Spinnings November 2020 Issue - Volume 85 Issue 2

SPINNINGS A PUBLICATION OF THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF BEAUMONT

VOLUME 85 ISSUE 2 NOVEMBER 2020

Junior League volunteers make a

Positive impact during the COVID pandemic

+

Check out our

Holiday gift guide

Bozeman’s Christmas Tree Farm, Lumberton

Ashley Willis

MSM Chair

Katherine Williams

MSM Co-Chair

Market!

MAIN STREET

DEC 3-5, 2020 Don’t miss out!

Letter from the president

I

’ve always loved the magic of the holidays, but as we grow older it takes on new meaning. You suddenly become the magic maker, giving becomes so much better than receiving, and gathering together with friends and family is the only present that matters.

That is especially true of being a Member of The Junior League of Beaumont where giving and gathering are central to what we do.

This time of year is when our community service projects are in full swing and we’re putting the final touches on our annual Very Merry Main Street Market.

This year’s committee, led by Chair Ashley Willis, worked their magic to maintain some normalcy and a whole lot of joy by bringing this holiday shopping event back in person. We’re also proud to continue our Speaker Luncheon during Main Street Market where, this year, we are highlighting ABOLISH, JLB’s newest community project whose mission is to promote awareness, advocacy and action for victims of human trafficking. We will be hosting speakers Lisa Boler of Harvest House, a local organization that advocates for sex trafficking victims, and child safety activist and abduction survivor, Elizabeth Smart. The entire event promises to be unforgettable.

Maite Broussard

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Every little bit helps and we know that, together, we can spread holiday cheer for a good cause!

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Across Southeast Texas, we anticipate that non-profits will suffer from the financial impacts of COVID-19. The success of our fundraisers dictates the next year’s grant allocations and project budgets, and your attendance is vital in helping us give back to our community. We hope you will join us in some magic making by shopping the market (and bringing a friend), purchasing a raffle ticket, and attending our luncheon. Every little bit helps and we know that, together, we can spread holiday cheer for a good cause!

With love, from my family to yours,

Maite

2020-2021

board of directors President......................................................... Maite Broussard President-Elect............................................... Brenna Rodriguez Corresponding Secretary ............................. Stephanie Cassels Recording Secretary...................................... Meghan Scurria Treasurer-elect/ways & Means Chair.......... Valerie Lewis Planning Council Director........................... Sarah Norman Communications Council Director............ Nicole MacCallum Communications Council Director............ Cheri Dickerson Sustaining Advisor........................................ Dana Babineaux Membership Council/Nominating Chair.. Cat Griffin Treasurer......................................................... Ashlee Garrett Past President................................................. Shannon Figueroa

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SPINNINGS | NOVEMBER 2020

contents

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SPINNINGS In Recognition of Beaumont’s Historical Spindletop Oil Field.

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10

An internal publication of the Junior League of Beaumont, Inc.

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18 40 Under 40 Honorees

Congratulations to the JLB members who were honored as 40 Under 40 Professionals

Advertisers Index Calendar Volunteer Opportunities Schedule of Events

19 The O.N.E. Signature Project

The Community Council announces their new project to help selected non-profits extensively for a full year

19 Transitioning Youth

Check out the upcoming events and activities for Transitioning Youth

features 6 8 9

9 10 14

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Volunteerism During a National Crisis

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic facing our country, the JL members are finding ways to help

Virtual Story Time

Beaumont Children’s Museum and JLB offer Sunday evening story time

Healthy Behavior’s Baskets of Kindness

Margaret Victores provides helpful suggestions to start off your holiday gift shopping

EDITOR Melaney Whiting Villery-Samuel

Purses were donated and distributed to those who were affected by the hurricane

Lemonade Day & Best Tasting Event

24 Instant Pot Roast with Mushroom Wine

Snow cones were provided to help promote the Lemonade Best Tasting contest

Main Street Market

The 17th annual Main Street Market will take place with modifications for COVID-19

Soulful Singer Sustainer

Congratulations to Meg Baertl Brown who was named a finalist in the Raise Your Voice competition

Women Spread the Word on Voting

Make sure to exercise your right to vote for the 2020 election

National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Chief Justice Cheri Beasly Earns 2020 Mary Harriman Award

CO-EDITOR Nadine Ona

STAFF WRITERS

Kirksey Reynolds Kellsey Fairchild Margaret Victores Lauren Reices SUSTAINING ADVISOR

Kara Hawthorne AD SALES Maegan Collins

DESIGN/LAYOUT

Lori Bane

22 JLB Donates to Lake Charles

23 Day in the Life - St. Christus Edition

JL member Cheri Beasly earns award for her exemplary influence and leadership

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20 The Mash Holiday Gift Guide

Healthy Behaviors created baskets full of goodies for the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Port Arthur

Throughout the month of October, Junior League recognizes and helps bring awareness to domestic violence

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in each issue 30 30 31 31

Distributed October, November, February, April & May

Read about a day in the life of a Telemetry Nurse and an Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgeon

Sauce

Try this delicious modified recipe from the Dining Without Reservations cookbook

26 Celebration of Global Diversity Month

Harvest House and JLB help collect AfricanAmerican hair care products and promote global diversity

27 September Provisional Mtg Recap

Provisionals learn about the “ins and outs” of JLB

28 Pet Supply Drive

JLB member sets up a pet supply drive to collection donations after a recent storm

28 Congratulations

Congratulations to Stephanie Vanskike and Sarah Wells for their most recent accomplishments

29 Sustainer Farewell & Memoriams

JLB extends their deepest regrets to the family and friends of those who have passed away

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

A tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg

on the cover

JLB will be hosting its 17th annual Main Street Market event December 3-5, 2020! COVID-19 modifications will be in place to help protect vendors and shoppers. The cover photo, featuring the MSM Chair and Co-Chair was taken at Bozeman’s Christmas Tree Farm in Lumberton. Check out their website at www.texaschristmastrees.net/bozemanfarm.htm

SUBMISSIONS Do you have an idea for a story?

Would you like to be a featured or guest writer?

Send ideas or articles for consideration to the 2020-20221 SPINNINGS editor, Melaney Whiting Villery-Samuel at spinnings@juniorleaguebeaumont.org We welcome your input!

TO SUBSCRIBE If you or someone you know is interested in receiving a hard copy of our publication, please email the 2020-2021 SPINNINGS editor, Melaney Whiting Villery-Samuel at spinnings@juniorleaguebeaumont.org to be added to the mailing list.

You will also see SPINNINGS all over town.

Feel free to pick one up at your favorite boutique, hair salon, or headquarters!

MISSION STATEMENT The Junior League of Beaumont is an organization of women committed to promote volunteerism, develop the potential of women and improve communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF BEAUMONT Women building better communities

2388 McFaddin | Beaumont, TX 77702 409.832.0873

Voluntarism In The Wake Of A National Crisis The COVID-19 pandemic is shaking the smallest towns and largest cities around the world.

We are finding ourselves faced with the simple truth that we are all in this together, both in good times and in bad. We are united in our isolation, our hope, and our desire to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and the communities where we live and work. While daily life during this pandemic is anything but smooth sailing, a single act of compassion, a good deed, or an effort to help our neighbors can have an outstanding ripple effect.

Socially Distant but Civically Engaged In the wake of stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines, our typical means of human connection have changed, but the issues and challenges plaguing our communities have not slowed. Hard work, generosity, and the spirit of voluntarism are needed more than ever as we navigate these unprecedented circumstances and the uncharted waters ahead.

It is 2020 National Volunteer Week and The Junior League is celebrating the impact of volunteer service and its innate ability to build stronger communities.

Altruism, social change and civic leadership are at the heart of what we stand for, and those principles are reflected in the brave efforts of volunteers every day.

Finding Inspiration in Uncertain Times As we move forward with cautious optimism, we are uplifted by the brave and selfless work of volunteers whose civic-minded efforts are making real change both locally and globally. At The Junior League, our work has not stopped, and with adjustments made for the safety of our Members, our Leagues are setting an inspiring example of the monumental importance of voluntarism in times of unrest. This National Volunteer Week, we shine a well-deserved spotlight on the efforts made by our Leagues to support their communities’ basic needs, provide valuable community resources and partnerships, promote education and literacy, and boost Member and community morale.

