Samantha Williams named Lunar Rendezvous queen

September 3rd, 2019

Lunar Rendezvous royalty pose together with Queen Samantha Williams during the Coronation Ball at the San Luis Convention Center in Galveston. They are, from left, Captain David Oliver, King Shade Lewis and Queen Alternate Nicole Leistad, who will reign over the 2020 festival next summer.

A PRETTY BLONDE Clear Springs High School senior, Samantha Grace Williams, is the new queen of Lunar Rendezvous and will reign over the 2020 festival next summer with King Slade Lewis and other members of the Royal Court.

She was crowned by 2019 Lunar Rendezvous Queen Sabrina Curran, daughter of Georgette and Christopher Curran.

2019 Queen Sabrina Curran takes one last stroll around the ballroom.

The daughter of Diane and Allen Williams, she was crowned at the Coronation Ball, this year’s festival finale at the San Luis Convention Center in Galveston and escorted by Kai Tipton Sabin, son of Daric Sabin and Christi Skaggs.

She is also a member of the National Honor Society. In fact, all three members of the 2020 Lunar Rendezvous Royal Court are National Honor Society members.

Ashley Nicole Leistad, a Clear Creek High senior, was elected the queen alternate, or runner-up, when the princesses voted to elect a queen from among their number. She is the daughter of Janelle and Reed Leistad and was escorted by Andrew Stephen Dry, son of Laura and Stephen Dry.

The new captain is David Stoney Oliver, son of Elizabeth and Dana Oliver Jr. and a senior at Clear Falls High who plans to attend Texas A&M. His escort was Kylee Barth, daughter of Cherra Barth.

Afterwards, the new queen and king danced the first dance before they were joined by the entire Royal Court and their escorts, making a beautiful picture as their parents looked on.
The evening, which had the theme, “Hot Havana Nights,” began with a champagne reception as Festival Chairman Michelle Holland and Vice Chairman Debby Reichert joined Coronation Ball Chairman Kathy Rea and Vice Chairman Veronica Rapp and Festival Advisory Board Co-Chairmen Jill Williams and Kelli Byrd in welcoming the several hundred guests, who later enjoyed a filet mignon dinner and danced to the music of Password.

 

Festival fashion show a big hit again this year

YEAR AFTER YEAR, the Lunar Rendezvous Fashion Show is a runaway hit, and it was again this year, with dozens calling it “the best ever” as they headed for home.

And, fashion guru Lenny Matuszewski was at his best as he took the crowd on “A Sail Around the World” while celebrating his 30th year of producing the fashion show with a video of him expressing how much it has meant to him to produce the style show and showing clips from previous shows.

Which was quite a thrill for Fashion Show Chairman Anouk Davis and Co-Chairman Meg Crowleyand Advisory Board Co-Chairmen Kelli Byrd and Jill Williams and many of the long-time volunteers, such as Board Chairman Mike Landolt and his wife, Ann Wismer.

The 54th annual show ended with a bang. A model emerged to the tune of Stars & Stripes Forever and as she turned at the end of the runway, the train of her gown turned into a U.S. flag – to the delight of the crowd.

And, what a crowd it was with 2019 Lunar Rendezvous Queen Sabrina Curran, Karen Reed,Lisa Holbrook, Gail Ashby, Missy Rorrer, Betsy Salbilla, Wendy Drapela, Wendy Shaw, Katy and Chris Rea, Christina Ballard, Kim Woods, Ruth Ashraf, Mike Reeves, Emmeline Dodd, Kimberly Fleming, Kelsey McNeil,Kelly Oetting, Lisa Peters, Michelle Richardson, Michelle Blackwell, Kristy Caraway Brown, Kelli Braumbaugh, Sara Taylor, Jennifer Pung Dean, Melissa Duran, Katie Rehrer, Kippy Caraway, Thora Payne, Christina Ballard and Kim Woods in the mix.

The Lunar Rendezvous Festival is dedicated to providing community-based support including scholarships for higher education, youth development and educational programs, funding for the arts and historical preservation in the Bay Area Houston/NASA area. In the past 10 years alone, Lunar Rendezvous has given over $1 million in scholarships for higher education!

Kelly Oetting, Lisa Peters, Michelle Richardson, Jill Reason, Kelsey McNeil and Stashia Hardman, from left, were among the many enjoying the Lunar Rendezvous Fashion Show at the San Luis Convention Center on Galveston Island.

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Festival tickets have hidden value

June 26th, 2019

Your ticket to a Lunar Rendezvous Festival event this season may turn out to be worth quite a bit more than you thought. For each ticket you buy, your name will be entered to win a fabulous door prize — a Caribbean vacation!

Door prizes will be given at each and every one of our ticketed events,” Raffle Chairman Melissa McKinnie says. “So, if you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, now’s the time! Our first event, the Shoot for the Stars Golf Tournament, June 28, is quickly approaching.” Tickets to all events, she adds, can be purchased at https://lunarrendezvous.org/tickets.php.

Also, there will be three opportunity drawing prizes:

1.     A trip to Disneyland valued at $3,300

2.     David Yurman Bracelet valued at $2,900

3.     The Texas Sizzle Package which includes a 48.5″ smoker, gift certificate for meat, and a basket of grilling accessories valued at $1,000

Tickets are $20 each, or 6 for $100. There will be a table at each event to purchase tickets, and all court members are selling them. Or, you can email Melissa at [email protected] for tickets. Final pull will be at Coronation Ball. You need not be present to win.

“We can’t wait to see you at one of our Lunar Rendezvous Festival events this season,” McKinnie said. “Remember, funds raised provide community based support including scholarships for higher education, youth development and educational programs, funding for the arts and historical preservation in the Bay Area Houston/NASA area.”

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Clear Lake Chatter: Sabrina Curran Crowned Lunar Rendezvous Queen

September 1st, 2018

Lunar Rendezvous Queen Sabrina Curran joins King Gene Hollier, Queen Alternate Skylar Slattery and Capt.Trey Dorman for their royal photo at the 2018 Coronation Ball. Photo by J Pamela Photography

By Mary Alys Cherry

SABRINA ELIZABETH CURRAN, a pretty brunette senior at Clear Lake High School, is the new queen of the Lunar Rendezvous Festival. She was crowned by last year’s queen, Serina Weathers, during the festival finale, the Coronation Ball, at the San Luis Convention Center in Galveston.

The daughter of Georgette and Chris Curran of Clear Lake, she is president of the Latin Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, plays the viola in the school orchestra and is captain of the tennis team and a four-year letterman at Lake. Her escort was Trey Dorman.

Skylar Jane Slattery, a senior at Clear Springs High and the daughter of Angela and Patrick Slattery was named queen alternate. She is an honor roll student and captain of her All-Star Cheer Team. Her escort was Joshua Barletta.

The new captain is John Wesley Dorman III, who goes by the name, Trey. He is the son of Catherine and Wes Dorman and is also a senior at Clear Lake High, where he is on the varsity baseball team, president of the Periwinkle Club, which supports children with cancer, and is a Superintendent’s Scholar. His escort was Sabrina Curran.

After she was crowned, Festival King Gene Hollier took the new queen on a stroll around the ballroom, which was decorated in deep tones of purple, blue, gold and teal to carry out the Arabian Nights theme, as they crowd roared its approval, after which they danced the first dance before receiving congratulations from Festival Chairman Jill Reason and her husband, Dan, and Emmerline Dodd, who also joined in the dancing with His Highness while the new queen danced with her dad.

Members of this year’s Little Court are Madilyn Cook, Maggie Jane Denton, Vivienne Dunne, Elizabeth Koza, Mackenzie Risinger, Lelia Sprague, Savannah Strickland, and Allie Sukkar. Photo by J Pamela Photography

The coronation came after all the princesses, lieutenants and members of the Little Court and their escorts had been introduced by emcee, former astronaut and retired Col. Bill McArthur Jr., who has often served as emcee for the annual event. He and his wife, Cindy, wore big smiles as they saw their granddaughter, Vivienne May Dunne, introduced as a little lady in waiting.

