Photos by Samantha Jane Beatty
Styling by Kate Stukenberg
Grooming by Tonya Riner for Page Parkes Agency
Models Madison Johnston for Wallflower Management and Jake Atterberry for Page Parkes Agency
Photo assistance by John Lewis
Styling assistance by Molly Jodeit
Men’s styling consulting by Cody Sever
and Whitney Wiggins for M Penner
Shot on location at Hotel Alessandra in Downtown
John and Carly Whitehurst and Claudia and Brad Freels
The glam black-tie gala celebrated the chapter's 40th anniversary, and also honored Montgomery County residents Kay and Tommy Austin. The nonprofit's signature shades of blue and gold adorned the ballroom, where more than 750 guests enjoyed bubbly from the Champagne wall, a raffle of a Kim Chau & Company Fine Jewelers sapphire ring, and more.
Emcee Deborah Duncan led the evening's program, which included video messages from JJ Watt and Charles Barkley, each granting a young attendee a wish. The silent and live auctions were both exciting, the latter touting packages like a trip to the Country Music Awards, which sparked a bidding war that reached $30,000.
Speaking of the CMAs, one of the honorary chairs, Carly Whitehurst, noted that 2024 marks the 10-year anniversary of her granted wish to attend the CMAs. She and her fellow event chairs were thrilled with the evening's total till of a whopping $1.7 million.
Ashley and Jonathan Sloan
Tony and Frances Buzbee
Ben and Bethany Buchanan
Tommy and Kay Austin
Brian and Jennifer Rayburn
Teri and Jim Andrepont and Shelly Millwee
Brian Ching and Lindsey Yates
Stephanie and Thomas Hatfield
Brice and Maryann Mannen
Ryan and Holly Lambert
Edgar and Alejandra Rincon
Ron and Christy Phillips
Jason Salas and Lacy Dalcour Salas
Richmond Webb and Dan Pastorini
Jennifer and Alan Rosen
Paula and Bruce Jefferies
Jeston Adams and Raj Sheth
Norman and Donna Lewis
Lyndsay and Matt Pennebaker
Michael Vanderhider
Mandy Williams and Jonathan Goldsmith
Marian Harper and Rita Shuma
Mark Wawro and Melanie Gray
Slushies at Fuzzy's
Slushies are starting to sound great about now, so cool off with a festive Bomb-a-Rita special garnished with a popsicle alongside and a tasty taco (or three).
Beers at HRD (courtesy Duc Hoang)
Celebrate Memorial Day weekend at Home Run Dugout! Kick it off with live music from the Outsiders on Saturday from 8pm-12am. On Sunday, May 26, watch the excitement unfold as Home Run Dugout hosts their first wiener dog races, with $1 hot dogs all day long! Perfect with one of the many craft beers on offer.
The Pit Room crawfish (photo by Alex Montoya)
Now with two locations, the Pit Room will be hosting all-you-can eat crawfish on Memorial Day to close out the crawfish season. Stop on by and grab your last taste of crawfish along with a cold brew or two! Opt for barbecue and all the fixings to eat there or carry out.
Brunch at Zanti
Say thank you to those who have served with an authentic Italian feast by chef Hilario for brunch on Saturday and Sunday or a dinner on Memorial Day. Zanti will offer all veterans 50 percent off their meal this Memorial Day weekend. (This special applies directly to what the Veterans order, not the entire table.) Book a table on the lovely spacious patio.
Ocean Water cocktail at Pier 6 (photo by Becca Wright)
On Memorial Day, escape to San Leon’s Pier 6, which is usually closed Mondays, but will open from 11am-9pm to welcome service members and their families, as well as anyone seeking seafood and sunshine. The day includes family-friendly festivities, including a bounce castle, face painter, popcorn machine and snow cones, patriotic decorations and live music during the day. The event is sponsored by Blue Chair Bay Rum and El Jimador Tequila, with lots of cocktails on tap.
One of the best things about a Monday holiday is waking up knowing it’s a day off. Mosey on over to either this Memorial Day for the extended afternoon happy hour all day long from 11am-7pm. That means great specials on appetizers and drinks like the $6 for all house Margaritas and wines. More than half a dozen different appetizer plates are offered at lower prices, including flautas, street tacos, ceviche and nachos. Oh, and you can be sure the AC will be chilling.
Hot Chicken Sandwich at Dish Society (photo y Julie Soefer)
In addition to the all-day café’s daily 20 percent discount for all military veterans, active military members, first responders, police and fire personnel (with valid ID), Dish Society will host a Monday brunch from 8am-3:30pm at all locations. Treat your favorite service member to farm-fresh picks like the hot chicken sandwich, buttermilk pancakes and shrimp and grits.
Kolache Shoppe's Brisket, Egg & Cheese Kolache (photo by Becca Wright)
Customers who display a valid military I.D. will receive 20 percent off any purchase of sweet or savory kolaches, coffee and more. Delicious favorites include ranchero, brisket, egg and cheese, peach, apple and many others! Note this only applies to the Richmond location, as the other bakeries are closed Mondays.
Daily Gather's Smoked Salmon Board (photo by Kimberly Park)
Daily Gather honors veterans, active military members, first responders, police and fire personnel every day with 20 percent off their purchase with valid I.D. They’ll be serving lunch, social hour and dinner on Monday. Locally sourced Americana share plates, as well as tasty sandwiches and entrees like the BreggyBomb burger, steak frites, and rotisserie chicken alongside craft cocktails, Texas beers and wine in the chic dining room, roomy patio or at the bar.
State Fare Kitchen & Bar brunch
Throughout Memorial Day weekend, State Fare Kitchen + Bar will be offering Houstonians a craveable brunch menu from 9am-4pm at all three locations. Enjoy the long weekend with brunch items like Fried Green Tomatoes with lump crab, remoulade and jalapeno; Avocado & Street Corn Toast with local whole grain bread, mashed avocado, elote, crema and tajin; Poached Eggs on Crab Cakes with hot sauce hollandaise and skillet hash browns; and more.
Liberty Kitchen brunch
A Houston favorite, Liberty Kitchen River Oaks and Memorial will be open on Saturday, May 25, thru Memorial Day on Monday, May 27, serving brunch from 10am-2:30pm. Brunch favorites include Souffle Pancakes with warm maple syrup; Egg & Prosciutto Benedict with cheesy grits or potatoes; and Liberty Roll with toasted brioche, truffle tarro chips, and drawn butter, and more.
Brunch at The Audrey
The picturesque, Audrey Hepburn-themed restaurant in The Woodlands will be open for brunch from 10am-2:30pm May 25 through Memorial Day. Come hungry for Breakfast at Tiffany's with two eggs any style, two bacon, two sausage, toast, jam, butter, parmesan grits or potatoes; and Crabcado Toast with colossal lump crab, mashed avocado, and more.