If and when our readers contribute their own time to local volunteering opportunities, we encourage them to take all precautions to protect themselves, and whenever possible, to take part in virtual fundraisers and other contact-free community support events.

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SPINNINGS | NOVEMBER 2020

Leagues are Working to Meet Their Communities’ Basic Needs During the pandemic, communities are struggling to access essential resources, including food, personal protective equipment, feminine hygiene products, and diapers. Leagues are working hard to support their communities with efforts to collect and distribute these important and lifesaving basic necessities. In this challenging time, the need for food donations will continue, and Leagues in every corner of the world are working to help feed their communities with food drives, food donation initiatives, fresh vegetable distribution, pre-packed meals, and more. Now more than ever, scarcity extends beyond food. Access to crucial supplies like feminine hygiene products and diapers is limited, and Leagues are helping to meet this often overlooked need with diaper drives and virtual fundraisers to purchase feminine hygiene products for women and girls in need.

During COVID-19, the demand for personal protective equipment is widespread and urgent. The CDC recommends cloth face coverings for those who must leave their homes for work or crucial errands, but healthcare and grocery store workers are often left unprotected. Multiple Leagues are helping to provide their communities with masks by spearheading creative initiatives that prioritize safety. These efforts are just one way in which our Members identify a critical need and work together to provide for their communities. This is, always has been, and always will be, The Junior League way.

Leagues are Connecting Communities with Valuable Resources Community partnerships have the power to generate resources, provide aid, and give local organizations

opportunities to remain connected to the communities they serve. From virtual fundraising activities and blood drives to census participation phone banks, League Members employ their creativity and civic leadership skills in a multifaceted approach to help maintain community wellbeing.

their time and energy to bettering their communities.

Without the strength, effort and unwavering commitment to voluntarism, the inspiring and impactful work done by Junior League Members would come to a halt. For that reason, the morale of League Members is a high priority, especially as the world is rocked by COVID-19. Leagues are taking important measures to Leagues are Promoting Education and Literacy build and maintain Member morale, including virtual In light of school closure, families are in social hours, fun and interactive social media desperate need of alternative resources to campaigns, and even virtual recipe sharing efforts!

As we move forward support their children’s education from social media as a virtual gathering place is with cautious optimism, Using home. Leagues are working in new and giving Leagues the opportunity to get creative in we are uplifted by the innovative ways to provide and promote how they interact. As the pandemic limits typical brave and selfless work activities, Leagues are finding clever workarounds literacy and educational resources.

Families with access to electronic devices like online Zumba classes, virtual happy hours, of volunteers whose and internet in their homes can now civic-minded efforts are and special hashtags encouraging Members to take advantage of a collection of virtual making real change both share tips for staying healthy and happy at home. storytime videos and sessions, some It is both heartening and inspiring to know that locally and globally. of which were created in collaboration Leagues understand that caring for their Members with universities and libraries. League is as important as caring for their communities.

Members are working to encourage at-home education by distributing materials that aid in homeschooling The impact of volunteer work can never truly efforts, and tips for working and learning at home. And, be summarized or quantified but deserves to be in an effort to enable education at all ages, are sharing celebrated and shared! online workshops and bookstore partnerships that offer During this National Volunteer Week – but also in each live online events showcasing authors and their books. and every week – we honor our Members and everyone Junior Leagues know that learning and literacy are a whose voluntarism is unstoppable and continues lifelong priority, even during a pandemic. to promote progress, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Leagues are Focusing on the Importance of Member Morale Article reprinted from: https://1901.ajli.org/voluntarism-in-theThe hard work of Leagues simply wouldn’t be possible wake-of-a-national-crisis/ without the many minds and hearts who commit

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PROTECTING ALL THAT IS PRECIOUS SINCE 1957

got pests?

We’ve Got The Answers BILLCLARKBUGSPERTS.COM 409‐898‐3224

J unior L eague P artners with B eaumont C hil d ren ’ s M useum for

Virtual Story Time S

cientists say reading to children every day exposes them to around 78,000 words each year — and up to 1.4 million words by the time they reach 5 years old!

The Junior League of Beaumont’s members on the Beaumont Children’s Museum committee are tapping into how powerful story time research is.

But in the age of Covid-19, the group has to get creative for story time.

Story Time with the Junior League of Beaumont hosted by the Beaumont Children's Museum will kick off on Facebook Live every Sunday starting in October. Families are invited to log on to their computer at 7:00 pm every Sunday for the month of October and November to enjoy a bedtime story read by a Junior League Member.

The Junior League volunteer must purchase a new book to read.

“We hope that this can put a smile on faces. The COVID world has been a challenging one, but on the positive side, we've learned how to virtually communicate,” said Amanda Heironimus, the Beaumont Children Museum’s committee chair.

“Reading books to children stimulates their imagination and helps them to better understand the world.

Partnering with the Children's Museum and their over 10,000 followers gives us an opportunity to reach many local children at their homes in order to share a story and spark a little excitement through the 8

SPINNINGS | NOVEMBER 2020

giveaway,” Heironimus continued.

To add to the magic of story time, participants will purchase a toy to go along with the book they are reading.

Throughout story time, parents are asked to leave a comment on Facebook Live with their child’s name. After reading the story, the Junior League volunteer will pick a name at random, and the winner of the drawing will receive a book and its companion toy to keep.

“For the Junior League and its members, this is a huge opportunity because of the excitement and pride of giving back to our community. It is an opportunity for us to show the community what we do and who we are, but on a virtual and personal platform,” Heironimus said.

Right now, there are no more spots available to sign-up to read in October and November. But if there is a positive reception from

the community, story time could be extended throughout the year. Stay tuned to Digital Cheetah for additional opportunities.

“Being part of this initiative and giving back to the children of our community with other ladies of the league, it's a wonderful opportunity for all of us,” Heironimus said.

Join Virtual Story Time on Sunday Evenings @ 7:00PM Live on the Beaumont Children’s Museum Facebook Page

Healthy Behaviors Bundles Baskets of Kindness for Kids in Need

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with goodies. From coloring books ealthy Behaviors encompasses to tissues, each basket was filled more than just diet and with so much kindness, it was exercise. A Maori Proverb says, “an certain to put a smile on any child’s active soul is a healthy soul,” and face. the Junior League members who are a part of the Healthy Behaviors “With COVID restrictions, we were committee have healthy souls. not able to meet with the children, Members participating in Healthy so donations were given Behaviors have been to the Program Staff. We actively giving from Knowing that tried to keep things as the heart. the materials will contactless as possible be helpful to the to adhere to COVID In September the children at The restrictions,” Michelle group held a supply Salvation Army Coon, Healthy Behaviors drive for The Salvation Boys and Girls Club Committee chair said.

Army Boys and Girls Club of Port Arthur. is very uplifting... “Knowing that the materials will be helpful to the children at The Cristina Lawson with Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club the Salvation Army said, “…we were is very uplifting,” Coon continued. able to provide baskets to at least 50 children. Along with the baskets, we Healthy Behaviors has got some provided healthy snacks and a water great things planned for the months for each child; ensuring that we fit to come. The League can expect our mission.” additional outreach programs including working with Boy’s and After collecting the donations, Girl’s Haven. Digital Cheetah is a committee members met and good way to stay up to date for all sorted through all the donated volunteer opportunities. goods. There were a lot of laughs and smiles as they filled each basket

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Lemonade Day & The Best Tasting Event Kick-Off

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emonade Day Kick Off! Tuesday September 30, 2020 was a beautiful day to enjoy a

tasty Mabel's Sno Cone provided by Junior League of Beaumont to promote the Best Tasting Contest! The Service Squad and many awesome League members helped stuff bags and signed up participants for the event!

Big shout out to Krista Junior League Active and Beaumont Chamber Foundation Director for doing an amazing job with the event despite the rescheduling and uncertainty of 2020!

Market!

MAIN STREET

DECEMBER 3-5, 2020

I

t’s happening! Main Street Market 2020, and we could not be more excited to host the 17th annual event.

While the market may look a bit different this year, we’re planning all of the same festivities, Christmas decorations, music, dance performances, dozens of amazing vendors; from home décor, kid’s toys, jewelry, food and so much more. We promise you will leave Main Street Market in the Holiday Spirit!

