Story and photos by Courtney Banack Schultz

Marise McDermott, Red and Charlene McCombs and Linda and Ed Whitacre enjoy the South Texas Heritage Center dinner at the Witte.

Former Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe and Bob and Betty Kelso hosted the South Texas Heritage Center dinner Feb. 1 at the Witte Museum. In attendance were Janey Marmion, San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger, Red and Charlene McCombs, James and Phyllis Browning, Sam and Laura Dawson, Henry and Betty Feldman, Fausto and Sandra Yturria and Lila Cockrell. The dinner included a visual, lighted staging of the new South Texas Heritage Center. The center will provide much needed gallery space and allow the Witte Museum to exhibit numerous items currently in storage.

Roaster Cory Basso, man of the night Rey Feo LVII Robert “Dick” Tips, Tom Kelly, roast master Fred J. Tips III, and Chris Schultz at the Rey Feo LVII roast after party.

Rey Feo LIX Brian Weiner hosted a roast at the Marriot Plaza on Feb. 1 for Rey Feo LVII, Robert “Dick” Tips. Fred Tips III served as the “roast master” with Cory Basso, Larry and Abby Kurth, and Ann Thompson doing the roasting. The roasting was quite “saucy,” and none of which is fit to go into print! My husband and I sat with Moulton and Pam Dowler, Kady Akin and her fiancée Porter Corrigan, and Jim and Silvia Lowry.

We also visited with Fiesta Commission President Jorge Gonzalez and his lovely wife Debby. This roast helped raise funds for the Rey Feo scholarship fund that benefits local high school students who wish to attend college.

An after-party was held at what was formerly known as the Polo bar, now called the Sage, at the Fairmount Hotel. The drinks, toast and laughs continued and a very good time was had by all who attended. Rumor has it that a certain someone may run for mayor. Viva Fiesta!

Woodridge cowboy breakfast a Texas affair

Every year the dads and grandfathers of elementary students at Woodridge Elementary School gather for a cowboy breakfast during rodeo season. This year, the breakfast was held on a sunny, but cool, morning, Feb. 2. Craig and Cristie Christopher and Neel Anthis were the chairs of this event. Rio Cibolo Ranch helped out with the food, décor and activities. Don Strange Catering brought the longhorn, the coffee and hot chocolate. Julia Hogan’s father brought his band to come play for the crowd. A country fiddler, a roper and a cowboy greeter finished off the party.

Kevin Kaase, Jennifer Broome, Sara Lucero, John Calhoun, and Joy and Joe Reinagel ham it up at the Tuxs ‘N Tennies gala.

Southwest Business Corp. and the Spurs Foundation hosted the 19th annual Tux ‘N Tennies dinner and auction Feb. 3, and my husband and I were able to attend the VIP reception beforehand downstairs. Most of the San Antonio Spurs players were on hand to mingle with guests. Eva Longoria attended with fiancé Tony Parker and posed in dozens of photos with lucky local VIPs.

Following the theme, most of the attendees wore their decorated tennis shoes, but I simply could not put tennis shoes on and still walk upright in a full-length gown! Try finding a tennis shoe with a 3-inch heel … mission impossible! The belle of the night award went to Brent Barry’s stunning wife, Erin. Her “to-die-for” jewelry, fabulous black dress and raven-colored hair turned heads all night.

Sean Elliott and Don Harris served as the master of ceremonies. The highlight of the evening was the bidding on an original oil painting by internationally acclaimed artist Malcolm Farley. The painting was bought and resold three times, raising more than $110,000. The piece, featuring Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili set a new auction record, with Peter Holt the final buyer.

2007 Charity Ball Association officers. (Back row, from left) Secretary Susan Hausser, Vice President Community Contributions Marie Smith, Vice President Datebook Lisa Sechler, Vice President Rotogravure Peggy Allison, Vice President Charities Linda Camp, Vice President Prizes Terrie Musselman, Vice President Decorations Sissy Tietz; and (front row) President Kathy Johnson, Chairman of the Board Laurie Saunders and Treasurer Marilyn Eldridge get together at the first meeting of the year at the San Antonio Country Club Feb. 9.

The Charity Ball Association introduced its 2007 board of directors and officers at its first meeting of the year at the San Antonio Country Club Friday. Laurie Saunders, chairman of the board, will oversee the following officers for the Charity Ball 2007: President Kathryn Johnson, Vice-President-Charities Linda Camp, Vice-President-Community Contributions Marie Smith, Vice-President-Datebook Lisa Sechler, Vice-President-Decorations Sissy Tietz, Vice-President-Prizes Terrie Musselman, Vice-President-Reservations Jane Boddy, Vice-President-Rotogravure Peggy Allison, Secretary Susan Hausser and Treasurer Marilyn Eldridge.

Board members were also announced for 2007: By-laws/Advisory Planning Cari Hill, Event Coordinator Heather Wolff, Invitations Chairman Liza Lewis and Public Relations Helen Eversberg. Members-at-large are Steve Dutton, Lance Lahourcade, Jim Martin, Bob Wehmeyer, Francie Calgaard, Jan Johnson, Tricia Steves and Elizabeth Rogers.

A Texas-sized goodbye!

Like every party, this one has to come to an end! This is my last official “Behind the Scenes” column for the North San Antonio Times. I have had the best 12-month run ever!

However, the events calendar for my two beautiful daughters is starting to collide with the whirlwind of parties you ’09ers throw year round!

I could spend the next 100 words describing in detail the fun that I have had and the good friends that I have made, but someone once told me to end a story and end it well.

So, hats off to everyone who makes a difference in someone else’s life through the countless hours of volunteer work and dedication it takes to make San Antonio the best place in the world for those who have so much, and for those who have so little.

Editor’s Note: Beginning in the Feb. 22 issue, Carole Miller will join the North San Antonio Times staff as the new society writer. Please continue to send your news items and invitations to the Judson Road address. Contact Carole at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 626-1998.