With two glamorous chairs, a dozen designer-clad Women of Distinction honorees, scores of past honorees and 600 black-tie attired patrons, the Winter Ball would have been a dazzling affair even without the glittery "Age of Aquarius" decor. But with mermaids, beefcake mermen and sparkling rotating orbs, this night was a spectacular.
Ball chairs, sisters-in-law, Jana Arnoldy and Susan Hansen set the fashion pace in Oscar de la Renta and Liancarlo, respectively, while ABC-13 Women of Distinction Ambassador Phoebe Tudor set the night afire in a gorgeous gown by Monique Lhuillier.
The evening oozed luxury even as it raised significant funds for a serious cause — supporting the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. That non-profit's importance was brought home by the moving speech of Crohn's patient and gala Honored Hero Allie Doyle.
Luxury extended from the live auction items that included a Mercedes-Benz GLE450 AMG Coupe, donated outright by Mercedes-Benz Dealers of Greater Houston, and diamond and amethyst earrings from Valobra to the raffle of a $5,000 gift certificate to Tenenbaum & Co.
The always-fun parade of past honorees saw several dozen ladies strutting the catwalk in ball gowns. Introducing all honorees were evening emcees Tom Koch and Melanie Lawson, both ABC-13 news anchors.
Those taking bows as ABC-13 13 2016 Women of Distinction were Gina Bhatia, Estela Cockrell, Gina Gaston Elie, Lisa Holthouse, Mady Kades, Dee Dee Marsh, Paula Mendoza, Joanne Petersen, Barbara Van Postman, and Lynn Walsh. A most impressive addition to the coterie of accomplished women was Rising Star, the incredible Bradley Few, the Harvard-bound daughter of Arvia and Jason Few.
The party crowd included Brock Wagner, Scotty Arnoldy, Dick Hansen, Doe and Henry Florsheim, Wezy and Bobby Dees, Lilly and Thurmon Andress, Kevin Black and Tony Bradfield, Stephanie and Ernie Cockrell, Cora Sue and Harry Mach, Trini Mendenhall, Mary Lynn and Steve Marks, Chita Johnson, and Lane Craft.
Leading the "Age of Aquarius" Winter Ball are gala chairs and their husbands, Scotty and Jana Arnoldy and Susan and Dick Hansen.
