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Candles in the winter
More than 200 people, including Grant Gordon, Allison Evans and Ben Connor (pictured, from left), put the “fun” in fundraising at the Candlelighters Young Professionals Group holiday party, raising more than $15,000 for Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance. Sensual Soul played jingle jams, and guests enjoyed Deep Eddy Vodka, Hideous Liquor and Christmas ale provided by Leprechaun Cider. Also in the crowd were Clark Henry, Stephen Brewer, Will Evans, Aron Will, David Huffman, Alexandra Scott, Camille Charvet and Patrick Connelly.
Lampooning Christmas
Joe Sansone and Teresa Maxwell got into the Christmas Vacation spirit. After outfitting their home in outrageous decoration, they hosted a festive “It’s a Griswold Christmas” party. Guests were encouraged to wear their tackiest holiday sweaters or come dressed as their favorite Christmas Vacation character. Cousin Eddie (Tom Sansone), Aunt Edna (Virginia Babin) and Ralphie from A Christmas Story in his pink bunny suit (Joe Sansone) showed up for a merry time. Pictured (from left) are Dr. Liza Kim, Pat McLaughlan, Dr. Robert and Denise Leisten, Joe Sansone, Teresa Maxwell and Diane McLaughlan.
Winter garden party
With the help of 21 hostesses, Jeanie Sweet hosted the Tanglewood Garden Holiday Tea Party at her home. A wall of glass doors folded back to open the den to a covered porch with seating for 100 women, who mingled and snacked on desserts. Among the crowd were (pictured, from left) co-chair Sharon Corry, Tanglewood Garden Club president Susan Betz, co-chair Trisha Baird and Sweet. Committee members were Ann Ford, Pam Harris, Barbara Maness, Betti Tiner, Vickie Lander, Kay Thibeaux, Kathy Kennedy, Kathy Plaeger, Amy Blumrosen, Gail Branca, Genny McIntire, Arlene Payne, Blanche Morello, Judy Schultz, Gloria Hill, Sally Thompson, Ollie Kensinger, Terry Estes, Therese Green, Angela Peterman and Katherine Murphy.
Picture of a winner
Suzy Burleson beat out thousands of worldwide entries to win the action/sports category of the 2011 Popular Photography magazine annual photo contest. Burleson’s photo, “Oarsman on the Arno,” was taken in Florence, Italy, on a bridge overlooking the Arno River. Silt in the water lent the river an unusual color, and trails show the oarsman in perfect harmony with the rushing river and in mastery of his craft. This photo also won a first place in the 2011 Buzz Magazines Photo Contest
Ornament exchange
Seventy-five gals showed up at the fourth annual ornament exchange at Kelli Weinzierl’s decked-out home, which had seven Christmas trees, a snowy village scene and 100 colorful toy soldiers. The party was hosted by (pictured, from left) Glenda Moore, Lorie Herod, Weinzierl, Pam Schmidt, Susan Light and Lynn Deyo.
An arresting gala
More than 600 guests, including local celebs, were awed by Houston Police Department rescue exercises, dramatic shootouts, swooping helicopters, fireworks, and “Dean Martin” and “Frank Sinatra” performing Ol’ Blue Eyes Sings the Blues during the Houston Police Foundation Gala. At the home of foundation chairs Tilman and Paige Fertitta, the HPD honored board member Paul Somerville for his contributions to the foundation and the community, and dinner chair Laura Ward took kudos for spearheading the fundraiser, which raised more than $600,000. Husband and board member Dave Ward emceed. Pictured are (from left) Ed McMahon, Charles Ann Gumina and Vic Fertitta. (Photo: Alexander’s Fine Portrait Design)
Warming the holidays
The Children’s Assessment Center Friends Guild Board hosted the fourth annual holiday coffee in Erica Bagwell’s home. Guests, including Friends Guild president Kim Moody, Terry Wayne Jones and Anne Carl (pictured, from left), donated toys and money and bought ornaments designed by the children and teens served by CAC, jewelry and artwork. Shopping benefited The CAC. Other board members included Diane Caplan, Maria Bush, Kimberly DeLape, Deborah Duncan, Tena Faust, Nancy Golden, Ursaline Hamilton, Amy M. Lee, Stephen C. Lewis, Lucinda Loya, Christopher Mendel, Bruce Padilla, Stephanie Perkins, Elizabeth Petersen, Susan Plank, Rachel Regan, Megan Sutton-Reed, Alicia Smith and Merele Yarborough. (Photo: Katy Anderson)
Doggie treats
Howl’s this for a tasty treat? Award-winning pastry chef Rebecca Masson and some pals whipped up some doggone good eats at the semi-annual Sweet & Savory fundraiser. Seventy-five guests, including Lucky Dog Rescue founder Millicent Gerdes and event organizer Masson (pictured, from left), dined on seven exotic courses, silently bid on items and raised more than $12,500 for Lucky Dog Rescue. Jodie Eisenhardt also organized the event. Lucky Dog Rescue has 25 to 35 dogs for adoption and is always looking for residents to foster them, with no expenses paid by the foster family. See luckyrescue.org. (Photo: Phyllis Hand)
The place to bead
Queen Joanie Filippone will hold court with King Tommy Jackson, Duke Mark Thiessen, Duchess Susie Cone and others at the Krewe of Maximilian’s Galveston Mardi Gras festivities. On Feb. 17, Krewe members will enjoy a bead party on The Roof Garden, and the next night it will be a “Havana Nights” beach ball. Pictured (from left) are the krewe’s past kings and queens: (back row) Nancy Keely, Thomas Irwin, Chris Cone, Cathy Brown, Jesse Brown, Debbie Robinson, James Henderson and Filippone; (middle row) Basil MacDonald, Kathy McCord, Jackson, Jana Giammalva, Ken Ellis, Jude Filippone, Samantha Norwood, Tim Samson and Julie Samson; (bottom row) Matt Henderson and Tessa Henderson. For more information, contact Jackson, (kingrex@kreweofmax.com) kingrex (at) kreweofmax (dot) com.
Star gazing, cancer fighting
Guests will be seeing stars at the American Cancer Society’s Oscar Night America viewing party Feb. 26. Chairs Kat Gonyea and Misty Tabberer and the event committee are planning a night of fine food, wine and vodka tasting, and an auction. Pictured (from left) are Emily Cotton, Heather Bourque and Gonyea. Other committee members include David McCurley, Deb Hensel, Duc Nguyen, Marianne Bianchi, Michael Wells, Nancy Rohr Rose, Rasha Nasreddin, Shannon Caldwell, Tiffany Johnson and Trish Earles. See oscarnightamericahouston.org. (Photo: CharadePhotography.Com)
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