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.

Bob and Nancy Peiser.

Photo by Jane Howze

Bob and Nancy Peiser.

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Big Spenders

Retro futurism meets philanthropy as Houston museum gala raises $3.6M

Houston Museum of Natural Science Gala 2026

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Will Lee, Britton Daugbjerg, Ella Fertitta, and Jason Fertitta.

Big spenders to the front, please.

On a night when Houston’s black-tie crowd orbited the worlds of science, style, and a little retro-futurism, the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s Futurama: A Stardust Odyssey Gala 2026 felt less like a traditional fundraiser and more like an expedition through the museum’s halls.

Chaired by Randa and Charlie Williams alongside Susanne and Joel Bartsch, the gala welcomed more than 350 guests who arrived ready to lean into the evening’s mid-century futuristic theme. Instead of a traditional program, tables were scattered throughout the museum, an intentional design that encouraged guests to roam. Blooming Gallery’s décor channeled a bright, Jetsons-inspired palette before shifting into a copper-and-marigold Mad Men mood as the evening progressed.

Let’s talk about the Vault Auction, as it had a gravitational force all its own, delivering a treasure trove of museum-worthy marvels and luxury collectibles.

Among the headliners was a jaw-dropping 90–troy-ounce crystallized gold specimen from the Beta Hunt Gold Mine in Western Australia, with a $850,000 starting bid. A Chanel brooch centered on a GIA-certified yellow sapphire had a starting bid of $180,000, while a dazzling pair of earrings featuring Paraiba tourmaline, Mahenge pink spinel, and diamonds was valued between $800,000 and $1.2 million. The crown jewel of the display? “Rocks in a Box,” a museum-quality curated mineral collection assembled by HMNS curators selling for $1.8 million.

Need a ride? We got you. A 1965 Jaguar XKE Series 1 4.2 Coupe donated by Stephanie and Frank Tsuru was up for grabs.

Gulf Coast Entertainment’s Justin and The SwingBeats Quartet filled cocktail hour with jazz standards and retro pop. Later, diners gathered in Morian Hall of Paleontology and the Morian Overlook for a multi-course meal of elevated Southern fare.

After dinner, the celebration shifted into high gear in the Grand Entry Hall. Joystix Entertainment transformed the space into a retro arcade with glowing pinball machines, Donkey Kong cabinets, and pool tables. Flamingo showgirls by J&D Entertainment strutted through the crowd. Guests danced to live music, sipped milkshakes, nibbled late-night mini grilled cheese sandwiches, and even tried their luck at claw machines filled with gemstones and minerals.

The affair became the most successful gala in the museum’s history, raising $3.6 million to support educational programs, exhibitions, and outreach initiatives.

Orbiting the scene were Mary and Ron Neal, Patty and T. Mark Kelly, Caroline and Jack Williams, Nancy and David Pustka, Cynde and Chris Stravros, Mary Helen and Pete Bowden, Meg and Dick Weekley, Al Walker, Joella and Steve Mach, Monica and Fox Benton, Lisa and Mike O’Leary, and Chandos and Ike Epley, alongside many of Houston’s leading philanthropists and community supporters.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Will Lee, Britton Daugbjerg, Ella Fertitta, and Jason Fertitta.