St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 127

SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 1995 ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH 3S Maids Presented To Veiled Prophet i Jry 'A writ 'il IT iiiliiiiiiiiiiiirniiiiian mil I HtJa' Jt- ir By Joan Foster Dames Post-Dispatch Senior Feature Writer ON HIS 11 1th annual visit to St. Louis, His Mysterious Majesty, the Veiled Prophet of Khorassan appeared from the fog to the music from the Triumphal March from "Aida." The potentate, not quite as tall and skinny as banker Andy Craig, took his customary place in front of the peacock feather fans. Summoned to His Court of Love and Beauty at the Adam's Mark ballroom on Dec. 22 was the 95th queen, Margaret "Molly" Dunne Hager, who will rule his loyal subjects until his return next year.

Two thousand applauded in approval of the queen's deep bow. Queen Molly is the daughter Mr. and Mrs. August William Hager III of Ladue. Her grandparents are Mr.

and Mrs. A. William Hager II and Mr. and Mrs. Webe Hawes Naunheim Jr.

Queen Molly chose a white satin gown by Tomasina with handmade rosettes and a swirled design on her train. The Prophet escorted his queen down the runway to the stately sound of Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance" and then vanished into the white-tie crowd. Being the Prophet's honorary consort gives Queen Molly all the rights of the mythical kingdom of Khorassan, a white-plumed, diamond diadem, and an armload of orchids from Missouri Botanical Garden. However, the Queen of Khorassan does not have diplomatic immunity nor a guaranteed parking space at The Galleria the day after Christmas. Curtseying to the Prophet were four Special Maids whose gowns, also designed by Tomasina, were in rich shades of blues and greens in slipper satin.

The Special Maids were: Corinne O'Donnell Fusz, who attends the University of Dayton. Mary Packer "Molly" Fryer, who attends the College of Wooster in Ohio. Margaret Farrell Gait, who attends Washington University. Eleanor "Ellie" Bowman Peters, a graduate of The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Conn. Others presented were: Allison Frances Adam; Irene McDonnell Allen; Sarah Randall Babington; Laura Gayle Behnke; Peggy Pangman Blumeyer; Sarah Langton Bouchein; Sarah Erin Convy; Katherine Perkins Cotsworth; Leland Alexandra Cranston; Melissa Beth Davis; Renee Wheeler Davis; Jennifer Kathleen Drake; Sara Gardner Dubuque.

Catherine Brittain Engler; Lauren Elizabeth Fox; Kristina Elizabeth Frerichs; Mary Packer Fryer; Corinne O'Donnell Fusz; Margaret Farrell Gait; Kristin Ann Grisham, Margaret Catherine Hannigan; Amy Elizabeth Hempstead; Kimberle Dawn Hesker; Katherine Eugenie Hickey; Katherine Drew Hinkley; Alicia Hayden James; Keena Louise James; Margaret Mary Fredericks Jones. Katherine Anderson Kerckhoff; EmHy Royal Killmer; Karen Suzanne Kovacs; Sara Quinn McAtee; Erin Colleen McCarthy; Anne Carroll Murphy; Mercedes Elana Murphy; Sheila Eddie O'Leary; Julia Lee Patterson; Jane Hollis Peacock; Eleanor Bowman Peters; Allison Ryder Pratt; Allison Lyndsey Reese; Catherine Stattmann Salmon; Delta Lelia Stokes; Kimberly Ellen Svenson; Kristina Ann Temporiti; Kara Robidoux Vlasaty; Amy Megan Williams; Alison Joann Wuest. At the Queen's Supper after the ball, 1,175 were summoned to sup. And, I am told they did so. Kevin ManningPost-Dispatch This year's Veiled Prophet Queen, Margaret "Molly" Dunne Hager, gets a peck on the check from Warren Hager prior to the ball.

Presents TRADITIO i A tr -m-ik Iirif': mi tl lir Wendi FitzgeraldPost-Dispatch Keena Louise Hayden (left) and Alicia Hayden, two maids of honor at the ball, are sisters who were born less than a year apart. In the background Kimberle Hesker (left) chats with Katherine Hinkley. Sunday, January 29, 1995, 10:00 AM You are cordially invited to the third annual Neiman Marcus Bridal Traditions, the most romantic event of the season. Enjoy a champagne breakfast buffet, hosted by the Frontenac Hilton Hotel. Preview the latest patterns in china, crystal and silver in The Galleries where vendor representatives will be available to assist you.

