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Albert Nolen
What an honor
Jeff Branick was named Neches River Festival LXXV Citizen of the Year. What an incredible and deserving honor! By the time you are reading this column the identity of King Neches LXXV has been announced, Steve McGrade. Make plans to attend the NRF Crockett Street Party on Friday, April 21, at 5 p.m. and the NRF parade beginning at 6 p.m. NRF President Fuller McSpadden and Social Chairman Ashley Bryan are looking forward to two weeks of celebrating our youth and Neches River. See you there!
Looking forward… to the Christus Southeast Texas Foundation Gala 2023 on Saturday evening, April 15, at the Beaumont Civic Center. This year’s chairs Sally and Randy Lombardo are excited about the amazing talent headlining this big event with country music legend Wynonna Judd taking the stage around 9 p.m. A limited number of seats are still available. Cocktail hour begins at 7 p.m. followed by an amazing plated dinner at 8 p.m. For more information please call (409) 236-7555. Dress to impress!
On view… at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas is Margaret Smithers-Crump’s exhibit, “Kinship.” An opening reception will be held this Friday, April 14, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., which is free and open to the public.
Dust off your boots… and pull out your cowboy hats because Gospel Music Association and Country Music Association Hall of Famer Jimmy Fortune, along with special guests The Malpass Brothers, will perform for one night only at the Lutcher Theater on Saturday, April 22, at 7:30 p.m. Fortune has sang performed with the legendary Statler Brothers for more than two decades and wrote the group’s second No.1 hit, “Elizabeth.” Tickets prices start at $35 and can be purchased online at lutcher.org or by calling (409) 886-5535. See you there!
Final weekend… for LU’s Department of Theatre & Dance’s, “The Revolutionists,” on April 14-16, with showtimes beginning at 7:30 p.m., and the Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. All performances will be held in the Studio Theatre between the Dishman Art Museum and the Jimmy Simmons Music building on the campus of Lamar University. Directed by Laura Moreno, tickets are $7-$15.
Pre-wedding fiesta… Dos por DiTullio took place on Saturday, April 3, at the Pineapple Room at JW’s Patio honoring Anne Kathryn Trevino and Bobby DiTullio. The engaged couple will exchange their wedding vows on May 6 in Houston. Hosts with the mosts were Janiece and Greg Austin, Stephanie and Bernie Daleo, Allison and Mike Gilbert, Marilyn and Ed Gripon, Ann and Kyle Hayes, Jan and Jason Hayes, Melanie and Thad Heartfield, Wendy and Wade Henry, Laurie and Shea Kent, Sharon and Pat McGinnis, Heather Petkovsek, Rachael and Stephen Roane and Beth and Stuart Yoes. Thrilled with the party were parents Kelli and Paul Trevino, Sandy DiTullio grandparents Jadeanne and Jeff Hayes, Ellen Sedita, sister and brother-in-law Mary Caroline and Cody Bishop, Jeff Trevino brother of the bride, and Brandon DiTullio brother of the groom, nephews of the bride Huston Hayes and Harrison Hayes, as well as niece of the bride Elizabeth James Trevion. In the mix of PYTs and young gentlemen were Callie Roane, Mattie Yoes, Eastin Kent, Mark Petkovsek Jr., Jace Harrington, Connor Henry, Gilbert Adams IV, Reese Brown and Jonathan Austin. Rounding out the guest list were Tonya and Mitch Toups, Tracey and Kenneth Gartner, Mary Ann and Michael DeMayo, Mindy and Ruben Victores and JoEllyn and Donald Jowers. Fiesta food was delish, libations flowing and fun times with family and friends.
Happy anniversary… to Gloria and Charles Locke (72 years). How wonderful!
Storkmarketing… Jennifer and Mark Phelan welcomed their third addition to the family April 4, say hello to Fletcher McDade Phelan. Big brothers Finn and Fitzpatrick are thrilled with the new addition. Congratulations!
Candles and cakes… belated best to Chris Swanson, Lowell Rogers and Jay Bruce. B-day wishes to Betty Calvert-Hymel, Jan Fulbright, James Black, Amber Wright, Natalie Scott, Wink Leventhal, Kate Thorne, Mary Ellen Fontenot, Christopher Plaunty, David Holt, Ty Hallmark, Megan Moss, Cindy Williams, Elvis Anderson, Kaye Thompson, Pat Riley, Sheila Gentry, Kate Davis, Arli Ard, Jason Lynch, Lauren Welch, Jessica Johnston, Leah Hebert, Paula Blazek, Mary Sturgill, Mattie Yoes, Sharon Passmore, Carly Baker, Adele Wells, Dynasy Phelan, Cinnie Norvell, Glen Morgan, Ben Mazzola and Sarah Bell, who is a 50-year employee of the Messina’s!
Until the next RSVP!