Covid-19 changes you can expect at this year’s Market:

Handwashing/Sanitation Stations will be set up around the Civic Center Masks are mandatory Vendors will be spaced out We’re limiting the number of attendees Wider walk areas to pass trough Temperature checks Tickets are online only (one entry ticket gets you into market from Thursday-Saturday) Instead of pictures with Santa, Jordan Gaspard Photography will be set up Saturday from 10 am- 2pm for mini family portrait sessions, with a festive background.

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SPINNINGS | NOVEMBER 2020

The Junior League of Beaumont’s Main Street Market has been a success since 2003, because of amazing volunteers and the continued support of local businesses and the community.

Planned and executed by an all-volunteer troupe, the Market raises money to fund events, nonprofit groups, and scholarships.

Funds raised from Main Street Market, stay right here in Southeast Texas.

Ladies night is back this year, Thursday from 4-9pm, for every $25 you spend at Market, you’ll be entered to win the finest jewelry donated by your favorite local jewelry stores.

This year, our guest speaker is Elizabeth Smart. Tickets & sponsorships are still available. The luncheon will be held at the Laurels in Beaumont on Friday, December 4th from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm. In addition to child abduction survivor,

author and advocate Elizabeth Smart will speak about being kidnapped and held captive for nearly nine months, Harvest House Ministry CEO/Founder Lisa Boler will share her plight of ending child sex trafficking in Southeast Texas.

Our hope this year, is for you, your family and friends to take a respite from what has been a difficult year. Our wish is that through this event, you will be able to catch up with old friends, make some new friends, support small Southeast Texas businesses, get some of your Christmas shopping done and have an amazing time.

We will see you at the Market!

December 3rd-5th at the Beaumont Civic Center. For a complete list of events, find us on Facebook or Instagram. *As of print, MSM still has a few vendor openings left. If you are interested in promoting your small business, please email: jlbmsmexhibitor@gmail.com or send us a message here: Facebook.com/ BMTMainStMarket

For sponsorship opportunities, visit our website: www.juniorleaguebeaumont.org/msm or email: msm@juniorleaguebeaumont.org

Dear Fellow Members, Together, we are facing a truly unprecedented situation. The global coronavirus pandemic is affecting our families, businesses, communities, and way of life. During this time, I wanted to reach out and update you in preparation for Main Street Market. The Junior League of Beaumont’s Main Street Market Committee members are focused on the health and safety of our fellow league members, families, and communities.

Our hearts go out to anyone who has been impacted by the virus, either directly or indirectly.

Our thoughts are especially with those who are sick, to whom we extend our heartfelt wishes for a full recovery.

The year 2020 has brought many changes.

However, the love and support the Junior League of Beaumont has for our community, especially our local non-profit organizations, remains the same. Our Main Street Market committee is determined to make this year’s event better than ever. We will follow all necessary safety

precautions to ensure all guests have a safe and entertaining experience. As most of you know, all proceeds support the League’s continual work throughout the community through projects, community assistance funds, and scholarships.

Main Street Market’s success is owed to our gracious sponsors, new and returning shoppers, fabulous vendors, and dedicated volunteers.

Be on the lookout for upcoming events and announcements for Main Street Market. You can find information on sponsorship packages, tickets, event dates and times, and all things Main Street Market on our website, Facebook, and Instagram.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Sincerely, Ashley Willis Junior League of Beaumont Main Street Market Chairman

On behalf of Junior League of Beaumont’s Main Street Market, we would like to thank the FOLLOWING SPONSORS:

Platinum SponsorS

GOLD Sponsor Sponsorship inquiries: Visit our website at juniorleaguebeaumont.org/msm

Market!

MAIN STREET

DECEMBER 3-5, 2020

Family Holiday Portraits

$40

December 5th | 10AM - 2PM This year, because of Covid-19, instead of Santa Pictures we're offering mini family portrait sessions with Jordan Gaspard Photography, Saturday at Main Street Market.

You must sign up ahead of time. No walkups.

Immediate family only per session.

Please Note:

Main Street Market admission ticket is required for each person over the age of 12. Tickets are available online.

$25

Due to COVID-19, masks will be required inside Main Street Market. Masks, may be taken off during your scheduled photograph session only.

Register & pay for your session online: https://go.rallyup.com/jlbholidayphotos

Calling all vendors!

Vendor discount!

We’re significantly reducing booth prices for this year’s Main Street Market. If you’ve been thinking about being at the Market this year, now is the time!

Fill out the vendor application at:

https://members.juniorleaguebeaumont.org/...

Visit our website at

www.juniorleaguebeaumont.org/msm

or email

jlbmsmexhibitor@gmail.com

Guest speaker

ELIZABETH SMART

T

he abduction of Elizabeth Smart was one of the most followed child abduction cases of our time.

Elizabeth was abducted on June 5, 2002, and her captors controlled her by threatening to kill her and her family if she tried to escape.

Fortunately, the police safely returned Elizabeth back to her family on March 12, 2003, after being held a prisoner for 9 grueling months.

Through this traumatic experience, Elizabeth has become an advocate for change related to child abduction, recovery programs, and National legislation. Elizabeth triumphantly testified before her captor and the world about the very private nightmare she suffered during her abduction, which led to conviction.

The Founder of the “Elizabeth Smart Foundation”, Elizabeth has also helped promote The National AMBER Alert, The Adam Walsh Child Protection & Safety Act and other safety legislation to help prevent abductions.

Elizabeth has chronicled her experiences in the New York Times best-selling book, "My Story." In addition, she and other abduction survivors worked with the Department of Justice to create a survivors guide, entitled, “You're Not Alone: The Journey From Abduction to Empowerment.”

This guide is meant to encourage children who have gone through similar experiences not to give up but to know that there is hope for a rewarding life.

Elizabeth has recently released a new powerful and inspiring book about what it takes to overcome trauma, find the strength to move on, and reclaim one’s life. "Where There’s Hope" is the result of Elizabeth’s mission: It is both an up-close-andpersonal glimpse into her healing process and a heartfelt how-to guide for readers to make peace with the past and embrace the future.

Elizabeth’s abduction and recovery continue to motivate parents, law enforcement and leaders worldwide to focus on children’s safety. She emphasizes vigilance by "everyday" people and the belief that hope always exists to find every missing child.

Smart attended Brigham Young University, studying music as a harp performance major. She married her husband Matthew in 2012, and they now have two beautiful children. Elizabeth’s example is a daily demonstration that there really is life after tragedy.

Soulful Singing Sustainer Named Finalist in Singing Competition

By Lauren Reicis

S

tart the car, Junior League! I know an online spot, where the Riesling is cold and the piano's hot. Best part, you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home to enjoy the soulful sounds of sustainer Meg Baertl Brown and all that jazz!

Baertl Brown was a finalist in a singing competition called Raise your Voice 409 hosted by the United Way Beaumont and North Jefferson County.

“I found out that I was a finalist this [October 1] during the United Way winner announcement. I was surprised and thrilled,” Baertl Brown said.

The competition went live in Early August. Each week contestants uploaded a video of themselves singing.

“Since I was singing jazz and jazz-inspired songs, I wanted to look like I was singing on a stage rather than in my house. My husband served as videographer, video editor, and also helped create the background. It was a lot of fun working with him on this,” Baertl Brown said.

The community was invited to vote on which performance they liked best, each vote was $1, and all of the money raised supported the mission of the United Way. The top vote-getters for each round advanced, and at the time of this interview, there had I have been only 8 rounds.

“I have really enjoyed participating in this fundraiser. Whatever the outcome is, I would love to keep performing for SETX either for birthday or retirement parties, special events, or weddings. I love singing the classic jazz standards but, I am open to singing other genres too,” Baertl Brown said before the final round.

“

really enjoyed participating in this fundraiser. Whatever the outcome is, I would love to keep performing for SETX either for birthday or a special events, or weddings.

From Ella Fitzgerald to Marilyn Monroe, Baertl Brown is a joy to watch. She captivates her audience, and is an extremely talented singer. Brown’s heart is definitely in the right place because she used her talents to give back in a big way.

The United Way really stepped up and thought out of the box with this fundraiser. Not only was this virtual fundraiser helping to bring in funds to support the 20 non-profit United Way Partners, but it also helped the local musician,” Baertl Brown said.

The winner was announced Thursday, October 8th at 6pm on the United Way Facebook page.

The Junior League family was glad to see Meg break a leg!

