VALDOSTA — As the Mystery Ball Club hosted its 93rd  annual dance, guests were all smiles for the “Hello, Dolly!” theme of the night. The ladies of the club paid tribute to the living legend, Dolly Parton, in all details of the dance!

As guests stepped into the lobby of the Valdosta Country Club, the atmosphere was pure Dolly magic. The Imagination Library display gave a nod to Dolly’s incredible dedication to literacy, adorning the display with children’s books. The 9 to 5 décor featured iconic props from her beloved movie. The pink sparkling runway leading to the entrance of the Valdosta Country Club set the tone — vibrant, bold, unmistakably Dolly, with her butterfly symbol on the front doors. Once inside, the guests were drawn to the White Limozeen Lounge. Located in the ballroom, the lounge lived up to its name with pink seating, sparkling pink accents, and Dolly’s glam. The cocktail station served “White Limozeen” drinks named “Queen of the Rodeo” and “Jolene.” Guests were greeted by Dolly herself dressed in her Coat of Many Colors and standing beside her patchwork guitar.

When the clock struck 9:30, Mrs. Hansell Watt, Mystery Ball Club President, led the 70 costumed members onto the dance floor to Dolly’s well known song, “9 to 5.” Members revealed their costumes to guests as they performed a choreographed dance.  The newest members, Mrs. John Hansen, Mrs. Scott Peterman, Mrs. Zachary Richards, Mrs. Jim Tunison, and Mrs. John Williams were front and center for the lead out. Following the lead out, guests joined in on the dance floor with music provided by The Maxx, an Atlanta based band.

The ladies of the Mystery Ball Club wore white, floor length dresses adorned with fringe and lace, and a pink sequin jacket. The blonde wigs were sky high, while the cowboy boots kept the dance floor hot . Pink fabric with feathers flowed from the pink rhinestone glasses above a tied white neck scarf.

The Mystery Ball Club was founded by 70 Valdosta women in 1932. Except for World War II  (1943-1945) and Covid (2021), the memorable ball has been hosted every year. It has been told that the founders of the Mystery Ball Club wanted a masked ball around the time of Mardis Gras. It is a beloved tradition enjoyed by members and guests each year. Members dress in full costume and mask their faces to hide their identities, and the theme is kept secret until the night of the ball. Many members currently are descendants of original founding members.

For 2025, the officers are as follows: President, Mrs. Hansell Watt; Vice President, Mrs. Parrish Clark; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Chuck Steel; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Mabry Smith; Treasurer, Mrs. Turner Brice; Finance Chair, Mrs. Pam Tillman; Members at Large, Mrs. Butch Burgsteiner and Mrs. John Smotherman; Past President, Mrs. Chris Milstead; Parliamentarian, Mrs. John Peeples; and Historian, Mrs. Tripp Templeton.

The following out of town guests and their hosts enjoyed the evening: Mr. and Mrs. Chandler Barnes of Thomasville, Ga., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Brother Bird; Mr. and Mrs.Daniel Bayman of Quitman, Ga., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Tunison; Ms. Olivia O’Neal and Mr. Frank Bird III of Thomasville, Ga., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Brother Bird; Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Bright of Birmingham, Ala., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Converse Bright; Mr. and Mrs.Byron Courson of Jennings, Fla., guests of Mr. and Mrs. John Smotherman; Miss Katie Courson of Athens, Ga., guest of Mr. and Mrs. Zachary Richards; Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Crago of St. Petersburg, Fla., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Kenny Crago; Mr. and Mrs. Nick Craig of McDonough, Ga., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Luke Cocke; Miss McCulley Cregger and guest of Atlanta, Ga., guests of Mr. and Mrs. David Cregger; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Deloach III of Atlanta, Ga., guests of Mr. and Mrs. John Lastinger; Mr. John Eunice and guest of Atlanta, Ga., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Mac Mackey; Mr. and Mrs. Mitch Fandel of Jacksonville, Fla., guests of Mr. and Mrs.Hamilton Tillman; Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Greenway of Atlanta, Ga., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Matt Smith; Mr. and Mrs. Ned Hansen of Atlanta, Ga., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Chad Shenton; Mr. Reynolds Henry of Atlanta, Ga., guest of Mr. and Mrs. Wade Henry; Ms. Shelton Houston and guest of Nashville, Tenn., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Mackey; Mr. and Mrs. David Johnson of Cleveland, Ga., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Steel; Mr. and Mrs. Louis Jones of Georgetown, S.C., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Kenny Crago; Ms. Kelsey Tillman and Mr. John Kirk of Jefferson, Ga., guests of Mrs. Joe Tillman; Mr. and Mrs. John Landrum of Cumming, Ga., guests of Mrs. Archie Griffin; Mr. and Mrs. Brad Lastinger  of Athens, Ga., guests of Mr. and Mrs. John Lastinger; Ms. Mary Catherine Mackey of Atlanta, Ga., guest of Mr. and Mrs. Mac Mackey; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mathews of Gainesville, Ga., guests of Mrs. Charles Templeton; Mr. and Mrs. Craig Lane of Nashville, Ga., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Mabry Smith; Mrs. Kathy Wink and Mr. Rusty McCall of Moultrie, Ga., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Hatcher; Ms.Catherine McCulloch of Miami, Fla., guest of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Barclay; Mr. and Mrs. Jerry McGee of Jacksonville, Fla., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Cal Stubbs; Mr. and Mrs. Ken Morrison of Nashville, Ga., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Mackey; Mr. and Mrs. Tim Pate of Quitman, Ga., guests of Mrs. Frank Strickland; Mr.and Mrs. Scott Pearlman of Atlanta, Ga., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Smith; Mr. Chuck Ramsey and guest of Quitman, Ga., guests of Mr. and Mrs. John Smotherman; Mr. Dennis Schuhart of Atlanta, Ga., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Barclay; Mr.and Mrs. Winson Smith of Fairhope, Ala., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Tripp Templeton; Mr. and Mrs. Dan Stubbs of Atlanta, Ga., guests of Mrs. Joe Stubbs; Mr. and Mrs. Jay Stuckey of Savannah, Ga., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Converse Bright; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Telle of Cumming, Ga., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Turner Brice; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Tllman of Augusta, Ga., guests of Mrs. Joe Tillman; Mr. Alexander Waldron of Sandy Springs, Ga., guest of Mrs. Archie Waldron; Ms. Elizabeth Wallace of Jacksonville, Fla., guest of Mr. and Mrs. Converse Bright; Ms. Lyndsey Walters and guest of Fitzgerald, Ga., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Justin Cowart; Mr. and Mrs. Austin Weathington of Brookhaven, Ga., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Turner Brice; Ms. Parker Whidby and guest of Atlanta, Ga., guests of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Burns; Mr. and Mrs. John Wilke of Fairhope, Ala., guests of Mrs. Frank Strickland.