Honoring Texas History, Heritage Society Lunch Was a 'Big, Wonderful Thing'

Priscilla Dickson
Honoring Texas History, Heritage Society Lunch Was a 'Big, Wonderful Thing'

Phoebe Tudor, Mark Sullivan and Minnette Boesel

HOUSTONIANS WERE CAPTIVATED by beloved Frank Billingsley's recounting of his family history at the Heritage Society's annual luncheon, where Billingsley was the event emcee.


He told the tale of how his 11-generations-great grandfather Captain Jesse Billingsley led his men into the Battle of San Jacinto and originated the battle cry "Remember the Alamo." And this story was followed up by author Stephen Harrigan's onstage appearance, giving an insight into the pages of Big Wonderful Thing, Harrigan's latest book about Texas' struggle and triumph in a land of extremes. In conversation with podcaster Ken Wise, Harrigan discussed the Spanish explorers, Comanche warriors, Tejano activists and Texas wildcatters who have made our state so great.

Chaired by Gwen and Ed Emmett and Angela and Will Cannady, the event also honored Gary White, who is retiring from the Heritage Society after 30 years.

Jo Furr and Harriet Latimer

Donna Vallone and Kristina Somerville

Carleta Sandeen and Fran Callahan

Carol Brooks and Steve Lucchesi

Alison Bell, Gary White and Carolyn Johnson

Jean Wilson, Tim Richey and Carla Bisong

Barry Mandel and Frank Billingsley

Nancy Willerson, Jane Wise and Caroline Hassell

Will and Angela Cannady and Gwen and Ed Emmett

Mary Maxey, Nancy Willerson and Ginger Blanton

Stephen Harrigan and Ken Wise

C. C. and Duke Ensell

Parties

Chef Royere

IT’S NOT EVERY day that a Houston chef is graced with one France’s most prestigious honors. But that day arrived for The Post Oak’s executive chef Jean-Luc Royere who received the Ordre du Mérite agricol in a private ceremony on April 16. The award is an esteemed honor bestowed to French citizens by the French Republic for outstanding contributions to agriculture and the culinary arts.

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People + Places

Denise Reyes and Matthew Healey (photo by Katy Anderson)

THE OPERA BALL, one of Houston’s perennially elegant, must-hit galas among the society set’s top tier, tilted marvelously mod and disco-deluxe this year, with sophisticated Spanish hints, thanks no doubt to ball chairs Isabel and Ignacio “Nacho” Torras. They are, of course, the arts patrons behind two of Houston’s most popular and trendy restaurants — MAD and BCN Taste & Tradition.

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Parties