Ball Chairman Michelle Holland and her husband, Doug, and Co-Chairman Debby Reichert, who came with Jerry Precise, were on hand to greet the arriving crowd that included a number of past festival luminaries such as Board Chairman Michael Landolt with his wife, Ann Wismer Landolt; Mike and Kathy Reeves, Mary and Dr. Terry Williams, Gloria and Tom Wong, Karen McCorkle, Joey and Kelli McCorkle Bryd, Annette Dwyer and Pat Monks, Kim Barker and Brett and Dr. Kimberly Weathers, parents of the 2018 queen.

Jill and Rick Lammers were in the crowd (Rick’s daughter Gisela da Silva Lammers was a member of this year’s Royal Court and Lunar’s first International princess — coming from Brazil) along with Dexter and Katie Jones and Jill Smitherman and her two daughters who are former Lunar Rendezvous queens – Dr. Emily Smitherman and Hannah Greshman.

Others you might have spotted were Matthew and Angie Weinman, whose granddaughter, Savannah Strickland, was a little lady in waiting, and Laura and Dr. Sam Sukkar, whose daughter, Allie, was also; Chuck and Barbara Dickey, Erin and Kevin Teichman and Terri and Todd Monette with their daughters, Tiffany, Victoria and Jessica Michelle.

Afterwards, the crowd danced to the music of Password.

Bay Area Houston Magazine President Rick Clapp and Melody Billings share a light moment at the Lunar Rendezvous Fashion Show.

Fashion Show a classy event
THIS YEAR’S 53rd annual Lunar Rendezvous Fashion Show will probably be remembered as the classiest one of all.

Lovely ladies and beautiful hats everywhere you looked – a scene to rival the Kentucky Derby, which just happened to be the theme Co-Chairmen Terri Dodd and Lisa Roberts selected for this year’s big style show.

Held at the San Luis Convention Center overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, it drew a standing room only crowd that appeared to love every minute of it as fashion guru Lenny Matuszewski, a team of beautiful models, assisted by Bay Area Houston Ballet dancers – even a little horse! — showed off the latest in fashion from Dillard’s, The Clotheshorse and Adelaide’s Boutique, Jill’s Fashions and Bridals, Tina’s on the Strand, Casanova’s, Shoppe Girl, and Tootsies preceded by the presentation of the Royal Court.

Quite a show. We can hardly wait until next year!

 

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Sabrina Curran crowned Lunar Rendezvous queen

July 25th, 2018

New Lunar Rendezvous Queen Sabrina Curran is escorted on a stroll around the San Luis Convention Center Ballroom by King Gene Hollier after being crowded during the 2018 Coronation Ball.

By Mary Alys Cherry

Sabrina Elizabeth Curran, a pretty brunette senior at Clear Lake High School, is the new queen of the Lunar Rendezvous Festival. She was crowned by last year’s queen, Serina Weathers, during the festival finale, the Coronation Ball, at the San Luis Convention Center in Galveston.

She is the daughter of Georgette and Chris Curran of Clear Lake and was sponsored by Christopher Curran Investments, Wells Fargo Advisors.

Skylar Jane Slattery, a senior at Clear Springs High and the daughter of Angela and Patrick Slattery was named queen alternate. She was sponsored by Dunn Heat Exchangers, Inc.

The new captain is John Wesley Dorman III, who goes by the name, Trey. He is the son of Catherine and Wes Dorman and is also a Clear Lake High senior. Robinette & Company Caterers was his sponsor.

After she was crowned, Festival King Gene Hollier took her on a stroll around the ballroom, which was decorated in deep tones of purple, blue, gold and teal, as they crowd roared its approval and then they danced the first dance.

The coronation came after all the princesses, lieutenants and members of the Little Court and their escorts had been introduced by emcee, former astronaut and retired Col. Bill McArthur Jr., who has often served as emcee for the annual event.

Afterwards, the crowd danced to the music of Password.

Ball Chairman Michelle Holland and Co-Chairman Debby Reichert selected an Arabian Nights theme for the event, which is now in its 53rd year.

