1 of 3
2 of 3
3 of 3
For the past 23 years, Drs. Alex and Carol Evers have reserved one weekend a year to host a party at their Clayton home in honor of incoming medical residents. The hope is to make the new arrivals feel that they’re part of a team, says Alex, head of the department of anesthesiology at Washington University School of Medicine.
The couple goes all out. This year they enlisted the help of Butler’s Pantry Design Studio to develop the menu and enhance the entertaining spaces. Floral arrangements were placed throughout the house. “I went to the flower market and found varieties that aren’t so readily available, like hellebore, poppy pods, and berzelia,” says Design Studio director Rebecca Harris. “When the look is color- and style-driven, as opposed to flower-driven, it frees you up to use unusual blooms.”
As for the residents, Alex says, they get “better, nicer with every passing year.” Despite the caliber of the company, the party tends to wind down by 10 p.m. “They’re more reserved with their bosses,” Carol, an internist at SSM Health, says of her guests.
11: Floral arrangements placed around the house
50: Guests invited to the Everses
6: Toppings at the dessert station, including caramel, Oreo, pecan, and whipped cream
160: Pounds of ice used to chill the wine and beer
1992: First year the Everses hosted the welcome party
18: total event staff to prepare for the party