LOCAL Houston | The City Guide March 2018 | Page 58

SCENE
EVENT: HCL‘S 26TH ANNUAL GREAT GROWN-UP SPELLING BEE
EVENT: 70TH ANNUAL CHARITY BALL, UNE BELLE NUIT
WHERE: WHITE OAK MUSIC HALL WHERE: JUNIOR LEAGUE OF HOUSTON
Over a dozen teams of two gathered at White Oak Music Hall for Houston Center
for Literacy’s 26th Annual Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee. The event raised nearly
$200,000, almost doubling last year’s take, to support adult education and skills
development programs in Greater Houston. Dinner was provided by Cordua
catering and snacks were donated by Sprinkles! Attendees had a great night filled
with spelling, grammar and phonetics with The Stingettes, comprised of Selene
Escalare and Karina Zemel, representing the Alliance for Multicultural Community
Services, winning the bee. The Junior League of Houston hosted its 70th annual charity ball inspired by “the
magic of Paris, the glamour of the French Riviera and the beauty of Versailles.”
The event raised $800,000 to fund the Junior League’s Community Program
and volunteer initiatives. Over two nights, guests enjoyed cocktails, a dinner by
Michael Smith, the Tea Room Chef, and the chance to witness artist Patti Stenson
as she created a custom piece of Marie Antoinette for the live auction. The silent
and live auctions took place each night and included items such as a VIP Indy
500 experience and a Houston Astros homerun package including a dinner with
Reid Ryan, president of the Astros, in the Diamond Club.
Photography by Daniel Ortiz
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L O C A L | 3 . 2018
Photography by Nicky LaWell
3 . 2018 | L O C A L
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