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Albert Nolen
NRF 75 has arrived
King Neches LXXV Steve McGrade and First Lady Nancy McGlade will reign over the diamond anniversary of the Neches River Festival LXXV festivities. His royal highness will be attending a whirlwind of activities this weekend, which includes the street party, parade, coronation and ball. Last Friday evening, the NRF Knights assembled for a dinner, presentation and roast of the newly crowned King Neches. Several NRF Princesses were introduced, including Josie Broussard, Elizabeth Drago, Lilly Hebert, Kiersten Hudson, Olivia Johnson, Emma Kiker, Sophia Madden, Olivia Shinning and Isabella Osborne. The Royal Pages presented were Beckett Camp. John Coco, Tripp Parsons and Jude Pyburn. Trumpeters are Jackson Cobb, Lane Henderson, Peter Wilson Maida and Jack Pyburn. The Queen’s attendants are Ana Grace and Ava Lee Albanese, Finley Audilet, Caroline Colgan, Claire Ducote, Ruby Elliott, McGregor Evans, Hillary Hemingway, Mary Ellis Jenkins, Scarlett McMullen and Sofie Wheeler. The King’s Crew are James Bullard, Mason Matheny, Hatchell McSpadden, Hudson and Walter Moore, Jude Reese and Waylan Snider. Queen’s Ladies are Tenley Jaynes, Ali Clare Low, Katherine Neal Maloney, Madeline Mathews, Alejandra Mazzola, Mallorie Neff, Layla Olson, Anna Pope and Tinsley Williams, and Duchess Elodie Ridout was also presented to the court. Mel Wright and Joe Broussard “roasted” the King. Dinner chairs Carolyn Fertitta and Tonya Toups orchestrated a beautiful cozy atmosphere. In the mix were last year’s King LXXIV Mark Fertitta, Debbie Rogers, Anna Mae Fertitta, Lisa Parigi, Patsy and Mike Yennie, Annie Green, Michele and Mitch Smith, Social Chair Ashley Bryan, NRF Chairman Fuller McSpadden, John McAtee, Jane Ellen McAtee, Johnnie Broussard, Neysa Wright, James Pevehouse, Harris McGrade, Zan McGrade, Tab Bryan, Taylor McSpadden, Mitch Toups, Lula Potter, Paige and Steve Ridout, Patricia and David Moore, NRF Executive Director Molly Moore, Kay Ellen and Justin Huff, Hannah and Kevin Smith, Brenda and Cullen White, Ronda Harkey, Melody and Pat Parsons, Elaine Henderson, Lane Wilson, Leslie and Bill Wilson, Monica and Jimmy Broussard, Molly and Drew Evans, Ashley Tortorice, Patti and Floyd McSpadden, Gina and Colby Crenshaw, Ashley and Will Carter, Emily and Jeff Wheeler, and too many more to mention.
After hours… when the Knights finished the dinner, many of them walked from the Event Centre to the Tevis Building for the Stags and Swans party. This younger crowd celebrated into the evening and were quite impressed with the preparations that Taryn Bienvenu, Madelyn Messina and Larae Jones organized for this fantastic party. Having a festive night on the patio setting overlooking the lake were were Kaitlyn Kock, Austin Huff, Natalie Wilson, Nicki and Frank Messina, Jessica and Nate Camp, Tara Audilet, Miranda and James Looney, Blair and Michael Serna, Katie and Frank Celli, Lauren and Cash Williams, Ashli and Kyle Stutes, Rachel and Miles Haynes, April and Wills Pierce, Samantha and Blake Hemmenway and so many more. Cannot wait for this weekend’s NRF LXXV festivities!
Fab fiesta… All Saints Episcopal School recently held their annual fundraiser with this year’s theme being, you guessed it, “Fiesta.” Applause applause to Laine Morison and Meredith Bernsen, who chaired this year’s chairs successful event. The mouthwatering menu consisted of gazpacho in shooters, grilled shrimp wrapped in bacon with cheese and jalapeño, that was made in front of the guests. The main buffet was caesar salad, gourmet chicken enchiladas, Mexican rice, charro beans, Mexican street corn off the cob, beef fajitas, vegetable fajitas, corn and flour tortillas and condiments followed by churros with cinnamon ice cream. Bidding on the great auction items and mixing and mingling were Robbie Morrison, Cade Bernsen, Diane and Don Shaver, JoEllyn and Donald Jeffers, Ines Alvidres, Ayna and John Pat Parsons, Sarah and Charlie Sanchez, Kristen and Peyton Ritter, Gillian and Mike Jenkins, Caroline and Travis White, Brandy and James Pevehouse, just to name a few.
Happy anniversary… to Kristin and Keven Williamson (2 years), Amanda and Keith Robichau (9), Kay and Bruce DeCuir (25), Hope and Chad Anderson (25), and Debbie and Farrell Smith (51). Felicitations!
Candles and cakes… belated best to Travis White, Erin Hester and Marty Craig. B-day wishes to April Wilson, Andrea Rowell, Mike Mitchell, Clint Woods, Lauren Lewis, Rodney Ames, Rachel Cain, Belinda Hickman, Allison Getz, Kendall Hanson, Jordan Crutchfield, Randy Carrillo, David Heinz, Michelle Sjodin, Elvis Anderson, Matthew Morgan, Jimmy Kaiser, Cory Crenshaw, McKayla Herink, Jim Barton, Scott Thibodeaux, Cat Newton, Colby Gober, Barbara Hoffer, Reagan Nickelson, Mike Peyton, Brandon Gouthier, Jim Thompson, Carole Bailey and Mark Frasher.
Until the next RSVP!