Small Talk

Last-minute details are coming together nicely for the third annual Baby Girl Classic weekend, kicking off Saturday, June 7, in Anniston. Golfing, tennis, auctions, dinner and a live band all make up this eventful weekend, bringing locals and visitors together to lend their support.

The Anna-Elizabeth Garner Memorial Foundation was founded immediately after the sudden and unexpected death of Anna-Elizabeth due to an unknown and hidden heart problem. In January 2006, she died in her mother's arms when she laid her down for bed.

Many friends of Tim and Christina Garner (Anna-Elizabeth's parents) came together to help form the Foundation — a 501(c)3 non-profit that raises money for education and medical research — and The Baby Girl Classic was born. ("Baby Girl" was Anna-Elizabeth's nickname. The whole idea — the theme, artwork and logo — are derived from Anna-Elizabeth's favorite things and what she loved in her short life.)

The Baby Girl Classic is The AEG Memorial Foundation's yearly fundraiser. Committee members include James H. Terry II, Ted and Nancy Cromwell, Jay and Kim Jenkins, Mitzi Wright, Paige Faulkner, Nikki Christian, Margaret Davenport and Cherri Morgan.

The Anna-Elizabeth Garner Memorial Foundation has pledged to raise and donate to the Donoho School $150,000 over three years. So far, the promise has been right on par, with $50,000 raised at the 2006 event, and again in 2007. Donoho's lower school library (Anna-Elizabeth's favorite place in the school, not counting the playground) was named in Anna-Elizabeth's honor.

Saturday sporting activities include a golf tournament and tennis tournament, both at the Anniston Country Club. Entry fees (detailed on www.anna-elizabethfoundation.org) for the tournaments include a T-shirt and amenities bag, breakfast, lunch and drinks.

Golf tournament coordinators include Jim Terry, Tim Garner and Ted Cromwell, while Kristie Alderman, Margaret Davenport and David Christian are volunteering to help with the tennis tournament.

That evening, following the tournaments, guests will gather at the Grand Hall of McClellan's Buckner Arts Center to enjoy silent and live auctions, dinner catered by Classic on Noble, and live entertainment with Atlanta's seven-piece band Uptown Entertainment. Auction registration and silent auction begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and live auction at 8.

The overall theme of the auction is "Butterflies and Buttercups," since these were two of Anna Elizabeth's favorite things. There will be lots of butterflies (even some live ones) and flowers incorporated into a whimsical theme.

Scott Skinner has designed stunning floral arrangements to reflect the corporate tables' theme of "Under the Tree of Hope" and the guest tables' theme "In Her Secret Garden." Assisting Scott with decorations for the event are Christina Garner, Kim Jenkins, Nancy Cromwell, Mitzi Wright, Paige Faulkner and Lisa Huckaby. Additional volunteers are welcome to lend a hand as well, according to event organizers.

Tickets for the evening festivities are $50 per person, and corporate tables are available for $1,000.

Items available for auction will include a hot air balloon ride, a signed bass guitar from Doug Lubahn (one of the original members of the Doors), custom jewelry, trips, 10 laps at Talladega Superspeedway with The Dale Jarrett Racing School, original art, sports memorabilia and lots more.

Ted Cromwell is heading up the live auction, and Christina Garner and Paige Faulkner are in charge of silent auction items.

Other volunteers include Tina Warren, Jean Ann Oglesby, Sara Beth and Meg Terry, Janet Smith, Maggie Morgan, Charlie Allen and many more.

Baby Girl Classic weekend sponsors this year include Classic Cadillac Pontiac GMC; The Coca-Cola Company; Ted and Nancy Cromwell; Boozer Laminated Beam Co, Inc.; ERA King Real Estate: Drs. Blane Bateman and Margaret Davenport; Dr. Rob Svensen; BR Williams; AOD Credit Union; and David and Nikki Christian.

The weekend will conclude at 11 a.m. Sunday, June 8, with a small church service at McClellan's Silver Chapel.

For more information, go to www.anna-elizabethfoundation.org or call 225-0995.