Issuu

WAYA’s Family Day 2026 Unites the Community

The West Austin Youth Association (WAYA) celebrated its biggest annual fundraiser, Family Day, on April 17, drawing more than 1,200 guests and surpassing its $600,000 fundraising goal. Proceeds from this community-focused festival are vital to sustaining WAYA’s beloved kids’ programs, sports leagues, preschool, camps, and longstanding presence in West Austin.

This year’s event was made possible by primary sponsors Dell Children’s Medical Center and Tarrytown Pharmacy, along with the generous support of major sponsors ABC Home and Commercial Services, the Tito & Lori Beverage Family, Latham & Watkins LLP, the Moulton Family, BKCW Insurance (Meredith and Tyler Spears), H-E-B, and Supergoop! Individual contributions from WAYA’s loyal supporters further reflected the community’s shared commitment to keeping WAYA a vital resource for area children and families.

“We are incredibly grateful

that the Austin community continues to believe in our mission to provide kids a fun and safe environment to play and build community,” said Emily Freeman, WAYA’s Development Director.

Leading the charge this year were Family Day Chairs Meredith Spears, Jessica Pieratt, Jennah Granger, and Wesley Joseph, who shaped the 2026 celebration around

the theme “Everybody is Somebody at WAYA.”

Festivities featured bouncy castles, obstacle courses, carnival rides, a water slide, a mechanical bull, face painting, and catering from Austin favorites: Tiff’s Treats, Sno Ride, Juiceland, Mighty Fine Burgers, and H-E-B catering. Live music, provided by Mr. Will and his band, along with DJ Hear No Evil, kept the

event lively, while children ran freely across the safe haven of WAYA’s recently renovated Brumley Field.

“Family Day was an amazing evening that truly brought our community together,” said Family Day Chair Jessica Pieratt. “While the beautiful weather, vendors, new turf, and entertainment were wonderful, it was really the people in attendance who made the event so special.”

Now in its 46th year, WAYA serves more than 16,000 kids from 50 different zip codes. Its sports programs include recreational basketball, flag football, soccer, volleyball, baseball, lacrosse, and more. The WAYA Preschool serves over 150 families through a play-based curriculum, rounding out the organization’s broader mission to provide the best athletic, recreational, and educational experience possible to help

every child reach their highest potential.

Family Day 2026 would not have been possible without the many community volunteers, WAYA staff and board members, and generous sponsors, all fueled by the smiles and laughter of the children who turned out for what has become a “can’t miss” West Austin tradition. For more information or to donate, visit www.waya.org.

O ur PATRON SPONSORS/SUBSCRIBERS

Owners of DDunc Athletics in Tarrytown, Alejandra and Deris Duncan, with daughter Lucia

April Baxter from Camp Balcones Springs mingling the field with the Camp mascot

Sunny enjoying the waterslide at Family Day

Helen Ingram with Julia at the face painting booth

Marie Somogyi with her sons, Fulton and Ford

WAYA Staff Members Laney Ramirez, Stacey Weiseman, Melissa Morrow, Yvette Aguilar, and Andy Felix

WAYA junior board members Mary John Maebius, Gracie Grethel, Campbell Breed, and Avery Simmons

Tina O’Jibway and son Jack with Brigitte Neblett and son Augie

WAYA board President Shaun Dickerson, President of Ascension Texas Foundations Miguel Romano, and WAYA board Member Katherine Goehring

WAYA Family Day Chairs Jennah Granger, Jessica Peiratt, Meredith Spears, and Wesley Joseph

Bobby and Jan Jenkins with WAYA Executive Director Melissa Morrow (center)

Around the Neighborhood: opening expanding celebrating

Neighbor Coffee celebrates five years of “hand-crafted, no-nonsense coffee, made by people who care” at its trailer at 5000 Burnet Road. Neighbor Coffee features fresh roasting, signature blends such as Front Porch and Espresso 5000, cold brew, pour overs, drip, signature and flavored lattes, and an assortment of biscuits, scones, and breakfast cakes. Open 7am to 2pm Monday through Saturday, neighborcoffee.com

Kappa Settings 2026 Brings Beauty and Purpose

The 22nd Kappa Settings was a breathtaking celebration of creativity, philanthropy, and sisterhood as the Austin community gathered in support of the Heaven’s 27 Foundation, The Mental Health Crisis Fund, NAMI Central Texas, and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation.

The two-day event took place April 8 and 9 at Austin Country Club and was hosted by the Austin Alumnae Association of Kappa Kappa Gamma. The beloved biennial fundraiser was co-chaired by mother-daughter duo Molly Bowman Stephens and Marianna Elskes

Festivities began with Settings Under the Stars, a lively cocktail party hosted by Charli Anderson, Sarah Bellew, Katherine Beckworth, Heather Bowman, Gretchen Brice, Kate Crane, Julia Cunningham, Tracy Engemoen, Katherine Fluor, Haley Hill, Meredith Jarrett, Molly Jenkins, Laura Hill Keller, Kimberly Mooney, Staley Moore, Anna Moscoe, Erin Stephens, Lia Stratton, Association President Jamie Winters-Johnson, and chairs Molly Stephens and Marianna Elskes.

Couples filled the ballroom to enjoy live music by Graham Weber and a silent auction featuring generously donated items from Pavilion Paper, Sarah Bray Bermuda, Ok Let’s Mahjong, Poncho Outdoors, Petite Paloma, Erly, and more. Artist Avery Miller created a live painting for auction of a young girl gazing over the Guadalupe River, inviting guests to participate by adding stars to the painted night sky throughout the evening.

The following day, guests gathered for the highly anticipated luncheon, where they enjoyed Waldorf salads and mimosas while listening to keynote speaker Rebecca Gardner, creative director of House & Parties and author of A Screaming Blast: Exceptional Entertaining.

