Clear Lake Chatter: Parties Keep Bay Area in a Happy Mood

January 1st, 2018

Ava Galt, Bay Area Museum Guild co-president, from left, and Nina McGlashan welcome new Guild member Kathy Riggle.

BAY AREA MUSEUM Guild officials were all in a partying mood as their annual holiday party got underway at the museum in Clear Lake Park where Co-Presidents Carole Murphy and Ava Galt welcomed Robert and Nina McGlashan, Frank Perez and Priscilla Ennis, Peter and Pam Culpepper Cronk, Anita Fogtman and Jerry and Peggy Clause to come right in and join the fun.

First Vice President Jan Larson, who came with her husband, Gib, quickly invited them to sample the array of refreshments, along with new arrivals Pat Biddle and her husband, Ron Kahl, Emmeline Dodd and Gene Hollier, David and Cindy Kuenneke, Sharon Ferguson and new members Todd and Kathy Riggle, Neldon and Lois Costin and Donnie Johnson.

Others joining the celebration included Tony Galt, Gail and Don Devens, Sandi Allbritton, Louise Russell and Keith and Sally Jordan.

Clear Lake Panhellenic President Michelle Richardson, right, joins hostess Barbara Dickey and Co-Chairmen Judie Ferguson and Sue Ellen Jennings, from left, as they prepare to welcome the arriving crowd to their annual Christmas Party.

Panhellenic party draws happy crowd
EARLIER THAT DAY, Clear Lake Area Panhellenic members gathered for their annual Christmas Party at Barbara Dickey’s Bay Oaks home in Clear Lake with Co-Hostesses Sue Ellen Jennings and Judie Ferguson assisting and the Clear Lake Soundwaves choir providing entertainment.

Besides the beautiful music, some 60 members enjoyed a wonderful buffet lunch provided by board members Michelle Richardson, D’Lisa Johnston, Katheryn Vernau, Greta Mee, Darla McKitrick, Lisa O’Brien and Jill Reason. Another highlight of the day was raffling off five items to raise funds for their scholarship to be presented in the spring.

Among those enjoying it all you might have spotted Suzie Rogers, Priscilla Ennis, Kathy Wiley, Jo Cat Bruce, Karen McCorkle, Ondie Lyon, Judy Raiford, Kay Lee Benoit and Jo Nell Hunter, to name a few.

Vicki Buxton, right, chairman of the Houston Symphony League Bay Area Holiday Party, goes over final details for the event with hostess Carole Murphy.

Symphony League ready to celebrate
THE INVITATION went out and nearly a hundred Houston Symphony League Bay Area members and their guests arrived at Carole Murphy’s Brook Forest home in Clear Lake, ready to celebrate the season and enjoy each other’s company.

With Co-Chairman Vicki Buxton assisting, they quickly welcomed Stephen and Mariglen Glenn, Nina and Bob McGlashan, Jim and Aggie Moore, Glenda and Gene Toole, Anita and Bill Knoles, Kathleen Kearns, Deanna Lamorux, Dr. Horacio Guzman and his wife, Julia, Don and Judy Young, Eva Koll, Myra Barber, Sally Watt, Gillian Ford and Lew and Joan Wade.

They had hardly had time to say hello when in walked former Nassau Bay Mayor Don Matter, who now serves on city council, and his wife, Sherri; Janet and Jim Greenwood, Alice Steele, Vicki Buxton and Jim Hall, Pam and Matthew Vining, Betty Geehan, Louise and John Russell, Dana Puddy, Bobbie and Mike Munze, Jane Lackow, Jerry and Mary Ann Brown, Martha Mc Williams, Jean Raffeto, Gayle Nelson and Bobbie and Mike Munze and many more, ready to enjoy a delightful evening.a delightful evening.

Kathy Tamer, right, stops to talk with Yvonne Perrin, left, and Elaine Rister as she mingles with the crowd at the Assistance League Holiday Open House.

Assistance League hosts Open House
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE of the Bay Area members held their annual Holiday Open House Dec. 12 at the home of Cecilia Dismukes in Kemah’s Waterford Oaks.

Planned to perfection by Social Chairman Susan McCoy and Vice Chairman Arlis Miles, not a detail was missed. The venue was beautifully decorated, the sweet and savory snacks a delight to everyone’s palette, and a festive environment allowed for great conversation and visiting with both long-time and new friends.

In addition to lots of members taking a break from helping the area’s needy, many chapter supporters and partners could be found in the crowd. Many volunteered to prepare favorite recipes from both of the league’s award-winning cookbooks, Settings on the Dock of the Bay and Setting Sunrise to Sunset.

Clusters of people, such as Yvonne Perrin, Lisa Holbrook, Priscilla Magnuson, Badiha Nassar, Sandra Sellers, Barbara Weitenhagen and Elaine Rister, were found at a variety of locations, inside and out. Whether munching on treats inside, surrounded by lights, trees, and wreaths, or enjoying the beautiful view of the lake, it was a pleasure for all who attended, including Kathy Tamer, Sandra Kelver, Sarah Foulds, Linda Kelly, Ann Hammond, Jean Simms, Annette Snow Falks, Sharon Dillard and President Ann-Marie Doolin.

