Crowd of 700 celebrates hospital’s grand opening

August 1st, 2014

Doctors, in particular, seemed to really enjoy the hospital celebration – especially Dr. Jay Chavda, left, and Dr. Al Bowman. No, we didn’t ask.

Doctors, in particular, seemed to really enjoy the hospital celebration – especially Dr. Jay Chavda, left, and Dr. Al Bowman. No, we didn’t ask.

THE BEAUTIFUL new Bay Area Regional Medical Center is now open with some 700 local residents on hand for the grand opening celebration in Webster.

Even U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, (R-Utah) came down for the opening, joining dozens and dozens of doctors, nurses and community leaders at a champagne reception and buffet dinner. They should be proud the hospital was built by developer Monzer Hourani, the senator said, calling him “one of the world’s greatest engineers.”

Also on the program were hospital CEO Dr. Michael Lyons, Senior Vice President Santiago Mendoza Jr., Congressman Pete Olson and Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Bob Mitchell.

Many Webster officials joined in the celebration including City Manager Wayne Sabo, City Secretary Pauline Small, Mayor Pro-tem Alexandra Dietrich with her husband, Barry; City Councilman Martin Graves and City Councilwoman Natalie Dolan and her husband, Paul; Economic Development Director Dr. Betsy Giusto, Economic Specialist Karen Coglianese; and Police Chief Danny Presley and his wife, Stephanie.

Former League City Mayor Jeff Harrison and his wife, Marie, were in the crowd, as were Galveston County District Clerk John Kinard and his wife, Chris; Communities in Schools Executive Director Dr. Peter Wuenschel and his wife; former Clear Lake Chamber Chairmen Jim and Jane Sweeney and Clear Creek ISD Trustee Dee Scott.

Some of the many physicians there were Drs. Ranjit Patel, Rod Turner, Nathanial Barnes, Jay Chavda, Al Bowman, Gabriel Lee, Ravi Mani, Thanh Nguyen, Dennis Tang and Adelia Brannen, who came with her husband, David.

Butler Longhorn Museum Board President Bette Specion and her granddaughter, Kelly Thompson, are all smiles as they look over the big crowd at the annual fundraiser at South Shore Harbour Resort.

Butler Longhorn Museum Board President Bette Specion and her granddaughter, Kelly Thompson, are all smiles as they look over the big crowd at the annual fundraiser at South Shore Harbour Resort.

A Boot Scootin’ good time

A HAPPY CROWD of 200 had just a grand old time dancing to the country western music of DJ Charlie Broussard at the 4th annual Boot Scootin’ Longhorn Social benefitting the Butler Longhorn Museum.

Adding to the merriment, Ernie Deats, Dickinson cowboy and author, served as master of ceremonies as folks enjoyed a steak dinner and played for casino prizes –- partying until midnight at South Shore Harbour Resort.

The museum’s Bette Specion was on hand to greet the crowd that included Galveston County Commissioner Ken Clark, League City Mayor Tim Paulissen¸ Galveston County District Clerk John Kinard and his wife, Chris, Dee Scott, Ann Hacker, Barbara Meeks and Gary Pearson, to name a few.

But we hear they’re not done partying. Bette held another party July 24 at the museum to thank all the sponsors and volunteers.

Gene Hollier finds himself surrounded by friends as he celebrates his 80th birthday. With him at the big celebration at the Bay Oaks home of Bobby and Cathy Osoria in Clear Lake are, from left, Ginger Pampolina, Macy Osoria and Nancy Buffaloe

Gene Hollier finds himself surrounded by friends as he celebrates his 80th birthday. With him at the big celebration at the Bay Oaks home of Bobby and Cathy Osoria in Clear Lake are, from left, Ginger Pampolina, Macy Osoria and Nancy Buffaloe

Gene Hollier celebrates his 80th

SOME 200 of Gene Hollier’s best friends were on hand to help him and Emmeline Dodd celebrate his 80th birthday and toast him for his many long years of volunteer work in the Clear Lake community.

Hosts for the big event were Emmeline’s daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Bobby Osoria, and granddaughter, Macy, at their Bay Oaks home.

Some spotted in the crowd were Pam and Greg Ploss, Angie and Matthew Weinman, Nancy Buffaloe, Phil and Ginger Pampolina, Tama Brantley, Jan and Gib Larson, Ann Blanchard, Anita Fogtman, Harriet Lukee and John Gay and Becky Reitz.

Dollie McAlpin, right, of Clear Lake joins her granddaughter, Lanie McAlpin, on stage after she was crowned Miss San Antonio Texas Teen USA at the pageant in San Antonio. At left is the beauty queen’s other grandmother, Gracie Arguijo of Pleasanton, Texas.

Dollie McAlpin, right, of Clear Lake joins her granddaughter, Lanie McAlpin, on stage after she was crowned Miss San Antonio Texas Teen USA at the pageant in San Antonio. At left is the beauty queen’s other grandmother, Gracie Arguijo of Pleasanton, Texas.

Lanie McAlpin wins teen crown

IF YOU NOTICE Dollie McAlpin of Clear Lake wearing a big smile these days, she has good reason. Her granddaughter, Lanie McAlpin, was recently crowned Miss San Antonio Texas Teen USA.

Lanie, daughter of Jimmy and Lovetta McAlpin, is a junior at Sandra Day O’Connor High in Helotes, where she is in the National Honor Society, the orchestra and on the swim and water polo teams. Last year, she was first runnerup in the Miss Texas Teen USA in Houston.
Her other proud grandmother is Gracie Arguijo of Pleasanton, Texas.

 

Giving pets a second chance

SECOND CHANCE Pets will celebrate its 20th anniversary of saving lives in the Clear Lake area with a unique fundraiser they have never before attempted – Viva Paws Vegas on Thursday, Oct. 16.

The event at the Admiral Ballroom at the Endeavour Marina will feature casino-style gambling, beautiful showgirls, live and silent auctions, a live band, dancing, tapas and an open bar.

Laurel Stout is serving as chairman of the event and is already meeting with her committee, making plans for a great evening.

Bay Area Houston Magazine