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Albert Nolen
All hail Queen Neches
Josie Broussard, daughter of Monica and Jimmy Broussard, who was escorted by Vincent Mazzola, was crowned Queen of the 75th Neches River Festival last Saturday evening at the Julie Rogers Theatre. Josie is a senior at Kelly High School and plans to attend University of Texas in the fall, majoring in education. First lady-in-waiting is Peyton Tyner, daughter of Annie and Jason Tyner. She is a senior at West Brook and plans to attend Texas A&M University and major in accounting. She was escorted by Matthew Harlan. Second lady-in-waiting is Olivia Johnson, daughter of Karen and Michael Ridout and Amber and Benjamin Johnson. Olivia is also a senior at West Brook High school and plans to attend the University of Texas in the fall, majoring in mechanical engineering. She was escorted by Michael Sharpton. Third lady-in-waiting is, Mary Guillory, who is the daughter of Sheila Thibodeaux and Regius Guillory. Mary is a senior at Kelly and plans to attend the University of Houston. She was escorted by Jacob Brocato. The Grand Duchess is Evei Shipley. Her parents are Jolei and Terry Shipley. She is a senior at Nederland High School and plans to attend Texas A&M and then attend Baylor Law School. Evei was escorted by Cade Brown. Voted Miss Congeniality was Caroline Wulf and Best Escort Hudson Downer. Lamar Otho-Plummer Scholarship winners were Elizabeth Drago and Noah Sodolak. Neches River Festival Board scholarship winners were Jai’lee Snodgrass, Kaitlyn Farnie, Gracie Gerlufsen, Lauren Lambert, Samantha Suh, Parker Gerlufsen and Faith Thomas. This incredible group of young people are a true testament to their wonderful spirit of our community. May they go forth to do great things and to always love their hometown! After the NRF Coronation, around 1,300 folks descended upon the Civic Center for dinner and dancing. Dressed to the nines were Camille and Chris Ohmstede, Gina and Colby Crenshaw, Michele and Mitch Smith, Carolyn and Mark Fertitta, Nicole and Mike Albanese, Sunni and Jared Bishop, King Neches and First Lady, Steve and Nancy McGrade, Ellen and Danny Phelan, Gillian and Will Jenkins, Stephanie and Bernie Daleo, Johnnie and Joe Broussard, Paige and Stephen Ridout, Kara and Kevin Brown, Sherrie and Jeff Branick, Dawn and Gene Isabel, Social Chair Ashley and Tab Bryan, Taylor and NRF President Fuller McSpadden, Ashley Messina, Nicole and Jeremy Saba, Elaine Browne, the Adams sisters Mary Margaret, Caroline, Catherine, Julianna and their debonair hubby’s Ned Grooves, Houston Jones, Matt Mathews and Chris Leblanc. Dancing the night away were Brandi and Warren Claybar, Christina and Josh Crawford, Christy and Mike Persia, Hannah and Kevin Smith, Dawn and Mike Persia, Jessica and John Adair, Lee Ann and Terry Garth, Julie and Paul Funchess, Jan and Jason Hayes, Meredith Hise, Jadeanne and Jeff Hayes, Jenna Junell, Hannah Jenkins, Lyle Rayburn, Julia and Matt Matheny, Harris McGrade, Jane Ellen McAtee, NRF Executive Director Molly Moore, Emily and Chris Miller, Laine and Robbie Morrison, Jennifer and Mike Nelson, Ayna and JP Parsons, Dynasy and Lan Phelan, Belinda Hickman, Susan and Jordan Reese, Neri and Rudy Sotolongo, Jenny and Jay Tortorice, Judy and Macon Ware, Emily and Jeff Wheeler, Beth and Stuart Yoes and certainly too many more to mention! Kudos to ball chairs Katie Celli, Worley Coco and Samantha Hemmenway on a fantastic job. On Sunday morning, the McFaddin-Ward House was the lovely setting of the NRF Farewell Brunch and it did not disappoint. The royal court and duchesses’ families enjoyed a bountiful brunch from Katharine & Co. and gifts were presented to all the royal winners.
Can’t wait… for the 31st annual Breakfast with the Bishop this Saturday, April 29, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church at 9:30 a.m. Breakfast will be served by Bishop David Toups and the event will honor Rev. Monsignor Salvador Culotta. Tariff is $25.
News of I do’s… congratulations to Rachel Wilson and Stan Radanov on their recent marriage merger.
Happy anniversary… to Lynn and Charley Lowe (12 years), Christy and Mike Persia (47), Charlotte and Albert Williamson (57). Congrats!
Candles and cakes… belated best to Carole Bailey, John Paul Phelan, Wade Carpenter and Michael Oszczakiewicz. B-day wishes to Anne Wells, Katherine Morrow, Karen Fuljenz, Anne Kathryn Trevino, Mary O Lee, Shirley Winslow, Mattie Beaver, Beau Procter, Flynn Newman, Deborah Drago, Merrie Montondon, Crissy Darling, Susan Slocum, Brittany Babb-Hashaw, Shea Kent, Joyce Hill, Theresa Figari, Jacob Broussard, Jase Stevens, Pati Cure, Nicki Messina, Lauren Philp, Aislinn Phelan, Rusty Hall, Daphne Dyer and Susan Geyser.
Until the next RSVP!