Clear Lake Chatter: They’re leading the way for 2017-18

July 1st, 2017

Elected Assistance League chairmen for the coming year, from left, Strategic Planning, Marie Keener; Assisteens Coordinator Karen Douglass; Marketing, Lisa Holbrook; and Education, Mavis Irvan stop for a photo at the May luncheon.

ASSISTANCE LEAGUE outgoing President Dee Cover passed the gavel to incoming President Ann-Marie Doolin as she was installed, along with President-elect Sarah Foulds at the philanthropic organization’s annual meeting and installation luncheon at Bay Oaks Country Club.

Others who’ll serve with them are Vice Presidents Katy Bastedo, Cathy Miller-Thornton, Jill Smitherman and Ellen Lancaster; Secretary Cathy Wolfe, Treasurer Barbara Weitenhagen, plus Assisteens Coordinator Karen Douglas, Education Chairman Mavis Irvan, Marketing Chairman Lisa Holbrook and Strategic Planning Chairman Marie Keener with Ann Hammond as parliamentarian.

Gail Ashby is the recipient of this year’s Sue Brady Award — an honor presented for leadership and exceptional service to Assistance League goals while Jill Williams was given the Sue Holstein Award — an honor presented to any member who has continued to support Assistance League over the years and is a positive voice in organization — a body of work award.Brooks Cima, Beverly Braden and Gail Ashby are this year’s recipients of the A.B.C.D. Award, given to members who go above and beyond the call of duty — members who do not know the meaning of the word hours.

In later updating the membership on ALBA’s accomplishments, Dee noted that the annual Ball of the Wild gala in April netted more than $91,000 to help with their philanthropic activities.

Symphony League Vice Presidents Ann Morgan, Patience Myers, Jim Moore, Glenda Toole and Carol Wilson, from left, share a light moment at the May installation luncheon at Lakewood Yacht Club as they begin preparing for the coming year.

Symphony League taps Martha McWilliams
HOUSTON SYMPHONY League Bay Area members have chosen Martha McWilliams to lead their organization in the coming year. She was installed, along with the other officers, at the league’s annual May installation luncheon in the Lakewood Yacht Club ballroom.

Nina McGlashan, a former vice president, was installed as the League’s president-elect and six vice presidents – Glenda Toole, finance; Jim Moore, education; Ann Morgan, membership; Carol Wilson, programs; Patience Myers, development; and Graciela Kavulla, communications were elected to assist in planning activities.

Other elected officers include Recording Secretary Jane Lackow, Corresponding Secretary Alice Steele and Nominations Chairman Carole Murphy.
Afterwards, the crowd was entertained by a group of jazz musicians — Glenn Taylor, piano; Michael Gorman, bass and Keith Credo, tenor sax and clarinet – who presented a selection of jazz standards, including “All of Me,” “Take the ‘A’ Train,” “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” and New Orleans favorites like “When the Saints Go Marching In” and “Basin Street Blues.”

 

A number of past Panhellenic presidents were in the crowd at the May luncheon including, from left, front row, Judie Ferguson, Dana Brown, Ruth Beecher, Diane Overman, Pat McAllister, Peggy Clause; back row, Kay Lee Benoit, Jill Reason, Jennie Hampton, Ondi Lyon, Laurie Vaughn, Barbara Dickey, Hazel Harron and Kim Barker.

C.L. Panhellenic installs new officers
CLEAR LAKE AREA Panhellenic’s new president for the coming year is Michelle Richardson, who was installed at the sorority alumnae organization’s May luncheon.

Others who’ll serve with her are First Vice President D’Lisa Johnston, Second Vice President Kathryn Vernau, Third Vice President Greta Mee, Treasurer Lisa O’Brien, Corporation Kay Lee Benoit  with Past President Jill Reason taking the job of parliamentarian.

Besides the installation of officers, another highlight was the presentation of college scholarships to several lucky young ladies — Micaela Torres, La Porte High School; Nazneen Ibtehaj, Clear Springs High School; Avery Wood, Clear Creek High School; Lily Cao and Juliana Bozeman, Clear Springs High School.

Many marveled at the large number of past presidents in the crowd besides Jill – Judie Ferguson, Dana Brown, Ruth Beecher, Diane Overman, Kay Lee Benoit, Jennie Hampton, Ondi Lyon, Laurie Vaughn, Kim Barker, Pat McAllister, Peggy Clause and Barbara Dickey.

Bay Area Museum Guild officers and committee chairmen for 2017 are Directory Chairman Sandi Albritton, Parliamentarian Sally Jordan, First Vice President Jan Larsen, Co-President Carole Murphy, Corresponding Secretary Louise Russell, Hospitality Chairman Nancy Sanders, Treasurer Diana Dornak and Recording Secretary Gayle Nelson.

Museum Guild gets new co-presidents
BAY AREA MUSEUM Guild has not one but two presidents for the 2017-18 season – Co-Presidents Ava Galt and Carole Murphy.

Others elected to help lead the organization are First Vice President Jan Larsen, Second Vice President Brandie Corrao, Corresponding Secretary Louise Russell, Recording Secretary Gayle Nelson, Treasurer Diana Dornak and Parliamentarian Sally Jordan.

Among others playing major roles will be Directory Chairman Sandi Albritton and Hospitality Chairman Terri Monette with Mary Ann Baxter and Charles Smitherman serving as directors of the museum.

Bay Area Houston Magazine