“The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.”

—Harriet Ann Jacobs

We welcome Spring as the season of new beginnings, renewal and rebirths.  The sunshine glistening off of Lake Woodlands, as wild flowers bloom to the shoulder of the road and lush backdrop of greenery sets every scene perfectly…It truly personifies the vision The Woodlands was created in, doesn’t it? Its natural beauty shines with all its glory during the precious months of springtime!

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AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION’S HEART BALL

The Heart Ball of Montgomery County is always one of the most premier and anticipated social events of our area, but this year’s “Bling for the Heart” themed Ball, surpassed all expectations raising an unprecedented $625,000 for the local American Heart Association division. It was a beautiful evening in the ballroom of The Woodlands Waterway Marriott, where the hotel motif took on a sparkling “Diamond District” feel, and guests generously played a variety of action-packed carnival themed games winning everything from wine to the coveted Tiffany & Co. signature blue “mystery prize” boxes. After a moving and eloquent presentation from a beautiful young woman from The Woodlands, a heart disease and surgery survivor, Miss Bailey Mills, guests danced the night away to the popular band, The Party Favors. The annual gala raises funds to support lifesaving research and educational programs to fight cardiovascular disease and stroke.

1) (L-R) Heart Ball 2011 co-chair Carol  Garner and her husband, Phil, with evening honorees, Judy and Glenn Smith.

2) Heart Ball 2011 co-chair, Soly Lachterman (front, center) with (l-r) past Heart Ball chair, Marissa Mettauer with Chris and Sondra Rhuman.

3) Guest speaker Bailey Mills with Heart Ball sponsor Steve Bozeman

4) Nelda and Jim Blair

5) Dr. Ike and Bella Ene with Cassandra and Avery Johnson

6) Davis and Noelle Jahncke

7) Mark and Gretchen Scott

8) Karl and Cristen Hansen

9) Carl and Liza Robinson

10) (L-R) Tara O’Neal, Marxlie Mettauer, Gina De La Guardia, Ashley Lachterman, Grace Flink, Gabrielle Aquino, Alexa Coughlin

11) Samy and Stacey Morcos

12) Drs. George and Sakina Davis

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“SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE” GALA BENEFITING THE ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN FOR THE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS AT THE WOODLANDS

If a picture says a thousand words, then man, do I have a story for you!! All I really need to say is “Saturday Night Live” and you can only imagine the party that followed. Take more than 35 years of comedy characters and couple that with the generous supporters of The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands, home of The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, and you have all the makings of a hilarious, rockin’ and highly successful evening. The Convention Center of the Woodlands Waterway Marriott was transformed into an amazing, old-school SNL scene. Guests were entertained by The Blues Brothers starring Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi. The duo put on a spectacular show featuring such hits as “Soul Man,” “Sweet Home, Chicago,” “Messin’ with the Kid” and more. Many guests were able to join The Blues Brothers on stage, dancing and singing the blues. The end result was an unforgettable evening that raised more than $400,000 for the future of arts and educational programming at The Pavilion.

13) (L-R) Courtney West of Donohos Jewellers with Mike and Nancy Becker

14) Queen Killer Bee Sharon and Alex Sutton (center) with family, (l-r) Mike and Elizabeth Lowe, Holly Anderson and Alton and Penny Schwartzkopf.

15) (L-R) Aaron and Jessica Surber with Ryan and Johnna Edone and Barry and Lisa Katz

16) The evening’s “Best Dressed” winners, Shirelle Chimenti, channeling her inner Beyonce, with fellow “Single Ladies” dancers (l-r), husband, Dr. Brian Chimenti, Dr. Jimmy  Fields, and Brian Petrauskas.

17) George Lindahl (center) with daughters, Summer Spain and Kim Remy

18) Spartan Cheerleaders Amy and Jonathan Homeyer

19) (L-R) Mo and Randy Rogers with Dawn and Albert Garcia

20) (L-R) Nate Murphy and Alfred Flores with Donohos Jewellers, Richard van der Dys

21) Winners of the “Best Dressed” table, Gerald and Candi Glenn

22) Mary Katherine and Chris D’Agostino with Wes and Jenny Coyle

23) Killer Bee couple, Brian and Shannon Wing

24) (L-R) Debbie Glascock, Lisa Cockrell and Catherine Torrance

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INTERFAITH OF THE WOODLANDS “FIVE WHO SHARE” SPRING LUNCHEON

Hard work and volunteerism were recently celebrated at Interfaith of The Woodlands 7th Annual “Five Who Share” Spring 350 Luncheon. More than 500 guests honored five deserving individuals for their ongoing volunteer efforts with youth, education, fine arts, seniors and health. The lunch program also included comments from the honorary chair Jerry MacDonald, president and CEO of The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, and emcee Nelda Luce Blair. There also were performances from student Abby Moss of The Woodlands College Park High School, and The John Cooper High School student Madison Cagle, along with a music performance by the Oak Ridge High School String Quintet. A “chance” raffle and silent auction raised additional funds for the organization that assists individuals in crisis and serves the needs of so many families in our area.

