Presidential stars and the sparkling wit of an accomplished comedian lit up the ballroom at the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation Vintner Dinner and Wine Auction at the Royal Sonesta Hotel Houston.
Former president George H.W. Bush (who on November 26 at the age of 93 years and 166 days surpassed Gerald Ford as the longest-living president), and former first lady Barbara Bush were in attendance. Stand-up comedian and TV personality Jeff Foxworthy, known for his "You might be a redneck" one-liners, provided a laugh a minute. There was also a rousing video tribute to October Hurricane Harvey relief concert, “Deep from the Heart: The One American Appeal."
Guests enjoyed decadent multi-course dinner paired with hand-picked fine wines from 11 vintners, including Italics Red Blend, Presqu’ile Winery, and Dunham Cellars, as they bid on Bush Family memorabilia auction items like a signed print of the five former living presidents — Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush, and George H.W. Bush — that went for $22,000.
Some 650 attendees helped raise $750,000 for the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation, which supports education and scholarship programs through the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum and The Bush School of Government and Public Service.
Members of the Bush family in attendance, including son Neil Bush and his wife, Maria, nephew Hap Ellis, and grandson Pierce Bush and his fiancé, Sarabeth Melton, were joined by party-goers Alice and Keith Mosing, Bush spokesman Jim McGrath and his wife, Paulina, Ellie and Michael Francisco, Lindsey Love, Joyce Echols, Steve Wyatt, Dawn Segura.
Teresa Burns, Larry Burns, Jeff Foxworthy, Pamela Foxworthy, former president George H.W. Bush, former first lady Barbara Bush.