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SPINNINGS | NOVEMBER 2020

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Why It’s Important Women Spread the Word on Voting For EVERY Election

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(Not Just Presidential Elections)

Among women who were eligible to vote in the 2016 presidential election, more than one third (37%) did not cast a ballot. In the 2018 midterm election, almost half (45%) of eligible women did not vote. We can do better! ended Friday 10-30-20. This election faced some of the largest turnouts for early voting due to the pandemic with many driving miles just to cast their ballot early. The dates and hours that the polls are open generally vary based on where you live for most elections.

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t is important to participate in the U.S. democracy by exercising your civic duty to use your voice and vote to determine your future for the next four years and beyond.

Thus, for those who were confirmed or registered to vote thirty days prior to an election, exercising the right to vote early is important. In Texas, early voting began 10-13-20, and

Texas offers absentee ballots by mail to voters every election for those unable to vote in person. For elections, mail in ballots must be post marked by the first Tuesday in November (which is 11-3-20 for the 2020 election) and they must be received the next day (Wednesday 114-20). However, exceptions are made for military or overseas postmarks and other states may have different election laws.

]

Polling locations are not always the same on Election Day as they are during early voting. If you choose not to vote early, you may still vote in person until election day on Tuesday 11-3-20. However, certain limitations apply. If you have enquiries about voting, contact your County Clerk because everyone’s vote is important. #Vote2020 #JuniorLeague #together #inittogether #bettertogether # jlstrong #whyijlb Editor’s Note: Early voting was still ongoing, and the election was not yet decided when Spinnings magazine went to print. However, much of what was stated in this article is relevant for all elections (midterm and presidential) and applicable to future elections in Texas.

All other voters are expected to vote in person. Although, there are mail in ballot drop offs at polling places.

National

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

O

ctober was National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The JLB recognizes intimate partner violence affects millions of people in the United States and around the world each year. Data from the CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) indicate that in the U.S., about 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime.

Join us throughout the month as we share information and resources about this important issue. #DVAM2020 #DVAM #JLBetterTogether #together #inittogether #jlstrong 15

SPINNINGS | NOVEMBER 2020

2020: MARY HARRIMAN AWARD WINNER CHIEF JUSTICE CHERI BEASLEY

The Junior League of Raleigh and the Junior League of Fayetteville

T

he North Carolina Supreme Court celebrates its 200th anniversary led by a dynamic, influential Junior League woman. Chief Justice Cheri Beasley is an exemplary public servant who credits the relationships and leadership positions held during her active years in the Junior League of Fayetteville, NC as the launching pad for her judicial career. Her warm, humble demeanor and deep pride for her community are evident in her words and actions, and her passion for public service and promoting the rule of law is unmatched.

While the Chief Justice is a staunch believer in a fair and independent judiciary, she uses her platform to better the lives of all North Carolinians through engaging school systems, law enforcement, faith leaders and other stakeholders in discussions about community issues. She works tirelessly to make the judicial system more accessible for all North Carolinians, from implementing online services to holding court sessions in county courthouses across the state. Chief Justice Beasley is an exquisite example of servant leadership, actively mentoring young women, giving lectures across the country and being consistently involved in her local community.

Chief Justice Beasley is the kind of leader we all strive to be, genuinely caring for others and graciously balancing her roles as a public servant, wife, mother, friend and volunteer. She joined the Junior League during her 10-year tenure as a District Court judge in Cumberland County, NC and because of her unceasing dedication to the League, transferred as a sustainer to the Junior League of Raleigh while serving as an Associate Justice. Chief Justice Beasley has served on the state’s highest court since 2012 and was appointed by Governor Roy Cooper as North Carolina’s first African-American woman Chief Justice in March of this year.

It is apparent that Chief Justice Beasley’s commitment to League leadership and volunteerism while serving in public office as a woman of color opened doors for many

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SPINNINGS | NOVEMBER 2020

women to step up and serve. Joining the Junior League of Fayetteville in 1998, she was one of only a few African American women in that League at the time. “Now there are several, but it was a difficult time because there really had not been," she says. “The League was growing and the League was having lots of success, but it was also having growing pains. Membership grew and it became more diverse, and I hope that in some way that my presence and my service impacted that.”

Chief Justice Beasley continues to make significant impacts on the citizens of North Carolina while leading the state’s highest court, and hopes that her public service and volunteerism are inspirational to others. “I know there are women who are right behind me who are preparing themselves in the very same way that I was, and they don’t know it — I didn’t know it — but they are preparing themselves. One day, I will be passing this seat on to the next Junior League woman, and it’s going to be a beautiful thing.”

AJLI Pioneering

Positive Change For more than a century The Junior League has been on the forefront of social reform, identifying problems and finding solutions in a collaborative way. The list of issues they've tackled is long and complicated: pollution, illiteracy, domestic violence, foster children without a safety net, to name just a few.

Our approach is simple. Through hands-on training and formal learning opportunities we give women the skills they need to improve the quality of life in the communities they serve.

Among our many successes are our contributions to the passage of the Clean Water Act, our campaign for free school lunches, the “Don’t Wait to Vaccinate” campaign, and The Junior Leagues’ Kids in the Kitchen initiative, which combats childhood obesity and educates families on health and nutrition, to name just a few.

2 0 2 0

Honorees

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he moment Southeast Texas has been waiting for... Presenting to the community the young professionals that have been game changers in our community.

Please join the Junior League of Beaumont in recognizing the 2020 #SETX40Under40 honorees!

Special Congratulations to our JLB Members for being so AMAZING!!!! - Maegan Collins, Lauren Hensley, Stephanie Love Cassels, Nga Tea Do and Amanda Heironimus!

Hurricane Relief for

Lake Charles The Junior League of Beaumont is continuing in its efforts to support our neighbors in Lake Charles Louisiana who have recently been devastated by two hurricanes this season (Hurricane Delta and Hurricane Laura).

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SPINNINGS | NOVEMBER 2020

The O.N.E. signature project T

he Junior League of Beaumont has a long history of volunteer work and partnerships with fellow non-profits across Jefferson County and the Golden Triangle.

Our Community Council is engaged with over 20 different organizations and participates in nearly 50 day-long activities every year. We love having opportunities to build relationships with people and keep the heart of giving in rotation.

This year, we are proud to be in the planning stage of rolling out a new signature project that will really maximize our impact by partnering with a non-profit organization for a

Tr a n s it i on i n g

full year! Our Nonprofits Elevated (The “O.N.E.”) will begin accepting applications in 2022. When the organization is selected, the Junior League will work right alongside the local non-profit for one year and assist in as many ways as possible.

This will include providing volunteers, public relations assistance, funding, access to JLB member resources & professional skills, leadership training opportunities, and much more! Each year we will accept new applications and choose a different nonprofit to partner with for the next 12 months.

Our goal is to make a long-lasting impact and raise more leaders in

Youth

The goal of Transitioning Youth is to encourage young men and women aging out of foster care in basic life skills as related to transitioning from foster care placement to independent adult living and to give educational seminars to help them during this transition period.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it somewhat difficult to meet in person thus far, but Transitioning Youth is as determined as ever not to let that stop them. Through hard work and dedication, they have worked with and encouraged a great group of young men and women who are ready to take on the world.

By the time this issue goes to print, Transitioning Youth will have held a dinner on October 21 regarding financial literacy for youth, aimed at teaching ways to manage finances. The guest speaker will be our very own Chair, Sharita Gardner.

Transitioning Youth has a number of other events slated for the fall and winter, including the CASA Carnival (in October), and talks on health and nutrition (in November) and college and career readiness (in January).

Transitioning Youth meets every second Wednesday at 6:30pm at the JLB Headquarters—keep an eye out on Digital Cheetah for the most up-to-date information!

our community. We encourage current JLB members who are active Board Members in other non-profits to consider joining The O.N.E.’s committee in 2021. Your experience in a Board position will be a valuable asset. We would also ask Junior League members to pass along the application when available to nonprofits close to their hearts so we can support them together as a league!

There will be more information coming soon. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Kelsie Mitchell at kelsiehundl@gmail.com. Thank you for sharing in our excitement as we plan out our newest Signature Project!

“

...the Junior League will work right alongside the local non profit for one year and assist in as many ways as possible.

”

Mash THE

by Margaret Victores Fall 2020 Edition

Holiday Gift Guide

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his year flew by so fast that it’s hard for me to believe the holiday season is already upon us – but here we are. I’ve scoured my wish list and slyly started dropping hints (wink wink, Andrew)! Since this year is different from all the preceding ones - and I foresee even more staycations and home-bodying in the future, this holiday season I’m recommending everything that’s all about staying cozy, chic, and comfortable at home. Let me know if you decide to gift any of my suggestions, I would love to hear how your gift-recipient (or yourself!) enjoyed the present. Email me at Margaret.Sapozhnikov@gmail.com

Warm, Cozy, Cuddly Things

them on and hop straight in the car to pick up my curbside dinner as well!

This wool scarf by Acne is at the top of my wish list. The classic camel nude color and high-quality Italian wool fabric will have you reaching for this essential from season to season. It will go with everything you’ve got on and is a great layering piece to add as the weather cools down.

Slippers are so rarely glamorous – and this Ugg pair is no looker … but oh! … the comfort! How can something so ugly feel so divine on my feet? It’s something about the shearling lining and the suede exterior that delivers a double punch of comfort and durability. I’ve never had a pair of slippers last so long and retain their … fluff factor. If that’s not a selling point, I don’t know what is!

Light is the enemy of sleep, and my bedroom has to be pitch-black in order for me to catch any zzz’s. Most sleep masks I’ve tried have either been to small, too thin, or too scratchy. Enter Lunya’s sleep mask in washable silk. It’s made from a washable, moisturizing silk that feels heavenly on, the generous sizing and extra large band ensure that no light will touch your eyeballs and the mask won’t slip off. Throw it in the washing machine (on delicate) and air dry to keep it clean and you’ll be hitting the snooze button in no time! It also doubles as an excellent travel eye mask for those long-haul flights.

These Desmond & Dempsey pajamas may have a menswear-like feel, but they’re one hundred percent pure style.

This pair is made from breathable organic cotton that will keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

I’d wear them lounging around the house all day sipping on oat-milk lattes - and this jaguar print pair is so chic, I wouldn’t hesitate to keep 20

SPINNINGS | NOVEMBER 2020

Ok, ok … these Barefoot Dreams blankets have been around forever and been gifted to death. But, there’s a reason for that! There’s nothing better to cuddle with on the couch (except a cute pet or significant other) and as long as you take care of them, they last. I love the animal print in particular, and they come in a range of colors to match your bedroom or living room.

For the Men in Your Life Pajamas ... for men? Hear me out. Imagine it’s a cold, brisk winter morning and you and your family are lounging around the fireplace after breakfast playing games or watching a movie … and all the girls are in cute pajamas, and the guys are in … sweats? workout clothes?? jeans??? I digress. But I added this Eberjay pair because they just started making them for men, they’re elegant (tuxedo-adjacent), and they’re sinfully soft. I guarantee the guy in your life won’t complain about receiving these as a gift and would secretly be chuffed to be included in the pajama party.

This backgammon set doubles as a fun guy gift and as fab home décor all in one! As lucite accessories’ #1 fan, I can safely say there’s no décor accent more chic and if anything, it will be a great bonding activity to learn backgammon together. The look and feel of this set embraces a high-end quality that is built to last.

If your guy is into cocktail-crafting or enjoys a nice glass of scotch at the end of the day, look no further than this Orrefors three-piece set. The timeless straight lines and lustrous cut of the decanter and glasses adds a 70’s chic that you can proudly display on your bar cart.

I love gifting little books as add-ons to an already amazing present and this book is especially apropos of the times! A well-heeled gentleman should always have a few key recipes in his back pocket ready to impress or pitch-in at a moment’s notice.

Pictured from left to right (clockwise) • Acne Studios Wool Scarf $180 • Barefoot Dreams Cozychic Blanket $180 • Lunya Hammered-Silk Eye Mask $48 • Desmond & Dempsey Pajama Set $168 • Ugg Scuffette II Suede Slippers $90

Pictured from left to right (clockwise) • Orrefors Erik 3-Piece Set $99 • Eberjay William Men’s PJ Set $158 • Aurosi Acrylic Backgammon Set $250 • Quirk Books Recipes Every Man Should Know $9.95

Kids like puzzles. Adults like puzzles.

These Robin Blair puzzles are extra fun with their bright colors and candy themes. Bonus … you could even finish the puzzle and frame it to hang up in a kid’s room or playroom.

familiar, sophisticated combination of rare woods burning through a cozy winter night. This scent is my go-to during the holidays, setting the perfect wintry mood without ever turning on the fireplace.

Ok, I’m back on the lucite train … in the form of these Le Creuset acrylic salt and pepper mills. Can you blame me?

They’re so fabulous! These would look so glam in anyone’s kitchen and as an added bonus, they’re see-through; so make sure to put some pink Himalayan salt in the salt mill for a cute pop of color before wrapping them!

Every girl needs a good pair of hoops – and my favorite just so happens to be those made by Jennifer Fisher. They’re gold-plated brass, super lightweight, and come in so many sizes and styles it’s almost impossible to choose. Start browsing, and you might end up snagging a pair for yourself too!

Linen napkins are always a great gift and I’m partial to this set by Kim Seybert because they combine two of my favorite things – blush and tie-dye.

They’re playful and elegant all at once and a great addition to some lucky recipient’s dining table.

For the Home I’m a pottery junkie. Show me an elegantly sculpted, unique piece, and it’s probably going in my virtual shopping cart. I recently discovered Franca, a pottery studio founded by a group of awesome women in Brooklyn, who create playful and modern products that still maintain a minimalist elegance – I’m obsessed. These generously-sized mugs are reminiscent of a Picasso piece, have clean geometric lines and neutral colors, and are probably big enough to fill with a double latte.

The Laundress makes laundry fun. Well, not fun, but maybe more elegant? I have loved every single product I’ve tried but the Signature Detergent and the Counter Spray are my favorites. They are made of clean ingredients, smell divine, and don’t look half-bad on your laundry room shelf.

Cookware is always a great gift for someone that loves … to cook. This set from Material is affordable but still extremely great quality. I’ve been impressed with their knives and cutting boards for years. The knives feel weighty in my hands, stay incredibly sharp, and cost a fraction of the price of Shun or Wusthof. Their cutting boards get a bonus for being sustainably made, and all of the tools look extra-chic with customizable colored handles.

Coffee table books are a great gift option – there’s so many to choose from. Art, photography, travel, and fashion are all popular choices and it’s a great piece of décor to add to a bookshelf or coffee table. My personal favorite is this one by Tom Ford – in fact, I’ve got two of them in my house, but who’s counting?

I love these kids’ book sets: Little People, Big Dreams. The illustrations are so quaint and the people profiled so prolific. Gift the entire set to the curious little tyke in your life and open up a world of imagination and inspiration for them.

Alexandra Ferguson pillows come with all sorts of cute phrases, but this custom date pillow is extra-special to commemorate a wedding date, birth day, anniversary, or just any date meaningful to you. The creamy white fabric is offset by bold black numbers and would look great in anyone’s home.

Diptyque’s Feu de Bois candle smells exactly as what it’s named – firewood. I should put that more elegantly, because that’s what this candle evokes: the warm,

Pictured from left to right (clockwise) • Le Creuset Acrylic Salt and Pepper Mills $40 each • By RobinBlair Think Happy Thoughts Jigsaw Puzzle $48 • Diptyque Feu de Bois Candle $65 • Kim Seybert Boho Blush Napkin, Set of 4 $128 • Material Kitchen Fundamentals Set $175 • Jennifer Fisher Gold-Plated Hoop Earrings (prices vary) • Franca Cara Mug $38 • Alexandra Ferguson Custom Date Pillow $74 • The Laundress Detergents (prices vary) • Quarto Little People, Big Dreams Girl & Boy Book Set $96 • Tom Ford Coffee Table Book $120

Junior League donates to

Lake Charles S

outheast Texas ladies donated purses! The purses are being delivered to our Volunteer Coordinator in Lake Charles.

We pray that the ladies that receive the purses will be blessed. Southeast Texas ladies have the biggest hearts! The Junior League of Beaumont would like to thank everyone for their assistance!

Visit Coburn’s Kitchen & Bath Showroom today, and explore our new inventory of MTI bathtubs.

VISIT COBURN'S KITCHEN & B AT H S H O W R O O M T O D AY !

2912 Eastex Freeway Beaumont, TX 77703 Monday – Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (409) 899-9911

Bathtime Just Got Bolder

day in the life of a Telemetry Nurse Allison King Heare, RN y experience as a telemetry nurse M has meant getting used to long hours and demanding shifts, but caring

for others is something that I have always found rewarding, meaningful, and even life-changing. Each day, I treat an average of five patients with varying diagnoses, but most of whom are suffering from cardiac problems such as atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure.

Our patients either come from the ER or they are transferred to our unit from ICU. Once patients arrive on the floor, we connect them to a telemetry monitor, which is an observation tool used to transmit the electrical activity of the heart to screens in the nurses’ station, and monitor bay where we constantly collect, monitor, and interpret this data in order to diagnose and treat patients.

These telemetry monitors along with nursing assessment skills enable us to gather data about our patients, which helps in the formation of nursing diagnoses and implementation of nursing interventions. We also relay this data to physicians so they can diagnose and treat the patient.

Although our patients have similar diagnoses, they are all unique individuals with varying backgrounds and personalities. Therefore, we recognize that each patient has different needs and must be provided care accordingly. One thing I wasn’t expecting when I first began my career as a nurse was just how many different roles this job would require me to fill.

I often find myself acting not only as a nurse, but as a customer service rep.

I attend to patients’ medical needs as well as any other needs they may have. I am the phlebotomist who draws blood; I am the unit secretary that orders supplies and submits orders; I am the case worker who educates my patients’ family about end-of-life care options; I am the physical therapist who helps my patient out of bed for the first time; I am a shoulder to cry on, and sometimes I’m even the IT guy who has to fix the computer. Like any job, there are good days and bad days. There are days when my work feels unappreciated, and then there are days when one of my patients or their family member throws their arms around me and tells me how much they appreciate the work I’ve done.

It’s days like those that make being a telemetry nurse worth worthwhile.

an Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgeon Andrew Victores, MD Over the course of a typical day in my life, I have the opportunity to treat patients both in the clinic and in the operating room. Part of what I love most about my specialty is the wide range of patients, medical conditions, and surgical procedures. I evaluate and treat both young and old, male and female, and provide interventions for acute and chronic conditions. As an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) surgeon, I can frequently offer patients rapid and potentially definitive improvement to their conditions. I treat conditions affecting the nose, sinuses, hearing, balance, voice, swallowing, salivary glands, thyroid, and sleep. Whether it’s examining a patient’s nose and sinuses to treat a sinus infection or removing fluid trapped behind a patient’s ear drum, oftentimes a short visit can be all that a patient needs to make a near-immediate impact. It is incredibly satisfying to see a mother’s smile as her child remains free of ear infections or a patient’s surprise when they can finally breathe clearly and smell for the first time in years.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to challenges for the entire medical community and I would be remiss not to mention some of these challenges.

We have had to find ways to adapt quickly as we learn what works best to care for patients with COVID while continuing to care for the numerous other medical problems that affect our community. We have incorporated enhanced measures to provide a clean and safe environment for our patients. Many of us offer new ways to reach patients who cannot be evaluated in person, including the use of technologies such as televisits.

Despite these difficulties, the heroism and tenacity of so many health care providers and other members of the health care team have shown through.

I am proud of our health care team and the deep and sincere commitment they have for our community.

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Christus St. Elizabeth Edition One of the aspects that I enjoy most about my daily life is helping patients to better understand what ails them. I often evaluate patients from the time of the onset of their symptoms and play a role in diagnosing the cause of these symptoms. Technological advancements have made this process more rapid over the years. Evaluating patients can often mean using instrumentation that allows me to visualize parts of the head and neck that would otherwise be inaccessible all while being performed in a fashion that is still comfortable for patients. These tools not only facilitate my task of examining a patient but also help me to better educate patients.

Once I have identified the underlying problem affecting a patient, I proceed to discuss means of addressing this problem. In some cases, surgery can provide an expeditious treatment.

There are a wide range of surgery techniques performed by ENT surgeons.

This includes smaller surgeries, like a tonsillectomy or ear tubes, as well as some very complicated and technically challenging surgeries. I appreciate the many different surgical modalities that our specialty has to offer, including performing minimally invasive procedures with the assistance of a microscope or an endoscope.

Technological advancements have not only been made in the clinic, but also in the operating room. One of the procedures I routinely perform is endoscopic sinus surgery. During these procedures, I use a guidance system which functions similarly to a GPS. It allows me to correlate the findings on an imaging study with the real time surgery.

ENT is also a specialty where selecting the right regimen or medication can often make all the difference in helping a patient. Deciding which patients would do better with a medication or other non-invasive treatment and which would do better with a procedure is one of the more challenging facets of my clinical day. Therefore, every day is nuanced and different. I enjoy approaching each patient’s concerns individually while providing the best care possible.

Each day I find myself reminded how fortunate I am to be a physician and how honored I am to have the opportunity to get to know and treat the members of this community. The best part of my day is hearing that I’ve helped someone live their life with more ease!

SPINNINGS | NOVEMBER 2020

Instant Pot Roast with Mushroom Wine Sauce Ingredients: 1 ½ Teaspoons Butter 1/3 Cup Chopped Shallots 8 Ounces Sliced Fresh Mushrooms 1 Cup Dry Red Wine 1 10-Counce Can of Beef Stock Salt and Pepper to Taste Beef Chuck Roast 1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce 2 Teaspoons of Cornstarch 1 Teaspoon Dried Thyme Substitutions: Shallots – Yellow or White Onion Dry Red Wine - Skip It! Butter – Olive Oil Soy Sauce - Worcestershire Sauce or Salt Beef Stock – Beef Broth or Water Chuck Roast – Any marbled roast Cornstarch - Flour

T

his dish is a quick, easy version of the elegant “Filet Mignon with Mushroom Wine Sauce” recipe featured on page 126 of Dining Without Reservations. While it is difficult to come to terms with substituting roast for Filet Mignon, it’s even worse to cook Filet Mignon in a pressure cooker. Filet Mignon should be respected! However, this roast recipe is a wonderful dish that elevates any celebration or weeknight dinner. It’s especially great on cold weather nights when you want a delicious, decadent meal, but don’t have the time to stop by the butcher.

Instructions: Turn Instant Pot on to Sauté. Melt butter and cook shallots until tender. Season beef with salt and pepper. Add meat to the Instant Pot and brown all sides. Add mushrooms, dry red wine, beef stock, soy sauce, and thyme. Select Manual Setting, adjust pressure to high, and set cook time to 60 minutes. When finished cooking, allow pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes.

Remove roast from the Instant Pot. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with ¼ cup of water. Set Instant Pot to sauté. Bring sauce to a boil, whisk in the cornstarch and water mixture. Continue to stir until the sauce thickens. Add more beef stock if the sauce is too thick. Pull the beef apart and cover with the sauce. * This recipe can be cooked, as pictured, with potatoes!! Yukon Gold potatoes are great for this recipe because their hard texture cooks perfectly without the potatoes falling apart or tasting gummy. Add potatoes on top of the roast and remove potatoes when you remove the beef, prior to thickening the sauce.

Don’t have an Instant Pot? This recipe can be cooked in a slow cooker! Sauté shallots and brown meat on the stovetop before adding all ingredients to the slow cooker. Cook on low until tender.

BEST ROASTS FOR INSTANT POT CHUCK ROAST

MUSHROOMS What you should know about the FUN-gi’s at the grocery!

WHITE BUTTON

White Button mushrooms are the most common mushrooms in the U.S. These mild-tasting mushrooms make up about 90% of the mushrooms Americans eat and fill most of the shelf space of the mushroom section of the store. These versatile mushrooms can be eaten raw or cooked. You can find them whole, halved, sliced, diced, jarred, and canned.

PORTOBELLO

Portobellos are a more mature version of the Cremini. They are great marinated and can be roasted or grilled.

They are best cooked with dry heat to avoid becoming slimy.

SHIITAKE

Shiitake mushrooms have a woody, smoky flavor. These versatile 24

SPINNINGS | NOVEMBER 2020

mushrooms are nearly impossible to overcook. They can be found fresh or dried. Dried Shiitakes have a more intense flavor. The stems can sometimes be tough but can easily be removed.