Under the leadership of

Design Partner Chair Kimberly Mooney, the table designers transformed the ballroom into an extraordinary showcase of florals, artistry, and imagination. Highlights included a six-foot birdcage adorned with cascading butterflies and hundreds of fresh blooms designed by David Kurio for Personally Yours; a table anchored by a custom-built dollhouse created entirely by Carlie Bailey of CB Crafted Homes; and an exquisite vignette by Aurette Co. and The Impeccable Find featuring twenty-seven hand-selected white anemones in tribute to the twenty-seven young girls and women whose legacies live on through the work of the Heaven’s 27 Foundation.

Austin-based interior designer Cathlyn Davis collaborated with Lily Balagia and Wild Bunches Florals to create a custom table constructed entirely of roses and hydrangeas, stopping guests in their tracks. Debbie Willson and Jenefred Davies partnered with local artist Sarah Fournie to design a custom tablecloth, which they topped with Debbie’s collection of Japanese Kutani porcelain and florals by Create Floral Design. Claire Richards, who served as 2024 Kappa Settings co-chair alongside her mother Penny Burck and sister Terry Quinn, designed a beautiful tablescape in partnership with interior design firm StudioSix5. Kappa Settings continues to draw a deeply loyal group of underwriters and sponsors, and this year the Association was honored to receive support from numerous local businesses, family foundations, and longtime Kappa alumnae, including The Cain Foundation, Wing Oil & Gas, ABC Home & Commercial, Frost Bank, HEB, Lolla Page, Nancy Harper, Sally Harner, Marty McCartt, and Susie

Jastrow Elizabeth Gibson, owner of local jewelry store

Eliza Page, generously provided favors again in 2026, and event photography was generously donated by Jenny DeMarco, of Jenny DeMarco Weddings. The ballroom buzzed

with hundreds of Kappas and friends of the cause; Lolla Page, Nancy Harper, Acia Moody, Linda Balagia, Amanda Foster, Charmaine McGill, Sally Harner, Leslie Pohl, Lutie Butler, Lynne Fowler, Mary Bell, Anne Jarvis, Elizabeth Nash and Beth Vorhees. Guests lingered over tables designed by Adelante Boutique, Vintage Longhorn, Let’s Flamingle, Cinda Brown, The Scout Guide, Whitt Ross, Tuckernuck, Farrington Lane,

Kelseigh Leigh Fine Jewelry and Avery Cox. Among those spotted include Laura Fowler McKnight, Whitney Abblitt, Rea Netherton, Kristin Pohl, Kat Fluor, Katie Crowley, Haley Hill, Stacey Stevens, Noel Bridges, Melissa Dieck Thaxton, Molly Jenkins, Katie Baker, Rachel Haggerty Stephens, Cici Steward and Leslie Hile Ford

Event chairs Molly and Marianna reflected, “It was so special to do this together,

and give back in what little way we can — our lives have been deeply enriched by this organization and the incredible women behind it, We are honored to support our 2026 beneficiaries, who mean so much to us and to our community.” With its extraordinary blend of beauty, generosity, and purpose, Kappa Settings once served as a reminder of the remarkable impact that happens when women of West Austin gather for good.

Ferrell Fields Damen and Kristen Pohl Amy Sutton and Marty McCartt Beth Vorhees, Penny Burck, Claire Richards Corrine Bowers, Beth Vorhees, Nancy Prideaux

Kappa Settings Co-Chairs, Molly Bowman Stephens and Marianna Stephens Elskes

Sally Harner and President Jamie Winters-Johnson

Lutie Butler, Nancy Harper and Jennifer Welch

Danielle Loose, Marianna Elskes, Chelsea Myers, Molly Jenkins

Kate Crane, Kimberly Mooney, Marianna Elskes

Meredith Spears, Jenny Hill, Stephanie Page

Susie McCaleb, LaTrelle Peterson, Sandra Wilson, Cappy Robnett Natalie Phillips and Katie Baker

Aida Dieck, Rebecca Maloney, Deborah Yurco, Amanda Foster, Vicki Eidman

Around the Neighborhood: opening expanding celebrating

DDunc Athletics opened in Tarrytown at 3102 Windsor Road, #3100, in February, offering personalized training programs for fitness. Coach Deris Duncan came to Texas from Indianapolis to play basketball at Texas State, has a masters in Exercise Science, and is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer. Open Tuesday 9am to 5pm and Wednesday through Sunday by appointment.

CANDIES CLOSING

Lamme’s Candies had been Austin’s hometown candy store for 141 years. The home of the famous Texas Chewie Pecan Praline is in the process of closing all its stores, with the Airport location being the last to close. Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day won’t be the same without Lamme’s chocolate covered strawberries. And lucky me, I celebrated my early May birthday with a box of those chewy pecan pralines of theirs. Part of their sign-off was this: “Since our founding 1885, Lammes Candies has been proud to be part of Texas traditions, creating handcrafted sweets and memorable moments for generations of customers like you.” Thanks for the sweet sweets, Lamme’s Candies.

Immortality Conference 2026 will be held on May 30th from 9 am

6 pm at Distribution Hall, 1500 East 4th Street. Attendees can connect with clinicians, clinic owners, biohackers, practitioners, and brands focused on health optimization. Elite speakers will be featured, along with the opportunity to experience wellness technologies firsthand. Visit https://www.austinimmortalityconference.com/ to secure tickets and learn more.

A Night United to Support Central Texas Families

United Way for Greater Austin’s (UW) 8th annual A Night United welcomed more than 300 guests to East Austin’s Distribution Hall for an evening celebrating the organization’s mission to break economic barriers and build opportunity for all. The event raised critical funds to support early learning programs, improve access to basic resources, and strengthen family stability across Central Texas.

Co-chairs Bre Brown and Danielle McNeely led a night filled with energy, generosity, and community spirit, reflecting their deep commitment to UW’s vision of a Central Texas where everyone can thrive.

This year’s theme, “Illuminating Impact,” highlighted the transformative

difference UW makes for children and families throughout the region. Powerful stories emphasized that UW’s work extends beyond direct services by strengthening a network of non-profits that serve the broader community.

