Life of Houston’s Prince of Parties Celebrated at Holiday ‘Schmooze’ Soiree

Daniel Ortiz
Life of Houston’s Prince of Parties Celebrated at Holiday ‘Schmooze’ Soiree

Randy Powers, Bill Caudell, Sara Dodd, Will Denton, Bobby Hilliard and Greg Fown

THIS YEAR, THE in-person holiday parties hit different. More than 250 guests turned out to celebrate the season, along with the life of catering king and philanthropist Jackson Hicks, at the annual Schmooze event benefiting Legacy Community Health.


Hicks’ venue The Corinthian was decked out as a winter wonderland by several of his industry colleagues and collaborators, including Richard Flowers with The Events Company and Bergner & Johnson’s Rebekah Johnson. Flocked Christmas trees, sparkling light displays and stunning floral arrangements made for a most festive evening.

Music was something Hicks, known as Houston’s Prince of Parties, greatly appreciated, so it was fitting that holiday tunes played from beginning to end. The Open Door Mission Ensemble greeted guests. And, following moving tributes by many of Hicks’ other friends, a concert produced by his pal HGO’s Patrick Summers — and starring soprano Christine Goerke, pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet and cellist Chris Ellis, among others — received a standing ovation.

Hicks was praised for his support of organizations such as The Center for AIDS, where he first launched the Schmooze event. This year’s soiree was chaired by society heavy-hitters Bill Caudell and Randy Powers, Sara Dodd and Will Denton, Melanie Gray and Mark Wawro, Nancy McGregor and Neal Manne, Becca Cason Thrash and John Thrash, Milton Townsend, and Phoebe and Bobby Tudor. It raised more than $300,000 for Legacy, which established the Jackson Hicks Endowed Fund for the Awareness, Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS.

Terry Wayne Jones, Nancy McGregor

Ceron

Chree Boydstun, Richard Flowers

Shannon Hall, Renita Cooksey

Jo Furr, Erin Stimming

John Thrash and Becca Cason Thrash

Sarah Dodd, Will Denton

Kenny Rogers, Tom Young, Steve Nall, David Wright

Rob Giardinelli, Milton Townsend, Lance Avery Morgan

Michael Mithoff, Chree Boydstun, Melissa Mithoff

Phoebe and Bobby Tudor

Greg Parker, Lisa Foronda

Vivian Wise

David and Mary Ann McKeithan, Jeff Smith

People + Places
Pelican Builders Welcome Residents To First New Upper Kirby Condo Offering In Years;
Boutique Midrise Adds To Pedestrian Appeal Of Sought-After, Inner Loop Neighborhood

WITH ITS INAUGURAL set of residents newly moved in, Pelican Builders’ mid-rise condominium Westmore at 2323 W Main Street in Upper Kirby is already seeing the blossoming of a tight-knit community. Designed by Houston-based Mirador Group the Westmore is the first new condominium product to be introduced to the in-demand, inner loop neighborhood in more than three years. And with remaining two-bedroom homes starting at $895,000, it’s a remarkable value for this increasingly pricey area, where condos can easily climb to several million dollars and more.

Keep Reading Show less
Home + Real Estate

What is your mission? The Children’s Assessment Center (The CAC) provides healing services to over 6,300 child sexual abuse victims and their families each year. We offer forensic interviewing, family advocacy, mental health services, medical care, and court services at no cost. We facilitate community outreach and prevention training to raise awareness about child abuse in our community and how to keep children safe. Last year, we provided prevention training to over 35,000 community members, including 23,500 children in schools.

Keep Reading Show less

What year was your organization launched? Urban Harvest’s Saturday Farmers Market started in 2004 with just seven vendors, providing an outlet for local farms, community and backyard gardeners to sell fresh produce harvested directly from their soils. Now in its 20th year, the market has grown to be one of the largest markets in Texas, supporting over 100 local farmers, ranchers, and food artisans all from within 180 miles of Houston. The market draws 3,000 customers every Saturday morning and includes many original vendors like Animal Farm, Atkinson Farms, and Wood Duck Farm.

Keep Reading Show less