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Albert Nolen
Big wheels keep on turning
Janci Kimball has taken the reins at Nutrition & Services for Seniors and has truly “run with the ball.” The 11th annual Deliver the Difference Luncheon was a sold-out success with the amazing Elaine Shellenberger as this year’s honoree with Karen and Mike Fuljenz serving as the honorary chairs. Co-chairs Charlie Holder and Jennifer Pate thanked the generous sponsors Joy and Will Crenshaw and family, Lee Ann and Terry Garth, Cindy and Michael Lindsay, Sandra Clark and Regina Rogers, Linda and Joe Domino, Susan and Wayne Margolis, Becky and Chuck Mason, Myra and Dalton Babineaux, Cynthia and Michael Wolf, Elise and Collin Shellenberger and so many other partners and organizations. Lending their generosity were Gerri Giglio, Elaine Henderson, Carol Bartel, Cheryl Barenberg, Chris and Martin Broussard, Lindy Dennis, Patti and Floyd McSpadden, Lula and James Potter, Margaret Phelan Reed, Regina Winegar, Natalie and S.L. Greenberg, Carol and Donald Hearn, Rita and Vijay Kusnoor, Dora Nisby and Neri and Rudy Sotolongo. Enjoying the wonderful event were Sandy and Joseph Fertitta, Sal Guerrero, Pat Sherlock, Jamie Pope, Mary Ellen Vivrett, Kandy Daniel, Betty Schlutter, Mellie Bevilacqua, Jennifer Gregory, Rob Clark, Karyn Husbands, John Robbins, Bridgett Hlavinka, Jennifer Burch, Evelyn Lord, Karen Bourdier and too many more to mention.
Take me out to the ball game… Hundreds gathered last Friday evening at the MCM Eleganté for a celebration of three former Lamar University baseball greats in David Bernsen, Jim Gilligan and Kevin Millar. Special guests included former players as well as proclamations from the Texas Speaker of the House Dade Phelan for the three who saw their baseball jerseys become officially retired. Paying homage were Dinah Bernsen, Mary Beth Messina, Meredith and Cade Bernsen, Helen Freeman, Lavern Gilligan, Jaime Taylor, JoBeth and Mike Jenkins, Bill Geyser, Frank Messina, Christina Crawford, Ashley Edson, Elaine Browne, Susan and Jimmy Simmons, Bob Wortham, Jimmy Hayes, Ava and Rodney Graves, Robin and Kenneth Mouton, Lindsay Scott, Jamie Matuska, Marianne Laine, James Makin, Misha and Shawn Bruno, Chelsea Ramos, Dustin Vaught, Brian Sutton, Sarah Ussery, Gerald Bourque, Edna and Dan Hetzel, Zena and Darrell Stephens and many other out-of-town guests.
So many events, so little time… Last weekend was jammed packed with fundraisers and happenings in our fair city. From St. Michael Mediterranean Festival, the Boys’ Haven Crawfish Food and Music Festival, Botanical Gardens May Pole Festival, Kentucky Derby events, Beaumont Main Street Gala, Front Porch Party at the Sanders-McNeill House as well as all the overflowing restaurants including the MCM Eleganté, who greeted and served all the wonderful mothers on Mother’s Day. There is always something to do in Beaumont!
Bountiful breakfast… the 30th annual Breakfast with the Bishop was recently held at The Laurels and co-chairs Laure Maida and Letty Lanza were thrilled with the success of the fundraiser that benefits seven programs of Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas. The late Deacon Larry David was also honored during the breakfast as close friends and relatives, which included his wife Cheryl David, were in attendance. Besides the delish meal, a live auction led by Milt Prewitt and live music from Jimmy Kaiser was a huge success. Kudos to organizers Robbie Williford, Coquese Williams, Monique Slaughter, Mona Richard, Deacon Willie Posey, Margaret Middleton, Mandy Mazzola, Gigi Mazzola, Lauren Martin, Deacon Frank J. Maida, Sue Hebert, Paulette Guidroz and Karen Fuljenz. Serving the participants were Bishop David Toups, Fr. Michael Jamail, Fr. Salvador Culotta, Fr. Paul Ofoha, Sr. Raphael Tran, Sr. Mary Anthony Nguyen, Sr. Mary Agnes Nguyen, Fr. Shane Baxter, Fr. Anthony McFarland, Fr. Rodel Faller, Sr. Mary Iweanya, Fr. Joseph Sigur, Fr. Sinclair Oubre, Fr. Kevin Badeau among others. In attendance were Becky and Rodney Ames, Jim Baxter, Kelly Broussard, Christine Bonneaux, Darragh and Chris Castillo, Connie Prewitt, Shelley Tortorice, Dottie Schultz, Norma and Dan Ford, Lori and James Duplissey, Stephanie and Shawn Figari and so many others.
Candles and cakes... B-day wishes to Isaac Fenter, Susan Stacey, Jan Marie Rugg, Carolyn Fertitta, Andy Gertz, Emily Trevino, Ania Bender, Wendi Malley, Amy Mallen, Andrew McClusky, Kay DeCuir, Cheri Fama, Betsy Amis, Jean Peyton, Tyler Wharton, Kelli Cobb, Tenna Broussard, Stacie Evans, Amy Hancock, Jay Old, Katy Fertitta, Gail Runyon, Thomas Cokinos, Brandis Ayers, Greg Prejean, Mike Fogo, C. Renee Smith, Elizabeth Miller, Katie Aromi Brander and Leo Danna.
Until the next RSVP!