BABY BELLAS/CREMINI

Perfectly named, Baby Bellas or Cremini mushrooms are baby Portobellos. These small, pale brown mushrooms are more flavorful than white button. The texture is slightly rubbery and they have a low-moisture content, making them perfect for marinating, sautéing, or cooking.

MAITAKE

Maitake mushrooms are flavorful.

They don’t look like a traditional button mushroom. Maitake mushrooms are sold in clusters and have soft, layered, feathery, overlapping caps. They are extremely versatile and can be used to complement and enhance the flavor of other mushrooms.

Chuck roast is cut from the cow’s shoulder. It is also called shoulder steak, boneless chuck roast, or chuck shoulder. This cut is great for pressure cooking or slow roasting because the meat tissue cooks down making the meat tender.

RIB ROAST

Rib Roast is cut from the rib section and behind the ribs. Rib-eye roasts and short ribs are great cuts for the Instant Pot because they are wellmarbled, tender cuts.

TOP ROUND ROAST

Top Round Roast is cut from the back upper thigh of the cow. This cut of meat is tender and flavorful and often labeled as London Broil.

TRICKY CUTS OF MEAT FOR QUICK INSTANT POT POT ROAST

These lean cuts of meat or tougher and need extra time to slow roast: • Eye of Round • Top Sirloin • Bottom Round

Dining Without Reservations and Without A Lot of Time!

Grading Your Beef The USDA uses eight grades to evaluate every cut of meat measuring quality, degree of marbling, usable lean meat, and maturity.

BEEF QUALITY GRADES U.S. PRIME

Highest in quality and intramuscular fat, produced from young, well-fed beef cattle, abundant marbling, higher fate content than Choice.

U.S. CHOICE

High quality, less marbling than Prime, widely available in food service industry and retail markets, tender, flavor U.S. SELECT

Slightly leaner than Prime and Choice, quality cut, less tender and juicy due to less marbling U.S. STANDARD AND U.S. COMMERCIAL Sold as ungraded or

store brand meat, lacks marbling

U.S. UTILITY, U.S. CUTTER, AND U.S. CANNER

Rarely sold at retail

The Junior League of Beaumont’s Dining Without Reservations cookbook is JLB’s second installment of timeless recipes that inspire home cooks to create elegant meals for a party, celebration, or a weeknight family dinner.

This outstanding cookbook sold nearly 10,000 copies. It is a show piece for any kitchen with beautiful photos and hundreds of tasted-tested, award winning, and family favorite recipes.

Cathy Radford and her amazing committee created this cookbook with an introduction that states, “Dining Without Reservations continues the tradition of cooking for the pure joy of it.”

With most of us staying home without dinner reservations these days, there is no time better than now to turn to this wonderful cookbook as a source of joy.

WINE NOT? Many recipes call for “dry” red wine and with hundreds of wine choices, it’s hard to know what works best when it comes to cooking. A good rule is to cook with a dry red wine that you like to drink. Most recipes call for a small amount of wine. Don’t waste the bottle! Use wine that you can enjoy while cooking.

Remember, red wines have tannins that can turn bitter when heated. Fruity red wines can also alter the flavor of your meat. Use a red wine that will enhance the richness of your dish, not overpower it.

Great Dry Red Wines For Cooking: • Merlot – low tannins, cooks well with proteins, fruit flavors add to beef recipes • Cabernet Sauvignon – full-bodied wine, will tenderize meat as it cooks, it’s lack of sugar prevents it from caramelizing in high heat • Chianti – high-acid Italian red wine • Pinot Noir – lighter wine, not too overpowering, will soften meat as it cooks, great if a recipe calls for a large amount of wine

*Avoid Shiraz, Syrah, and Zinfanfels.

These tannin rich wines can taste bitter when cooked. Don’t substitute white wine in place of a dry red wine.

Don’t like wine, skip it! If you need to substitute the liquid, use a beef stock or beef broth. Beware of cooking wines, some can taste like vinegar when heated.

National Hair Day Gives African-American Haircare Products for Harvest House

O

ctober 1 was a great day! Not only was it National Homemade Cookie Day, but it was also National Hair Day! In observance of October's Global Diversity Awareness, the Junior League of Beaumont's Abolish Committee collected hair products for relaxed/natural hair care on behalf of Harvest House Ministry. Harvest House Ministry's mission is to end child sex trafficking in Southeast Texas. https://harvesthousebmt.com/volunteer https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/ SVVZF0AGF2DK...

October Global Diversity Month & Other Events

Run for the Harvest 5K

October 1, 2020

National Hair Day - Requesting hair care products for African American women. We'd like to be able to provide products for all hair types regardless of ethnicity.

October 17, 2020

October Workday; Harvest House (cleaning, gardening, painting, etc.) 8:00am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-5:00pm {Trained volunteer}

November 9. 2020

Virtual Volunteer Training 6:00pm-8:30pm

November 14, 2020

November Awareness Day; Ritter Lumber 9:00am-11:30am, 11:30am-2pm {Partially trained volunteers}

December 3-5, 2020

JLB Main Street Market Information table set up at Main Street Market Thursday: 3 - 5pm; 5 - 7pm; 7 - 9pm Friday: 9:30 am - 12 pm; 12 - 2pm; 2 - 4pm; 4 - 6pm; 6 - 8:30pm Saturday: 9:30 am - 12 pm; 12 - 2pm; 2 - 4pm; 4 - 6pm

HHM Work Day HHM Work Day

Hair care collections

HHM Awareness Day

Photo Captions (pictured top to bottom and left to right): First three photos: Run for the Harvest 5k event held on Sept. 19, 2020; Prepared floors and walls at Harvest House Ministry for contractors to work; Hair care donations collected on Oct. 1, 2020; Bagged up excess donated clothes for women’s shelter and Franklin House on Aug. 7, 2020; Set up information outside of Ritter Lumber Nederland, passed out brochures, sold t-shirts, collected monetary donations, and signed up volunteers on Sept. 19, 2020

September Provisional Meeting Recap

I

want to thank everyone who helped make our September Provisional meeting a success. Not only did active members share the necessary information pertinent to their current placements, but they shared information about themselves, why they joined JLB, and what the league means to them. It’s not only about what we do, but why we do it.

Our Communications Council Director, Nicole MacCallum, made sure all Provisionals were set to receive their JLB volunteer shirts, and shared so much valuable insight, especially regarding PRD and CAF grants. Stephanie Cassels, our Corresponding Secretary, brought us all up to speed regarding Digital Cheetah, while bringing her encouraging perspective as someone who has recently transferred her league membership to Beaumont (many of our Provisionals can relate to being new to SETX). Our Community Council Director, Cheri Dickerson brought her signature enthusiasm along with Courtney White, the Abolish Project Chair. Both ladies got the Provisionals fired up regarding current JLB community projects. Lastly, Ashley Willis, Main Street Market Chair, and MSM committee member Alexus Wilson shared exciting details regarding this year’s MSM. One of the goals set for our Provisional meetings this year is for our Provisionals to learn the “ins and outs” of JLB and get to know some fantastic Active members. The Provisionals were so thankful to the Actives who took time to provide them with knowledge concerning the league while also encouraging them to have a successful year. The league would also like to thank its Provisionals for continuing to give their time in an effort to become strong leaders and to help our community during these unusual times.

Upcoming Events:

Strong Women in the Legal Community Supporting the Mission of the Junior League of Beaumont

October Provisional meeting is October 13th at JLB Headquarters.

Super Saturday date has been re-scheduled for Saturday, November 14th, and December Meeting/Christmas Party will take place December 8th.

HOUSTON | BEAUMONT | SAN ANTONIO | AUSTIN

Texas Roots. Regional Experience. National Recognition. www.MehaffyWeber.com

Pet Supply Drive

Hosted by JLB Member Following Hurricane Laura

J

unior League member Tania Castelan and her real estate colleague Matthew Fischer hosted a supply drive for our furry friends. Following hurricane Laura, Castelan and Fischer wanted to ensure displaced families have what they need to take care of their pets.

"After the storm we saw many donation drives for families, but one family member seemed to have been forgotten," Castelan said.

Castelan set-up outside of Red's Icehouse September through the 8th of October.

"We also partnered up with Mabel’s Treats.

