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Albert Nolen
Caregivers count
What an amazing turnout last week as friends, family and business associates filled the grand ballroom at the MCM Eleganté for the 10th Annual Family Portrait Luncheon benefitting the Alzheimer’s Association, which was chaired by the dynamic mother/daughter duo of Maris Mehaffy and Haylee Faggard. Honorary chairs were philanthropists Sheila Umphrey and her late husband, Walter Umphrey. Kudos to local chapter director Shanna Briggs for all her hard work. The guest speaker was the multi-talented Broadway producer, Radio Hall of Fame inductee and author of the book, “Surviving Alzheimer’s with friends, Facebook and a Big Glass of Wine,” Dayna Steele, who lost her mother to Alzheimer’s seven years ago. Her speech was certainly poignant, uplifting and to the point of the challenges that caregivers go through when the illness presents so many hardship moments. Sitting on the edge of their seats were Laurie and Bart Umphrey, Paige Umphrey Logsdon, Madison Cansler, Kirk Houser, Jo Vance, Becky Hunter, Lindsay and Riki Pike, Randy Childers, Melody Parsons, Lee Mann, Becki Stedman, Vivian Todd, Regina Rogers, Norma Sampson, Gerri Giglio, Stephanie Daleo, Sue Greenway, Sherrie and Jeff Branick, Mellie Bevilacqua, Jennifer Burch, Dinah Bernsen, Shelley Tortorice, Joy and Will Crenshaw, Linda and Joe Domino, Rita Davis, Ed Fisher Mark Faggard, Brittney Ferguson, Karen Wortham, Kim Giglio, Jo Beth Jenkins, Charlene Babineaux, Gillian Jenkins, Joe Fisher, Pat Klein, Betty Clarke, Charlotte Mains, Susan Margolis, Karen Fuljenz, Toni Mulvaney, Dora Nisby, Jane Parker, Nikki Ramey, Nicole Saba, Kirksey Reynolds, Hillary Shanning, Pat Sherlock, Jeannie and Leldon Sweet, Emily Trevino, Lauren Thieme, Allison Heare, Emily Wilson, Katrina Wright, Lynea Minton, Allison Heare, Jennifer Kennedy-Ozley, Katie Celli and too many more to mention.
Engaging celebration… Mary Margaret Roane and Nick Prewitt were feted recently at the Gordy Dewdrop Farm in Nome. Host with the most Anne Figueiras, Jennifer Gordy, Annie Green, Lee and Scott Mann, yours truly, Lysle Shaw, Michele and Mitch Smith and Catherine and Reid Swantner, were elated with the turnout for the crawfish boil. Enjoying the food and other fun activities were Rachael and Stephen Roane, Connie and Milt Prewitt, Riley Chandler, Callie Roane, Eastin Kent, Cameron Roane, Terrell Roane, Kendal and Andrew Peiler, Colby Plaia, Rosalyn Valls, Parker Meek, Taylor Krumbolz, Olivia McLanahan, Neal Bonner, Mason Harris, Katy Robbins, Eliza Klein, John Michael Kamel, Charlie Barnett, Brandon Maraldo, Peyton Shaw, Sally Cissank, Claire Whitney, Emily Church, Tony Tran, Allison and Will Darling, just to name a few. Lots of fun had by all!
Deserving graduates… Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School will celebrate the Class of 2022 commencement with a graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 21, at the Beaumont Civic Center beginning at 4 p.m. MKCHS graduate Clayton Christopher, from the Class of 1991, will be the commencement speaker. Christopher is passionate about entrepreneurship and loves assisting small food and beverage companies to scale. Kelly’s valedictorian, Colin Angel, who is the son of Jane and Ian Angel, and salutatorian, Mirabel Branch, the daughter of Meg Branch and Ronnie Branch, will also address the graduating class. Congrats to all!
News of I do’s… Erin Hester said “yes” when longtime boyfriend Caldwell Kent proposed last weekend. Felicitations!
Going to press… The Press Club of Southeast Texas will host their 31st Annual Excellence in the Media & Newsmaker of the Year Gala on Friday, June 3, at the MCM Eleganté, at 6:30 p.m. This year’s gala will be in-person for the first time since 2019 and will honor five finalists for the Newsmaker of the Year. This award honors the Southeast Texan who had the most significant impact on issues and events during the year 2021. Finals are David Green, Georgine Guillory, Robin Mouton, Judith Smith and Jaime Taylor. Tickets are $50 per person and sponsorships are also available online at pressclubofsoutheasttexas.org. Funds raised from the event will benefit the Press Club Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded annually to a communication student at Lamar University. See you there!
Candles and cakes… bday wishes to Jennifer Nichols, Rachael Roane, Meredith O’Meara, Beverly Bernard, Alex Ordonez, Cheryl Barenberg, Jeremy Roebuck, Payton McVey, Melissa Edwards, Leah Laing Barnes, Kris McLemore, Raquel West, Uliana Trylowsky, Lindsay Gibbs, Carey Lombardo, Christopher Cokinos, Alicia Daleo, Lisa Dishman, Crystal King, Heidi Mast, Marty Craig, Bill Geyser, Debra Harken, Kit Ohmstede, Liz Howell, Gerard Parigi, Anna Katherine Falgout, Anne East and Kristi Dodd.
Until the next RSVP!