As I took my 2-year-old out for a stroller run recently, the sound of crunching from the season’s fallen leaves under the wheels of the jogger brought a huge smile to my face. Not only was the sun shining perfectly through the clouds in the picturesque sky, my little man had fallen asleep and my cell phone ran out of charge… a moment of peace, in the middle of a hectic day.

Everyone is so busy these days, running from place to place, do you ever just take a moment to reflect on the beautiful blessing that is today? Enjoy your little moment of peace that I hope each day brings you as the holiday season approaches.

Make a difference by attending one the many fundraising events this month in the area. Take the family for an IWoW of a celebration on Nov. 20 and gather some peace from the stunning Lighting of the Doves festivities. Start (and maybe even finish) your holiday shopping at The Junior League’s Holiday Market at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott, all while supporting the league’s amazing community programs focused on children, literacy and volunteerism.

Get more details on these events and others by checking out our Happening’s calendar and the upcoming social events listed below. And, while you are out and about, look for me so you too can be “Scene in The Woodlands.”

Nov. 5: 2nd Annual “Hope Under the Stars” fundraiser benefitting The Will Herndon Fund for Juvenile Batten Disease Research, The Lodge at Rob Fleming Park; www.willherndon.org.

Nov. 12: The Blue Bird Circle Gala “A Time To Fly” honoring Gary D. Clark, M.D., chief of pediatric neurology at Baylor College of Medicine and chief of neurology services at Texas Children’s Hospital, River Oaks Country Club; contact Karen at 832-867-7300.

Nov. 13: Children’s Safe Harbor Dinner Concert, Belle Rose Maison; www.childrensafeharbor.org.

Nov. 18: Junior League of North Harris and South Montgomery Counties Inc., Holiday Market “Martinis and Mistletoe” Preview Party, 7:30-10:30 p.m., The Woodlands Waterway Marriott and Convention Center; www.jlnhsmc.org for tickets and more information.

Nov. 19-21: Junior League of North Harris and South Montgomery Counties Inc., Holiday Market Shopping Days, The Woodlands Waterway Marriott and Convention Center; www.jlnhsmc.org for more information.

Nov. 20: Junior League of North Harris and South Montgomery Counties Inc., Santa’s Gingerbread Workshop, The Woodlands Waterway Marriott and Convention Center; www.jlnhsmc.org for tickets and details.

Nov. 20: Lighting of the Doves and International Winter on the Waterway (IWoW) Festival, Town Green Park and along the Waterway. www.thewoodlandscvb.com for more information.

For more details on the many other events planned for November, check out  www.thewoodlandscvb.com and www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

Making plans for an upcoming gala, fundraiser, party or event? Drop me a line with the details or photos of a past event at missyherndon@yahoo.com.

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Celebration of Excellence Gala VIP Party

Interfaith of The Woodlands and Celebration of Excellence Gala honorary chairs Sen. Tommy and Marsha Williams held a VIP Party in honor of the 2010 Hometown Heroes at AVIA Hotel. Held upstairs in the very trendy AVIA bar and lounge, guests and supporters enjoyed a delicious spread of appetizers, drinks and an ice cream bar. Gala sponsors and this year’s hometown heroes were honored and celebrated.

1. Honorary chairs Sen. Tommy and Marsha Williams with their family

2. Jim and Nelda Blair with Sen. Tommy and Marsha Williams

3. (L-R) Casey Snyder, GJ Snyder and Sandy Cox

4. George Lindahl, 2010 Hometown Hero, with Dianne Dakota

5. Pastor Alan and Karen Splawn

6. Shannon and Jason Mills

7. Christen Kaufman and Sandra Winter

8. Todd and Carol Durkee

9. Courtney West and Richard Van der Dys, both of Donoho’s Jewellers, sponsor of the $15,000 Donoho’s gift certificate raffle prize

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The Woodlands Chamber of Commerce Awards Luncheon

The Woodlands Chamber of Commerce hosted its 32nd annual Awards Luncheon at the Woodlands Resort and Conference Center. Chamber members and community supporters enjoyed lunch while volunteers and citizens were recognized for their service.