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Clear Lake Chatter: Mayors Update BayTran on a Variety of Topics

July 1st, 2018

BayTran Chairman David Hamilton, left, Binkley & Barfield executive vice president, welcomes League City Mayor Pat Hallisey, center, and Pearland Mayor Tom Reid to the Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership luncheon at the Marriott South Hotel.

THE MAYORS of League City and Pearland often attend the monthly luncheons hosted by the Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership, so why not let them be the program and give an update on their Harvey problems?

Both Mayor Tom Reid of Pearland and Mayor Pat Hallisey of League City thought it was a good idea and presented quite an interesting program that all appeared to enjoy.

After briefly focusing on Hurricane Harvey, the conversation changed to transportation with Mayor Hallisey recalling that his city of 110,000+ had only 5,000 residents when he moved there, going on to talk about how transportation had played a big role in the city’s rapid growth, even back in 1893 when Kansas Street was formed. Forty-eight percent of the city’s land is still undeveloped, he added.

Mayor Reid then remembered back when his city of 135,000 plus had only 3,000 folks in 1965. Today it is the 33rd largest city in Texas, he said, the fifth safest city in the state and the third largest in land area – 48 square miles. More than 9,000 work at the Texas Medical Center, he said, adding, “Mobility has been a blessing.”

“We’ve focused on transportation and maintaining a quality lifestyle,” he explained, added that Pearland was spread over three counties and he expected it wouldn’t be long before the population topped the 200,000 mark. But before it ended, their thoughts turned to money, or the lack thereof, to build roads to carry all these people to work, to school and to the grocery store.

Volunteers Ann Wismer Landolt, Katie Jones, Chairman Wendy Drapela and Karen Keesler line up for a photo as guests begin arriving for the Las Vegas dining event. Photo by Jill Reason

Festival off to a happy start
LUNAR RENDEZVOUS is moving right along so fast we can hardly keep up with it. Already the Golf Tournament, Spa Night and Lunar Las Vegas are history as we prepare for the next round of events.

First event in July will be the Sunset Service at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 15 at the Clear Creek Community Church on Egret Bay Boulevard between Clear Lake and League City.

Next, comes the Down to the Derby Fashion Show, starting at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 17 at the San Luis Convention Center overlooking the Gulf of Mexico in Galveston.

Then the gala conclusion of the festival – the Coronation Ball, which has an Arabian Nights theme and starts at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 21 also at the San Luis Convention Center.

HELPING OTHERS WAS NEVER SO MUCH FUN!

FASHION SHOW luncheons are always enjoyable, but so much more fun when everyone knows their enjoyment is going to bring joy to others, as did this year’s Dogs & Divas.

Held at South Shore Harbour Resort, proceeds will benefit both the Bay Area Turning Point and its partnership with Friends of League City Animal Shelter that led to their forming Safe Paws, which provides a safe place for the pets of those seeking shelter from abusive situations.

And, what could be more charming than both lovely ladies and wide-eyed pooches coming down the runway in fashionable outfits? Yes, one slightly embarrassed pooch even wore a multi-color lace skirt!

Carla Medlenka, BATP Board chairman, and Leigh Ann Fry, the new BATP president, welcomed the crowd and introduced TV Ch. 11 anchor Lisa Hernandez, who served as emcee for the show, after the invocation by Pastor Brad Heintz. Later, Ralph Kramer got the place humming as he conducted the auction.

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Gene Hollier named 2018 Lunar Rendezvous King

May 1st, 2018

By Mary Alys Cherry

Gene Hollier has long been a knight, ever since the King of Thailand awarded him the Order of the White Elephant many years ago when he served as air attaché to the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.

Now he’s a king – the 2018 Lunar Rendezvous King.

Announcement of the high honor came at the Lunar Rendezvous Festival Kickoff Party, held in the University of Houston-Clear Lake Atrium II, before nearly 300 volunteers and members of the Royal Court and their families.

A native Texan, Gene was born in Port Arthur and attended Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette) pursuing a degree in engineering and math. But his college days were interrupted by the Korean War, and he left school to enter the U.S. Air Force.

