Winter Ball 2014 Draws a Distinguished Group with a Venetian themed Gala Event

While we are excited about Oscar night to watch who wore what, Houston’s glamor scene is on the rise, from Winter Balls to Asia Society’s Tiger Ball. Divine masks and lavish evening gowns were the perfect combination for the 600 guests who gathered on January 25, 2014 at the Hilton Americas for Carnevale di Venezia 2014 Winter Ball, chaired by Denise Monteleone and Franelle Rogers and Honorary Chairmen Betty and Jess Tutor. Everyone was celebrating as the evening brought in a record breaking $830,000.

Benefiting the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, the Winter Ball honors 12 Women of Distinction who have supported the community through volunteerism, including La Patronessa Straordinaria, Rosanette Cullen.

This year’s honorees looked spectacular and everyone’s eyes were glued to witness what they were wearing. Amongst the honorees were Jane-Page Crump, Winell Herron, Penny Loyd, Joella Mach, Bobbie Nau, Roz Pactor, Rachel Regan, Lisa Simon, Nancy Strohmer, and Beth Wolff. Beth Madison was named Women of Distinction Ambassador.

Also honored during the program were over 40 ladies who were former Women of Distinction from the past 26 years, all of whom continue to do good works in Houston. Youth Ambassador Kelly Lyons shared her journey with Crohn’s disease demonstrating the importance of the funds raised at the event. A surprise video by Grammy award winning producer Steve Tyrell, congratulating the ladies capped the presentation of the stellar group to a standing ovation.

The Venetian Carnival theme kept the evening lively from the start, with jugglers and mimes, with masks being sold at the pre event reception. An opera singer welcomed guests entering to what looked like water flowing along the runway, as the high energy crowd moved to their tables. Three over the top live auction items, including custom earrings made especially for the night by Franco Valobra, along with a 7 bedroom home in Cabo generated excitement and funds for the mission. Big board auctions entertained the guests after the presentation and Password, the variety dance band, kept the dance floor packed until well into the night, people did not want to leave.

Other notables in attendance: Margaret Williams, Jim Daniel, Zoe and Tony Buzbee, Ralph Burch, Claudia and Jan Rask, Betty and John Hrncir, Denise and Philip Bahr, Paul Somerville and Kristina Hornberger, Elizabeth and Alan Stein, Cora Sue and Harry Mach, Carolyn and Mike Mann, Robert Sakowitz, Diane Englet, Soraya and Scott McClelland, Debby and Bill Leighton, Janiece Longoria, Veronica and Mike Curran, Nancy and Jack Dinerstein, Patti and Don Murphy, Carol and Tom Sawyer, Joan and David Dunlap, Caroline and Gary Kenney, Kathy and Jody McCord, Weezy and Bobbie Dees, Garrick and Michelle Hatfield, Mike and Toni Baches, Walter and Belinda Weibel, Tom Jinks and his daughter Suzanna, Damon Blakemore, Jeff Quisenberry and April Gutierrez and Faith and Lee Majors.

Photos by Kim Coffman