Looking Back at the Top Hat Ball…
The Themes
Mardi Gras- first theme started in 2008
Red–Valentine’s Day Celebration- 2009
Chinese New Year- 2010
Hollywood – 2011
Soiree- 2012
Celebrate Chicago- 2013
African Adventure- 2014
An Evening Along the Nile- 2015
A Knight in Camelot- 2016
The Roaring 20’s Gatsby Ball- 2017
Escape to Treasure Island- 2018
Havana Nights- 2019
Vintage Circus, An Evening Under the Big Top- 2020
Top Hat Ball Upside Down-2021
An Evening in the Emerald City- 2022
The Venues
Shedd Aquarium
The Field Museum
Union Station
Navy Pier
Marriott Magnificent Mile
Our Event Chairs
Jim & Lynn Armbruster
Greg Osko & Joel Thompson
Kate McCracken & Randy Lindenberg
Carol & Mike Donahue
Karen Golden
Binna & Bud Porter
Catie & Max Schmidt
“FRIEND OF THE YEAR” Recipients
2020 – Becky and John Duffey
2019 —David Pierro
2018 — Jeanne and George Webster
2017 — Aon
2016 — Karen J. Golden
2015 — The Foglia Family Foundation
2014 — Bud and Jim Porter
2013 — Carol and Mike Donahue
2012 — Andrea Billhardt
2011 — Gary, Jean & Beth Lederer
2010 — George and Pam Rion
2009 — Greg Osko
2008 — Jim and Lynn Armbruster
2007 — Joel Thompson
2006 — Robert Paddock/Paddock Publications
2005 — Bruce Jensen and Gail Ludewig/Total Works
2004 — Kevin Acker/West Suburban Bank
2003 — Senator James “Pate” Philip
2002 — Everett Van Der Molen
2001 — Congressman Henry Hyde
2000 — Robert Bernard
1999 — Dennis Langley and Peter Cyrus
1999 — Senator Steven J. Rauschenberger
1998 — Robert Smetana
1998 — Gwendolyn S. Henry
1997 — Father John Guiney
1996 — James D. Anderson
1995 — Jean Jordan
1994 — Jim Ford
1993 — Dennis Zimmerman
1992 — Michael Brenan
1991 — Richard Theriault
1990 — Gale Sayers
1989 — John P. Frazee
1988 — Birger Nyborg
1987 — Paul Greening
1986 — Thomas O. Myers, Jr.
1985 — Doris Whitney
1984 — Erhardt Weidmann
1983 — Richard Rathman
1982 — Edwin Deicke
1981 — Hiriam Sibley