Andromeda, a parent and nurse who has benefitted from UW programs, shared, “United Way doesn’t just fund one program. They make sure they are supporting non-profits here, where you live.”

Guests enjoyed several high-spirited fundraising activities, including the Golden Ticket raffle and a lively auction featuring ACL passes, a New York City getaway with Broadway tickets, and a seven-night trip to Los Cabos.

The Mystery Boxes were a crowd fa-

vorite, inviting guests to choose a category and reveal a surprise prize valued at $50 or more. Each box delivered its own fun mix of surprise and luck that added an extra spark to the celebration.

The evening was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when the community comes together to support Central Texas children and families.

“The generosity of our community supports thousands of individuals and families across Central Texas,” said Ingrid Taylor, CEO of United Way for Greater Austin. “With big plans to expand our work, we are grateful for the community’s investment in a stronger Central Texas.”

For more information, visit unitedwayaustin.org.

1. What’s something about you that not many people know? That I was born in Colorado. (That I used to be tall — just kidding!)

2. What was your first job?

Lifeguard and swim teacher

3. If you could have dinner with three people — dead or alive, at any time in history—who would they be?

Helen Keller, Alan Graham (Mobile Loaves and Fishes and Community First), and

Ken Krumhansl, Becky de Haro, Levente McCrary, Kat Griffith, Curtis Smith, The Honorable Rudy Metayer, Austin City Council Member Vanessa Fuentes, Jeremiah Bentley, Yvette Ruiz, United Way for Greater Austin CEO Ingrid Taylor, Selicia Sanchez-Adame, and Rene Adame

Laura Hernandez, Marianne Rochelle, and Sandy Russell Neil and Jessica Scanlon and Selicia Sanchez-Adame and Rene Adame

United Way CEO Ingrid Taylor and Board Chair Kristin Marcum

Ruth Pennebaker

RBY FORREST PREECE

uth and Jamie Pennebaker are definitely among Austin’s most interesting couples — two smart people who are talented authors.

We’ve known them for a long time, and I am finally getting around to writing stories about both of them. I’m starting with Ruth, who has, as noted on her website, a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature from Eckerd College and, “for reasons that now elude her,” a J.D. with honors from the University of Texas School of Law.

One of her first memories of writing that won acclaim and made her feel good happened when she was in the ninth grade at Horace Mann Jr. High in Abilene. The assignment was to write a story about what you would do if you had a million dollars. She wrote a parody about herself as a little match girl who was sitting alone when a robber tossed a bag containing that amount of cash at her and fled. The girl then went home, put one of her parents in Alcoholics Anonymous, the other in a rest home, and then did “something nefarious” to her sister, and bought a penthouse for herself. Then she was accused of stealing the money because the burglar had turned her in. She was put in a jail cell next to him and told herself, “He’ll never be cold again.” Point being, she had felt his frosty hands when he tossed her the money, but she still had her matches, and she was going to burn his cell down.

Her teacher was so impressed by her story that he read it to all the English classes he taught, and it was printed in

BOOKS BY RUTH PENNEBAKER

FICTION

▲ Pucker Up!, 2015

▲ Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough, Penguin, 2011

▲ Both Sides Now, Holt, 2000 ▲ Conditions of Love, Holt, 1999 ▲ Don’t Think Twice, Holt, 1996

ESSAYS/HUMOR

▲ Shades of Blue: Writers on Depression, Suicide and Feeling Blue, 2015

▲ Listen to Your Mother: What She Said Then, What We’re Saying Now, 2015

▲ A Texas Family Time Capsule, 2002

▲ Parents: A Toddler’s Guide, Clarkson-Potter, 1986

▲ Stork Realities: What No One Ever Tells You About Pregnancy, Harper & Row, 1985

the school newspaper. This was a moment of revelation in her life, showing her that her talent could earn her recognition. Ruth says that she approaches things circuitously — she went to UT Law School, graduated in 1976, and then moved to the DC/Virginia area with Jamie, who had landed a faculty post at the University of Virginia. At this time, she had a “horrible” job at a legal publishing company. She was an indexer, and she was “becoming catatonic” from the

tedium of the work.

At that time, she became obsessed with The Washington Post and told Jamie she thought she could write pieces as good as or better than the ones she was seeing. So, at his urging, she submitted an essay about taking the bar exam in Virginia. Imagine her surprise when she received an envelope in the mail that was from the Post itself — not just the self-addressed envelope she had sent to them for use. That meant they had accepted her piece. To her amazement, it wound up on the front page of the Sunday Opinion section. That success gave her the impetus to walk away from her job. “I will say this for law school — going through that gauntlet made me think that I could do almost anything,” Ruth says.

After that, she freelanced for the Post and the New York Times, then took a steady job with the Charlottesville paper. When they moved to Dallas in 1990 for Jamie’s job as a professor at SMU, she worked for the Dallas Morning News, ending up writing a column for the features section and the op-ed page. In that work, she formed a friendship with journalist and author Rena Pederson that has lasted to this day — and Rena is here in Austin now.

Along the way, Ruth started writing books — one was called Stork Realities: What No One Ever Tells You About Pregnancy. As she says, “People are scared to be around you, thinking you might give birth at any minute!” She also did a variety of writing jobs, including song lyrics for pledge drives and program scripts for the Dallas Public TV and radio stations.

In 1993, a friend told her a story about how she’d had a child out of wedlock about thirty years earlier. As it happens, Jamie had been doing research about how toxic it is to hold dark secrets in one’s mind. Ruth became obsessed with writing a novel about a woman her age who was in a similar situation in the 1960s. She says she couldn’t even explain this concept of shame to her daughter, who was raised in a more understanding era. The book, titled “Don’t Think Twice,” was classified as a Young Adult novel, and in 1995, it was named one of the American Library Association’s “Best Books of the Year.” Ruth says that she will never write anything better than that. She wrote two more young adult novels and an adult novel, but she went back to non-fiction. She also kept busy writing articles for magazines such as Parents, Redbook, Texas Monthly, McCall’s, and The Alcalde. And she was a columnist for the Texas Observer and sent pieces to The Washington Post.

