Celebrity Dinner to benefit American Cancer Society

Published 11:11 am Monday, October 5, 2015

: THREE-COURSE DINNER: Celebrity waiter Chesley Lambiotte serves Dr. Robert Sadler last year during the Celebrity Waiter Dinner benefiting the American Cancer Society at Ameristar’s Bottleneck Blues Bar.

Local celebrities are gearing up for the fifth annual Celebrity Waiter Dinner of Vicksburg, which benefits the American Cancer Society.

The fundraiser is hosted by the Ameristar Casino and will begin at 6 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Bottleneck Blues Bar, 4116 Washington St.

Sally Bullard, co-owner of Main Street Market Cafe and District 5 school board member, will serve as one of the 19 celebrity waiters during this year’s event.

“They are using the term celebrity loosely to have asked me,” laughed Bullard, but added of the 19, she is the only one who knows how to carry a tray.

Each of the celebrity waiters will be responsible for selling tickets to their table, said the Ameristar Casino Public Relations Manager Lori Burke, and they will also be competing to see who can raise the largest amount of tips.

“In the past, May and Company has put out a tip jar two or three weeks out,” Burke said.

To entice table guests to be generous with their tips, some of the waiters have dressed up and decorated their tables, Burke said.

“I’m planning on wearing a theme outfit,” the Vicksburg Blues Society President Shirley Waring said.

Bullard said she would also be dressing up for the fundraiser and plans to come as a “real” celebrity with paparazzi in tow.

Bullard and Waring said they were encouraging all of their friends and families to join them at their tables.

“I am going to be calling on my friends and associates to help with this cause Waring said.

Bullard said she has already posted invites on Facebook and has sent out emails in an attempt to fill up her table.

Tickets for the fundraiser are $45 or $80 per couple and include a three-course meal and a complimentary drink.

All proceeds from the Celebrity Waiter Dinner of Vicksburg goes to the American Cancer Society, Burke said, adding the event has raised more than $20,000 each year.

For more information or tickets, call 601-638-3266.

In addition to Bullard and Waring, celebrity waiters will include:

Mayor George Flaggs, Rep. Oscar Denton, Dr. Wanda Newell from the Pigs in Flight Museum, Marion Roberson of Smith Barney, Debi Martin of May and Co., Selena Wood of Promise Hospital, Jane Flowers, executive director of the Vicksburg Chamber of Commerce, Tim Reeves, publisher of The Vicksburg Post, Annette Kirklin, executive director of the Vicksburg Convention Center, Carolyn Butler from Believers of Faith Cancer Society, Felicia Gavin, the executive vice president and general manager of Diamond Jacks Casino, Jordan Amborn, a teacher at Vicksburg Catholic School, Danielle Avitable of WJTV, Kristi Smith from Merit Health and Warren County constables John H. Heggins, Troy Kimble and Glenn McKay.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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