Scrabble In the City

Teams in fun costumes go all out for top prize at action-packed Scrabble in the City tournament

What: Scrabble in the City.

Where: Saint Arnold Brewing Company.

The scoop: The competition was fierce at the annual action-packed Scrabble tournament that drew more than 225 guests and raised $35,000 for Literacy Advance of Houston, the city's oldest and largest volunteer-based adult literacy organization.

Teams of four, dressed in colorful and fun theme attire, squared off as the Goya Foods “Extra Virgins” won the top prize, the “Scrabble in the City” trophy. The “Spelling Misfits” took second while the CenterPoint Energy team came in third.

“Women in Black — Cancer Prevention Investigators,” led by Literacy Advance board member Diana Hoover, won the award for Best Team Name, and Whole Foods Market took home the prize for Best Team Costume.

In addition to the board game action, participants bid on silent auction packages, snapped up raffle tickets for a chance to win a three-night stay in Vail Valley, Colorado, and capped off the evening with a lively round of Heads or Tails.

Emceed by KPRC’s Khambrel Marshall, the event featured Saint Arnold’s famous brews, snacks from Whole Foods Market, and sweets from Nothing Bundt Cake.

Who: Seen in the crowd were Henry Torres and Scott Van Beck of Goya Foods, Jennifer Evans, Meilin Hyde, Carey Kirkpatrick and Jeremy Little, representingThe CKP Group, Tracy Janda of CenterPoint Energy, Rosario Spinoso from Yellow Cab, Melanie Fisk of Literacy Advance, Ellen Elam, Larry Dierker, Al Staehely, Monica Pope, Sarah Walters-Aramburo, Debra Ford, Mary and Bill Bracken, Diana and John Hoover, Michaela and Ho Jin Lim, Robin Tooms, and Terry and Sandy Keane.

“Women in Black — Cancer Prevention Investigators,” won the award for Best Team Name. Pictured here, Ashley Housten, Diana Hoover, Loren Bryant, Amanda Stamplis.

Scrabble in the City, Ashley Housten, Diana Hoover, Loren Bryant, Amanda Stamplis

Photo by Matthew Crowley

“Women in Black — Cancer Prevention Investigators,” won the award for Best Team Name. Pictured here, Ashley Housten, Diana Hoover, Loren Bryant, Amanda Stamplis.

fundraisers

Two-Stepping Bash

Country tunes and Houston's charitable hearts rock for Dec my Room

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jacob Mansfield, Grace Ward, and Kendyl Mansfield.

A bustling crowd kicked open the doors of the House of Blues for the Eighth Annual "Kick Up Your Boots for Kids" bash, all in support of Dec My Room. The night was set ablaze by the toe-tapping tunes of country stars Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen, transforming the venue on October 24 into a jitterbug jamboree and creating an atmosphere brimming with joy.

Event chairs Laurel Bashaw and Dodi Willingham and founders Kendall Plank and Susan Plank were thrilled about how the extra funds will turbocharge their mission. Since 2007, Dec My Room has adorned nearly 18,000 hospital rooms across 178 institutions, delivering personalized coziness like a warm blanket to pediatric and young adult patients.

Emcee and auctioneer David Ackel kept the energy high as generous Houstonians vied for coveted treasures. Standouts included rare Pappy Van Winkle bourbon bottles and a glimmering necklace from Lugano. A wine and whiskey dinner hosted by Federal Grill’s Matt Brice saw bids skyrocket, leaving winners over the moon. The grand finale was a private management hunt at Sycamore Springs Ranch in Kerrville, Texas.

With over 250 attendees two-stepping and $350,000 raised, the event proved to be a night where generosity danced hand in hand with a rockin’ good time. In the crowd were Laurie and Tracy Krohn, Stacey and Al Lindseth, Mike Plank, Rachel and Tom Regan, Ericka Bagwell, Aimee and Wynne Snoots, Carley and Mike Stasney, Grace and Steven Ward, Monica and Jed Skeet, Marie and Joseph Flanigan, Jessica and Ryan Getz, Denise and Brett Mears, Kiki Wilson, Peggie and Kyle Pentecost.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jacob Mansfield, Grace Ward, and Kendyl Mansfield.

dec my room fundraisers