In 1997, Ruth and Jamie moved to Austin when Jamie joined the psychology faculty at the University of Texas. They love being here. Looking back to the 1990s, Ruth is amazed at how the markets for print media writing have dried up. The internet has made all the

▲

QUOTES FROM RUTH

“You call them birds and I call them vermin. This is about the night I went on the offense against grackles.”

Texas Standard | The War Against Grackles

▲ “When you’re from West Texas, you have very different ideas about exotic animals and when to call the police.”

Texas Standard | That Time I Thought a Neighborhood Possum Was a Zoo Fugitive

▲ “You know how not to die? Just start hopping every day. I swear, I heard it somewhere.”

Texas Standard | The Audacity of Hops: A Commentary on Being in Good Health at a Certain Age

difference in the world — now everyone has a platform to express themselves publicly.

With cartoonist and artist Marian Henley, Ruth has been publishing stories on Instagram at “Blue Hour Dames.” Now on her own, she is moving to

Substack under the name “Just Another Blue Hour Dame.”

These days, Ruth and Jamie live in a downtown high-rise, “hoping that will make them look cool.” He has retired

from his post as Chair of the Psychology Department at the University of Texas, and they enjoy being in

Ruth Pennebaker

Ruth Pennebaker is willing to talk it over.

The Bat with a Golden Heart and a Bridge to a Magic Portal

Finding myself a little lost in a series of dead-end streets in a charming South Austin neighborhood, the delightfully unexpected is encountered. A bit of lost Austin whimsey. A large bat rises up on the edge of a small park. Made of colorful mosaics and tiles, its wings are raised in greeting. It has a golden heart.

Walk around the statue and the bat with a heart cunningly morphs into an armadillo holding a football, outstretched bat wings now appearing as Monarch butterfly wings. This is a playful and serious homage to a local young man, Ricky Guerrero, who tragically died from a football accident, at the age of only 17 years. Deeply mourned, Ricky attended Austin High and was an outstanding student and a true friend to all.

Ricky’s loving parents, Roy and Tootsie Guerrero, made possible the sculpture and the naming of the Ricky Guerrero Pocket Park. The 2001 sculpture, “Corazon de Oro” (“Heart of Gold”), by artist Gigi Miller, invites viewers to look deep and let their love shine. This little gem, located at 2006 South 6th Street, is a City of Austin Pocket Park, the sculpture supported by Austin Art in Public Places.

Hurrah! Whimsey is not yet dead in Austin. Near the author’s house is Little Stacy Park, with its children’s pool, playground, and tennis courts. You approach it from the south via “The Larry Monroe Forever Bridge,” a homage to a much-beloved Austinite, KUTFM DJ and Musicologist, Larry Monroe, who sadly passed away in 2014. The humble concrete bridge has been transformed into a magic tribute by the radio artist’s fans, who adorned it with ceramics, mirrors, and “bits and bobs” appropriate to Larry’s life. The mosaic was conceived by Lar-

ry’s partner, the photographer Ave Bonar, who along with Stefanie Distefano, another artist, led a team of more than one 100 volunteers in the fabrication and installation of the bridge in 2015.

What inspired such devotion? Larry Monroe began his career at KUT-FM in 1981, with a five-night a week jazz program. He went on to create and host four beloved radio programs centered around music, particularly Texas music. The programs were “Texas Radio,” “Segway City,” “Blue Monday,” and “Phil Music.” The “Phil Music” show was a play on “fill” music: during the breaks in the City Council meetings which were brought live to the KUT-FM audience, Larry Monroe would joke that DJ Phil Music was missing and he was “filling in.” As a musicologist, Larry went on to play an important role in a documentary of singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt and also musician Blaze Foley. The Larry Monroe Bridge is another project of the City of Austin’s Art in Public Places Collection.

Now imagine you have crossed the Larry Monroe Forever Bridge and are entering Little Stacy Park. Created in 1929, the park follows the course of Blunn Creek from Live Oak Street northwards, until the creek empties into Lady Bird Lake. On the south end is Big Stacy swimming pool. Weave along the park trail north, cross the Larry

Monroe Bridge and you are in Little Stacy Park. It sits where Blunn Creek makes a wide bend on its way to the Colorado. Families are drawn to the picnic tables and the children’s wading pool. Don’t forget the ever-popular tennis court where morning “thwacks” punctuate the air.

Dominating the Little Stacy landscape is a bandstand/ stage designed in the Mission Revival Style. It was erected in 1930 to complement the varied architectural styles of the neighborhood. It’s used today for small concerts and drumming groups.

But look! When you leave the Larry Monroe Bridge, a charming fairy gate greets you, with sinuous shapes in bright colors. A “Magic Portal.” A homage by artist James Talbot to art nouveau and all the fairy stories you have ever heard, it welcomes you to enter the realm of imagination, of whimsey, if you will. Designed by James Edward Talbot in 2022, it is called “The Magic Portal.”

A bright sun draws you in to the apex of the second, smaller portal. Who can resist its allure?

Someone who “wallers around” in Austin’s history naturally could not resist. Thank you again to the City of Austin’s program of Art in Public Places. There surely are more little whimsies, examples of capricious humor or fanciful expression, to be found in Austin, some public, some private.

A bit of private whimsey, a cobalt blue bottle tree, stands in the front yard of a Travis Heights house. Guess whose home? How many know the origin of these colorful garden ornaments, found throughout the South? Bottle trees were

traditional to the Georgia and South Carolina barrier islands, home of the Gullah Geechee. The Gullah believed that the color blue would scare away evil spirits. The bottles would trap them and keep a home safe. Maybe today a bottle tree can catch both the bad spirits AND as well encourage the revival of some of the lost Austin whimsey.

