Clear Creek ISD Superintendent Greg Smith has as his guests at the Serendipity Ball, from left, CCISD Trustees Paige Rander, Ann Hammond and Dee Scott and Communications Director Elaina Polsen.
EXPECT THE Unexpected, Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre Serendipity Ball guests were warned, and with good reason – Chairmen Ellen King and Karen Weber offered up many surprises at the annual gala.
Surprises that added up to a delightful evening for the 170 who cheered and cheered as the BAHBT dancers presented vignettes from the four productions scheduled this season.
And also enjoyed a dinner featuring Stuffed Quail and a Rabbit Cassoulet, plus Fried Oyster PoBoys, Salmon Lollipops and a Chocolate Mushroom dessert.
Nassau Bay Mayor Mark Denman and his wife, Diana, right, visit with Rick Weber, whose wife, Karen, was a co-chairman of the Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre gala at Space Center Houston.
Emcee Pam Culpepper, who came with her husband, Peter Cronk, delighted the crowd as she conducted the live auction, bringing many chuckles from the crowd.
Early arrivals welcomed by ballet founder Lynette Mason Gregg and her husband, attorney Dick Gregg Jr., included Nassau Bay Mayor Mark Denman and his wife, Diana; former Seabrook Mayor Jack Fryday with his wife, Marcy; Judge Holly Williamson and her husband, Dr. Danny Williamson, former Kemah City Councilwoman Robin Collins and retired Johnson Space Center biggies Jack and Sue Garman and Doug Blanchard and his attorney wife, Judith.
Serendipity Ball Co-Chairman Ellen King, left, and Terry and Tina Harrell take a look at the enchanting decor for the Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre gala at Space Center Houston.
They hardly had time to say hello when in walked the Texas Superintendent of the Year, Dr. Greg Smith, with his wife, Kathy, and several Clear Creek ISD trustees – Dee Scott, Paige Rander and Ann Hammond – plus CCISD Communications Director Elaina Polsen, and soon found himself surrounded by many who wanted to congratulate him. Later in the evening, he received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Across the way, we spotted former Clear Lake High Principal Laura Keith, Lou and Alice Marinos, Ron Kahn and his wife, Pat Biddle, Mary Proudy, Pat Patton, stopping to say hello to Jill and Dan Reason, as did attorneys John and Becky Reitz Gay, Kimberly Campbell, Janet and Randy Brown, Sami O’Donohoe and Deed and Diane Vest, plus Ellen Weber and her husband, Rick.
Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre founder Lynette Mason Gregg and her husband, attorney Dick Gregg Jr., right, welcome former Clear Lake High Principal Laura Keith to the Serendipity Ball.
Some you might have bumped into in the black-tie crowd along with Ballet Mistress Natalie Zundel were Jim and Jane Sweeney, Holly and Stephen Takach, Nancy and Jerry Smith, Bob and Judy West, Suzanne Streetman, Keith and Sally Jordan, Linda and Mike Olson, Wendy Shaw and Mark Lovfald, Lori St. George, Heather Steele, Eric and Domineque Westall and Allen and Myrna Baker.
Others included Terry and Tina Farrell, Jeff and Marie Butler, Vanessa Garner, Derek and Monica Gibbs, Csilla and Ben Stiles, Curt and Marcia Clark, David and Jennifer Jordan, Derek and Susan Sauls, Anne and Clarence Witson and Tom and Sharon Zaal.
Afterwards there was dancing to the music of Radio London.
Just A Pretty Table Chairman Angie Weinman, from left, and Co-Chairman Sandy Allbritton, Anita Fogtman and Ava Galt prepare to meet the crowd arriving for the Bay Area Museum Guild benefit luncheon at Bay Oaks Country Club.
Jill Reason wins Bravo! Award
SERENDIPITY FOLLOWS the BAHBT Kickoff Reception at Bay Oaks Country Club and the presentation by ballet founder Lynette Mason Gregg of the Bravo! Award to Jill Reason.
Besides the evening’s top honor, three community volunteers, Donna Kline, Rosemary Lagrone and Suzanne Zerecheck, were inducted into the BAHBT Hall of Fame. Other volunteers given special recognition were Clarence Witson, Toni Howman, Kathy Pubentz, Dawn Kopra, Domineque Westall and Cathy Pincus.
The BRAVO! Award, Lynette said, was created to honor the invaluable contributions made by community leaders to BAHBT and honors those individuals who have greatly furthered BAHBT’s efforts to bring cultural enrichment to our community.
