Somewhere along the way, its name was shortened to simply the FishShack Dinner.
Its more formal name? The Jimmie Lou Fisher-Lottie Shackelford Dinner, with the fourth annual event being held March 11 at the Wyndham Riverfront in North Little Rock. Designed to highlight outstanding women -- the "unsung she-roes" -- for their work with the Democratic Party of Arkansas, the event honored state Sen. Joyce Elliott, former state legislator Janet Johnson-Henderson, former Faulkner County Quorum Court member Betty Pickett and former state legislator Mary Anne Salmon.
Although the event was designed to honor women, master of ceremonies Shackelford gave effusive kudos to outgoing Democratic Party Chairman Vincent Insalaco (whose idea the dinner was) in her opening remarks. Shackelford shared memories of serving with Fisher and Insalaco before introducing past honorees, and giving praise to other party people. Then came the presentation of the honorees, who shared memories as party members and elected officials, and expressed their political thoughts.
Johnson-Henderson, in her remarks, displayed her stand-up comedy skills. "I didn't have kids, I had projects," she joked about her children before evoking further roars of laughter with cracks about current affairs. (On a serious note, she urged ex-elected officials to go back and work for their party.)
Just before the dinner, a large crowd gathered at nearby Argenta Community Theater for a reception, a short stage show and presentation honoring Insalaco. Chairing the event were former Govs. Mike Beebe and Jim Guy Tucker, former U.S. Sens. Blanche Lincoln and David and Mark Pryor, and former U.S. Rep. Mike Ross and their spouses. Insalaco was presented a commemorative, life-size donkey figure painted with Arkansas state symbols and treasures, and a miniature likeness of himself, sculpted by artist Jane Hankins.
High Profile on 03/19/2017