SOURCES

“Larry Monroe (radio personality),” Wikipedia, (htpps://enwikipedia.org/wiki/ Larry_Monroe_(radio_personality)/, accessed 5/14/2026)

“Little Stacy Park,” from Greater South River City Neighborhood Plan, September

2005 (pdf) (https://historictravisheights. org/history/little-stacy-park/ accessed 5/14/2026)

“Magic Portal,”Public Art Archive. (https://publicartarchive.org/art/Mag-

ic-Portal/50d70602, accessed 5/16/26).

“Ricky Guerrero Park,” Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Association (https:www. bouldincreek.org/ricky-guerrero-park-detail/, accessed 5/14/2026)

PHOTOGRAPH

The Admirals Club of Austin Welcomes New Members

The Admirals Club of Austin recently welcomed its new members for 2026 with a Spring party at Matt’s El Rancho. The evening was hosted by Catherine and Kyle Parks, Chief of Naval Operations; Elisabeth and Zach Anderson, 1st ViceChief of Naval Operations; and Laurel and Andy Hooper, 2nd Vice-Chief of Naval Operations. New members for 2026 are Jake Bailey, Dan Bartlett, Martin Bauer, Will Bridges, Trent Cameron, Fisher Campbell, Ralph Coppola, Brandon Drake, Matt Flake, Chad Hallmark, Brad Hassack, Steve Helble, John Hensley, Todd Hilliard, Billy Humphries, Albert Koehler, Wynn Krause, David Landry, Curtis Loeffel, Hamilton Madden, Rob Malina, Charlie Marrs, Blaine Martin, Dale Mika, Albert Morris, Jon Moscoe, TJ Navarro, Joe Newberry, Todd Ramberg, Blake Reed, George Reyes, Charles Schneider, Travis Scoggins, Brett Shanks, Jeff Sills, Clay Spencer, Nathan Thornhill, Cullen Vance, Horacio Villarreal, Sam Wehmeyer, Jim Young, and Thomas Zentner

The 65th Admirals Club Coronation weekend will be held July 31-Aug. 2 and will include various festivities leading up to the annual debutante ball.

Andy and Laurel Hooper, Kyle and Catherine Parks, Zach Anderson

Noel and Will Bridges, Christie and Todd Hilliard, and Eleanor and Chad Hallmark

Christian and Brandon Drake, Renee Snyder

Bill Netherton, Natalie and Brent Standefer, Whitney and Parker Abblitt

TJ and Becky Navarro

Amber and Albert Koehler, Brett Shanks, Steve and Becca Helble

Carlie and Jake Bailey, Laura and Blaine Martin

Charles Schneider, TJ Navarro, Brad Hassack, Todd Ramberg Sam Weymeyer and Clay Spencer

Todd and Jennifer Ramberg, Corby and Stephanie Jastrow

EASB’s Cosmic Cowboy Gala Supports NICU and Mother/Baby Services

Beautiful Traditional Home For Sale

The Elizabeth Ann Seton Board’s (EASB) annual gala, Cosmic Cowboy, raised more than $1.3 million to support Mother/Baby Services and the Marialice Shivers and Dell Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Kathryn Frances Walker Center for Neonatal Intensive Care & Family Support at Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin (ASMCA). The funds will help advance programs, upgrade facilities, and meet essential equipment needs.

More than 800 attendees, including community leaders, dedicated sponsors, and guests, gathered at Troublemaker Studios for the gala. Guests enjoyed a pre-event cocktail hour, a lavish dinner and program, and a live auction. The evening concluded with a lively after-party featuring DJ Cassandra

Live auction items featured premium getaways, such as a Punta Mita luxury vacation and a Round Top girls’ trip, along with original works contributed by various artists. The most unique item up for bid was a once-in-a-lifetime dinner with Bevo. EASB President Callie Hester, Gala Co-Chairs Kristin McShane and Stephanie Page, and the entire board worked tirelessly over the past year to support the NICU at ASMCA and the babies and families, advancing Ascension Seton’s mission to care for and improve the health of those they serve, with special attention to the poor and vulnerable.

Hester remarked, “The EASB Gala gives us all a chance to come together and support the babies, mothers, and families going through one of the hardest chapters of their lives. It is such an honor to work with an all-female board of more than 70 Austin women who devote nine months to creating this event. We raised over $1.3 million this year, and 100% of those funds go directly back to the NICU and Mother/Baby services at our hometown hospital. No mother should have to second-guess if their baby is getting the best care possible. We help ensure that each of those babies receives the care they deserve at Ascension Seton.”

The EASB has played a leading role in the Women First Campaign, raising more than $19 million toward its $20 million goal to provide NICU and Mother/Baby equipment for the new Ascension Seton Women’s Hospital, slated to open in summer 2026.

The new 178-bed, 326,000-square-foot hospital will serve up to 7,500 families each year and bring together advanced high-risk maternal care, a dedicated women’s emergency department, and two full floors of private-room NICU space. From private labor and delivery suites to leading-edge surgical technology, every detail has been carefully designed to provide the highest level of care for moms and babies across Central Texas.

To learn more, visit supportseton.org.

Maris and Jimmy Troiano and Mia and Brett Rebal

Haley Smith, Emily Sanders, and Emily Berry Callie and Thomas Hester

Front row: Anne Wilk, Christy Spencer, and Meghan Sayers; Back row: Kellie Barrett, Margaret Long, Caroline Spencer, and Rima Burrus

Tory Kline, McCall Adams, Alison Beckwith, and Terrell Branch

Kim Chappell, Allison Ellsworth, Kelsey Hughes, Patty Brewton, Toral Bala, Michael Adams, and Ivana Hicks

Tina O’Jibway, Michelle Zentner, and Genny Hill Gala Co-Chair Stephanie Page, EASB President Callie Hester, and Gala Co-Chair Kristin McShane

Heidi Prather, MD and Wade Odom

EASB President Calllie Hester

Troops 5 and 50 Honor Newest Eagle Scouts

On Sunday, April 26th, eight scouts from Troop 5 and one scout from Troop 50 were honored and recognized for reaching the rank of Eagle Scout. The court of honor ceremony took place at First United Methodist Church on Lavaca Street, where both troops meet. The Troop 5 scouts were Case Callender, Eli Erickson, Gabe Fowler, Leo Matney, Rohan Sherwood Sharma, Zane Shieh, Dash Wilcox, and Lee Worsham. The Troop 50 scout was Juliet Key.

