The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden has announced the honorees of its Great Contributors Gala fundraising event on December 5: Phyllis and Tom McCasland, Sue Ringle (posthumous) and Carolyn and Al Olson. A champagne reception and silent auction starts at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and a program at 7 p.m. in Rosine Hall at the Dallas Arboretum (8525 Garland Rd., Dallas, TX 75218). Event co-chairs, Sharon Ballew and Mari Epperson, also served as Artscape co-chairs.
Mary Brinegar, Dallas Arboretum president and CEO, remarked, “We look forward to celebrating the outstanding achievements by these remarkable garden ‘greats’ who have contributed their time, talent and treasure to our board of directors, The Women’s Council and the volunteer group working to keep our garden a jewel that draws visitors from around the world.”
THE HONOREES:
Natives of Oklahoma, Tom grew up in Duncan and Phyllis in Blackwell. They met at The University of Oklahoma and married after graduation. Tom had a distinguished career in the oil business, and both of them were also involved in banking. Phyllis was a real estate salesperson, became a Master Gardener and wrote gardening articles for the local newspapers.
After retiring and turning the family business over to their son, Phyllis and Tom moved to Dallas where they both have been active in many organizations, including the Dallas Arboretum. They have been instrumental in the continued expansion and transformation of the Dallas Arboretum, funding the renovation of the Sunken Garden, providing the seed money for the Chihuly exhibition, as well as envisioning and providing funding and support for The 12 Days of Christmas celebration. They also purchased land for the parking garage and partially underwrote the initial loan for the project. They provided the money for the land purchase for the new greenhouses, paid for fencing, security, utilities, communications and a portion of the greenhouses with a challenge grant to encourage others to complete the greenhouse construction as it is today. The Dallas Arboretum Executive Committee voted to name the Horticulture Center and acreage in honor of them as a tribute to their generosity. The McCaslands have two sons, Tom III and Mark, and five grandchildren.
A native Texan, Sue joined the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum in 2005 and served in numerous positions. As president in 2012-2013, Sue was instrumental in the continued growth for the funding of A Woman’s Garden. Designed by the Women’s Council, A Woman’s Garden is a gift from the organization to the Dallas Arboretum. This serene and nationally acclaimed garden is maintained by funding from the group.
During Sue’s tenure as president, the Women’s Council celebrated both its 30th anniversary of the organization and its 25th anniversary of the Mad Hatter’s Tea, the major spring fundraiser for the organization. She also incorporated additional focus on these monumental milestones with a special Chihuly event and the addition of more than 100 new members, bringing the membership to more than 600.
Her passion for community service extended to politics, music and her faith. She attended Highland Park Methodist Church where she founded the Jester’s Program, a theater program for adults 16 and older with special needs. Sue was married for 45 years to Brett, whom she met at the University of Texas at Austin while they were saxophonists in the Longhorn Band. She is survived by her husband and her son, Kyle.
Married for 52 years, Carolyn and Al Olson can be seen often at the Dallas Arboretum volunteering their time. Since they started volunteering in February 2004, they’ve contributed more than 9,300 volunteer hours. Retired from Exxon/Mobil, Al has always had a love of roses and has propagated and cultivated many new rose cuttings for the Arboretum. He has volunteered throughout the garden, but lately, he enjoys volunteering in the new Tom and Phyllis McCasland Horticulture Center, the new garden’s greenhouse, and on the Volunteer Advisory Board. Carolyn serves as an administrative volunteer for the Volunteer Department and on the Volunteer Advisory Board. Al has been a member of the board of directors, including the executive committee, from 2013 to 2018. He is a past chairman of the Dallas Arboretum Volunteer Advisory Board, which coordinates the activities of more than 500 volunteers. In 2012, they both served as volunteer chairs when the Dale Chihuly Glass Exhibition debuted at the garden, and for several festivals. They have three grown children and six grandchildren.
Tables rage from $5,000 to $75,000, and tickets start at $275. Underwriting opportunities are also available. For more information, contact Missy Whisler at mwhisler@dallasarboretum.org or 214.515.6688. Visit https://www.dallasarboretum.org/events-activities/greatcontributorgala/ for more details.
Craig Hall, entrepreneur, businessman and lifelong art collector, received the inaugural Great Contributor to Art award in 2017. Entertainment doyenne and author Martha Stewart received the award in 2018.
About the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden:
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is located on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake at 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218 and is also the home of the internationally acclaimed Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. The garden is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The Dallas Morning News is the principal partner of the Dallas Arboretum. The Arboretum is supported, in part, by funds from the Dallas Park and Recreation Department. WFAA is an official media sponsor for the Dallas Arboretum. For more information, call 214.515.6500 or visit www.dallasarboretum.org.