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Albert Nolen
Party on the Ponderosa
Giddy up. Many had the opportunity to ride the mechanical bull, sip on the divine bourbon shots, and enjoy the magnificent bountiful buffet during Gift of Life’s “Champagne & Ribs” fundraiser last Thursday at the Beaumont Civic Center, which raised over $400,000 to benefit the organization’s Men’s Health and Prostate Cancer Program. Honorees Bishop Emeritus Curtis Guillory was introduced by Kevin Scot, Brad Klein by Christy Persia, Bill Scott by John Henderson, Mitch Smith by his bride Michele Smith and Jim Fuller introduced Chelsea Tipton II. Ever-Lovin’ event co-chairs were Mike Roebuck, Verna Rutherford and Tim Sudela. Honorary co-chairs were John Adolph, Mark Kubala, Bob Wortham and Joe Penland. Cowboy hats off to Regina Rogers, Norma Sampson, Brittany Pippin, Holli Peterson, Connie Berry, Monese Odom, Emily Patrizi Brackin, Jazmine Parks, Gloria Moore and the dozens of volunteers who coordinated this wonderful event. In the corral and dressed to the nines were Sheila Umphrey, Kim and Dade Phelan, Lori and Carl Griffith, Becky Hunter, Diane and Don Shaver, JoBeth and Mike Jenkins, Mike Persia, Elaine Henderson and Joe Evans, Pat Klein, Angie and Skylar Thompson, Margi and Rocky Chase, Marcia and Seth Cronin, Pat Avery, Nicole and Jeremy Saba, Rachel and Dan Burke, Julie Casanova and Gerald Farha, Kim and David Willard, Kelly and Tommy Patrizi, Gracelyn and Russel Miller, Debbie Bishop, Cullen Ramsey, Paige Windham, Theresa and Donald Mudd, Donna and Denny Harris, Melody and Pat Parsons, Dora Nisby, Cile Childress, Jo Vance, Betty Clarke, Alison Kiker, Annie Green, Linda Penland, Karen Wortham, Karen Shepherd, Gay Scott, Lee Ann and Terry Garth, Jessica Adair, Sandy and Joseph Fertitta, Susan and Tim Byrom, Kate and Rod Carroll, Gwendolyn Lavalais, Teressa Kountz, Tonya Hedleston, Amy and Justin Doss, Cullen Ramsey, Danita and Doug Fierce, Bobby Beaver, Joey Stelly, Wendy and Imad Sarkis, Santos Soberon, Sandra Clark, Linda and Joe Domino, Mitch Templeton, Susan and Wayne Margolis, Jill Roy, Gay Scott, Charlotte and Greg Mains, Mellie and Sam Bevilacqua, Rita and Barry Davis, Ava Graves, Sheree and Vernon Pierce, Jimmy Singletary, Ann Scoggin and Randy Reese, Nakisha and Horace Burns, Roxanne and Eric Hellberg, just to name a few. High bidders for the fab auction items were Sal Guerrero, Robin Dauphin, Jim Broussard, Mitch Brackin, Tim Satne, Jerome Delafosse and Carl Griffith.
About face… The Beaumont Art League held their portrait/figure exhibit this last Saturday evening and more than 40 artists participated with 83 pieces on display. Professor Justin Varner judged the show and winning were Christopher Troutman (first place), Richard Tallent (second place) and Kaitlynn Head (third place). Honorable mention went to Jamie Paul Kessler, Wayne Goodman and Wanda Caro. Noshing and viewing the intriguing art were Mary Center, Cathy Worsham, Clyde Drake, Amanda Ellor, Gayle Taylor, Mary Ellen Von Netzer, Joy and Jimmy Smith, Joel McBride, Ashton Head, Gene Landry, Jacob Miller, Jim Loftin, and too many more to mention.
Looking forward… to the 21st annual St. Joseph’s Day luncheon this Friday, March 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica Center (700 Jefferson St.) in downtown Beaumont. The tariff is $12 for each to-go lunch and donations will be accepted at the door for dine-in. The menu includes Courville’s fried fish, pasta Milanese, artichoke and green bean casserole and dessert. See you there!
B-day bash… Rachael Roane hosted a small gathering for her BFF Jennifer Grody last week on her special day at JW’s Patio. Toasting their pal were Geroge Busceme, Jane Parker, Maris Mehaffy, Annie Green, Debbie Bishop, Yvette Premeaux, and Sue and Roy Philp. Nothing like longtime friends!
Happy anniversary… to Kylee and Jeff Borden (10 years), Shanna and Lee Briggs (19), Candice and Brent Walters (20), Suzanne and David Jones (42), and Gracelyn and Russel Miller (43). Congrats!
Candles and cakes… belated best to Cristopher Quinn, William McNeill, Hester Bell and Leonard Juncker. B-day wishes to Paige Meighen, Judy Ware, Suzy Juncker, Jennifer Fisher, Jeff Kolar, Elyse Cokinos, Tom Combs, Jimmy Simmons, Gillian Jenkins, Anna Mae Fertitta, Bart Nichols, Kenneth Duhon II, Sherry Paschal, Paula Nichols, Ken Mosley, Mary Shorkey Hager, Lisa Braneff, Gianni Lewis, Nicholas Vautrot, Heather Kilgore, Lindsay Briggs, Amanda Sheldon, Susan Selman, Kellie Olson, Isabel Rosenberg, Andrew Victores, Allison Darling, Maria Branham, Mike Moeller and Cindy Lindsay.
Until the next RSVP!