Shelby's Social Diary

"Under the Boardwalk" gala goes over the top with carnival games, carny food anda to-die-for band

Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
The Memorial Hermann System CEO getting into the carnival-themed fun.
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com

The "Under the Boardwalk" fete benefiting Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital turned typical fundraiser traditions upside-down Friday night. And that was a good thing. The non-stop party featuring carnival games, a big board (with no minimum bids), the fab Nik and the Nice Guys band and Tony Vallone's take on carny food had the crowd of 550 on their feet throughout the night.

In additon to the pizzazz of the 150 young professionals who joined the party, tons of energy was generated by the talents of designer Darryl Murchison, who turned the Bayou City Event Center into a rollicking carnival setting. Loved the lighted ferris wheels, the black-and-white striped table coverings, the cabana tents, the lounge areas and all the other visual excitement.

Kudos to chairs Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein and Martin Fein, Melissa King and Rachel and Tom Regan for orchestrating the first-ever Memorial Hermann Foundation benefit for Children's Memorial Hermann. The evening honored Philamena and Arthur Baird (both healthy veterans of Memorial Hermann's medical prowess), Leslie Alexander and the Houston Rockets and the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation.

Underwriting chairs Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and Gwen Emmett and young Jay Zeidman stirred up the turnout that resulted in proceeds of close to $700,000, exceptional for a first-time, somewhat casual, event.

And now about that amazing carnival food that put Tony's restaurant kitchen to the test — fried shrimp, truffled french fries, sliders, hot dogs, chili, popcorn, cotton candy and ice cream sundaes all on the tempting buffet menu. After dinner, waiters passed milk shakes and fresh-from-the-fire zeppoles (bite-sized Italian doughnuts coated in powdered sugar). Yum!

Joining the party were Children's Memorial Hermann CEO Susan Distefano, Memorial Hermann System CEO Dan Wolterman and wife Laurie, Memorial Hermann Foundation CEO Ileana Trevino and husband Michael, Sherry and Jim Smith, Susan Vick, Suzie and Larry Johnson, Leisa Holland-Nelson and Robert Davenport, Beth Bryant and James Jones, David Arpin, Betty and Jesse Tutor, Kay and Fred Zeidman and Veronica and Daniel Schiller.

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sowing seeds

Houston billionaire bids record-breaking $1 million for rodeo's champion lamb

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo grand champion lamb 2026

Courtesy of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Regan Miller, center, exhibited the record-breaking lamb on Friday, March 13.

A Houston billionaire paid tribute to his daughter with a record-breaking bid at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Oil and gas entrepreneur Jeffery Hildebrand and his family paid $1 million for this year’s Grand Champion Market Lamb.

The bid, which doubled the highest price ever paid for the Grand Champion Lamb, was placed in honor of Hildebrand’s daughter, Brittany Ann Hildebrand, who died last year at the age of 34. With an estimated net worth of $10 billion, Hildebrand ranked as the No. 341 wealthiest person on Forbes’ World’s Billionaires List for 2026.

“We are sowing seeds,” Jeffery Hildebrand said in a statement. “This is a wonderful place, and kids like this are getting the chance to move on, advance, and grow. These are the kids who are going to save America.”

Reagan Miller of Seagraves, Texas exhibited the winning lamb. Per HLSR rules, she will receive $45,000 to continue her education. The rest is included in HLSR’s education fund, which will contribute more than $30 million to students statewide in 2026.

In addition to Miller’s lamb, the Grand Champion Market Goat also set a new record at $450,000. The donor group included Tea and Bill Pinkley; Anne and Chris Richardson; Skip Avara; and Fire Safe Protection Services LP, represented by Lizzy and Stephen McKinney.

The Reserve Grand Champion Lamb, exhibited by Raider McPhaul of Big Lake, Texas, also set a new record at $310,000. The Reserve Grand Champion Goat set a new record at $250,000.

The auction was held on Friday, March 13, at Houston's NRG Arena.

“The ‘why’ of this committee is the incredible kids and their projects and how we hope to shape their futures,” added Scott Townsend, chairman of the Lamb and Goat Auction Committee.

Upcoming auctions include Poultry on March 14, School Art on March 15, Barrow (pigs) on March 20, and the Steer auction on March 21.

houston livestock show and rodeo fundraisers auction