Clear Lake Chatter

by Mary Alys Cherry

NASA Clear Creek Rodeo Committee Capt. Elizabeth Taylor, left, and Rodeo Style Show Coordinator Ann Blanchard wear big smiles as the crowd jams NASA’s Gilruth Center for “Rodeo Rocks the Runway.”

NASA Clear Creek Rodeo Committee Capt. Elizabeth Taylor, left, and Rodeo Style Show Coordinator Ann Blanchard wear big smiles as the crowd jams NASA’s Gilruth Center for “Rodeo Rocks the Runway.”

Yep, it’s time to saddle up for the rodeo

IT’S TIME TO RODEO and no one knows it better than the NASA Clear Creek Rodeo Gang, who put on some of the best shows around.

And, this year was no exception as dozens of well known guys and gals strutted down the runway, showing off a variety of fashions from Adelaide’s Boutique, The Clothes Horse, Dillard’s, Back Bay Boutique, Cavender’s Boot City and Jill’s Fashions before a cheering crowd at the Rodeo Style Show after new Johnson Space Center Director Dr. Ellen Ochoa welcomed one and all to NASA’s Gilruth Center.

Some of the models included League City Mayor Tim Paulissen, Shari Sweeney, brothers Mark and Michael Hesse, Anna Babineaux, Macy Osoria and Kelly Williams.

Heading up the partying crowd is Bay Area Go Texan Captain Elizabeth Taylor with Ann Blanchard as fashion show coordinator.

Faces in the crowd include Sheila Dell’Osso, Jackie and Dr. Phillip Daley, Emmeline Dodd and Gene Hollier, Joy and Jill Smitherman, Mary McMullen, Ann Nemer, Annette Dwyer, Anita Fogtman, Erika Heule, Erika Ballard, Carla Fitzpatrick, Belinda Parker, Ann Brannen, Joan McKinney, Suzanne Bonner, Cathy and Bobby Osoria and Ernie Falks.

Other cowgirls and cowboys included Badiha Nassar, Shirley Lang, Johanna Mathera, Tracey and Dr. Doug Webb, Sally Wiggington, Carol Bergman, Donna James, Diane Konick, Marie Keener, Jeri Knapp, Donna Gartner, Jennie Hampton, Cindy Castille, Peggy Heinrich and daughter-in-law, Elana Heinrich, Kathleen Killen and Jo Nell Hunter.

New Bay Oaks Women’s Association President Jennifer Simmons, second from left, makes plans for the coming year with the other BOWA officers before luncheon at the country club. They are, from left, Treasurer Allyson Jackson, Vice President Kimberley Weathers, Secretary Sue Broughton and Vice President Annette Dwyer.

New Bay Oaks Women’s Association President Jennifer Simmons, second from left, makes plans for the coming year with the other BOWA officers before luncheon at the country club. They are, from left, Treasurer Allyson Jackson, Vice President Kimberley Weathers, Secretary Sue Broughton and Vice President Annette Dwyer.

Bay Oaks Women elect officers

JENNIFER SIMMONS is the new president of the Bay Oaks Women’s Association and is already busy presiding over luncheons and board meetings.

Joining her in leading the country club organization are Vice Presidents Annette Dwyer and Kimberley Weathers, Secretary Sue Broughton and Treasurer Allyson Jackson with Past President Terri Divine serving as advisor.

Other top lieutenants already making plans for the group’s March 19 luncheon include Danele Buehler, Pat Simon, Ann Brady, Betsy Salbilla, Ondi Lyon, Janet Greenwood, Sharon Dillard, Jane Sweeney, Mary Alys Cherry, Mary Colombo and Lea Bodie.

Jenny Verghese, right, and Barbara Maxwell go over plans for publicizing the Assistance League’s April 13 gala.

Jenny Verghese, right, and Barbara Maxwell go over plans for publicizing the Assistance League’s April 13 gala.

Under the Sea Gala launched

WITH THEIR big Under the Sea Gala only weeks away, Assistance League members and their husbands gathered at The Aquarium Feb. 1 for a launch party, that coming during Mardi Gras season was mostly a night for fun and frivolity.

And, believe me, it didn’t take long to get in a nautical mood, what with fish and sharks swimming merrily along nearby as President Lisa Holbrook and President-elect Kim Barker and her husband, Dave, greeted the partying crowd.

Including Badiha and John Nassar, Helen Schlaifer, Stan and Cindy Senger Lewis, Jill Williams and her new hubby, Rick Lammers, Jenny and Tom Verghese, Sonya Moore, Angie Weinman, Atiya and Dr. Ezzat Abouleish, Dee Cover and Stan Herrmann, Lisa Delhomme, Linda and Einar Goerland and Peggy and Jerry Clause.

Before long, Gala Chairman Kathleen Courville, who came with her husband, Mike, and Co-Chairman Dee Cover were checking on assignments to make sure the April 13 fundraiser at the Hobby Marriott would be a runaway success, while Trisha Totten, silent auction chairman, and Barbara Weitenhagen, who came with her husband, Matthew, and is in charge of the auction baskets, were busy swapping ideas.

Kathleen Courville, left, who will chair the Assistance League’s annual benefit gala April 13, welcomes the crowd to launch party at The Aquarium with Co-Chairman Dee Cover.

Kathleen Courville, left, who will chair the Assistance League’s annual benefit gala April 13, welcomes the crowd to launch party at The Aquarium with Co-Chairman Dee Cover.

Other gala chairmen include Invitations and Program, Neerja Bhardwaj; Publicity, Jenny Verghese and Jennifer Maxwell; Reservations, Peggy Heinrich; Silver Stars, Jill Smitherman; Sponsors, Angie Weinman and Dee Cover; Table Favors, Jill Williams; and Treasurer Lisa Holbrook with Peggy Heinrich in charge of the Sponsor Party.

Some of the others in the crowd were Linda and Pat McCormack, Gail and Steve Ashby, Kathleen and Kyle Killen, Jennifer Maxwell, Peggy and Jim McBarron. 

Proceeds from the April 13 gala benefit the league’s philanthropic projects such as Operation School Bell, which clothes needy area school children.

Crawfish Festival March 23

THE CLEAR LAKE Area Chamber will host its 18th annual Clear Lake Crawfish Festival Gumbo Cookoff from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 23, in Clear Lake Park’s Landolt Pavilion.

Besides the Gumbo Cookoff, a Crawfish Eating Competition and a silent auction also are planned and volunteers are needed to work three-hour shifts that day, Chamber Vice President Shari Sweeney says.

For sponsorships and other information, contact the Chamber for details – 281-488-7676.

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