Mabel’s donated a percentage of sales towards buying more pet food. She also gave away free puppy cones," Castelan said. "We had four other drop off

locations. LUXX Hair Studio, The Golden Cup, Hard Bean and Sachis."

On September 9th, four truck loads of pet supplies were delivered to the Salvation Army in Orange and Lake Charles, Louisiana.

"Hopefully, in the future this will bring some light to the fact that animals are easily overlooked. It’s hard not to have a voice in a situation," Castelan said.

Congratulations JLB Members Vanskike appointed to Texas Crime

Stoppers Council

Congratulations to JLB Past President and Sustainer Stephanie Vanskike for being appointed by Govenor Abbott to the Texas Crime Stoppers Council!

Read the complete article at https://www. stl.news/texas-governorabbott-appointsthree-crime-stopperscouncil/354548/ 28

SPINNINGS | NOVEMBER 2020

well done

by Sarah Wells

Sarah Wells starts new biz Hello, I'm Sarah. I love occasions to celebrate, from Weddings to Tuesdays. The way we celebrate may look different right now, but our need to connect hasn't changed. Let me create your special day so you can focus on making memories.

Make sure your next event is #welldone.

October

NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING

farewell Sustainer

MYRNA LOY JOHNSON BROCATO April 23, 1938 - July 10, 2020 Myrna Loy Johnson Brocato, 82, of Beaumont, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 10, 2020 in Austin. She was born April 23, 1938, in Turkey Creek, Louisiana, and was the youngest child of Alice Guillory Johnson and Cecil Clyde Johnson, Sr. Myrna was a loving wife, devoted mother, and beloved “Gran” to her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

JLB

out about and

Myrna was a graduate of Hotel Dieu School of Nursing and was a Registered Nurse when she married Anthony G. Brocato at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Less than a year after giving birth to a baby girl, she had triplet boys, and a few years later, another baby girl.

She was active in The Junior League of Beaumont, Young Audiences, and the Beaumont Bar Auxiliary. For many years, she was the office manager for The Law Offices of Anthony G. Brocato.

Myrna will be remembered as a kind and gentle soul; an infinitely patient person, but one who could, if duty called, communicate with the raise of an eyebrow and tilt of her head more than most could say with a thousand words. With her beautiful smile, she greeted family and friends with a warm pot of her famous Cajun seafood gumbo on the stove.

Thank you East Texas Tactical Firearms Training for making our members sharp shooters! https://m.facebook.com/getmytexasltc/

She is preceded in death by her husband of almost sixty years, Anthony G. Brocato; her parents; sister, Joyce Wiley; brother, Kenneth Johnson and wife, Laura; sisters-in-law, Concetta McGettigan and husband, Patrick; Mary Claire Petkovsek and husband, Lucas; and Barbara Johnson; and brother-in-law, Tom Phalen.

Due to Covid-19 concerns, the family gathered for private services, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Anne Catholic Church, P.O. Box 3429, Beaumont, Texas 77704.

In MEMORIAM It is with regret that the League sends its sympathies to the following JLB members and their families.

Family and friends of JLB Past President 1969-1970 Yvonne Lyle Moor (Yvonne Lyle Craig).

Sustainer Meg Baertl Brown is a finalist in Raise Your Voice! It is a singing contest to support the United Way.

Yvonne Lyle Moor

Nga "Tea" Do on the loss of her Brother in Law October 12, 2020.

29

SPINNINGS | NOVEMBER 2020

ADVERTISERS INDEX American Real Estate....................................36 Bill Clark..........................................................07 CASA.................................................................07 Coburn’s...........................................................22 Gift of Life.......................................................02 Mehaffy Weber................................................27 Provost Umphrey............................................03

Thank you

for advertising with the Junior League of Beaumont!

If you are interested in advertising in any upcoming JLB magazines, please contact Resource Development at 409.832.0873 or JLB@juniorleaguebeaumont.org!

NOVEMBER 2020 SUNDAY 1

MONDAY 2 Board Mtg @ 6pm

Shana Dixon 8

TUESDAY 3 Communication Council Mtg @12pm

Kelley Kays 9

10 General Mtg @ 6:30pm

WEDNESDAY 4

THURSDAY 5

Julie Barclay Mandy Mazzola

Linda Robinson

SATURDAY

FRIDAY 6 Membership Council Mtg @ 5:30pm Tea Do

7 Super Saturday Debra (Debbie) Bishop Julia Matheny

11

12

13

14

18 Finance Council Mtg @ 5:30pm

19

20

21

Margaret Benckenstein Connie Berry 15

16

Janci Kimball Anne Winslow 22

Melody Parsons 23

Nicole MacCallum 29

17

Cindy Busch 24

Diana Dixon Susan Reese

25

Gina Crenshaw Dale Laughlin

Alexus Wilson 26

Z Reid

D’anne McGown 27

Cornelia Heartfield 28

Jeannine Faires

30

Heather Shoemaker

30

SPINNINGS | NOVEMBER 2020

Member Birthdays

2020-2021 UPCOMING

EVENTS

BOARD MEETING Monday, November 2, 2020 @ 6pm Tuesday, January 5, 2021 @ 6pm Tuesday, February 2, 2021 @ 6pm Tuesday, March 2, 2021 @ 6pm Tuesday, April 6, 2021 Transitional Board Meeting GENERAL MEETINGS 6:00 pm Social, 6:30 pm Meeting Tuesday, November 10, 2020, 2020 via Zoom Tuesday, December 3, 2020 Tuesday, January 12, 2021 Tuesday, February 9, 2021 Tuesday, March 23, 2021 Tuesday, April 13, 2021 Tuesday, May 4, 2021 PROVISIONAL MEETINGS Held at JLB Headquarters Tuesday, October 20, 2020 @ 6pm Super Saturday, November 7, 2020 Tuesday, December 8, 2020 @ 6pm Tuesday, January 19, 2021 @ 6pm Tuesday, February 23, 2021 @ 6pm COMMUNICATION COUNCIL Held at JLB Headquarters Tuesday, November 3, 2020 @ 12pm Tuesday, January 5, 2021 @ 12pm Tuesday, February 2, 2021@ 12pm FINANCE COUNCIL Wednesday, November 18, 2020 @ 5:30pm Wednesday, December 16, 2020 @ 5:30pm Wednesday, January 20, 2021 @ 5:30pm Wednesday, February 17, 2021 @ 5:30pm

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES NOVEMBER

11

Transitioning Youth Meeting with HS Senior Foster children Topic: Health and nutrition Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at 6pm

14

Provisional Meeting – SUPER SATURDAY Saturday, November 14, 2020 at 8am

DECEMBER

3-5

Main Street Market

8

Provisional Meeting/Christmas Party Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 6pm

9

Transitioning Youth Meeting with HS Senior Foster children Christmas Party Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at 6pm

JANUARY

13

Transitioning Youth Topic: College and career readiness Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 6pm

MEMBERSHIP COUNCIL Friday, November 6, 2020 @ 5:30pm Wednesday, January 6, 2021 @ 5:30pm Monday, March 8, 2021 @ 5:30pm PLANNING COUNCIL Wednesday, December 2, 2020 @ 12pm Wednesday, January 27, 2021 @ 12pm Wednesday, February 24, 2021 @ 12pm FUNDRAISERS Main Street Market, December 3-5, 2020 Dancing with the Stars, March 5, 2021 Editor’s Note:

Events displayed in the calendar are subject to change, please check Digital Cheetah for updates.

J

LB would like to recognize the following members who sent in donations to the league: Barbara Broussard Melissa Byrd Cile Childress Karen Collins Mary Matthews Jennifer Shaw Jerome Dick Judy Dishman Allison Hughes Carole Jones

31

Patricia Klein Becky Mason Patti McSpadden Mary Matthews Cindy Partin Sara Lou Pipkin Ida Pyle Louis Ann Stanton Michele Smith Christine Stetson

SPINNINGS | NOVEMBER 2020

P A ID

Permit No. 22 Beaumont, Texas

Beaumont, Texas 77702 2388 McFaddin

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

J U N I O R L E A G U E O F B E AU M O N T Women building better communities ÂŽ

Does the grass always look greener on the other side?

When you are ready to move on to greener pastures, give me a call!

Mary Jane Mouton CELL: 409-350-4663 EMAIL: maryjane@mouton.com

This Spinnings magazine is recyclable through your local recycling program!