Discover the benefits of our bridal registry and view the beauty of our bridal collection with a formal fashion show. Reservations are required. Tickets are $25 per person, available in the NM Bridal Salon, Gift Galleries, at the Customer Service desk or by calling (314) 567-9811, extension 2304. "Brides-to-be" will receive a $25 gift certificate to apply toward the purchase of a wedding gown, a $100 gift certificate to Strauss Peyton for a portrait sitting, and will be entered into the Bridal Traditions drawing for fabulous prizes! Bridal Traditions Features CHINA AYNSLEY BERNARDAUD CHASE LTD. CHRISTIAN DIOR CHRISTOFLE DERUTA PHILIPPE DESHOULIERES GIEN RICHARD GINORI BILL GOLDSMITH HAVILAND HEREND HEREND VILLAGE POTTERY HERMES LALIQUE MOTTAHEDEH POOLE POTTERY RALPH LAUREN RAYNAUD ROYAL COPENHAGEN ROYAL CROWN DERBY ROYAL WORCESTER SPODE TAITU VICTORIA ALBERT VERSACE BY ROSENTHAL WEDGWOOD BRIDAL AMSALE CHRISTIAN DIOR CHRISTOS EVA HAYNAL FORSYTHE SCAASI WAITERS WATTERS VERA WANG YUMI KATSURA SILVER CHRISTOFLE REED BARTON TUTTLE STERLING TABLE TOP ANNIE GLASS ARTHUR COURT DESIGNS KOSTA BODA MACKENZIE-CHILDS LTD.

NAMBE STATIONERY WILLIAM ARTHUR MONT BLANC. CRANE CO. JEWELRY CAROLEE CRYSTAL BACCARAT DAUM HOYA LALIQUF ORREFORS REIDEL SAINT LOUIS WATERFORD CONFECTIONS GODIVA MRS. PRINDABLE COSMETICS ESTEE LAUDER SERVICES NM BEAUTY SALON NM TRAVEL FLORIST DALE ROHMAN MUSIC DICK HALL PRODUCTIONS, INC. PHOTOGRAPHY STRAUSS PEYTON Wendi FitzgeraldPost-Dispatch Kim McMullin writes announcement cards while speaking with, from left, Sheila Eddie O'Leary, Forrest Murphy and Mercedes Murphy.

Ladies Of Honor Walk Through The Court CHRISTIAN DIOR 1. How to look. Plaza Frontenac Lindbergh at Clayton 314-567-981 1 Mimi Carnal; Ann Case; Cindy Chamness; Mary Ellen Cremins; Marilyn Crowley; Julie Eggleston; Celine Fox; Gayle Garrett; Nancy Gulick; Laurie Haffenreffer; Carol Hager; Katharine Hanser; Mae Harper; Mary Lee Hermann; Louise Jensen; Jody Jones; Susan Keith; Sally Key; Katherine Klingler; Caroline Loughlin; Jacqueline Maritz; Muffy Matthews; Libby McDonnell; Dooley McMullin; Susan Musgrave; Rosemary Pickle; Mary Jane Pieroni; Cookie Potter; Diane Reed; Eva Roberts; Andrea Schankman; Annie Schlafly; Caro Schneithorst; D'Anne Shelton; Nancy Smith; Barbara Taylor; Nancy Tegeler; Andrea Tramelli; Amy Whitelaw; Linda IN HIS MYTHICAL reign over St. Louis, His Majesty the Veiled Prophet of Khorassan, is often pleased by his subjects. Each year His Majesty honors matrons, in addition to the maidens in his court, as a sign of his favor.

The splendidly attired Ladies of Honor walk through the court in obedient appreciation of the Prophet's munificence. For his 94th Court of Love and Beauty, the Prophet has chosen as Ladies of Honor: Rosalie Abel; Carol Armstrong; Sharon Aylward; Shellie Baur; Jenny Bealke; Elizabeth Biggs; Mary Bommarito; Janet Boudinet; Suzanne Breckenridge; Rita Brumm; Whitelaw; Letitia Wightman. The Prophet's 111 visits to St. Louis (interrupted by the war years of 1917 and 1918, and 1942 through 1945) are said to have been made by luxurious water craft, although only rarely has he been seen on the Mississippi River. Some say that like Lohengrin, his water chariot is pulled by white swans.

Others contend that a flying carpet is his means of transportation. His arrivals and departures remain as mysterious as his Majesty. One former special maid, and later matron, of honor did some scholarly research in literature and said that the Prophet was once briefly a woman, at least in literature. Turn your coins into quick cash! Check Post-Dispatch Classified daily for those who want to buy and sell stamps and coins. Post-Dispatch Classified 314-621-6666.