Shelby's Social Diary

Partying at the Arboretum brings families and excitement to the woodland setting

Jennifer Tellepsen looks on as her daughter, Elizabeth, creates a bookplate.
Photo by John R. Lewis
Roz Pactor with granddaughter Haylie Graham.
Photo by John R. Lewis
Trent and Andrea Tellepsen with their children --Hudsen, Talan and Andrew.
Photo by John R. Lewis
Courtney and Bo Hopson with their children, Bo and Sloan.
Photo by John R. Lewis
Travis and Ashley Landers with William and Cate.
Photo by John R. Lewis
Scott and Kirby McCool with Lane and Khaki McCool.
Photo by John R. Lewis
Jennifer Quinn with son Sheamus decorating a book plate for the book theydonated.
Photo by John R. Lewis
Rand and Lindsay Holstead with their daughters, Mia and Randall.
Photo by John R. Lewis
Melissa and Michael Mithoff with twin sons Maxwell and Matthew.
Photo by John R. Lewis
Hans and Lauren Brindley with their triplets, Luke, John Charles and Rhett.
Photo by John R. Lewis
Gary and Elizabeth Petersen with son Meyer and Michelle Smith with daughtersKendal and Tiffany, standing.
Photo by John R. Lewis
Ben and Stephanie Hertzog
Photo by John R. Lewis

The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center was packed to the top of its palmettos on Sunday when Texas Children's Ambassadors held its Family Fun Day and Book Drive, hosted by the three sisters Kirby McCool, Lindsay Holstead and Courtney Hopson and their families.

More than 500 adults and wee ones packed the trails and shady places of the arboretum where the kiddos enjoyed everything from pony rides to a petting zoo to carnival games. With perfect weather, it was a great family outing for the likes of Andrea and Trent Tellepsen, Nidhika and Pershant Mehta and Stephanie and Ben Hertzog and all of their children.

Ambassadors for Texas Children's Hospital, with a membership of 900 families, supports the entire mission of TCH and has raised more than $4 million for a variety of programs.

There was plenty of family-friendly food and drink for the afternoon event where kids could have their faces painted, plant seedlings, climb the rock wall and zoom down the zip line.

Spotting roaming through the oaks and pines were Lauren and Hans Brindley, Melissa and Michael Mithoff, Courtney and Scott Archer, Elizabeth and Gary Petersen, Roz and Alan Pactor, Jennifer and Mike Quinn, Eleanor and Dan Gilbane, Tricia Dewhurst and Jennifer and Michael Dellinger.

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Party Watch

Bayou a Drink? Cocktails in Bloom draws a colorful crowd of Houstonians

Buffalo Bayou Partnership Cocktails in Bloom 2025

Courtesy of Buffalo Bayou Partnership

Laura Massad, Cynthia Dehlavi, and Meredith Kruz.

What: 2025 Cocktails in Bloom benefiting Buffalo Bayou Partnership

Courtesy of Buffalo Bayou Partnership

Laura Massad, Cynthia Dehlavi, and Meredith Kruz.

Where: Lost Lake in Buffalo Bayou Park

The Scoop: A vibrant swirl of color, cocktails, and community took over Lost Lake as nearly 200 supporters gathered for the fourth annual Cocktails in Bloom. This breezy outdoor affair — one of Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s signature spring events — celebrated the organization’s work to transform Houston’s historic waterway into a destination of trails, parks, and unforgettable spaces.

As golden hour lit up the lush landscape, guests dressed in garden-party glam strolled the lakeside scene, drink in hand. Flora and Giant Texas Distillers kept spirits high with fresh, seasonal pours, while Chef Christian Hernandez and a who’s-who of local food favorites — Barbacana, Burger Bodega, Kin Dee, and more — offered bites that felt picnic-perfect but plated with flair.

A lively soundtrack from Lou Alejandre and Houston Groove Society gave the evening a cool, jazzy edge, and the Quick Draw Photobooth had attendees lining up for playful sketches and snaps. Nature met nightlife in the most Houston way possible. Under the stars, with a cocktail in hand and a cause in mind.

Who: Judy Nyquist, Jennifer and Tadd Tellepsen, Josep Prats, Sarah Newbery, Bryce Hairston Kennard, Stacy and Scott Humphries, Matt Assiff, Zion Escobar, Mark Conely, Maggie Tsang and Isaac Stein, and Sallie and Bob Wright.

buffalo bayou partnership parks fundraisers