Sold-Out Lunch Brings MS Society Supporters, Houston Heavy-Hitters 'Together for a Cure'

Daniel Ortiz
Sold-Out Lunch Brings MS Society Supporters, Houston Heavy-Hitters 'Together for a Cure'

Joy McCormack, Rita Joubran and Katie Brass

A SOLD-OUT affair at the River Oaks Country Club raised more than $200,000 for an important cause, one near and dear to many Houstonians' hearts.


Four-hundred-plus guests attended the MS Society's Together for a Cure luncheon, chaired by Franelle Rogers and emceed by ABC13's Chauncy Glover. Fellow KTRK reporter Melanie Lawson — whose father Rev. William A. Lawson, a noted civil-rights advocate and sometimes referred to as "Houston's pastor," was also in attendance — spoke to her colleague Art Rascon onstage about her experience living with MS. Rogers presented her with an award title Media Champion, and the crowd gave her a huge round of applause.

The afternoon also honored Karen Tellepsen, Denise Jones, Kara Olfield and the McCormack family — Joy and Don and their children, Hanna, Ian and Evelyn.

Sarah Back, Jennifer Tellepsen

Art Rascon, Franelle Rogers and Melanie Lawson

William Lawson, Mary Williams, Vandetta Levingston, Thomas Carter

Bob and Denise Jones, Mark and Karla Olfield

Nancy Strohmer and Beth Wolff

Cardon Gerner and Nancy Gerner

Mary Chandler and Jeannie Chandler

Luba Bigman, Cheryl Faillace

Carleta Sandeen, Jolene Cook, Linda Ittner

Kelli Cohen Fein and Rosemary Schatzman

Cheryl Byington, Heidi Rockecharlie

Kat LaPoint, Nikki Beisty

Don and Joy McCormack

Cathy Brock and Alison Tennant

Karen Tellepsen

People + Places
Chapman & Kirby Launches Free Concert Series for Spring

Danny Ray and the Atlantic Street Band performs May 31 (photo from dannyrayatlanticstreetband.com)

CHAPMAN & KIRBY, THE premier event destination in Houston’s East Village, is thrilled to announce the launch of its Spring Music Series, kicking off on Friday, April 12. Chapman & Kirby has become synonymous with top-tier events and unforgettable experiences, many attended by celebrities both local and worldwide. With concert ticket prices soaring to hundreds and even thousands of dollars in the last year, this eight-week music series promises to be a welcomed opportunity to engage with live music for free, showcasing an eclectic lineup of talented acts.

Keep ReadingShow less

Laura Anne Day

AN APPROPRIATELY DRAMATIC event, this year’s Alley Ball transformed the Post Oak Hotel into an old-Hollywood-themed tribute to Alfred Hitchcock. Bold red curtains framed large screens playing black and white clips of classic Hitchcock films, and the centerpieces made of dark red roses had crows hidden in them! This was the backdrop for a spellbinding night that raised $1.22 mil for the theater.

Keep ReadingShow less
Parties

Mint julep sips at — where else? — Julep

ON MAY 4 IN Kentucky, thousands of race fans will don their springtime finest and excessive headwear to watch horses run around the track for exactly one and a quarter mile. Join the mint-julep fun at Houston’s three top spots to witness “the fastest two minutes in sports” — and just maybe win a costume contest.

Keep ReadingShow less
Food