Troop 5 was founded in 1911 and is one of the oldest scouting troops in the United States. It is believed to be the oldest continuously chartered scout troop in Texas. The troop currently includes 57 scouts. Troop 50 was one of the first troops formed once

girls were allowed to join scouting in 2019, and currently includes 30 members.

With only 6% of all scouts achieving the prestigious Eagle Scout rank, this is a monumental accomplishment that demands long-term commitment, experience camping and exploring in the great outdoors, and the development of leadership skills. All merit badge and rank requirements must be completed before the age of 18.

CASE CALLENDER

Case reconstructed a 20foot inoperable and decaying foot bridge on the grounds of Camp Mabry. The bridge

was composed of 3 telephone poles, over 70 wooden planks, and several wooden posts with rope threaded through as a guard rail. Case guided his crew to remove the old planks and handrail, discovered that he would be able to use the still intact base, and successfully rebuilt the bridge! The project took much longer than he anticipated, and he learned the fulfillment of completing a truly challenging project, and is grateful for the scout crew that worked on the project.

JULIET KEY

Pease Park is a favorite spot for Juliet Key. She loves being

able to experience nature so close to downtown Austin.

When she learned about Pease Park Conservancy’s mission to increase biodiversity, she was inspired to install a chimney swift tower. Chimney swifts have lost many of their natural roosting sites and play an important role in pest management — each bird can eat over 2,000 mosquitoes a day. Juliet built the structure offsite, then spent two days with her troop installing the 15-foot tower. Through the process, she gained valuable experience in leading volunteers, managing time, and working with city officials.

ELI ERICKSON

As a member of the Austin High golf team, Eli walks Lions Municipal Golf Course every week, and he recognized that many of the signs in place were worn down or low quality. He designed and ordered nine permanent signs to be installed with concrete foundations that provide information and way-finding assistance for golfers. His team of volunteers dug foot-deep holes, mixed concrete around the base of the post, and then reset the grass. Eli learned that clear instructions for the volunteers were essential to ensure each sign was properly installed.

The signs will provide directions for golfers for many years to come.

ROHAN SHERWOOD SHARMA

Rohan Sherwood Sharma’s project consisted of repairing wooden bleachers at the South Austin Optimist Little League baseball field with fresh wood so that people can sit safely and comfortably for years to come. Additionally, some of the retaining walls near the bleachers were in bad condition, so he graded the walls into a slope. Rohan is a member of the Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA) baseball program and a former

Eagle Scouts: (Back Row) Eli Erickson, Dash Wilcox, Lee Worsham, Rohan Sherwood Sharma. (Front Row) Case Callender, Zane Shieh, Juliet Key, Gabe Fowler, Leo Matney

Lee Worsham and members of his work team sitting on one of the newly constructed benches at the Austin High Marching Band’s practice location

The work team for Eli Erickson’s installation of nine permanent signs at Lions Municipal Golf Course

Leo Matney standing under the new pergola and seating he designed and constructed at Capitol School of Austin

Rohan Sherwood Sharma (black sweatshirt) speaking to his work team about the repair of wooden bleachers at the South Austin Optimist Little League baseball field

Case Callender’s reconstructed 20-foot bridge on the grounds of Camp Mabry

Little League player, making the project an easy choice. Rohan found that it is important to ensure every volunteer is on task by having more experienced people assist with leadership.

LEE WORSHAM

Lee’s Eagle project consisted of building benches and landscaping in front of the parking lot that the Austin High Marching Band uses to practice. The main purpose was to increase the efficiency of the rest times to keep people out of the heat when off the field. Lee copied the design of the few benches that already existed and developed a seating plan showing where each bench would be placed once built. The scouts also spread mulch around the trees to facilitate growth and increase shade during the summer.

ZANE SHIEH

For his Eagle Scout project, Project Full Measure, Zane Shieh brought together a group of talented musicians and artists to create original songs reflecting their experiences with mental health. As part of this project, Zane also spoke as a mental health advocate at Thrive Fest, an annual children’s mental health festival, and his band performed songs for the audience. Through this experience, Zane learned the importance of approaching sensitive topics with understanding and meeting people where they are. He also saw how powerful it is when teens support other teens, creating connections through shared experiences.

DASH WILCOX

While in Troop 5, Dash participated

in several Eagle projects at the Helping Hand Home and enjoyed them while he developed an appreciation for the organization’s cause. During a tour of the facility, Dash saw the fences as an area for improvement. The repairs included replacing missing boards, power-washing weathered sections, and staining several hundred feet of fence with the help of dozens of volunteers. Dash would like to thank his parents and grandparents for funding the project, and the Helping Hand Home for making the project possible.

LEO MATNEY

Leo chose the Capitol School of Austin (CSA) for his Eagle Scout project to give back to the school that supported his early language development. CSA had a play-

ground platform built by a previous Eagle project, but it lacked shade. To improve it, Leo designed and led the construction of a pergola with seating, coordinating volunteers over several weekends. His project created a shaded gathering space that enhances the school’s outdoor environment. Leo is proud that his work will benefit CSA’s students and community for years to come.

GABE FOWLER

Gabe Fowler planned and led the renovation of an outdoor area at Helping Hand Home. The goal was to make the space safer and cleaner for the children who live at the Home. Gabe organized volunteers to rebuild and stain a wooden fence as well as spread mulch in areas of the workspace.

