Tall pedestals bearing white snapdragons, lilies and spider mums flanked the glass doors opened wide to the atrium of the Austrian Embassy, where a gleaming 2000 square foot dance floor covered the entire center. The soft glow of candles and the fragrance of flowers greeted attendees as they took their places at tables on either side of the dance floor. Ladies in elegant ball gowns tried out their golden fan favors and perused their programs as gentlemen in white and black tie attached their crossed-flag lapel pins. New members, long-time members, diplomats, and international students from Georgetown mingled and toasted each other with Steininger Sekt, flown in from Austria especially for this occasion. Soon the 14 piece Con Brio! salon orchestra took their seats on the expanded stage, and the strains of Strauss’s “Rosen aus dem Sueden” began.

Dancers Jean Pompa and Stevens Douglas performed an American ballroom version of the Viennese waltz and then it was “Alles Walzer” as the floor filled with dancers. And so it went for the next four hours. An enthusiastic crowd kept the floor filled as the orchestra played Lehar, Strauss, Waldteufel, and some Cole Porter for good measure.

But the evening was not only for dancing. When attendees entered the reception room they found 22 feet of tables lit by silver candelabra and decorated with flowers, piled high with real Viennese pastries, cheeses and fruits. Um....did we mention the cognac-soaked fresh figs? There was coffee from Julius Meinl of Vienna, plenty of whipped cream, and superb Austrian wines and sparkling sekt.

President Steven Schott introduced many former and present officers of the Society, and H.E. Ambassador Eva Nowotny graced us with her kind words regarding the past accomplishments and the future of the Society. Many attendees went home with door prizes: Our sponsors, The Austrian Atelier provided an exquisite contemporary candle arrangement of blue crescent moons and tall square tapers in brushed steel holders. Austria’s Finest Naturally donated five gifts of Austrian pumpkin oil, vinegars, and jellies. Yum. There were magnums of Sekt and red wine provided by Klaus Wittauer (Select Wines, Inc.) The funniest moment of the evening came when the Sacher coffee service for four (a donation of patrons Mr. and Mrs. Henry Shine) was won by none other than the Ambassador herself! She graciously redonated the service and drew the tombola ticket for her “successor.”

An enormous treat was the musical interlude performed by baritone Jerome Barry and soprano Susan Wheeler, accompanied by pianist George Peachy. Ms. Wheeler’s crystaline voice and Mr. Barry’s warm, dramatic sound soared in the wonderful acoustics of the atrium and drew long rounds of applause with soli and duets from Mozart, Lehar and Strauss. In conclusion, the two led the entire audience in a nostalgic “Wien, Wien, nur Du Allein.”

At midnight Herb and Carol Traxler got everyone out on the floor to participate in the Fledermaus Quadrille. Great giggling ensued as ConBrio! played the partie at faster and faster tempi, ending in the expected great ‘thump’ on the final chord.

None of this would have been possible without the hard work of a small army of volunteers who contributed to this event. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

-- Martha D. Goebel, Chair, 50th Anniversary Ball