25) Interfaith of The Woodlands honored and presented the Service of Excellence to five deserving individuals: (l-r) Beth Frantes — Education; Brenda Gottlieb — Fine Arts; Peter Shedden, M.D. —- Health; Robert Horner — Seniors; and Gina Brown — Youth.

26) (L-R) Tim Welbes, chair of Interfaith of The Woodlands Board of Directors; Dr. Ann Snyder, president and CEO of Interfaith of The Woodlands; Nelda Luce Blair, emcee; Jerry MacDonald, honorary chair

27) (L-R) Texas State Rep. Rob Eissler, Terry Brown and Congressman Kevin Brady

28) Pastor Larry and Vicki York

29) (L-R) Charles McBride, Lauren Ellis and Rodney Bradshaw

30) (L-R) Bruce Tough, Dr. Don Stockton

31) Michael Barnhill and Nick Wolda

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MY VISIT WITH THE GALATAS ELEMENTARY KINDERGARTENERS!

Last month, I had the very distinct pleasure to be a guest speaker to the kindergarteners of Galatas Elementary School. I was invited to speak on nonfiction writing and my job as a writer for this magazine. I told them how I write about charitable parties, events and people who help others. Not surprisingly, in an area as philanthropic as The Woodlands, many of them were able to tell me about charities that were special to them, like the Texas Children’s Hospital Fun Run, Humane Society and even the school’s own Boosterthon! The students were amazing, the teachers are inspiring and their ideas and spirit were delightful. So, as promised, the following is for the kindergarteners of Galatas Elementary, a recap of my visit using all my “naming” and “describing” words, just like they do in their “Writers Workshops”:

The Kindergarteners of Galatas greeted me with beautiful, inquiring eyes and big, toothless smiles. They sat quietly and respectfully as I talked about my love for writing. I asked if they enjoyed writing, and eager hands were held high in the air with thumbs up! They like writing! I held up a copy of The Woodlands Lifestyles & Homes; again, eager hands raised high, they recognized the white-bordered cover page of the monthly magazine from their homes and became very excited. They told me they liked to write about animals, dinosaurs, trips, weekend fun, their families, pets (including pet bunnies), favorite toys, movies, friends and the Tooth Fairy.

The kindergarteners were happy talking about their writing and very proud of the creative stories they had written. We talked about how every book, movie and TV show requires writing skills, and in nearly every career they will use the writing skills that they are practicing right now. They told me how they even “publish” their stories, just like we publish our magazine. I had a really fun, super great day with all my new friends at Galatas. Thank you for inviting me to come to your classrooms and keep up the great writing, Greyhounds!

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SAVE THE DATE

Feeling inspired to give? The spring season is packed with reasons to step out and step up to help others. I look forward to seeing you at the following events:

April 8: Montgomery County Women’s Council of Organizations presents the annual Women of Distinction Awards Luncheon, Friday, April 8 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel. For more details: www.mcwco.org.

April 9: Cypress Woodlands Junior Forum’s 23rd Annual Fundraising Event, “Cirque de la Fantaisie, CWJF Ignites the Imagination,” on Saturday, April 9 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott. For information about tickets call 281-379-1391 or email cwjf@sbcglobal.net .

April 13: The Blue Bird Circle’s Annual Fundraising Style Show and Luncheon, “Birds Take Flight,” Wednesday, April 13, at the Houston Country Club. For ticket information, see www.thebluebirdcircle.com.

April 28: Montgomery County Women’s Center Winefest, Thursday, April 28, Macys Furniture Gallery, The Woodlands Mall. To purchase tickets or inquire about sponsor contribution levels, call 281-292-4155 ext. 231 .

April 29: The 3rd Annual “Tea on The Lawn” benefiting New Danville, Friday, April 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the New Danville Community located at 10951 Shepard Hill in Willis. Tickets are $50 per person. Call 936-344-6200 or email info@newdanville.org, or visit www.NewDanville.org.

May 5: Montgomery County Youth Services “Bollywood” themed 13th Annual Ladies Night Out, Thursday, May 5, Legends Sports Complex. Visit www.mcysladiesnightout.org or contact Jennifer Ashley at 936-756-8684 or jennifer.ashley@youthmc.org.

May 7: Montgomery County Homeless Coalition’s (MCHC) 1st Annual Kentucky Derby Gala “Run for the Roses,” Saturday, May 7, at Stonehaven Equestrian Center. For tickets and details, www.mchomeless.org.

May 13: The 2nd Annual Hope on The Green Golf Tournament & Dinner featuring The Kyle Hutton Band, benefiting The Will Herndon Fund for Juvenile Batten Disease Research, Friday, May 13,  Woodforest Golf Club. For sponsorship or  to register a team please see www.willherndon.org.

June 27-28: The 2nd  Annual Woodlands Golf Championship and Community Scramble, benefiting Interfaith of The Woodlands, June 27-28,  The Tournament Course of The Woodlands Country Club and the Fazio Course of The Club at Carlton Woods. For  information, visit www.thewoodlandsgolfchampionship.com or contact Kathy Beisenherz at kbeisenherz@woodlandsinterfaith.org or 832-615-8230.

Want to see your event featured in an upcoming “Scene in The Woodlands”?   Drop me a line with the details or send me photos of recently past events at missyherndon@yahoo.com.