Diamond, diamond; who's got the diamond?

Staff

Published Sunday, February 29, 2004

Suffolk News-Herald

There is an unsolved mystery in Suffolk - and the Suffolk chapter of the American Red Cross and D.B. Bowles Jewelers would like to get to the bottom of things.

In fact, at the bottom of a champagne glass is a diamond that is the object of the mystery.

Bruce Bowles, owner of the jewelry store, said the glass was among the other 99 purchased in last year's "Paint the Town Red Celebrity Benefit Dinner and Auction" at Cedar Point Club.

"The diamond has not been turned in," Bowles said. "Someone out there has it and thinks it is one of the 99 cubic zirconias that were in the champagne glasses. We donated the quarter-carat diamond for the auction to help the Red Cross in its fund-raising efforts."

Bowles added that anyone who has not taken their 2003 "diamond" to the jeweler's should do so to find out if it is real.

"We will check it out and if it is the real diamond, we'll give $25 toward mounting it for them," said Bowles. "There are at least 20 more stones that have not been checked, so we know someone has it."

If all this mystery sounds like fun, it is only a sampling of the entertaining evening to come March 16 when the Red Cross stages this year's celebrity dinner and auction, said event organizer Donna Perry, who is the Red Cross' financial development coordinator.

Public response to ticket sales has been overwhelming, Perry said. Only 20 tickets remain to the festive event, she said.

"Anyone who has been to one of these events knows it is a fantastic evening to remember and it is for a good cause. It helps pay for programs and services for Suffolk's residents."

Diamonds, Caribbean cruises, resort weekends, tickets to some of the hottest shows in Hampton Roads, and restaurant passes are among the items to be auctioned at the benefit. There are also passes to museums and theaters, clothing, golf passes, gift baskets and a cruise to Tangier Island. As if all that isn't enough to draw participants, the list of celebrity waiters is also something to consider. Del. S. Chris Jones, Mayor E. Dana Dickens III and Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett will be serving their constituents in quite a different manner than usual at the event. City Manager Steve Herbert and Maralyn "Mad Dog" Hershey, one of the stars of "Survivor: The Australian Outback" will also be waiting on Red Cross supporters.

Other waiters included Abraham "Ham" Mitchell, best known across the region as "Mr. CIAA;" and attorney Jesse Johnson, husband of Councilwoman Linda Johnson. Gail Williams of Sun Trust Bank will serve as well as entertain. Suffolk's new Clerk of Court W. Randolph Carter Jr. and his wife, Luci St. Clair-Carter, step into different roles in serving the public as they assist with dinner.

For tickets or more information, call Perry at 539-6645.

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