On our toes at Cinderella's ballet ball (with PHOTOS)

The Fresh Market of Destin was the place to be seen on Tuesday evening, Feb. 24, hosting a fund raiser for the Northwest Florida Ballet. As you read this article, the fabulous performance of Cinderella will have passed with reviews that I am sure will be excellent. No one had to twist my arm to cover this story.

As a child, the earliest memories of my own mother were watching her dance to classical music while dusting furniture in the living room. I was five-years-old and I watched in awe as she reveled in the music and movement. By six, I was in ballet slippers and shortly thereafter, on point in toe shoes.

My favorite book at the time was Anna Pavalova, Premiere Ballerina of the Russian Ballet. Just as I dreamed of performing so long ago, so do the children of our area dream of dance. How lucky we are to have that opportunity for our children at the Northwest Florida Ballet Academie.

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To see photos from the event, click here

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The Academie, for those of you who might not know, is enjoying their 39th year as an academic school for talented youngsters of grade school level, third through eighth. Though it does receive grants, it also accepts donations.

The Fresh Market, superb in all that is food, went all out on the wine and food tasting fund raiser. The $25 attendance fee was donated to the NWFB. Peter Bennett captured over 300 photos of the attending patrons that were there to see, be seen, taste and sip, all for a worthy cause.

As for myself, I was covering the fashions of the colorful and well dressed patrons. Surprisingly, there were quite a number of visitors from out of state. Lou Sasso, the store manager, and staff overlooked the proceedings with the utmost of professional attention. From the greeting desk to the tasting stations, it was a delight on the palette and the eye.

The theme, not surprising for the season, was Mardi Gras. Patrons were greeted with colorful beads and a tasting glass upon entry. Kudos went to Roxanne Tucker and friends from Niceville with the most amazing purple, green and gold accessories. A lovely lady dressed in leopard, Rose Gibbs of Fort Walton Beach, and Sallee Hardy in brown and white zebra, were attention getters as well.

Never out of style, the little black dress was worn by Cindy Touchstone, an academic instructor at the Academie. Tres chic! Marketing assistant Brenda Hutchinson and her associates were efficient, gracious and glamorously attired. Adding panache was Todd Eric Allen, Artistic Director and CEO of the NWF Ballet, as well as Jeff Prescott who performs the part of Cinderella's father.

For that matter, the gentlemen who attended the function rose to the occasion by dressing up for the evening. As you know, dear readers,

I could wane on forever on the subject.

I was fortunate enough to have attended the High School of Performing Arts in New York City as a young, aspiring performer. My wish for this area would be to have a high school for the performing arts in drama, dance, and music for grades nine through twelve so that the children could continue while living in their local area.

Who knows, perhaps the way we are growing, it might not be just wishful thinking. Certainly there is enough talent here to move upward.

Thank you to all of the patrons and parents that supported this lovely event. Every contribution counts, large and small.

Linda Bennett can be reached at 424-6095 or modelscoutbennett@cox.net.