Rotary Club Honor Brings Lynn Wyatt to Tears — After Laughing About How She Proposed to Her Husband

Fulton Davenport
Rotary Club Honor Brings Lynn Wyatt to Tears — After Laughing About How She Proposed to Her Husband

Jerry Reyes, Lynn Wyatt and Douglas Drummond

IT WAS AN emotional afternoon for Lynn Wyatt. The doyenne of Houston society, dubbed "the original influencer," was the honoree at the Downtown Rotary Club's luncheon at the Bayou Place ballroom, and she didn't hold back the tears as she accepted an array of accolades from the group, including that Rotary's national Paul Harris Fellow Award, whose past winners have included Mother Theresa, Bill Gates and Bob Hope.


"I don't know what to say," she said, "so I'm just gonna cry." Her sons Brad and Trey joined her at her table.

The awards were handed off after a video was presented in which a wonderfully candid Wyatt told little known tales of her life. In one anecdote, she explained how, during their courtship, her now husband Oscar bet her $1 million that she would propose to him, and not the other way around. Her beau, an oil tycoon who flew his own plane, extracted the the proposal from her by sending the jet into a nosedive until she got down on one knee!

Jana Phillips and Shelly deZevallos served as chairs and TV's Mia Gradney and David Paul were emcees. There was a live auction, a highlight of which was a custom gold and diamond bracelet valued at more than $7,000, donated by Cindy Lewis of Lewis Jewelers. The event, which also included a fashion show produced by Lenny Matuszewski and featured some Rotarians as models, raised over $100,000 to benefit the organization's community service projects.

Brice and Sarah Cambas

Leah Salinas

Lynn Wyatt and Dot and Walter Cunningham

Miranda Sevick on the runway

Jana L. Phillips and Karina Barbieri

Emcees David Paul and Mia Gradney

Parties
Fall Philanthropy Report: March of Dimes’ ‘Signature Chefs’ Event Coming in November

What year was your organization launched? 1938

What is your mission? March of Dimes was founded in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, to combat polio. The name “March of Dimes” was suggested by entertainer Eddie Cantor as a way to encourage people to donate even a small amount, like a dime, to help fight polio.

Keep Reading Show less

Chef-owner Austin Waiter of The Marigold Club, now serving fried chicken and Champagne on Sunday nights.


IF YOUR SUNDAY nights could use a little sparkle—and a lot of fried chicken—The Marigold Club has just the thing. Starting May 25 at 5pm, the Montrose hotspot known for its playful mix of Southern charm and London polish is rolling out a new weekly tradition: Fried Chicken & Champagne Sundays.

This isn’t your average comfort food situation. We're talking a shareable fried chicken dinner for two, made with farm-raised birds from Deeply Rooted Ranch, and served alongside buttery whipped potatoes, minted peas, aged cheddar scones, and some over-the-top sauces — including a foie gras sauce supreme that’s as extra as it sounds.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

Palmaïa The House of AïA

THIS FALL, 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