finnish Ambassador)& Mary Ourisman
James & Alexandra McBride
Collette & Anthony Bruce
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