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    Shelby About Town

    The Houston social swirl spreads far and wide across the landscape

    Shelby Hodge
    Mar 26, 2010 | 6:17 am
    • The Surls evening attracted an impressive gathering of Rice and public artsupporters.
      Photo by Jenny Antill
    • The hostess with the mostess welcomed several dozen guests to her home for theSurls dinner.
      Photo by Jenny Antill
    • The great outdoors was setting for the Legacy Community Health Services kick-offparty.
      Photo by Shelby Hodge
    • The Spickelmier buffet dinner was by Elizabeth Swift's Swift & Co.
      Photo by Jenny Antill
    • The River Oaks home of Sarah Dodd Spickelmier and Keith Spickelmier provided aglam setting for the James Surls dinner.
      Photo by Jenny Antill
    • The Legacy gala co-chairs shared a photo op with one handsome fellow.
      Photo by Shelby Hodge
    • The Legacy kick-off took place outdoors on a beautiful evening.
      Photo by Shelby Hodge
    • Legacy supporters turned out in force.
      Photo by Shelby Hodge
    • A chatting duo at the Legacy event.
      Photo by Shelby Hodge

    Lucky were the supporters of Rice University's "Magnificent Seven: Houston Celebrates Surls" exhibition who were invited into the art-filled home of Sara Dodd-Spickelmier and Keith Spickelmier for a dinner earlier this week celebrating Surls and his spectacular sculptures gracing the Rice campus.

    Several dozen patrons, exhibition organizers and Spickelmier friends had the chance to schmooze with artistJames Surls, to explore the Spickelmiers' amazing River Oaks home and to dine on fine party fair from Swift & Co. (the best enchiladas we've ever tasted — pheasant, no less).

    The couple has enjoyed a long relationship with Surls. In their dining area, which opens to the vast living space, the Spickelmiers have a Surls wall piece that they commissioned for this home. The Spickelmiers also have a home in Aspen, not far from Surls' workshop and home base in nearby Carbondale, Colo.

    Catching almost as much attention as the striking Surls' sculpture was a John Alexander painting, a striking ensemble of soaring holly hocks, that Keith had commissioned as a surprise for Sara at the close of a very significant business deal in Dallas.

    Rice University president David Leebron and wife Y. Ping Sun led the university contingent that included Rice board chairman Jim Crownover, senior philanthropic advisor Sam Lasseter and Molly Hubbard, director of the university's Public Art Program. Rounding out the list of key players were Judy Nyquist, Susan and Raymond Brochstein, Carolyn and James Robertson, Lane and Bob Schulz, HOK's Ford Hubbard and gallerist Barbara Davis,who represents Surls.

    A few fun Spickelmier friends in the mix included Gregory Fourticq, Neal Hamil and Brand Hensler.

    A little night music

    OK so the music was recorded but it was such a splendid spring night when Legacy Community Health Services held a kick-off party for its upcoming benefit dinner that it felt absolutely magical. The teensy bit of chill in the air was reason enough for hostess Susan Plank to light a fire in the outdoor hearth of her Hedwig Village home where several score of supporters came to sip, nibble and schmooze.

    Plank co-chairs the "Where Fashion Meets Philanthropy" evening at Neiman Marcus on May 2 along with store GM Bob Devlin and Melissa Mithoff. They were, of course, in the mix as were Michael Mithoff and Neiman's couture manager Liz Zaruba. That splashy night will honor Debra and Mark Grierson as recipients of the Jerry D. Bartee Humanitarian Award.

    The mingling took place on the back terrace where waiters passed yummy appetizers from Gigi's Asian Bistro & Dumpling Bar. In the kitchen, a full buffet of Asian fare awaited guests that included Monsour Taghdisi, Elizabeth Petersen, Ursaline Hamilton, Chree Boydstun, Barry Mandel and Diane Lokey Farb. The man of the house, Mike Plank, was away on business.

    Ultimate sportsmen

    Love those men in robes! A handful of well-heeled gents from Houston and their wives were in San Francisco last weekend where they were inducted into the prestigious Order of St. Hubertus, a noble hunting and conservation organization dating back to 1695. We reported on the group's West Texas hunt recently, a warm-up for the pomp and circumstance and wining and dining that surrounded the very formal induction ceremony for which the men wore gold-trimmed, black velvet robes with gold and green insignia. Very impressive, very knightly.

    Knighted into the exclusive order (only 400 members worldwide) were Scotty Arnoldy, Dan Tutcher, Jim Braniff, Bill Porter, Keith Mosing and Brad McWilliams. The white-tie-and-tails induction began with the investiture at the venerable St. Mary's Cathedral and was followed by a reception at the Pacific Union Club. Cheering them on were Houstonians John Poindexter and Claudia Craft, Debbie and Vidal Martinez and Debbie and John Daugherty.

    Sight 'ems

    Ceron, Debra and Mark Grierson and Shelley Henshaw dining at RDG.

    unspecified
    news/society

    Party Watch

    Rock painting and ninja runs charm guests at Houston hospital's benefit

    Joel Luks
    Jun 23, 2025 | 3:00 pm
    Texas Children’s Hospital Family Fun Day 2025
    Photo by Jenny Antill
    Chita Craft with daughter and friends.

    What: Ambassadors for Texas Children’s Hospital Family Fun Day

    Texas Children\u2019s Hospital Family Fun Day 2025
      

    Photo by Jenny Antill

    Chita Craft with daughter and friends.

    Where: Houston Arboretum and Nature Center

    The Scoop: The Houston Arboretum transformed into a nostalgic summer escape for the 15th annual Family Fun Day hosted by the Ambassadors for Texas Children’s Hospital. Dubbed “Camp Ambassador,” the affair drew more than 450 guests for an afternoon that channeled sleepaway camp vibes — with none of the homesickness.

    Chairs Brooke and Scott Hutson welcomed families to a playful forest wonderland brimming with pony rides, ninja course antics, and whimsical mohawk makeovers. Craft stations kept creativity flowing with rain stick-making and rock painting, the latter doubling as a heartfelt gesture — painted stones will soon brighten the hospital’s interfaith chapel, offering young patients a bit of camp spirit indoors.

    Dr. Benjamin Ho, the hospital’s newest concierge medicine doc, handed out play bandages to campers of all ages, proving that even in make-believe, compassion counts. Meanwhile, families refueled on camp-themed comfort eats like waffle fries, firewood franks, fruit kabobs, and cake cones that felt straight out of a mess hall dream.

    Proceeds supported Texas Children’s Nursing Talent, Innovation and Education, a program empowering new nurses with hands-on tools to navigate the challenges of clinical care.

    Who: Ellen and James Bookout, Jen and Ben Fink, Cindy and Les Fox, Julie and Patrick Gimlett, Laura and Dan Gollins, Nina and Clint Rand, Carolyn and Jake Sabat, Ellen and Andrew Sheedy, Tym and Charlene Tymbar, Shea Henry and Jeffry Yoesel, Dr. Natalie and Andrew Walton, Rachael and Jason Volz, and Currie Rice.

    news/society
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