Vacation Memories —

Compiled by Forrest Preece

My Summers in Destin

By Marianne Midlo Rochelle Community Leader & Advocate

Escaping the summer heat, humidity and daily rains of New Orleans in Destin (Florida) felt like living inside a postcard. Our little two-bedroom, one-bathroom cottage rental stood just steps from the whitest sand I’ve ever seen—and I’ve seen plenty of beaches. Mornings began with the slap of screen doors and the smell of suntan oil, before most people were concerned with sunscreen! Whole days stretched between the tides. My parents and their closest friends rotated “happy hour duty” as if it were sacred, each arrival marked by a new concoction: spiked watermelon one day, frozen daiquiris the next, laughter wafting like the ocean breeze. The kids

roamed like carefree sandpipers, chasing waves, collecting periwinkle shells or sand dollars, and daring each other to do something crazy off the diving board into the pool. I’d like those abs and thighs back now, please! Dinners meant baskets of fried seafood, burgers on the grill, salty fingers, and ice cream to cool down tanned bodies that would make a raisin blush. As twilight colored the sky in pinks and golds, we played cards or games, and my only memory of the TV being on was when Richard Nixon resigned! It wasn’t about luxury — it was that simple feeling of being with the best of friends, being sun-kissed and carefree, and mesmerized by the rhythm of the tide and the sound of familiar voices that made Destin the heart of summer itself.

Marianne Midlo Rochelle in her younger days, practicing her swan dive.

Zane Shieh, speaking as a mental health advocate at Thrive Fest, an annual children’s mental health festival

Gabe Fowler’s work team repairing and staining damaged fencing at the Helping

Juliet Key’s chimney swift tower newly installed at Pease Park

Dash Wilcox preparing for the repair of several hundred feet of weathered and damaged fencing at the Helping Hand Home

AUSTIN SUNSHINE CAMPS

Opening Doors to Confidence, Opportunity and Leadership

For many children, summer camp is a tradition filled with swimming, campfires, and lifelong memories. But for thousands of Central Texas families facing financial hardship, an overnight camp is something their children may never have the opportunity to experience.

For nearly 100 years, Austin Sunshine Camps has worked to change that.

Founded in 1928, Austin Sunshine Camps provides the magic of overnight camp without the barrier of cost to over 500 Central Texas youth each year. ASC serves children from low-income households and foster care backgrounds, many of whom have experienced instability and would not otherwise have access to a traditional summer camp experience.

“For nearly 100 years, Austin Sunshine Camps has provided children facing financial hardship with a safe, supportive environment where they can grow in confidence, connection, and leadership,” said Erica Blue, CEO of Austin Sunshine Camps.

By removing cost and access barriers, ASC opens doors for children to take part in structured outdoor adventure, mentorship, and social-emotional learning that extend well beyond a typical camp setting.

What sets Austin Sunshine Camps apart is not just what happens during the summer, but how intentionally the experience is designed. Programming centers on emotional growth, confidence-building, and leadership development. Small staff-to-camper ratios allow for meaningful connection, steady mentorship, and individualized attention that helps campers grow at their own pace.

A key part of that model is the Counselor-in-Training program, which creates a direct pathway from camper to leader. Former campers return in a new role, learning how to support younger campers, lead activities, and develop real leadership skills through hands-on experiences. Over time, the program helps shape

PHILANTHROPY SPOTLIGHT

young people who carry those lessons into their schools, families, and communities.

Eli is one example of that pathway. He first attended Austin Sunshine Camps at age 8, unsure of what to expect. Years later, he returned as a Counselor-in-Training and

now serves as a counselor, supporting campers who are navigating many of the same experiences he once did.

“ASC is honestly the best time of my life,” Eli said. “This is where the magic happens.”

His journey reflects the broader intent of the Counsel-

or-in-Training program, where campers grow into leaders who help guide the next generation. Families consistently report growth in independence, social skills, and confidence after camp. Many campers return year after year, reflecting the trust and continuity built through long-term relationships between staff and campers.

Today, Austin Sunshine Camps is supported by donors, corporate partners, volunteers, and foundations across the Austin community. Corporate sponsorships and volunteer engagement play a key role in expanding access and sustaining programs for more children across Central Texas.

As Austin Sunshine Camps approaches its centennial year, its mission remains steady. Each summer focuses on helping young people build confidence, discover their strengths, and leave with a clearer sense of what they are capable of becoming.

Camp sessions for summer 2026 run June 21 to Aug. 11 at two locations, Zilker Park and Lake Travis, each offering a distinct natural environment for exploration, growth, and connection. To learn more about Austin Sunshine Camps or ways to get involved, including corporate sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, visit sunshinecamps.org.

Campers sprint through a vibrant cloud of yellow powder during a high-energy game of “Water Wars”

CEO of Austin Sunshine Camps Erica Blue

Campers show off their spirit with brightly painted hands during an activities session at Austin Sunshine Camps

Campers pose with the “SHINE” sign at Austin Sunshine Camps

Campers canoe on the water during a summer camp activity

A camper holds a green ball during an outdoor activity session

A camper poses beside a giant letter display at camp

Schoenstatt University Men Host 4th Annual Fundraiser in West Austin

By Anne DeVries

On Wednesday, April 15, the Schoenstatt University

Men (SUM) of Austin hosted their 4th Annual Fundraiser Dinner. Held at the beautiful Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Schoenstatt, located at 225 Addie Roy Road in Westlake, dinner was graciously served by the group’s members. The evening at the Marian Shrine brought together community supporters to fuel the growth of a Catholic men’s ministry at the University of Texas, Austin.

Guests arrived to cocktails and appetizers and were welcomed by Fr. Jeff Roedel. Dinner, featuring a New Orleans-inspired menu, provided a festive atmosphere for the gathering.

The evening provided a sense of fellowship and included personal testimonies about how the organization has shaped members’ lives.

Musical performances by SUM members Zeke Pyle, Mark Leatherman, and Fr. Gonzalo Villaseca warmed attendees’ hearts with spiritual songs composed by Pyle and Fr. Villaseca. A silent auction gave guests an opportunity to sup-

port the group’s endeavor to secure funds for a house on the University of Texas campus.