During his 20-year military career, he served as an Air Force fighter pilot during both the Korean and Vietnam wars, flying over 175 combat missions. He was the rescue mission commander of continental Africa for an Apollo mission and even learned to speak Thai while serving in Bangkok.

FILM ACTOR
After his retirement, Gene lived in Hawaii for eight years, operating a residential security company and becoming a TV and movie actor. He appeared in 17 episodes of the TV series, “Magnum P.I.” and performed in several movies, stage shows and commercials, as well. He was relocated to Houston by his company in 1982, and moved to the Bay Area in 1983. He retired from business in 1996.

Gene has been involved in many charitable organizations, among them the Lunar Rendezvous Festival, Bay Area Turning Point, Kidney Foundation, American Cancer Society, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, High School Aerospace Scholars Program, the Longhorn Project at Johnson Space Center, the President’s Cabinet at UHCL, Communities in Schools-Bay Area and the Clear Creek Education Foundation.

He presently sits on three boards of directors: the Longhorn Project at JSC, the Houston Rodeo and the San Luis Hotel Condominium Council and is a past board member of the Armand Bayou Nature Center and the Clear Creek ISD Education Foundation. He is a member of Bay Oaks Country Club, Lakeside Lutheran Church, and the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce (volunteering at several of its annual events).

He has worked on Lunar Rendezvous events since 1985. There have been very few, if any, golf tournaments that he was not in charge of registration. Gene has volunteered on numerous committees over the past 30+ years, including serving as the Boat Parade announcer for several years.

Sponsoring two princesses and being a corporate sponsor are also part of his past contributions. For years, he has donated his rodeo package to the LR Fashion Show live auction and bids often on silent and live auctions at LR events.

SUPER STAR
In 2000 he was one of the honorees of the prestigious Men and Women of Heart Gala, selected for his many hours of volunteer time in support of the numerous charities. In December 2000, he was awarded the NASA Public Service Medal (the highest award given by NASA to non-employees of the space agency) for his work as liaison for JSC in its involvement with the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.

In 2010, he was selected as one of the “10 Renaissance Men” in the Bay Area. In 2011, he was awarded the Outstanding Friend of the Arts Award from The Arts Alliance Center at Clear Lake. In 2013, Gene was selected a Super Star at the Clear Creek Education Foundation Gala.

He joined the NASA Go Texan rodeo committee in 1986, and was selected as Outstanding Committeeman in 1994. In 1999 Gene originated and chaired a special program for the Go Texans called the Trail Boss Program. To date, this program has raised the equivalent of over $1 million in extra funds for the committee to place in the HLSR Scholarship Fund.

In 1996 Gene also earned admission to the Speakers Committee of the Rodeo. He became its vice chairman in 1999 and, in August of 1999, he was voted Speaker of the Year. In 2005 he was elected an HLSR Lifetime Director. In 2012, he was awarded the Silver Steer award for his 25 years of service to the NASA Go Texan committee.

Oh, yes, how to pronounce his name? O Lee A.

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Lunar Rendezvous distributes $126,000

February 1st, 2018

The 2018 Lunar Rendezvous Advisory Board members wear big smiles as they gather for their annual Distribution of Funds Coffee at Bay Area Museum. They are, from left, front row, Dinah Matthews, Jill Reason, Peggy Clause, Annette Dwyer, Michael Landolt; back row, Mary Ann Shallberg, Kathie Reeves, Kim Barker, Jana Miller and Ann Wismer Landolt.

A total of $126,000 in funds raised during the 2017 Lunar Rendezvous Festival were distributed to area Bay Area 501(c)(3) organizations and need based scholarship recipients during the annual Distribution of Funds Coffee held at Bay Area Museum.

Nine $8,000 college scholarships were awarded to need-based college bound Clear Creek ISD students. Funds also were distributed to Bay Area Turning Point, Assistance League of the Bay Area, Communities in Schools-Bay Area, Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theater, Bay Area Youth Symphony, Clear Creek Education Foundation, University of Houston-Clear Lake, and Houston Symphony League Bay Area.

