A Night To Remember

Revered Texas novelist and Oscar winner thrill gala crowd with Houston insights

There could not have been a more appreciative audience than the one gathered at River Oaks Country Club for the Center for Houston's Future's "Dinner and Conversation" fundraiser headlining Pulitzer Prize-winning author Larry McMurtry, screenwriter and producer Diana Ossana (Brokeback Mountain) and Texas Monthly founding editor and screenwriter (Apollo 13) Bill Broyles.

The names alone would have been enough to fill the ballroom with the 425 eager guests. But they delivered an unexpected, delicious, candid and very personal conversation from the stage. Broyles took a class under McMurtry when the author was teaching at Rice University. Ossana and McMurtry have been collaborating since 1992 and shared an Oscar for Brokeback Mountain.

The conversation ranged from McMurtry's heart surgery to his bout with depression to his works and writing. The Wichita Falls native and author of 29 novels shared his love for Houston, while long-time friend and collaborator Ossana elaborated on his remarks.

This rare evening of high talent was chaired by Anne Taylor and Ed Harris with Chevron as sponsor. The evening included presentation of the Center for Houston’s Future Impact Award to Donna F. Cole, president and CEO of Cole Chemical, Management and Distribution. Recognized as Impact Award finalists were Mack Fowler, principal and CEO of Madison Resources and Orion Pacific Holdings, and Kim Sterling, president of Sterling Associates.

The mesmerized gathering included former Texas Monthly editor Gary Curtis, Dorothy and Mickey Ables, Chevron's Joni Baird, Alex and Astley Blair, Antje and Harry Gee, Carmela and Kelly Frells, Anne and Dr. John Mendelsohn, Paul Murphy, Gwen Goffe, Marguerite and Bruce Culpepper, and Catherine Mosbacher, the Center for Houston's Future president and CEO.

Ken Broughton and Fabine Welch.

Photo by © Kim Coffman

Ken Broughton and Fabine Welch.

unspecified

Winter Dreamscape

Houston nonprofit toasts 35 years with festive North Pole fundraiser

Photo by Al Torres Photography

Anna Katherine Spencer, Holly Colon, Leah Fourmy, Kellie Brumbaugh, Talbott Shaw, Ashley Boyd, and Blaire Johnson.

If you listened closely, you could almost hear sleigh bells at the Four Seasons Houston, where Trees of Hope transformed a classic ballroom into a wintery dreamscape for its 35th anniversary gala. Themed “Hope Guides the Way – A Journey to the North Pole,” the beloved black-tie affair blended holiday magic with philanthropy, raising $631,000 to benefit the Children’s Critical Care Fund at Star of Hope.

The evening chaired by Lisa Battaglia and Joel Thompson, with support from a roomful of Houston’s big-hearted changemakers, doubled as a tribute to the nonprofit’s Life and Advisory Board Members, those behind-the-scenes elves who’ve powered Trees of Hope’s mission for decades.

Emcee Logan Thomas of Money for the Cause kept the energy high as guests sipped cocktails and sized up the main attraction: A holiday auction packed with eye-catching prizes. Think twinkling Christmas trees curated like runway models, including two donated by CrafTex, alongside baubles from Diamonds Direct, exclusive getaways, and original artwork. Yes, Santa himself made an appearance, lending extra jolly to an evening already brimming with cheer.

“We are honored to support Star of Hope’s Children’s Critical Care Fund and proud to mark 35 years of Trees of Hope making a difference,” said Lisa Barth, Trees of Hope president. That legacy is no small feat. The organization has gifted more than $11.9 million over the years, helping Houston’s most vulnerable children and families find light during dark times.

This year’s proceeds will fund critical programs at Star of Hope, Houston’s longest-standing mission for the homeless, ensuring that kids in crisis have access to stability, support, and a better shot at the future.

Seen on the scene were Kellie and Lee Brumbaugh, Carly West, Brooke Stuckey, Anna Katherine Spencer, Holly Colon, Leah Fourmy, Talbott Shaw, Ashley Boyd, Blaire Johnson, Trisha and Alex Figaro, Dena and Omar Musfy, April and Enrique Cruz, Carissa and Hans Barcus, Adrienne and Michael Suttle, Kory and Geoff Blum, Doug Meikle, Whitney and Andrew Touchstone, Sara Black, DeeDee Marsh, Kelly Boyd, Sara Jane Wilson, Alina Schrom, Donna Grehn, Emily Goolsby, Lesha Elsenbrook, Jo Ann Petersen, Nancy Walker, Andrea Dulany, and Kathrin Yokubaitis.

Photo by Al Torres Photography

Anna Katherine Spencer, Holly Colon, Leah Fourmy, Kellie Brumbaugh, Talbott Shaw, Ashley Boyd, and Blaire Johnson.

fundraisers trees of hope