We welcome May’s beautiful blue skies and warm sun…creating picture perfect days for some fabulous outdoor events coming up this month. If the Kentucky Derby is your race, why not watch it with friends while benefiting Montgomery County’s homeless? Montgomery County’s Homeless Coalition is holding its 1st Annual Kentucky Derby Gala, see details below. Interested in walking for a cause? The Angelman Syndrome Walk will be held this month at Rob Fleming. Angelman is a neuro-genetic disorder that causes developmental delay, lack of speech, seizures and walking disorders. Walk for someone who cannot and help give these kids a voice. This is an amazing event, so please join me out there!

Ladies, we have a couple of events just for you as we move through May…Is your inner glam gal waiting to dress up “Bollywood-style”? Then check out the 13th Annual Ladies Night Out debuting at a new venue, The Legends Sports Complex. Montgomery County Youth Services and this awesome committee, led by Patti Rivela, always puts on a fabulous night to help the children of our area. If red is your color, then the Go Red for Women Luncheon has a ticket waiting for you. All proceeds benefit The Montgomery County division of The American Heart Association’s education and research programs.

If walking the green is your idea of a great day out, check out our 2nd Annual Hope on the Green Golf Tournament & Dinner at Woodforest Golf Club benefiting Juvenile Batten disease research for my son, Will. Lexus will be our Hole in One Sponsor again this year, along with a $100,000 Putting Contest and $1,000,000 Shoot Out, both sponsored by Woodforest. Juvenile Batten Disease is a rare, genetic, neuro-degenerative condition affecting my 8-year- old son. Batten disease causes blindness, seizures, loss of mobility, speech and cognitive functions. This is currently a terminal condition, with no treatment or cure, but there is HOPE. We have privately funded researchers working on a treatment to slow progression. Help us make a difference for Will and the hundreds of others affected. On behalf of myself and family, I thank this community and The Woodlands Lifestyles and Homes magazine for your amazing support.

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. I hope to see you at one of the following events:
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WOMEN OF DISTINCTION LUNCHEON

The Montgomery County Women’s Council of Organizations recently presented their annual Luncheon and Awards program at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott. Ladies representing 23 organizations that rely or benefit from the participation of women in Montgomery County were honored for their volunteerism and leadership. Guests enjoyed lunch and a fashion show, “Petticoats to Parasols.” This year marked the 20-year anniversary of the Council.

1. The Montgomery County Women’s Council of Organizations’ board of directors

2. Yvette Williams with Jenni Skipper, Junior League of North Harris & South Montgomery Counties’ Woman of Distinction honoree

3. Grogan’s Point Resident’s Association’s Woman of Distinction honoree Mary Lou Fitch with husband Gary and her daughters

4. Interfaith of The Woodlands Woman of Distinction honoree Barbara Gebert (second from left) with husband and Interfaith’s founding executive director, Rev. Don Gebert, and Interfaith’s CEO Dr. Ann Snyder (back, center)  Sue Probst (left) and Judy Nelson (right)

5. Amy Milstead, Montgomery County Youth Services Woman of Distinction with husband, Dick

6. Laura Balmaceda of Affinity Ballroom with Meghan Goss

7. (L-R) Amber Oakley, Julia Dell, Christy Miller and Carol McHorse

8. (L-R) Bridget Buck, Carol Durkee, Jennifer Bulovas, Emily Gogineni, Presha Carr, Amber Hart and Audra Hoegemeyer

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CYPRESS WOODLANDS JUNIOR FORUM GALA

The Cypress Woodlands Junior Forum’s 23rd Annual Fundraising Event, “Cirque de la Fantaisie, CWJF Ignites the Imagination,” took place at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel. The Convention Center of the Marriott was transformed into a colorful ballroom packed with guests enjoying dinner, dancing and auctions, all benefiting the Forum’s community service programs. The evening honored Lori Klein Quinn for her dedication to the organization and her leadership for those she serves in our North Houston area.