The distribution comes as Lunar Rendezvous begins preparations for its 2018 festival this spring with its annual kickoff party scheduled Sunday, March 25 at UH-Clear Lake.

Now in its 53rd year, the Lunar Rendezvous Festival is dedicated to providing community based support including scholarships for higher education, youth development, and educational programs, and funding for the arts and historical preservation in the Bay Area Houston/NASA area, Festival Chairman Dinah Matthews pointed out.

The Lunar Rendezvous Festival began in 1965 as a 501 (c) (3), non-profit organization formed to preserve the rich history and many accomplishments in the space sciences made in the Bay Area. The first festival, which took place over two weekends in June of 1966 and included more than two dozen events, was a salute to the space program’s historic 1965 rendezvous of Gemini VI and Gemini VII in space. Since its inception, Lunar Rendezvous has hosted fun and entertaining festivals enjoyable for the entire family. Each year hundreds of volunteers join together to promote charity, and to celebrate, and honor our community.

For additional information, contact 281.796.5090 or go to www.lunarrendezvous.org

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Ike Dike at the top of Mayor Turner’s to do list

August 1st, 2017

There was no shortage of folks on hand to greet Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner when he arrived at Bay Oaks Country Club in Clear Lake for the Clear Lake Chamber Government Affairs Committee meeting. With him are, from left, League City Mayor Pat Hallisey, Chamber President Cindy DeWease, Kemah Mayor Carl Joiner, Miss Texas USA Nancy Gonzalez and State Rep. Dennis Paul.

Jordan McGinty, right, of Councilman Dave Martin’s office, stops to chat with Dawn McDonald of State Rep. Dennis Paul’s office at the Clear Lake Area Chamber Government Affairs Committee meeting.

THE CLEAR LAKE Area Chamber’s Government Affairs Division drew quite a crowd when members held their quarterly meeting at Bay Oaks Country Club.

Little wonder they did. They had Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner as their speaker and invited Miss Texas USA Nancy Gonzalez to introduce the mayor.

Early arrivals included State Rep. Dennis Paul, League City Mayor Pat Hallisey, Kemah Mayor Carl Joiner, who is also the chamber chairman, Houston City Councilman Dave Martin, Chamber President Cindy DeWease and Vice Chairman Brian Freedman.

The mayor discussed a variety of subjects, initially letting the crowd know how lucky this area is to be represented by Councilman Martin and Representative Paul and how he has enjoyed working with them in the past and how he looks forward to working with them in the future.
Especially so on the Coastal Spine – commonly referred to as the Ike Dike – which he said “is at the top of my to do list.”

After praising San Jacinto College for its workforce readiness programs and all it has been doing to put students in jobs and help industry fill jobs, he noted that there are six million jobs in the U.S. that cannot be filled because applicants do not have the proper training.

That led into a hot topic for Clear Lake City, where a woman wants to put a homeless shelter on El Camino Real in the heart of its downtown area and only two blocks from homes. The mayor, who first heard about it from TV, wanted his audience to know that the city had nothing to do with it, that no permits had been obtained and it is not a simple process.

“It is not a city deal,” he said, adding the he did not think shelters were the answer. “The best way to respond to homelessness is to put people in housing, not shelters. Please, please know that is not something that is on the drawing board, and there is no funding for it,” he cautioned.

Turning to the national infrastructure program proposed by President Trump, the mayor thought the Coastal Spine project should be included. Meanwhile he said, he had learned that Washington is toying with ideas on how to pay for all the proposed projects.

Among a number of thoughts he shared with the crowd, he said he thinks we need a theme park that is uniquely us — a fun and amusing park but unique to our region.

Splashdown Party draws happy crowd

Dr. Mike Romanko and his wife, Mitzi, give the peace sign so popular in the 60s at the Lunar Rendezvous Splashdown Party.

BACK IN THE SIXTIES, a coveted invitation got one into a Splashdown Party when friends and neighbors welcomed astronauts back from journeys into space.

