Mountain Living

Move over Aspen: A more low-key summer retreat emerges as a Houston party haven

Although Aspen is the most publicized summer retreat for Houstonians seeking to beat the heat, Park City, Utah, is quietly making its own name. Only a 30-minute drive from Salt Lake City's airport, with a casual down home vibe, a wide range of real estate pricing and an endless array of summer activities, this town of less than 10,000 full-time residents attracts more Houstonians who visit or own second homes than does Go Texan Day.

Close to 100 Houstonians were on the coveted invitation list, including a large golfing group from The Woodlands and members of the Houston Symphony board.

Park City is chock full of Houstonians (and Texans for that matter) who visit the area's many ski areas (Park City's Deer Valley is ranked as nation's No. 1 ski resort) during the winter, only to return for longer visits in the summer.

Houstonians Janet and Graham Baker first visited Park City in 1999 for a ski vacation, and were wowed by the friendliness of the people and the quaintness of the town. When Graham retired from ExxonMobil in 2006, the couple decided that Park City was the ideal place to indulge their passions for skiing, golf and other outdoor activities, and to provide a gathering place for family and friends.

"Of course we love the tremendous variety of the ski slopes, but we also love the Sundance Film Festival, July 4th, the Park City Arts Festival, outdoor symphony performances — and of course the people. There is so much to love about Park City," Baker said.

In 2005, the Bakers hosted their first open house to coincide with the popular annual Park City Arts Festival. As Park City attracted more Houstonians, the Baker's open house has grown as more of their friends visit the town and bring their friends. This year close to 100 people were on the highly-coveted invitation list, which included a large golfing group from The Woodlands, former energy colleagues and members of the Houston Symphony board on which Graham serves.

Many visitors live but a block away from each other in Houston but only see each other in Park City, where the pace is slower and if you are from Houston you are instant friends. And if you are friends of the Bakers you are instantly friends of their friends.

Mingling with the crowd were Houston Symphony executive committee president Bob Peiser and wife Nancy, retired Exxon attorneys Susan Rowe and Al Galik, retired Shell attorney Lynda Irvine and her husband, Porter & Hedges' John Irvine, former Houstonians Millie and Allan Bradley, Cathy and Bob Grossman, Joe Cleary, Linda and Phil Pace, Betsy and Ed Goldstein, John Mann, Mark Tressler and Paul Taylor.

Cathy and Bob Grossman.

Photo by Jane Howze

Cathy and Bob Grossman.

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Garden of Glam

Versailles vibes shine at Houston's Women of Distinction winter ball

Photo by Jacob Power

Dr. Linda Magill, Michelle Lilie, Shawn Stephens, Desrye Morgan, Helen Shaffer, Karen DeGeurin Remington, Pitsami Norm, Robin Klaes, Jennifer LeGrand Howard, Kristen Cannon, and Lauren Gow.

If Marie Antoinette had RSVP’d, she’d have approved.

The Post Oak Hotel glittered with regal sass as elegantly clad guests gathered for the Women of Distinction Winter Ball, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s signature black-tie soirée. The Southern Texas Chapter pulled out all the stops for its 39th edition, raising $675,000 toward curing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis — no powdered wigs required.

Hosted by co-chairs Elizabeth DeLuca and Alice Mao Brams, alongside design chair Lauren Gow, the evening bloomed under a Gardens of Versailles theme. Floral artist Blooming Gallery transformed the ballroom into a rococo mirage with flourishing arrangements, candlelit ambiance, and enough gold accents to make Louis XIV beam.

Serving as the night’s guide, NPR’s Frank Billingsley emceed the program, introducing the newly inducted class of 2026 Women of Distinction: Kristen Cannon, Jennifer LeGrand Howard, Robin Klaes, Michelle Lilie, Linda Sagarnaga Magill, Desrye Morgan, Pitsami Norm, Karen DeGeurin Remington and Gow — each honored for their philanthropy, leadership, and impact. Ambassadors Helen Shaffer and Shawn Stephens were also spotlighted for their ongoing service.

Keynote speaker Lindsay Horton brought heartfelt weight to the evening, sharing her personal journey with Crohn’s disease with raw honesty, humor, and resilience. Her story of navigating chronic illness while raising a family reminded everyone in the room of the life-altering stakes behind the gowns and glitter.

Summoning their inner Versailles were Leigh Smith, Rosalyn Bazzelle Mitchell, Leila Perrin, Anita Smith, Stacey and Al Lindseth, Shelley Taylor Ludwick, Joann Peterson, Yvonne and Rufus Cormier, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Jerre Williams, Peter Remington, Audrey and David Gow, Scott Konitzer, Jill and Brad Deutser, Heidi Turney, Edward Sanchez, Trini Mendenhall, Sneha and Nick Merchant, Whitney Lawson, Lesha Elsenbrook, and Jayne Johnston.

Photo by Jacob Power

Dr. Linda Magill, Michelle Lilie, Shawn Stephens, Desrye Morgan, Helen Shaffer, Karen DeGeurin Remington, Pitsami Norm, Robin Klaes, Jennifer LeGrand Howard, Kristen Cannon, and Lauren Gow.

fundraisers