Out & About with Albert April 7-13

Last Wednesday evening after a spring shower cooled our fair city, the sun shined bright at the downtown Event Centre for the arrival of Neches River Festival LXXIV King’s arrival. NRF Social Chairman Ashley Messina and President Mitch Toups welcomed the honored guests, princesses and escorts to witness the crowning of this year’s king. To the delight and excitement of his followers, everyone was thrilled when Mark A. Fertitta was announced as the 74th King Neches. Another crowd pleaser that followed was the announcement of Becki Stedman as Citizen of the Year. In the mix were past NRF Kings including Kyle Hayes, Mitch Smith,  Mark Smith, Jamie Dishman, Floyd McSpadden, David Moore, Mickey Shuffield and Bill Wilson. Several past Social Chairs (some are mothers of this year’s princesses) were in the audience such as Stephanie Daleo, Nicole Saba, Tonya Toups, Michele Smith, Gillian Jenkins, Kelli Maness, Paula Lovoi, Amy Lovoi and Lee Mann, just to name a few. Thrilled with the royalty wee Scott Mann, Christy and Mike Persia, Jean Peyton, Jenny Shuffield, Ed Stedman, Carolyn Fertitta, Patricia Moore, Elaine Henderson, Ashley and Tab Bryan, Kathryn Grace and Eric Meadows, Kelly Jackson, Tara and Justin Audilet and so many more. Kudos to Connie Hebert and Lisa Gagne along with their committee on a fun-filled event. Friday evening, Nicole Saba and Ann Hayes hosted the King’s Dinner to honor King Fertitta and presented the royal court to him. Always enjoyable was the roasting of his honor by Brad Klein, Doug Fierce and Will Leonard. Another highlight was President and emcee Mitch Toups rapping to a song from the musical “Hamilton.” Enjoying all the laughs and entertainment were JoBeth and Mike Jenkins, Gerri Giglio, Bernie Daleo, Jeremy Saba, Will Jenkins, Tom Maness, Lee and Hart Green, Margaret Green, Elizabeth Waddill, Annie Green, Meg Branch, Dynasy and Lan Phelan, Dawn and Gene Isabell, Molly Moore, Michelle Leonard, Jessica and Dustin Brown, Mitzi and Andy Burns, Stacey and Casey Crenshaw, Blair and Charlie Foxworth, Marilyn and Ed Gripon, Allison and Mike Gilbert, Kim and Josh Hines, Patricia and Josh Tortorice, Kirksey and Stephen Reynolds, Emily and Jeff Wheeler, Katie and Jeff Beaver, Leah and Dru Barnes, Larae and Ross Jones, Shelley Tortorice, Kathryn and Brent Messina, and Julie and Bob Edson. After the dinner, the crowd headed to the Tevis Room to continue the merriment with clever cocktails, goodies from the War Wagon cigar lounge and magical music. Lauren Thieme, Brittney Ferguson, Katherine Williams, Amanda Heironimus, Miranda Looney and several others coordinated all of the revelry that lasted into the wee hours. Mixing and mingling were Christina and Josh Crawford, Emily Trevino, Emily and Brock Wilson, Haylee Faggard, Kim and Dade Phelan, Danita Fierce, Leslie Wilson, Lauren Cain, Kate and Wil Thorne, Elyse and Charlie Jones, Taryn and Chad King, Rachel and Miles Haynes, Courtland Spotts, Lindi Conner, Allie and Thomas Kelley, Jennifer and Peter Maida. Saturday afternoon, the princesses and escorts spent the day exploring on the Neches River and were enlightened about the wealth and commerce it brings to our community. Lauren Williams and Samantha Hemmingway did an excellent job educating our young folks about the river’s benefits. On Sunday, the royal court visited the botanical gardens, Cattail Marsh as well as the judging of the precious princesses. They wrapped up the weekend at a pizza party with great conversations and even a little dancing before ending the evening. This weekend, the Street Party and Parade will take place in downtown on Crockett Street at 5 p.m. See you there!

Happy anniversary… to Alicia and Charles Daleo (17 years) and Cindy and Michael Lindsay (23). Congrats!

Candles and cakes…belated best to Jay Bruce, Lowell Rogers, Benny Mazzola, Pinky Carden and Tony Malley. B-day wishes to Andrew Messina, Molly McDaniel, Zach Stiles, Lisa LaFosse, Mark Rule, Jennifer Nesom, Daniel Corwell, Joe Bordages, Johnny Franklin, Ray Callas, Sarah Wells, Beth Bommer, James McCullar, Betsy Nelson, Will Stark, Jaime Hickam, Angela Dodson, Kelly McNeill, Lance Dale, Michelle Mynier, Heather Hardin, Wil Thorne, Bree Babineaux, Nancy Dryden, Kate Robards, Norma Sampson, Jaime Taylor, Nat Lombardo, Mike Persia, James Black, Ginger Sharp, Wink Loventhal and Kate Thorne.

Until the next RSVP!