Fifty years later, the tradition goes on. Except this time it was, well, a little different. Co-Chairmen Kristy Tankersley, Renee Ditta and Linda DeMasie wanted this Lunar Rendezvous Splashdown Party to be a night of fun – a night to remember. And, that it was. It also kicked off the Festival’s string of July activities, which include a 5K fun run and walk, fashion show, religious service and the Coronation Ball.

Festival Chairman Dinah Matthews, right, and Vice Chairman Tisa Foster prepare to greet guests.

Most dressed in 60s attire and flashed peace signs as they danced to the music of Phil Pampolina with the co-chairmen and their husbands – Jon Tankersley, Judge Louie Ditta and Michael DeMasie — leading the way as Mercedes-Benz dealer Jerry Foyt and his wife, Kate, hosted the event at the dealership in League City.

Both Festival Chairman Dinah Matthews and Vice Chairman Tisa Foster were there to welcome Michael and Ann Wismer Landolt, Tom and Gloria Wong, Ann and Dr. Jim O’Malley, Ron and Pat Biddle Karl, Angie and Matthew Weinman, Gene Hollier, Phil and Ginger Pampolina, Alice and Lou Marinos, Mary Ann Shallberg and Mitzi and Dr. Mike Romanko, to name a few.

Special guests were Ch. 13 ABC News Anchor Tom Koch and his wife, Brenda.

Great way to kick off the string of festival events.

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Lunar Rendezvous princesses, lieutenants to reign over festival

June 1st, 2016

Family Fun Night Chairman Becky Hensley, right, and Co-Chairman Page Rander hope to have a big crowd at the Putt-Putt Fun House in Webster Monday, June 6.

Family Fun Night Chairman Becky Hensley, right, and Co-Chairman Page Rander hope to have a big crowd at the Putt-Putt Fun House in Webster Monday, June 6.

By Mary Alys Cherry

The 2016 Lunar Rendezvous princesses and lieutenants have been named, along with the little ladies in waiting and pages. They will reign over this summer’s 51st Annual Lunar Rendezvous Festival, which has the theme, “Launching the Next Legacy.”

They will be presented, with their parents at both the Lunar Rendezvous Fashion Show and the Lunar Rendezvous Coronation Ball at the Galveston Convention Center in late July.

This year’s princesses – all area high school students – and their parents are:

Sarah Adams, daughter of Renee Adams and Jary Adams; Ashlynn Arnold, Kathy and Art Arnold Jr.; Ellie Bacon, Amy and Robert Bacon; Samantha Burkett, Melissa and Russell Burkett; Kylie Cheak, Brandi and David Cheak; Madelyn Chidester, Lisa and Steven Barnes and Edmund Chidester; Elliott Clause, Tracy and Ritchie Clause;

Jenigh Coleman, Yvette and Dean Coleman; Natalie Cortes, Jenille and Frank Junco; Jessica Crain, Melissa and Dr. Timothy Crain; Caroline Curran, Roseline and Ed Curran; Gracie Dearmond, Rhonda Dearmond and Priscilla and Kenneth Dearmond; Allison Denman, Diana and Mark Denman; Jenna Faulkner, Jeanette and Paul Faulkner; Brianna Ferreira, Karen and Frank Ferreira;

Peyton Foster, Tisa and Dr. Mitch Foster; Maddy Fougerousse, Jennifer and Dr. Stacey Gibbons; Alexandra Freeman, Christine Cockrell and Donald Freeman; Meagan Gonzalez, LoreneCino Gonzalez and Chris Munoz; Sydney Gurry, Kim and Jay Gurry; Emily Jue, Julie and Glenn Jue; Hannah Kapfer, Michelle and Andy Kapfer;

Sydney LaCroix, Gwenda LaCroix and Trey LaCroix; Lindsay Lehman, Vanessa and Troy Lehman; Amaya Lynch, Angela and Marques Lynch Sr.; Emily Mahon, Kelly Mahon and John Mahon; Jessica McCarty, Elizabeth and Bill McCarty; Bailey Minter, Dr. Elizabeth Thomas and Bruce Minter;

