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Albert Nolen
Honoring our best
Lamar University hosted one of their most prestigious events, the Distinguished Alumni Awards dinner, last Saturday evening at the Event Center in the Mary and John Gray Library. Shannon Figueroa welcomed the honorees, family and friends. Tea Do, President of LU Alumni advisory Board, followed with the invocation; Juan Zabala, VP for University Advancement, announced a special recognition; then University President, Jaime Taylor, gave those in attendance an update along with LU’s future plans. Each of the recipients were introduced beginning with Orlando Alvarez by Dan French, Myrna Pirnack Dunnam by Zabala, Julie Wenah by Lynn Maurer and Frank Messina by former Lamar President, Jimmy Simmons. Thrilled with evening were Susan Simmons, Jo Vance, Dinah and David Bernsen, Betty Clarke, Marty Craig, Tootsie Crutchfield, Molly Messina, Linda and Joe Domino, Kim and Charles Giglio, Nancy and David Grove, Cindy and David Guidroz, Gisela Houseman, Jo Beth and Mike Jenkins, Pat Klein, Terry Morris, Ina and Jude Messina, Camille Mouton, Cheri and Gerard Parigi, Sharon and John Passmore, Geneva and Joe Peters, Connie Prewitt, Mary and Jake Tortorice, Janice and Mike Trahan, Judy and Don Warren, Anne Winslow, Peggy Zabala, Keith Giblin, Karen and Bob Wortham and too many more to mention. Bravo to Lamar’s newest addition to the Distinguished Alumni. Go Big Red!
Family first… Maris Mehaffy and daughter Haylee Faggard are elated that the Alzheimer’s Association Family Portrait Luncheon, which is scheduled for Thursday, May 12, at the MCM Eleganté has surpassed their goal by 12%. Guest speaker of the 10th annual luncheon will be entrepreneur, rock radio Hall of Famer, Broadway producer, author and actress Dayna Steele. Honorary chairs are Sheila Umphrey and the late Walter Umphrey. This is a perfect luncheon for those who have been so generous in their donations for the help with the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease. For tickets, call (409) 833-1613. The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. See you there!
Puttin’ on the ritz… the Oaks Historic District Preservation Bash is always a great party at a beautiful home within The Oaks Historic District in Beaumont. This year’s bash is Saturday, April 30, at the beautiful home of Christina and Josh Crawford at 2545 Harrison Ave. beginning at 7 p.m. Travel back in time to the Roaring ‘20s by wearing your favorite flapper attire, dance the Charleston, sip on the signature drink – the Bee’s Knees, a classic prohibition-era drink, which includes gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup. The Bee’s Knees is rumored to have originated in Paris at the Ritz Hotel. How’s that for fancy? Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online at eventbrite.com. Be there or be square!
Meat up… the Shorkey Center has “cooked up” a new fundraiser – Meat Up Fundraiser Happy Hour” – on Thursday, May 12, at the exclusive downtown venue 434 Fannin from 5-8 p.m. The casual event features the best from 1701 Barbecue, wine and beer, and live music provided by JT Reserve. Tickets are $100-$250 and can be purchased at shorkey.org/fundraisers or by calling (409) 679-5779. What a great idea for a great cause! “Meat” you there!
Spring has sprung… the Art Museum of Southeast Texas in downtown will host their spring Free Family Arts Day on Saturday, May 14. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., families are welcome to attend while kiddoes partake in hands-on activities by creating flutter butterflies, birdhouses, bird suncatchers as well as Paint by Number and design artwork using Nature Stamps.
Congrats… to Bridget Phelan and Drew Cameron for being crowned Queen and King at Monsignor Kelly High School’s prom last Saturday night.
Happy anniversary… to Amanda and Seth Danna (7 years), Ayna and John Pat Parsons (9), Amanda and Blake Yarbrough (15), Kristi and Don Dodd (22), Christy and Mike Persia (46), Charlotte and Albert Williamson (56) and Lois and Kyle Cooper (59).
Candles and cakes… Bday wishes to Anne Kathryn Trevino, Karen Fuljenz, Mary Lee, Shirley Winslow, Mattie Beaver, Michelle Crone, Beau Procter, Joette Reger, Deborah Drago, Merrie Montondon, Crissy Darling, Susan Geyser, Brittany Babb-Hashaw, Bruce Hoffer, Shea Kent, Theresa Figari, Jacob Broussard, Jade Stevens, Coni Little, Pati Cure, Nicki Messina, Lauren Philp, Charmaine Miranda, Lindsay Lee-Uresti, Andy McCall, Hank Hargraves, Ramona Walker, Jennifer Johnson, Aislinn Phelan, Gabe Oxford, Dianne Christian and Shane McGallion.
Until the next RSVP!