10. (L-R) Dr. Don Stockton, Conroe I.S.D. superintendent, with incoming Chamber of Commerce chair Nina Marino, and outgoing Chamber of Commerce chair Bruce Tough

11. Sarah Rhea, chamber board of directors, with Chamber president Karen Hoylman

12. (L-R) Don Norrell, president and general manager of The Woodlands Township, with Miles McKinney and Nathan Cook

13. Nick Wolda and Nelda Blair

14. Jenny Taylor, Dr. Dawn Schwab and Dr. Lisa Hanson

15. Jim Blair and Dr. Ann Snyder

16. Representing Living Magazine, the luncheon sponsor, (l-r) Hannah Gleason, Victor Holmes, Linda Jost and Cathy Levine

17. (L-R) Joe Salas, Jim Cochran and Ray Biggerstaff

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Woodforest Charitable Foundation’s
Connoisseurs of Charity Gala

Celebrity chefs wowed guests at the annual intimate and exclusive Woodforest Charitable Foundation’s Connoisseurs of Charity fundraising gala at Amerigo’s Grille. Five local chefs joined together, each taking a course, to create a meal that was as tantalizing to the eye as the tastebuds. The event itself was amazing, a private cocktail hour then dinner in Amerigo’s dining room and an auction unlike any other with exclusive VIP packages and private dinners custom-created on location by the chefs.

Celebrating five years of giving, The Wood­forest Charitable Foundation, created by Woodforest National Bank, gives annually to community organizations and recently donated more than $230,000 to local charities.

18. Woodforest Charitable Foundation board of directors: (l-r) Kim Marling, executive director, with Robert Marling, president, and Vicki Richmond, secretary/treasurer

19. Richie and CeCe Ray

20. Kathy and Steve Sanders with Diane Paur

21. Tim Welbes and Virgil Yoakum

22. Morganne and Jefy Matthews

23. Mary and Andy Pauer

24. Dr. Guy and Holly Lewis

25. Alex and Sharon Sutton with Walter and Madelyn Cook

26. Chef Kent Rathbun of Jaspers with Marsha and Sen. Tommy Williams and Jay Drebelbis

27. (L-R) Chefs Kent Rathbun of Jaspers, Bryan Caswell of Reef, Arturo Osorio of Amerigos (front), Charles Clark of Ibiza Food and Wine Bar, and Mark Cox of Mark’s American Cuisine

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Retts Strollathon

The second annual Retts Strollathon was held at Rob Fleming Park in The Woodlands. Retts Angels, their families and supporters spent the afternoon enjoying the beautiful day and leisurely “Stroll,” all in hope of finding a cure for Rett syndrome. Kevin Black’s band played as the supporters of the stroll walked in celebration of research and in honor of those who lost their battle with Retts. Kevin’s daughter, Courtney, passed away seven years ago due to complications of Rett syndrome.

Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins to show its affects in infancy or early childhood. It is seen almost exclusively in girls, but it can rarely occur in boys. Most Rett children and adults require maximum assistance with every aspect of daily living. See www.rettsyndrome.org to find out more.

The walk came on the heels of a huge win for research, International Rett Syndrome just won the monthly $250,000 Pepsi Refresh campaign. All donations made to Rett are matched by the Pioneer Fund.

28. Kenna Seiler, a Rett mom who serves on the board of directors for International Rett Syndrome, with Paul Russ, father of Rett angel Clarissa Russ, Nov. 23, 1980-Nov. 23, 2009, who passed away late last year after the 2009 Strollathon. The 2010 Walk was held in honor of Clarissa.

29. Congressman Kevin Brady and Kenna Seiler

30. Rebecca Ann Cox of Katy, Texas, with Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo clown Toomey!

31. Team Save a Rett Angel with their Rett Angels, Sara Arnold and Allie Walker

32. Judge Michael Seiler with daughter Rachel, Angie Neal and Kevin Black

33. Rett Ride Across America cyclists, Henry Perez and K.C. Byers, rode in from Florida.

34. Volunteers from the Blue Bird Circle Clinic of Pediatric Neurology and The Blue Bird Circle Retts Center, Texas Children’s Hospital

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Charles Krypel Trunk Show at Donoho’s Jewellers

Donoho’s Jewellers welcomed New York Jewelry designer Charles Krypel and his trunk show featuring his 2010 fall line. Representatives from the Celebration of Excellence Gala Committee sold raffle tickets benefitting Interfaith of The Woodlands. Five-hundred raffle tickets were sold for a chance to win a $15,000 gift certificate graciously donated by Donoho’s Jewellers.

35. (L-R) Donoho’s Jewellers store director Richard Van der Dys, designer Charles Krypel, assistant store director Courtney West and Brian Krypel

36. (L-R) Alfred Flores, Pascal Asien, Sandra Novak, Richard Van der Dys and Tyra Sanders

37. Ashleigh and Michael Wright

38. Whitney McCoy and Stacey Goertz sell Celebration of Excellence Gala raffle tickets benefitting Interfaith of The Woodlands.

39. Crysti Miles and Ampi Nhotprasal