Madelyn Moulder, Debra and Kenneth Moulder; Haley Nash, Melissa and Jim Finerd and Kimberly and Steven Nash; Lexie Olson, Pamela and Alan Olson and Chris Olson; Mara Pavlosky, Deb and James Pavlosky; Raagan Poole Smith, Gail and Trent Singleton; Rachel Prochazka, Mary Ellen and Scott Prochazka;

Lauren Radcliffe, Suzanne Radcliffe and Barry Radcliffe; Riley Rankin, Kristin and Cliff Rankin; Nicole Rapacki, Adrienne and Scott Rapacki; Abigail Robbins, Shannon and Cliff Robbins III; Justice Robinson, Kimberley and Loni Robinson; Taylor Rutherford, Deborah Rutherford;

Madison Rylant, Christine and Darren Rylant; Frances Seavey, Melody and Jeff Seavey; Alexandra Simmons, Virginia and Robert Simmons Jr.;  Mikala Smith, Madia Smith, Kathy and Dr. Michael E. Smith; Hannah Sukkar, Laura and Dr. Sam Sukkar;

Alexa Trevino, Alice and Rey Trevino; Victoria Venable, Stacy and James Venable; Inessa Voor, Janet and Joseph Voor; Catherine Weber, Karen and Richard Weber; Brinkley Welty, Lisa and Richard Welty; Casey Williams, Dene and David Williams; Avery Wood, Laurie Wood and Derek Wood; and Morgan Wren, Dene and Barry Wren.

The 2016 lieutenants and their parents are:

Alex Bradley, son of Karla and Michael Bradley; Quaylon Conley, Laura Conley and Michael Conley; Maxwell Finch, Petra and Gregory Finch; Corey Flanagan, Kim and David Flanagan; Miles Hallberg, Haydee Patricia and Guy Charles Hallberg; Daniel LeBlanc, Michelle and Dr. Troy LeBlanc;

Dylan McMahan, Christine and Mark Williams; Nick Petitti, Marie Woods Petitti and Greg Petitti; Cole Smith, Alicia and Lance Smith; Alex Struss, Delicia and Alex Struss; Cade Talley, Judy and Chris Talley; Matthew Tamburello, Gina Tamburello and Jerry Tamburello.

Members of the Little Court are Amelia June Byrd, Alexis Nichol, Kendall Hensley, Jilly Davis and Patrick Byrd.

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Lunar Rendezvous introduces new king and court at Kickoff

May 1st, 2016

Kevin Duke

Kevin Duke

The 51st Annual Lunar Rendezvous Festival began “Launching the Next Legacy” April 10 at a big Kickoff Party in the University of Houston-Clear Lake Bayou Building, Atrium II.

Kick-Off Co-Chairmen Tisa Foster and Stacy Fisher coordinated this annual event and each event chairman decorated tables highlighting the various festival events.  Representatives from Kendra Scott, Baybrook were present and held a trunk show for attendees, donating 20 percent of the proceeds back to the festival.  Refreshments were provided by HEB, Zoyo’s Neighborhood Yogurt, Shrimp ‘N Stuff, and Double Dave’s Pizzaworks League City.

The program began with a welcome from 2016 Lunar Rendezvous Festival Co-Chairmen Kim Barker and Lisa Holbrook, followed by a few words from Board of Directors’ Chairman Michael Landolt and Advisory Board Chairman Terri Dieste, after which  Royal Court Chairman Melanie Lovuola introduced 2016 Queen Mariska Mes, Queen Alternate Jessica-Michelle Monette, and Captain Joey Corrao, followed by the introductions of the little ladies in waiting, pages and the 65  princesses and lieutenants

The 2015 Festival King Jerry Ross introduced Kevin Duke, general manager of The Fitness Center at South Shore Harbor, as the 2016 Lunar Rendezvous King.  The new king, who has long played a key role in the festival, has been a part of the Clear Lake area since the age of six, growing up in Clear Lake Forest where his mother still resides in the same house. He attended Ed White Elementary, Seabrook Intermediate and Clear Lake High School.

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