Back-patting and fundraising at the Voulez-Vous

EUREKA SPRINGS — Dick and Nancy Trammel, whose power of giving has affected many groups and organizations, reigned as king and queen over Saturday night’s (June 7) Founder’s Gala, with proceeds benefiting the Eureka Springs Downtown Network, the state’s newest Main Street Community.

The gathering, held at the Voulez-Vous Lounge, at the bottom of the historic New Orleans Hotel, had a festive burlesque feel to it. Owners Kelly Breslau and Leslie Meeker have been known to organize such a show every now and then. Many guests at the Founder’s gala donned sexy, skintight after-five attire, and the servers went even a step further, making sure all potential donors got all the needed to eat and drink.

The guest list included local business owners, lawyers and various kingpins in the hospitality industry — the cogs that keep the tourism wheel in motion in Eureka Springs.

In his remarks, Cary Tyson, director of Main Street Arkansas, called Eureka Springs one of the best 25 smart art towns in America. “It is clear to me that each of you here tonight are committed to being good ancestors.’

He later added: “When you do the work of downtown revitalization, what you’re doing, in part. is creating a place for your kids to come home to.”

With that, many nodded their heads or held up their glasses in agreement.