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Albert Nolen
Honoring LU’s best
Lamar University’s Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner will take place on Friday, Feb. 24, with a reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by a 7 p.m. dinner at the LU Event Center on the Eighth Floor of the Mary and John Gray Library. The 2023 honorees are Hester Bell (1961), Carl Griffith Jr. (1981, ’83, ’87), George J. Hirasaki (1963), and Fred R. Vernon II (2012, ’13). Reservations are $50 each and deadline to register is Friday, Feb. 10. Seating is limited. This event will also be livestreamed on Facebook and the Lamar University website. Well deserved!
Worthy event… Katherine and Mike Williams hosted the inaugural SETX Whiskey Festival, which raised funds to support Cure Rare Disease. It was truly a first of its kind in our fair city. This two-day fest at the Civic Center was more than just good whiskey – Cure Rare Disease was and is the focal point. Enjoying dinner and an excellent selection of whiskey and bourbons were Carla and Barry Behanan, Marc McDonald, Vic Reyna, Lauren and David Thieme, Jerrith Stoute, Chris Arnaud, Kevin Cline ,Kim Cline, Jason Cline, Christine and John Gavrelos, Dennis Williams, Michael Wright, Ana Gavrelos, Paige and Patrick Wells, John Arcana, Ryan Canizaro, Nathan Staggs, Tony Phillips, Matt Cochran, Laura and Craig Escamilla, Stacey and Nick Phillips, Haylee Faggard, Allison Heare, Brittney Ferguson, Carly and Collette Shelander, Miranda and James Looney, Taryn and J. Bienvenu, just to name a few. Put next year’s date on your calendars – Jan. 5-6. See you there!
Greek life… Sorority rush was held in many of the colleges around the country. Locals pledging at their respected colleges were Bridget Phelan (Zeta, University of Miami), Emma Gilbert (Kappa, Baylor), Abigail Nickum (Zeta, NYU) and Emma Shoemaker (Tri Delt, Baylor). Congrats to these fine young ladies and future leaders!
So excited for the 2023 Symphony League of Beaumont’s annual presentation of the Belles and Beaus this Saturday evening at the Beaumont Civic Center. This black-tie “Beautiful Night in the Symphony Garden” benefits the Symphony of Southeast Texas. Being presented this year are Fallyn Clarke Audilet, Peyton Audrey Barnes, Olivia Claire Barrington, Emma Grace Brekel, Virginia Belle Broussard, Gabrielle Michelle Buckley, Camille Echendu, Chloe Echendu, Reya Paloma Escobedo, Julianna Withington Gertz, Hannah Bonds Greenberg, Audrey Caroline Groves, Camille Margaret Groves, Heidi Nicolaevna Hales, Julianne Marie Heinz, Ava Louise Henderson, Camilla Anne Henderson, Julianna Lynn Kaiser, Olivia Nicole Knott, Piper Fai Lewis, Emmy Alexandra Malley, Olivia Mae Messina, Alexandra Marilyn Morrell, Killian Kirby Myrick, Clara Neel Owens, Skylar Rose Redmon, Brentley Denee Tillery, Elizabeth Nicole Vitanza, Anna Grace White, Carter Dallas Cavett, Barrett Ross Groves, John Patrick Kelsey III, Christian Samuel Matthews, Samuel Anthony Mondello, Jackson Robert Newton, Cane Charles Paschal, Matthew Stafford Phelan, Stephen Mercer Reynolds Jr., Evan Tong Rodriguez, Owen Daniel Sieve, William Ryan White and Reece Edward Williams. Congrats!
Looking forward… to Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” bonanza “Party of the Year” Champagne and Ribs, returning in person on Thursday, March 9. This year’s honorees are Curtis J. Guillory, Brad Klein, William “Bill” Scott, J. Mitchell Smith and Chelsea Tipton II. What an incredible honor! The Beaumont Civic Center will be the place to be. See you there!
Lovely shower… for bride to be Audrey Funchess this past Saturday afternoon at the home of Paige Andrews. Hosts for the elegant affair were Janiece Austin, Christina Crawford, Jan Hayes, Laurie Kent, Heather Petkovsek and Casey Winslow. Many enjoyed being back in our fair city were Julie Funchess, who is one proud mother of the bride, grandmother Martha Bruce, Lauren Hayes, Olivia Austin and Ellie Andrews all had a great time showing Audrey!
Happy anniversary…to Tonya and Mike Petix (30 years) and Tammy and Bert Hebert (50). Felicitations!
Candles and cakes… belated best to Tootsie Crutchfield. B-day wishes to Geralyn Lind, Jennifer Maida, Katie Lowe, Cindi Battaglia, Jane Ellen McAtee, Julie Funchess, Lissa Tyndall, Brad Holts, Sonya Gonzalez, Courtney Dawson, Mark Low, Kate Carroll, Marie Bando, Tyler Smith, Amy Romero, Craig Kinsel, Sandy Walker, John Hawa, Patricia Snyder, Brenda Fant, Burnie Cook, Jane Lowery, Susanne Barnes, Marcy Broussard, Mark Williams, Ken Strassburger, Nicole Fertitta, Jack Homes, Mark Screen, Sammi Germer, Pam Chance, Allison Farrow, Heather Marti and Jimmy Holmes.
Until the next RSVP!