Shelby's Social Diary

Weepy tributes to George H.W. Bush and James Baker give Men of Distinctionheartfelt emotion

Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman

It's a powerful thing to see grown men fight back tears and so it was at River Oaks Country Club on Wednesday when former Secretary of State James A. Baker III and Neil Bush went weepy as they praised George H.W. Bush. The former president, in abstentia, and Baker were honorees at the annual Men of Distinction luncheon, where affection for Bush 41 was unbridled. Even in his absence, Bush received standing ovations.

"He is my friend. He is my really good friend. And in fact he is a friend to us all and we all owe him a huge debt for his service to our country that he loves so much," Baker said, focusing his remarks on Bush rather than on himself even in light of his own honor. "History is going to be very generous to 41."

The luncheon, chaired by Paul Somerville, raised $300,000 with those proceeds divided between Dr. Brendan Lee of Baylor College of Medicine and Dr. Laurence Cooper of M.D. Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital. Berdon Lawrence matched dollars presented to Lee, making for a tidy sum for his research.

Unlike most charity luncheons, attendance at this event is heavy on the suits with good representation from the steering committee that included Harry Mach, Steve Mach, Philip Bahr, Michael Mithoff, Tony Gracely, John Eads, Pat Burk, Ed McMahon and Men of Distinction president David Wuthrich. And the ladies on the committee — Leslie Bennett and Lisa Kennedy.

The heavy-hitter crowd included Harry Reasoner, Cora Sue Mach, June and Virgil Waggoner, Maria Bush, Susan Baker, Mark Hanson, John Daugherty, Bill Barnett, Dan Tutcher, Christopher Sarofim, John Havens, Jan Duncan, Pierce Bush and Matt Johnson. Channel 13 KTRK news anchor Tom Koch reprised his role as luncheon emcee, introducing the honorees.

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Fluent Pasta

An Italian twist elevates Houston Catholic Charities wine dinner

Photo by Johnny Than Photography

Cynthia Nunes Colbert, Alicia Reggie Freysinger, Archbishop Joe Vasquez, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, and Bishop Italo Dell'Oro.

La dolce vita, but make it philanthropic.

Photo by Johnny Than Photography

Cynthia Nunes Colbert, Alicia Reggie Freysinger, Archbishop Joe Vasquez, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, and Bishop Italo Dell'Oro.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston uncorked its signature Wine and Dine 2025 with an Italian twist, transforming The Revaire into a scene worthy of a Fellini frame, minus the paparazzi, plus a worthy cause.

Chaired by Will Cravens, Paul Layne, Larry Massey, and Kirk Pfeffer, the evening paid tribute to Cardinal Daniel DiNardo following his retirement from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. The theme nodded to his Italian heritage. As president and CEO Cynthia Colbert noted, honoring the cardinal felt especially meaningful given his years of steadfast leadership and compassion, qualities that mirror the organization’s mission to serve vulnerable families across the region.

Guests settled in for a four-course Italian-inspired dinner curated by master sommelier Brandon Kerne and executive chef Ryan Bouillet, a culinary duet that spoke fluent pasta and perfectly paired pours. Just when forks were gently set down, soprano Priscilla Salisbury, fresh off winning Best Female Singer at the 2025 Catholic Music Awards in Rome, surprised the sold-out crowd with a collection of beloved Italian songs. Keeping the evening on tempo was emcee Lisa Malosky.

The gathering raised a record-breaking $790,000 to support Catholic Charities’ network of programs serving thousands of low-income families in need of life’s most basic essentials.

Among those savoring the evening were Joe Vásquez, Italo Dell’Oro, Alicia Freysinger, David Harvey, Stan Marek, Regina Rogers, Monica and Adrian Garcia, Suellen and Charlie Adcock, Ginger and John Niemann, Lisa and David Doherty, Carol Beck, Debbie and Matt Kemple, Marc Hill and Jeffrey Hill, Laura Thompson, Lauren and David Beck Sr., Ellen and Jim Ginty, Norma and Doug Hidalgo, Anne Marie and Harold Hidalgo, Phyllis Mandola, Christina Deajon, Cindy Dempsey, Gus Tamborello, Louis Ditta, Drew and Penny Grams, Don Friedell, and Mary Broussard.

fundraisers catholic charities of the archdiocese of galveston-houston