By Rick Clapp
Houston Methodist St. John Hospital’s annual Salute to Heroes Patriot Dinner and Concert was quite touching. The evening’s theme was casual but smart western chic. It was all red, white and blue as guests celebrated our country and League City’s First Responders while benefitting Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.
South Shore Harbour Resort General Manager Roy Green hosted an evening of live music and revelry with great food and drinks, bringing big smiles to the faces of State Sen. Larry Taylor and his wife, Kerri, Jim and Jane Sweeny, Bob Mitchell and Joan McKinney, Galen and Carla Medlenka and Henry and Andrea Wilson.
The totally awesome dinner included a delicious tenderloin with Jack Daniel sauce with large delightful stuffed gulf shrimp. The special dessert was to die for — a large serving of dulce la leche cheesecake with a mango tequila couli. C’est tres bon!
Carla and Galen Medlenka with Rick Clapp.
Just ask Ange Mertens, Brenda Keithley, Larry Moser, Debbie Salisbury, Robyn Weigelt or Bo Brinkman, who were among the many who would agree.
Highlight of the evening was a private concert by the famous Bellamy Brothers, followed by disco music and dancing. What a blast! I was digging it. The live auction was conducted by Senator Taylor and featured a four-day home stay on the Guadalupe River and a sail on the Star Cruiser for 40 guests.
T.J. Aulds, who came with his wife, Beth Lewis, was the evening’s emcee with the invocation by Living Words Church Pastor Brad Heintz. Major sponsors included City of Nassau Bay, Moody National Bank, Norman Frede Chevrolet, South Shore Harbor Resort, Bay Area Houston Magazine, Amoco, City of Webster and Faust Distributing.
The original Salute to Heroes was started to honor local fallen hero SPC Ray Joseph Hutchinson by his parents. The fund raised close to a half million dollars over its 10-year duration. Thanks to the Hutchinsons, their son’s memory will remain in our hearts forever. God Bless America — in God We Trust.