9. Evening Honoree Lori Klein Quinn with CWJF President Sissy Bomer

10. CWJF advisory board members, Honorable J. Kent Adams (left) and Harris County  Constable Ron Hickman (center, right), with Gala co-chairs, Sandra Loyd (center, left) and Debbie Haun (far right)

11. Ann and Peter Perez

12. Lori Klein Quinn (center) with fellow Grand Parkway board members, (l-r) Guy Harrell and Ed Poole

13. Lori Klein Quinn (center) and her family (l-r) Mike and Stephanie Mogell, Lori’s daughter Taylor, and husband, David.

14. (L-R) Gail and Bill Schubert with Sheri and John Hamm

15. Jennifer Loyd and Lynn Sorrell

16. Bill and Karyn Duffy with Pat and Amethyst Manning

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INTERFAITH OF THE WOODLANDS VOLUNTEER LUNCHEON

Interfaith of The Woodlands was blessed with a beautiful day to celebrate and honor their volunteers at their annual Volunteer Luncheon. Guests enjoyed BBQ and cobbler on the lawn at Interfaith of The Woodlands. Thanks to the efforts of the hundreds of volunteers, in 2010 Interfaith was able to make more than one million service contacts with a variety of services.

17. (L-R) Dorothy Saltman, Patsy Bohacek, Dr. Ann Snyder and LaJune Beams

18. Rev. Thelma Evans and Ramona Lewis

19. (L-R) Julie Vickers, Robert Reys and Diana Ashman

20. Annette Neyman of The Forum with Madalyn Cooke

21. Dr. Ann Snyder with Jennifer and Chad Manning

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PAVILION PARTNERS WINE DINNER & AUCTION

The Pavilion Partners of The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion recently presented their 13th Annual Pavilion Wine Dinner and Auction. Guests enjoyed the beautiful view from center stage of the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, while enjoying delicious wine and dinner provided by Flemings. Proceeds of the event benefit The Pavilion Partners Scholarship Fund and educational outreach programs. The evening honored Ralph McIngvale for his tremendous fundraising support and commitment to the arts in our area.

22. Diane Nielsen, incoming president of the Pavilion Partners board, with board member Dixie Cope and event organizer, Lynn Hollinger

23. Marsha Williams with son, Mark

24.(L-R) Shirelle Chementi, Lorri Petrauskas, George and Diane Lindhal and Carol Garner

25. Shelli Moran of Flemings, the evening’s dinner sponsor, with Ralph McIngvale, the evening’s guest of honor

26. (L-R) Will and Nicole Murphy, Susie and Jeff Shipley, Kelly and Paul Messenger and Joe Ash

27. Christine Scully and Keith Ferry, Pavilion Partners board president

28. Jeff Harder of Winstead with Neil Warma of Opexa Therapeutics

29. Joe Miraglia and Patrick Ireland

30. Nelda Blair with Dr. Ann Snyder

31. Jerry MacDonald, president and CEO, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, with Randy Lowry, member of the Pavilion board and co-chair of the Wine Dinner.

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SAVE THE DATE

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

May 7: Montgomery County Homeless Coalition (MCHC)’s 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: Montgomery County’s American Heart Association’s Red for Women Luncheon, Friday, May 13, The Woodlands Waterway Marriott.

May 17: The 2nd Annual Hope on The Green Golf Tournament & Dinner, benefiting The Will Herndon Fund for Juvenile Batten Disease Research, Tuesday, May 17, Woodforest Golf Club. For sponsorship or to register a team please see www.willherndon.org.

May 21: Angelman’s Syndrome Walk, Saturday, May 21, Rob Fleming Park. For more information, see www.angelman.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 more information: www.thewoodlandsgolfchampionship.com or contact Kathy Beisenherz at kbeisenherz@woodlandsinterfaith.org or 832-615-8230.