Hermann Park Tops Off 15 Years of Hats in the Park Lunch on a Supremely Springy Day

Jenny Antill
Hermann Park Tops Off 15 Years of Hats in the Park Lunch on a Supremely Springy Day

Holly Radom, Audrey White, Allie Fields and Julie Longoria Chen

IT SEEMS LIKE Houston has been toggling between winter and summer for a few weeks now, but during a stretch of true springtime weather last week, Hermann Park Conservancy hosted the Hats in the Park luncheon at McGovern Centennial Gardens.


This year marked the 15th anniversary of the occasion, which has had a measurable impact on Hermann Park and its six-million visitors each year. Event co-chairs Kristy Bradshaw, Kelley Lubanko and Leigh Smith greeted guests during the Champagne reception preceding the seated lunch on the verdant lawn. Bradshaw shared updates regarding the park's forthcoming McWilliams Dog Park and Commons projects — the latter of which will include a "40-foot rocket ship slide and whimsical carousel" — and Mayor Sylvester Turner also gave remarks, praising the Conservancy for its preservation and betterment of the community resource.

The afternoon honored Ann Short and Susie Criner, who chaired the very first Hats in the Park lunch in 2008. In total, the event raised upwards of $520,000 — a record! Hats off to that.

Valerie Dieterich and Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell

Alex Blair, Brigitte Kalai and Aliza Fan Dutt

Stephanie Tsuru, Elizabeth Wagett, Katie Tsuru and Donae Chramosta

Alice Mao Brams and Yoon Smith

Sanford and Susie Criner

Bethany Buchanan, Hallie Vanderhider, Fady Armanious and Chita Craft

Rachel Solar, Brooke Bently-Gunst, Lindsey Brown and Maria Vilchez-Lowrey

Chelsea Pacey, Lori Speier, Anne Calder

Nicole Katz, Carolyn Tanner and Tracy Hale

Demetra Jones, Kenneth Allen and Doreen Stoller

Nicola Fuentes Toubia and DeVaun Barbir

Duyen Nguyen, Debbie Festari and Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl

Lynn Wyatt

Heather Waters, Kim Tutcher, Brenda Love and Jana Arnoldy

Lesia Crumpton-Young and Anne-Laure Stephens

Kelley Lubanko, Leigh Smith and Kristy Bradshaw

Anne Calder, Rae Solberg, Jayne Johnston and Heather Safi

Isabel David and Rishma Mohamed

Kate Bellin

Katie Forney and Linsay Radcliffe

Style
Spa-tacular Getaway Opportunity: Retreat to Mexico this Summer with a Houston Wellness Expert

Palmaïa The House of AïA

THIS SUMMER, LEBRINA Jackson, owner of Escape Spa in Cypress, is taking her wisdom and joie de wellness to the jungle. Far beyond the walls of her beautiful spa, she’s aiming to create a quiet space for people to work on their personal growth in a community-centric atmosphere. She shares what participants will get out of the trip and why it’s important to take time for self-care in 2025.

Why is it important for people to “retreat”? Life can feel like a non-stop marathon, and sometimes we forget to just... breathe. Retreating offers a chance to step off the treadmill for a bit and hit the reset button. It's about giving your body and mind some much-needed TLC, allowing for genuine relaxation and rejuvenation. Beyond the personal perks, retreats often create a cool sense of community, connecting you with others on a similar path. By carving out space for self-reflection, you can recharge and return to your daily life with a clearer head and a bit more pep in your step.

Keep Reading Show less
Wellness+Giving Back

Alejandra and Edgar Rincon. Patty and Karl Schmidt

ONE OF THE most feel-good fetes of the year, the 2025 Make-A-Wish Gala once again broke records, raising a whopping $1.8 million for the Gulf Coast and Louisiana chapter of the organization.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties

SUPPORTERS OF THE Houston organization BRASS (Baylor Research Advocates for Student Scientists) celebrated the group’s 30th anniversary at a beautiful River Oaks home. BRASS president Elsie Eckert and a former BRASS scholar Sharon Bright were among those who welcomed everyone to the event.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties