OLD SPORT, IT WAS A PARTY FOR THE RECORD BOOKS

Top Row, From Left: Michelle and Barry Hirsch; a display in the VIP Speakeasy Lounge; staff from TapSnap take photos of guests before electronically adding in fun backgrounds; Mike Daisley, one of the event's original founders, with Olivia Fortson.

Bottom Row, From Left: As winner of the costume contest, this guest received a $250 gift from the Kendra Scott jewelry store at SouthPark mall; Taura Napier; Phil Poe; a flirty flapper with some of the fabulous silent auction items. 

This year's Great Gatsby Gala, a fundraiser for the Greater Carolinas Chapter of the National MS Society, was such a success it exceeded its fundraising goal. That's an amazing feat for an event that's in its 28th year. Some galas lose steam over time, but this one keeps getting bigger and better. A secret to its popularity is its age diversity. There are fun groups of supporters who have been coming to it for years mixed in with a new wave of young people who love the theme and dressing up in 1920s-inspired attire.

Other factors are its winning formula of having both a live band (Russ Wilson and His Famous Orchestra) playing swing music and a DJ pumping up the crowd with modern hits. Plus, guests love sampling the amazing food from some of Charlotte's best restaurants including Tapas 51, Loft & Cellar, Heirloom, Pei Wei, The Cellar, Fig Tree, Fork!, Mimosa Grill, Upstream, Harper's, Babalu and Dogwood. The emcee, WBTV anchor Brigida Mack, added a lot of excitement to the evening. She also modeled the raffle prize - a necklace from Diamonds Direct. 

Many people are there to support their friends, family or co-workers who have Multiple Sclerosis (there are 18,000 living with the unpredictable disease in the region covered by the Chapter, which includes all of South Carolina and 97 counties in North Carolina). When you combine a worthy cause with a great party, you end up with a lively evening that would have made both Jay Gatsby and F. Scott Fitzgerald proud. 

N.C. PRIDE IS ALWAYS IN STYLE

We love HGTV so much we also subscribe to HGTV magazine. The September issue has an impressive list titled 52 New Places To Shop that's stocked with what the editors call "untapped decorating stores and sites." 

Out of the pages of listings, we were happy to see three sites of particular interest to those who want to show their North Carolina pride, including a must-visit furniture showroom nearby in Cornelius.

www.theresemariedesigns.etsy.com. Owner Therese Marie has been sewing for 45 years and makes all the site's expertly constructed pillow covers in everything from neutrals to bright colors and designs, plus custom orders. Show your Tarheel personality with this pillow cover of our state bird, the Cardinal, made of linen and velvet. $70.

www.snoogsandwilde.com. We smiled when we saw Connecticut artist/owner Sarah Martinez's colorful nature-inspired works, especially this made-to-order watercolor print of North Carolina. It's crafted using archival pigment ink on 100 percent cotton paper. She also has one of South Carolina, so we're guessing she has roots in the Carolinas. $14. 

www.cococohome. COCOCO Home stands for Comfortable Couch Company. All its top-quality American made furniture is produced at its own factory in Newton, N.C., by experienced craftspeople. The designs - sofas, sectionals, benches, chairs and beds (including dog beds) - can be customized and come in full grain leathers or fine fabrics, including this gorgeous Arden embossed leather chair (photo above). Yet the prices are surprisingly affordable. Visit the store at 19725 Oak Street in Cornelius. Details: 704-892-6680.