July is one of my favorite months here in The Woodlands. I love the sense of pride in America and the community spirit that abounds as we celebrate America’s Birthday. I remember our first 4th of July Parade here in The Woodlands like it was yesterday. It was truly a love story. My husband and I took our (then) very young boys several years back to enjoy the local festivities. I didn’t know what to expect, and I will admit, I fell in love, right then and there with this town. As I watched the neighbors line the streets, kids wave their flags, and lines of patriotic bands, trucks and floats move down the street, I was bursting with pride for this hometown we are so blessed to live in.

It was reminiscent of the 4th of July parades we used to watch growing up, every Summer, when we would return to visit our entire extended family in a small town in Pennsylvania. Our family would sit on the tree-lined, hilly roads watching the parade. I remember huge American flags waving off the porches of the older homes that had been there since my parents were kids, and their parents too. America and all her freedoms were proudly on display on small floats, in antique cars and on children’s bikes. Sitting on the curb that day in Town Center, with my own family, as the parade moved through the streets, America shined with the same amazing honor and delight as it did decades ago on the old brick streets of that small Pennsylvania town.  I hope you enjoy celebrating America’s birthday and cherishing the new and old memories that come from such a special time of year. Happy Birthday USA!

If you are sticking around for the summer, check out The Woodlands Convention Center and Visitors Bureau, www.thewoodlandscvb.com and The Township, thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov, for fun local events and activities.

I am working on the Social Calendar for the fall. Please send dates of upcoming events to missyherndon@yahoo.com.

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“BUILDING HOPE” GALA

Habitat for Humanity is well known for its dedication to building homes in Montgomery County. Thanks to the amazing success and support of their recent inaugural gala, “Building Hope,” the organization will continue their mission: to eliminate poverty housing by building decent, affordable homes in partnership with hardworking local families in need. Dana Tyson of SUNNY 99.1 served as the Mistress of Ceremonies and auctioneer Nelda Luce Blair led the live auction and appeal that netted over $75,000. The gala raised $250,000. More than 400 supporters, many new to the Habitat family, spent the evening honoring The John Cooper School and dancing the night away to Klockwork.

1) (L-R) Michael Koetting, Kaitlyn Caiche, Fred Koetting, Lisa Koetting, Katherine Mizell and Don Koetting

2) Gala Chairs, Pati Borgogni with Brenda Mizell

3) L-R) Frances Foret, Deborah Foret, Vicki Newton and Cramer Hegeman

4) (L-R) Steve Brown, president of the board of directors of Habitat for Humanity Montgomery County with Kim Larance and Joe Broccoli, representing the evening’s honoree, The John Cooper School.

5) Haley Garcia-Laubenstein and Jason Laubenstein

6) (L-R) Mistress of ceremonies Dana Tyson with evening auctioneer Nelda Blair, gala chair Brenda Mizell and gala committee chairs, Marcia Pratt and Lisa Koetting

7) (L-R) Thomas Miles and Stephanie Miles of Tiffany and Co., with Erica Reina and Todd Falcomata

8) (L-R) Lynn Grimes, Kim Grimes, Bonnie Schuetz of Boni’s Dance and Performing Arts Studio and Chuck Schuetz

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WOODFOREST CHARITABLE FOUNDATION’S CHARITY
PARTNERSHIP LUNCHEON

Woodforest Charitable Foundation focuses on enriching lives through the act of giving. Recently 27 charities benefited from this mission during the foundation’s Charity Partnership Luncheon at Amerigo’s Grille. A total of $245,000 in donations was distributed to a diverse group of local charitable organizations including:

Boys and Girls Country, Bridgewood Farms, Children’s Miracle Network, Children’s Safe Harbor, Conroe Family YMCA, Grief Resource Center, Habitat for Humanity, Healing Species Texas, Helping A Hero, Houston Food Bank, Interfaith Community Clinic, Interfaith of The Woodlands, Life Beyond Cancer Foundation, Montgomery County Emergency Assistance, Montgomery County Food Bank, Montgomery County Homeless Coalition, Montgomery County Women’s Center, Montgomery County Youth Services, North Channel Assistance Ministries, Panther Creek Inspiration Ranch, Special Angels of The Woodlands, Tamina Community Center, Texas New Community Alliance (dba New Danville), The Friendship Center, The Rose, TOMAGWA HealthCare Ministries, and Youth-Reach Houston.

U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady from the 8th Congressional District of Texas, was present to personally hand each charity’s representative a donation. The Woodforest Charitable Foundation was created by Woodforest National Bank in 2005 as a direct result of its desire to support and invest in the communities in which it serves.

9) (L-R) Sondra Himmer and Linda Darnell of Panther Creek Inspiration Ranch with Kim Marling, vice president and executive director of Woodforest Charitable Foundation; Victoria Constance, PhD, of Children’s Safe Harbor; Judy Deyo and Kelly Hamann of TOMAGWA HealthCare Ministries; Bernice Joseph of The Rose; and Vicki Richmond, secretary/treasurer of Woodforest Charitable Foundation

10) (L-R) Jeremy Horton, assistant director of Woodforest Charitable Foundation; Kim Marling, Elaine Petranek and Ginny Hargrave of Boys and Girls Country; Jennifer Ashley and John Bracken of Montgomery County Youth Services; and Vicki Richmond

11) (L-R) Kim Marling, Vicki Richmond, Anna Croghan of The Friendship Center; Rodney Redford of North Channel Assistance Ministries; U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady; Margie Taylor and Tom Snodgrass of Montgomery County Food Bank; David Chaney of Houston Food Bank; and Dr. David Gottlieb, director/board of directors of Woodforest Charitable Foundation

12) (L-R) Vicki Richmond, Meredith Iler and Sgt. Kendra Coleman of Helping A Hero; U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady; Barbara Smith of Habitat for Humanity; Kim Marling and Dr. David Gottlieb

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RARE TRENDS TRUNK SHOW

Sisters Marina Silver of The Woodlands and Paola Moore of Austin, co-founders of Rare Trends, featured their Summer couture line of Argentinean designers at recent trunk show at America’s Restaurant in The Woodlands. The sisters have been featured in fashion rags and blogs nationally and are becoming known for the sleek and feminine designs they bring from their native Argentina.

13) Rare Trends co-founder Marina Silver with Janine Jones of America’s Restaurant

14) Amber Brock and Mandi Allsobrook

15) (L-R) Paola Moore and Marina Silver with shopper Patricia Chediex

16) Paula Angeleri of Rokka Rokka Customs and Marina Silver

17) Rare Trends Shoppers

18) L-R) Karla Cabrera, Monika Arana and Paola Moore

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WOMEN OF DISTINCTION LUNCHEON

The Montgomery County Women’s Council of Organizations honored volunteers from local charitable organizations at its recent annual Women of Distinction Luncheon at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. Guests from participating organizations applauded outstanding volunteers for their service and contributions to our community. The Heart-Lites, a group of women affiliated with the Cypress Woodlands Junior Forum, performed hit parade songs from 1911-1938, as well as music from the 1950s and 1960s.

19) Montgomery County Women’s Council of Organizations Board of Directors

20) One of the 2012 Women of Distinction honorees, Ali May and husband, Randy

21) The Pavilion Partners of The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

22) 2012 Women of Distinction Honorees

23) Karen Falterman, Rachel Honeyman, Presha Carr and Sarah Watson

24) Susan Diehl and Carol Lauck.