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    Party Olé!

    Museum gala celebrates Lady of Guadalupe exhibit with mariachis, margaritas and revelry

    Shelby Hodge
    Mar 13, 2016 | 11:19 am

    What a glorious night it was at the Houston Museum of Natural Science when the house of dinosaurs and gemstones morfed into la villita mexicana. Gala chairs Joella and Steve Mach paid tribute to the museum's Lady of Guadalupe exhibition by selecting "Olé, A Night in Old Mexico" as theme of the annual fundraiser.

    For the evening that raised $800,000, the museum's Grand Hall was transformed into a village setting complete with mariachis and waiters serving margaritas, and decorations of papel picado and vintage lights. Adding to the colorful tableau, a number of the 500 guests, embracing the gala tradition of costuming, dressed in traditional Mexico- and Frida Khalo-inspired attire.

    After schmoozing and perusing the museum's always-popular exhibits, partygoers settled down for dinner, which was served throughout the museum in Glassell Hall, the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals, and the Frensley/Graham Hall of African Wildlife. Amid these intriguing spaces, they feasted on City Kitchen's Mexico-flavored menu featuring crab tostada, duck with mole, and rojo enchiladas.

    Headlining the night's celebration were honorary chairs Randa Duncan Williams and Charles Williams along with museum president and CEO Joel Bartsch.

    The festive lot included Cora Sue and Harry Mach, Carmen and Butch Mach, Courtney Hill Fertitta and Jason Fertitta, Laurence and Henry Bragg, Laura and Bill Wheless, Alfred Glassell III and Mari Andrade, Melinda and Sam Stubbs, Kelly and Russell Hamman, and Tara and David Wuthrich.

    Harry Mach, Cora Sue Mach, Steve Mach, Joella Mach, Carmen Mach, Butch Mach.

    Museum of Natural Science gala, March 2016, Harry Mach, Cora Sue Mach, Steve Mach, Joella Mach, Carmen Mach, Butch Mach
      
    Photo by Jenny Antill
    Harry Mach, Cora Sue Mach, Steve Mach, Joella Mach, Carmen Mach, Butch Mach.
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    Heroes in Action

    Batman, bidders, and Houston's big hearts raise $1.8 million at Wish Ball

    Joel Luks
    May 19, 2025 | 1:33 pm
    Make-A-Wish Ball Houston 2025
    Photo by Jacob Power
    Tony and Laurie Nevotti; Sarah and Hunter Nevotti.

    Every detail at The Post Oak Hotel on May 2 felt like the answer to a wish.

    The ballroom glowed in celestial tones of blue, silver, and gold, with galactic florals blooming from each table. More than 650 guests gathered for The Hero Within, the 2025 Wish Ball benefiting Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana, a night where generosity turned dreams into action.

    This year’s honorees, longtime board member Mandy Williams and Corporate Honoree Enterprise Mobility, were celebrated by Beth and Dan Bellow, who served as honorary chairs. But the emotional core of the evening came from Fox 26 anchor Melissa Wilson and her 17-year-old son Caleb. Diagnosed with leukemia 12 years ago, Caleb took the stage to reflect on his wish experience, describing how it gave him strength when he needed it most.

    Surprises unfolded throughout the night, beginning with Batman’s arrival in the Batmobile to thrill Wish Kid Adonis, whose wide-eyed reaction may have outshined the Caped Crusader himself. Guests mingled over espresso martinis at the Nov-sponsored ice bar, eyed silent auction items, and took chances on raffles, including a shimmering ring from Kim Chau and Co. Fine Jewelers.

    The appeal brought in more than $500,000, with many pledging support for Wish Kid Aria’s dream of planting 1,000 trees—an effort completed symbolically as the final 100 trees were granted during the program. Bidding wars broke out over a live painting by Edgar Medina, a miniature Poodle puppy, fashion wunderkind Max Alexander’s Aspen show tickets, and deBoulle’s dazzling earrings.

    The dance floor filled quickly, with Party in the City keeping the crowd moving well into the night. In all, the evening raised $1.8 million, a record for the chapter and a major boost for wishes to come.

    Granting wishes takes a village, and this one included Courtney and James Jennaro, Genevieve and Ed Razim, Gregory Miller, Claudia and Brad Freels, Teri and Jim Andrepont, Cathy and Robert Brewton, Susan and Larry Kachler, Pam and Joe Slovacek, Kay and Tommy Austin, Holly and Ryan Lambert, Jerrie and John McGillis, Charity and David Stone, Yuliya and Daniel Penny, ZoAnn and Jeff Dreyer, Michael Vanderhider, Max Alexander, Mark Reed, Stephanie and Ryan Moss, Ashley and Jonathan Sloan, Kristin and Barry Palmer, Frani and David Denenburg, Aabha and James Brown, Stephanie and Thomas Hatfield, April and Scott Townsend, Becca and Scott Schwinger, Renee Montgomery, Marye and John Nickens, and Stephanie and Daniel Milwit.

    Make-A-Wish Ball Houston 2025
      

    Photo by Jacob Power

    Tony and Laurie Nevotti; Sarah and Hunter Nevotti.

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