Sara Little, right, and her sister, Missy Rorrer dress for their roles as hostesses for the “Field and Stream” table at the Bay Area Museum Guild’s Just A Pretty Table Luncheon.
“BAHBT is celebrating Ms. Reason’s years of dedication, not only to BAHBT, but to the entire Bay Area Houston community,” Lynette said.
“Ms. Reason has been involved with BAHBT for the past 13 years and served as the volunteer executive director for the last five, and as chairman of the Scholarship/ Endowment Council for seven years, and also performed in many of our ballets and musicals.
Pretty Tables a knockout again
EACH FALL the Bay Area Museum Guild members light up Bay Oaks Country Club with their dazzling table designs for their Just A Pretty Table Luncheon, and this year was no exception. Many were simply awesome.
Chairman Angie Weinman and Vice Chairmen Anita Fogtman, Sandy Allbritton and Ava Galt were at the door to greet the arriving crowd of around 200 – many dressed in costumes carrying out their table’s theme such as Sheree Frede and Webster City Councilwoman Natalie Dolan, who were among several wearing red wigs and dressed as Lucille Ball.
Table designers included Dr. Cindy Castille, Raven Sanders and Nancy Sanders, Julie Howell and Michelle Kellet, Ann Wismer, Missy Rorrer and Sara Little, Dr. Kimberly Weathers and Peggy Green, Carole Murphy and Nina McGlashan, Steve Roberts, Carol Bergman, Sonya Moore, Cathy Osoria and Barbie Clariday, Anita Fogtman and Dr. Peggy Clause.
Judge Holly Williamson, Sue Broughton, Janet Greenwood and Amy Stublar, from left, get in the holiday spirit as they arrive at the Bay Oaks Country Club Women’s Association annual Fall Friendship Tea featuring holiday décor.
Others were Ava Galt, Melinda Lacy and Janine Fadner; Jan Larson and Sandi Allbritton; Krista Williamson; Joy and Jill Smitherman; Tracey Webb; Jason Holguin; Kathleen Courville and Julie Johnson; Robyn Weigelt and Era Lee Caldwell; and Susan Bailey and Lana Anderson.
Mingling with the crowd, you might have spotted Connie Lopez, Martha Ferebee, Sheila Cooper, Jeri Knapp, Mary McMullen, Rosalyn Turner, Karen Keesler, Lori Ray, Kelli Baliker, Tricia Gunn, Ann Brady, Georgette Curran, Terri Dieste, Johanna Mathera, Mary Beth Elkins, Ann O’Malley, Peggy Morrow, Barbara Phillips or Susan Bailey, to name a few.
Getting ready for the holidays
HOLIDAY DÉCOR set the tone for this year’s Bay Oaks Women’s Association Fall Friendship Tea with Friendswood florist Lynn Lary McLean offering hints on decorating and gifts as she turned the club into a shopper’s delight
Mary Callier, right, and Ann Dooley check out the Mark Roberts elves on display at the Bay Oaks Women’s Association luncheon.
Just ask Carol Bobo, Carrie Peters, Danette Spriggs, Cathy Gaines, Allyson Jackson, Laurie Hembree, Janice Gornto, Sue Ferguson, Linda DeMasie, Ann Brady, Peggy Clause, or Amy and Charlene Langford. They just had a delightful time mentally preparing for the holidays.
And, that came after going through the breakfast buffet, where they had the choice of pastries, muffins, jams and preserves, scrambled eggs and bacon, cheese grits, seasonal fruits, juice and coffee.
Dozens were there to enjoy it all including Ruth Beecher, Phyllis Tharp, Nilse Deterling, Becky Hensley, Ginger Darnell, Barbara Miller, Joan Grant, Sandy Lantz, Lisa Scruggs, Mary Callier, Rita Johnson, Betty Woodhouse, Mary Colombo, Bo Lohec, Barbara Dickey, Wanda Kelly and Julie Gross and many more.
Top topic of conversation was the upcoming Nov. 10 BOWA Gala, which is about sold out.
Coasting around . . . .
OCT. 5 WAS the 130th birthday of Dr. Robert H. Goodard, for whom NASA’s Goddard Center is named, and who was the father of modern rocket propulsion. He is credited with creating and building the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket . . . . Rodeo dates to put on the calendar: Rodeo Style Show Jan. 25 and Trailride Dance Feb. 19. The date for the Bus Trip has not been set.
