Out & About with Albert

Rescheduling, canceling or postponing has become the new buzz words for organizations hosting major events. Lamar University’s Fine Arts Department decided to scale down their annual Parings wine dinner benefitting the Dishman Art Museum last Friday evening on the eighth floor of the Mary and John Gray Library. This year’s dinner featured the PlumpJack winery, which includes the CADE and Odette labels. Sandra Roberts, their director of sales, Zoomed in as the virtual speaker. Chairs were Monica and Jimmy Broussard with co-chairs Katie and Omar Bitar. Lamar’s president, Jaime Taylor, recognized Rob Clark and Jerry Thacker for their recent gifts of arts to the Public Art collection at LU. A large number of Dishman family members were in attendance to support the museum including Judy Dishman, Phoebe and Austin Dishman, Melanie Dishman, Cindy and Jamie Dishman, Carol and Rihl Buckley, Whitney Dishman Neighbors was unable to attend, but instead invited her high school gal pals to sit at her table. Other guests in attendance enjoying the delicious wine and dinner were Dennis Kiel, Kim and Roy Steinhagen, Patti and Floyd McSpadden, Sandy and Joseph Fertitta, Lee Ann and Terry Garth, Melody and Pat Parsons, Diane and Don Shaver, Leslie and Bill Wilson, Carolyn and Mark Fertitta, Laura and Craig Escamilla, Danita and Doug Fierce, Vivian Pieternelle, Peggy and Juan Zabala, Gillian and Will Jenkins, Stephanie and Bernie Daleo, Dawn and Gene Isabell, Michele and Mitchell Smith, Ashley and Tab Bryan, Susan and Jimmy Simmons, Sharae and Damien Reed, Karen and Mike Fuljenz, just to name a few.

Green, gold and purple… are the true Mardi Gras colors and our fair city plans to have plenty of this color combination around Beaumont within the next six weeks. There are plenty of hoops our city leaders will jump through to make sure safe protocols are put in places for this magnificent festival that debuted two years ago and was cancelled last year. All of the fun begins on Thursday, Feb. 24, with the Courir de Mardi Gras Parade near the Event Centre. Patrons will enjoy Cajun food, live music, a carnival, parades and of course, beads. Concert headliners will include country singer Tyler Farr on Friday, Nelly on Saturday and Los Chicos del 512 on Sunday. The Art Museum of Southeast Texas will host a parking lot party in the front parking lot. Gumbo, wine and beer will be served. Artists will also set up their wares on tables out front to be sold throughout the evening. Laissez les bons temps rouler, ya’ll!

Before the good times really roll… the seventh annual Beaumont Pardi Gras will take over the Civic Center for their annual charity fundraising event Saturday, Feb. 12, from 6-11:30 p.m. Beads, jeans, red beans and rice plus fantastic party music from the band Three Thirty Seven from Lafayette, Louisiana. Proceeds will benefit the Southeast Texas Circle of Hope, who assists those in need of help with funds for catastrophic events, medical and/or funeral needs. Tickets are $26 and can be purchased from southeasttexascircleofhope.com. See you there!

News of I do’s… congrats to Monica Leduc and Bret Babineaux on their recent marriage merger that took place in Napa, California. Congrats!

Girls Haven is havin’… a Casino Night with a roulette, craps tables, black jack, poker with entertainment by Howl at the Moon dueling pianos group Saturday, Feb. 19, at 3380 Fannin St. in Beaumont from 6:30-11 p.m. Guests will enjoy dinner, hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, dessert and more. Organizers will also honor one of their most gracious donors, Dana Johnson. Single tickets are $150 and can be purchased at girlshaveninc.org. Fun event for an even better cause!

So excited for… Claire Smith, a senior at Monsignor Kelly High School, was chosen to participate in the Tyler Dogwood Festival later this spring. Congrats!

Storkmarketing… Congrats to Nicki and Frank Thomas Messina on the birth of their beautiful baby girl Sophia.

Candles and cakes… belated best to Marie Bando, John W. Scott, Rickie Leonard, Marli Pieternelle and Amy Jones. Bday wishes to Phil Battaglia, Jane Ellen McAtee, Brad Holts, Sonya Gonzalez, Lissa Tyndall, Gina Flanagan, Courtney Dawson, Julie Funchess, Kate Carroll, Sandy Walker, Tyler Smith, Amy Romero, Patricia Snyder, John Hawa, Brenda Fant, Burnie Cook,  Jane Lowery, Joseph O’Quinn, Marcy Broussard, Mark Williams, Ken Strassburger, Nicole Fertitta, Jack Johnston, Mark Screen, Molly Moore, Sammi Germer, Pam Chance, Allison Farrow, Heather Martin, Jimmy Holmes, Pat Duhon, Maggie Neusel and Charlie Wiggins.

Until the next RSVP!