Polo at the Point Committee Announces Second Annual Luncheon Designer Challenge

FAIRHOPE, AL- The 2011 Polo at the Point, hosted by Point Clear Charities, Inc. and presented

by IBERIABANK and Grand Hotel Marriott is set for Sunday, October 16, 2011. This year marks

the Second Annual Polo at the Point Luncheon Designer Challenge. Four local designers, Carl Clark

of Southern Veranda Flower and Gift Gallery; Lenae Cleveland Denson of Cleveland the Florist;

Rene Mashburn of Green Gates; and January Williams, Interior Designer for Infirmary Health, compete

for the coveted People's Choice Award for favorite tent design and decor. The winner is chosen by receiving

the majority of the votes during the popular charity event’s annual luncheon. The designers are assisted by

committee members Lynn Coleman, Robin Coleman, Kathy Cooksey, Sharon Dearing, and Krissa Mull.

“The Designer Challenge is another fun way to engage the luncheon attendees and get them involved in

the day’s festivities,” says event co-chair Linda Lou Parsons. “Last year the crowd really enjoyed the interaction

and it created a lot of buzz throughout the day.” Jamie Leatherbury and Dawn Pilot are also co-chairs of the

premier social event.

Clark, owner of Southern Veranda & Gift Gallery in Fairhope is a member of the American Institute of

Floral Design. He has won numerous awards for his design skills and was Alabama Floral Designer of the Year

and served on the Board of Directors for South Alabama Florist association.

Denson began working for her family's floral business as a teenager. During college she worked in several

large floral shops in the Metropolitan Atlanta area. Upon returning to Mobile, Denson began writing a weekly

column in the Press Register entitled "Living with Flowers" and expanded into television creating an annual

holiday special.

Mashburn is the owner of Green Gates, an upscale home furnishings store near downtown Fairhope

specializing in new designs with an old world richness of style. Continuing her efforts for conservation, the store

joins forces with some of the nation’s most talented artisans in the furniture industry’s movement for transforming

salvaged timbers and metal from old ships and buildings into beautiful, high quality furniture and decor.

Williams is the Interior Designer for Infirmary Health, which includes Thomas Hospital, North Baldwin

Infirmary, Mobile Infirmary and Infirmary West. She uses her creativity to make healthcare design more

functional yet comfortable by including natural elements with local art and history creating positive distractions

for patients. She is involved in the planning, design and coordination of all the healthcare system’s construction

projects.

Since 1988, Polo at the Point has raised millions of dollars benefiting cancer research, local non-profit

organizations, and children’s charities. This year’s main beneficiaries are Mercy Medical’s Guardian Angel

Program and Thomas Hospital’s Pediatric Rehab Program.

Festivities begin with the Player’s Party on Friday night, October 14 at the Grand Hotel

Marriott’s Julep Point featuring the Locust Fork Band, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing. Sunday's event

includes world class polo, gourmet cuisine, champagne, divot stomping, tailgating fun, silent auction,

reserved seating in the luncheon tent, garden party attire, and more. Tickets range from $10 (tailgating)

to $125. The Children’s Chukkar is a new exhibition added to the half-time event, with players

ranging in age from 8 to 15. It will highlight our community's future polo players and provides a great

opportunity for children to participate in a great cause. For more information on Polo at the Point,

please contact the Polo Office at 251.621.4464 or visit online at www.poloatthepoint.com.

Photo: Returning designer Carl Clark of Southern Veranda Flower will again showcase his

talents and creativity in the Second Annual Luncheon Designer Challenge at the 2011 Polo at the Point

event on October 16, 2011 at Sonny Hill-Clearwater Complex in Point Clear, AL. Pictured at last year’s

event is Southern Veranda Flower’s designer tent.