Houstonians Hit Up Fave Mountain-Town Playground for Chic Summer Soirees Benefiting Memorial Hermann

Daniel Ortiz
Houstonians Hit Up Fave Mountain-Town Playground for Chic Summer Soirees Benefiting Memorial Hermann

Aimee Snoots, Elizabeth Williams, Rosanna Blalock and Elizabeth Galtney

'TIS THE SEASON for Houston to collectively move to Colorado — at least until school starts back up. A pair of parties hosted by Memorial Hermann Foundation took place in idyllic Aspen, with a record number of guests enjoying the crisp mountain air, breathtaking views, and delicious blood-orange margaritas in the name of charity.


The first was a cocktail reception hosted at a private ranch owned by longtime hospital supporters. More than 150 guests listened to the sounds of a string quartet of students from the Aspen Music Festival and remarks from the foundation's VP and CEO Anne Neeson, as well as Memorial Hermann's president and CEO David Callender. They both highlighted the importance of Life Flight, the Red Duke Trauma Institute, TIRR Memorial Hermann and the John S. Dunn Burn Center.

The next morning, a crowd gathered for brunch at The Garden at Hotel Jerome, which was decorated by Indigenous Design with beautiful, organic floral arrangements. The daytime event, featuring a soundtrack courtesy of Aspen's DJ Savy, was hosted by Melissa Juneau and Leticia Trauber, whose daughter Lexi Trauber attended on her behalf.

The weekend festivities concluded with the distribution of a parting gift in the form of a gilded Aspen-leaf ornament, representing the donation of Aspen trees by the Memorial Hermann Foundation to the Aspen School District, whose campus has suffered many tree losses.

Kim Padgett, Leigh Smith, Patti Murphy, Cheryl Byington

Will and Elizabeth Galtney

Anne Neeson and Craig Janies (photo by Cathy Miller)

Valerie and Sam Golden

Charlie Lusk, Suzie Johnson

Tony Bradfield, Jennifer Allison, Rachel Regan

Felicia and Rafael Stone

Steve Trauber and Lexi Trauber

Geraldina Interino, Geraldina and Scott Wise

Sherry and Jim Smith, Erin Asprec

Lorraine Wegmann, Jen Savery

Roslyn Mitchell, Anne Neeson, Leigh Smith, Melissa Juneau, Tony Bradfield

Mary and Will Williams, Kathy and Charles Lusk

Myron Blalock, Tonya and Dr. David Callender

Melissa Juneau, Amalia Stanton, Laurie Krohn

Parties

Big Casino

READY OR NOT, Christmas is almost three weeks away and Houston restaurants and bars are beckoning with sparkling décor, holiday cocktails, and even shopping. Here’s where to slip into the spirit during the most wonderful time of the year!

Keep Reading Show less
Food

'Caribbean Blues' by Baptiste

AT THE OPENING of Haitian-born Mathieu JN Baptiste’s exhibit Dyaspora, currently on view at The Jung Center of Houston through Dec. 21, Baptiste’s good friend and fellow Haitian Jean Michel Celestin surprised the gathering with a blessing he played on a shofar, an ancient instrument typically made of a ram's horn and used for Jewish religious activities. Celestin chose the shofar for its similarity to the cylindrical trumpets blown in Haiti to celebrate Batay Vètyè, or Battle of Vertières Day, which commemorates the last major battle of the Haitian Revolution, and the end of colonial rule in Haiti (then Saint-Domingue).

Keep Reading Show less