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Albert Nolen
All hail queen Neches
Hear ye, hear year… Christianna McAfee, daughter of Natasha McCray and Jeremy Laurence McAfee Sr., was named Neches River Festival Queen LXXIV at the annual NRF Coronation Ball last weekend in Beaumont. Her royalty includes First Lady-in-Waiting, Hannah Jenkins, daughter of Gillian and Will Jenkins; Second Lady-in-Waiting is Sarah Foxworth, daughter of Blair and Charlie Foxworth; and Third Lady-in-Waiting is Morgan Miles, daughter of Diana and Rodney Miles. Grand duchess is Katherine Colley, daughter of Mary and David Colley of Houston. Ms. Congeniality is Taylor Stewart and Best Escort is Timothy Carr. Neches River Board Scholarship recipients are Alondra Chavez, Marianna Guadarrma, Abigail Hickman, Madyson Lemmell, Kathy Nguyen and Roadie Rasa. Elizabeth Slocum won the duchess scholarship. Caleb Parcon and Saint Sheppard received the Otho-Plummer scholarship. NRF LXXIV King Mark Fertitta and First Lady Carolyn Fertitta were thrilled about the royalty court. Tons of parents and friends were in attendance at the Julie Rogers Theatre as their princesses, duchesses and escorts were presented. Cheering these incredible youths were Paula Lovoi, Amy Lovoi, Celia Crittenden, Shelley Tortorice, Bishop David Toups, Donna and Denny Harris, Carole Bailey, Kelli and Paul Trevino, Ann Hayes, Jadeanne and Jeff Hayes, and so many more. All of the court and their family members then proceeded to the Beaumont Civic Center for the Coronation Ball chaired by Haylee Faggard, Kate Thorne and Lauren Cain, who did an amazing job. After guests enjoyed a scrumptious meal prepared by Bando’s Catering, they danced the night away to the sounds of party band In10City from Dallas. Revelers enjoying the evening were Sarah Sibley, Julie Biggart, Tanya and Rodney Cavness, Monica and Jimmy Broussard, Katie and Omar Bitar, Stacey and Casey Crenshaw, Ally and Julian Rayzor, Mitzi and Andy Burns, Christina and Joshua Lokey, Patricia and David Moore, Leigh-Ann and Wes Sonnier, Jessica and Kevin Brown, Jan and Jason Hayes, Kelly and Justin Jackson, Tara and Justin Audilet, Tracy and Jim Gilliam, Sarah and Charles Sanchez, Rachel and Will Henderson, Natasha and Horace Burns, Jacqueline Adams, Gilbert Adams, Alexandra Adams, Peyton Toups, Ashley Reynard, Justin Essex, Mary Kirby, Worley Coco, Amy and Kevin Dean, Shawn and Robert Hickman, Betsy and Michael Jenkins, Stephanie and Doug Battle, Jennifer and Michael Nelson, Cile and Chuck Childress, Blake Kunetka, Ellen and Stoney Petit, Starla and Ronnie Anderson, Elizabeth Petit, Laine and Robbie Morrison, Connie and Milt Prewitt, Kim and Josh Heinz, Katie and Jeff Beaver, Adele Green, Everett Green, Rachel Crutchfield, Trey Isabell, Allison and Mike Gilbert, Mary Beth and Joseph Gilbert, Susan and Andrew Slocum, Susannah and Kevin Cronin, Mary Jane and Jim Mouton, Rinal and Shehal Doshi, James Henges, Kathleen and Robert Hambright and too many more to mention. On Sunday morning, Dinah and David Bernsen along with daughter-in-law Meredith Bernsen hosted a bountiful brunch for the royal court and visiting duchesses. Katharine Carmichael and Co. served a delicious meal to Christine and Josh Crawford, Nancy and Steve McGrade, Ashley Bryan and so many others. Kudos to Social Chairman Ashley Messina and NRF President Mitch Toups, as well as NRF Executive Director Molly Moore for a year’s worth of planning and coordinating a fantastic event for our youth and future leaders of our fair city!
So it returns… after a hiatus due to the pandemic, the St. Michael Mediterranean Festival returns Saturday, May 7, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the grounds of St. Michael Orthodox Church (680 N. 15th St.) in Beaumont. Discover the Mediterranean in Southeast Texas!
Save the date… The 100 Club of Southeast Texas will host their annual golf tournament Monday, Oct. 10, which is Columbus Day, at the Beaumont Country Club. Hole and team sponsorships are available by calling (409) 790-2104. See you on the golf course!
Candles and cakes… belated best to Cadance A. Hicks, Owen Sheldon, Craig Sherlock, Roger McCurry, Forrest Breckell and Christy Greig. B-day wishes to Pat A. Riley, April Procella Thompson, Amber Lange, Natalie Scott, Steve Shaver Jr., Lydia Worthen, Isiah Nelson, Sheila Gentry, Kate Davis, Carli Ard, Jason Lynch, Christian Louis, Leah Hebert, Lauren Welch, Jessica Johnston, Paula Blazek, Mary Sturgill, Robbie Henderson, Vivain Duplant, Mattie Yoes, Sharon Passmore, Carly Baker, Becca Darbonne, Adele Wells, Andrea Rowell, Lacy Hall, Mike Mitchell, Bill Allison, Clint Woods, Jill Fortney, Lauren Lewis, Dynasy Phelan, Glen Morgan, Connie Norvell and Ben Mazzola.
Happy Easter!
Until the next RSVP!