The Schoenstatt University Men is an Austin-based Catholic ministry dedicated to helping university students grow in their relationship with God through freedom, fraternity, and self-knowledge. Rooted in Schoenstatt spirituality and the mission of “Transforming hearts with Mary,” SUM provides a structured but welcoming community for young men seeking deeper faith and lasting brotherhood.

Each week, small groups called Life Groups meet to share a meal, pray, and grow together in their faith. They participate in an annual mission trip each December, with 90-100 young men and women moving out to a Parrish community to serve in various capacities, including serving youth, religious education, and bringing communion to the sick. Local charities are also

as a member of SUM, stating,

“SUM is a wonderful brotherhood. It has provided a home where we know we can be vulnerable and not judged; we can be reprimanded and also educated. It’s a place where we may not hear what we want,

ipation, with the number of life groups increasing from 28 to 39 over the past two years. Their next step to maintain momentum and allow for further growth is to move from their current home base, a 2nd-floor condo on West Cam-

Austin neighbor curious about the group, a parent of a UT student looking for community for your son, or simply someone who wants to invest in the formation of the next generation, SUM welcomes your involvement. To learn more

Travis Lakeside Dr - Lot 29 | Spicewood, Texas

SUM members Damian Martinez, Gabriel Spievak, Alex Spievak, Leonardo Moro-Ochoa, and Gael Cruz

SUM dinner guests, Aiden and Ashley Stokes

Guests enjoying the SUM fundraising dinner

Joshua Sanchez and Thomas Monette working the silent auction table

Allan Ortiz and SUM Branch Leader Jacob Steptoe Zeke Pyle, Mark Leatherman, and Fr. Gonzalo Villaseca perform ing for the crowd

Fr. Jeff Roedel welcoming the crowd to the SUM dinner

SUM member Jonathan Ortiz speaking to the crowd

Louis-Raphaël giving a testimonial on his SUM experience

A Wild West Night for CureDuchenne Gala

The 17th Annual Champions to CureDuchenne Gala, hosted by the Revells family of Austin and held at the University of Texas Golf Club, was a night of vintage Western glamour that raised more than $455,000 to support CureDuchenne’s mission to advance research and improve care for families affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a fatal neuromuscular disease.

Guests, decked out in their sharpest cowboy-chic attire, enjoyed gourmet cuisine, craft cocktails, live music and dancing, and exciting live and silent auctions. The evening also featured a high-energy casino experience straight out of the Wild West, adding a fun twist

to the night.

Finding a cure for Duchenne carries deep meaning for the Revells, whose sons Timothy and Andrew were diagnosed with the disease at ages 2 and 5. At the time of their diagnosis, resources and treatment options were extremely limited, inspiring the Revells to raise funds to advance research and provide support for other families. Their efforts have helped raise more than $7 million to accelerate the search for a cure.

“We are continually inspired by the strength of the Duchenne community and the generosity of those who support this cause,” said Tim Revell. “As parents to Timothy and Andrew, this mission is deeply person-

al. Everything we do is driven by the hope of bringing them, and every child affected by Duchenne, treatments that will help them live longer, stronger lives. We’re proud to bring the Austin community together for a night that is both impactful and unforgettable.”

Debra Miller, founder and CEO of CureDuchenne, commented, “The passion and dedication of families like the Revells are at the heart of the progress we’re making in Duchenne research,” adding, “Events like this not only raise vital funds, but also bring hope to families around the world, including the Revells, who need treatments and, ultimately, a cure.”

Revell and Garcia Families

Jennifer Eden, Megan Ray, Nina Nickerson, and Stephanie Levine

Erica Hyndes and James Manning

Victoria Abeling, Christine Garcia, and Erin Aschettino

Janet Bates and Jim Spencer

Tim, Timothy, Andrew, and Laura Revell

Stacy Vega and Jess Lesh

Seated: Whitney Robbins, Anu Reddy, Janine Venson, Kathryn Stalmack. Standing: Paula Allen, Erin Aschettino, and Victoria Abeling

Dan and Marchelle McConnell and Victoria and Rocco Bernardoni

Jaclyn Gilbert, Kimberley Sanchez, Melinda Menning, and Karen Goddard

HeartGift Raises Over $1 Million to Fund Life-Saving Heart Care

Nearly 500 champions of children’s health, including advocates, medical professionals, and generous donors, filled the Fairmont Austin for HeartGift’s Party with a Purpose, raising more than $1 million to fund critical heart surgeries for children world-wide. This year’s theme, Bold Hearts, Bright Futures, set a vibrant and hopeful tone, with the evening’s “pop of red and a touch of heart” motif transforming the ballroom into a stunning sea of red.

One of the night’s most powerful moments came when four-year-old Thiago from Honduras took the stage. As a HeartGift patient awaiting surgery to close the hole in his heart, Thiago captured every heart in the room. His mother’s emotional remarks served as a poignant reminder of the

life-changing impact of HeartGift’s work.

The event honored longtime supporter Gary Farmer with the Mending Heart Hero Impact Award. For more than two decades, Gary’s advocacy, generosity, and unwavering commitment have helped advance HeartGift’s mission of providing life-saving heart care to children in regions with little to no access to specialized treatment.

Auctioneer Heath Hale from Cowboy Auctioneer kept the energy high during a lively auction. Standout auction experiences included luxury trips to St. Barths, Telluride, and Oregon’s Willamette Valley, as well as an African hunting excursion and the iconic Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain. The most meaningful offerings gave guests the

opportunity to accompany HeartGift on a medical mission trip to Honduras or Bolivia.

“What we saw this year was truly special—so much heart and generosity, all coming

together to make this a record year. It also means we can reach and save even more children around the world in the year ahead,” said Christy Casey-Moore, HeartGift CEO.

The celebration concluded with a live performance by George Birge, a country music artist born and raised in Austin, who kept the dance floor packed with hits like “Mind On You” and “Cowboy Songs.” To