March Newsletter

PRESIDENT’S
PEN

Mary Frances Doris

Wow! What great attendance we had at the February lunch. It was so festive thanks to the wonderful decorating committee. The past presidents in attendance told me they were so honored and I have heard from many that the video was so heartwarming. Also, the food was really good! My sincere thanks and appreciation to all of you who helped make this event successful.

In March we will learn about the history of the Rodeo and get a great presentation from our own Jill Wyatt, learning about culinary herbs as well as some education from a local master gardener. Make sure you get your reservation early!

Speaking of reservations, please make sure you either show up or cancel! When there is a waiting list, we want to be able to accommodate those ladies. We had a few no shows last month which left a few wait list ladies on the outside!

We have a number of brand-new members this year. I would like to ask all the “oldies” out there to keep an eye out for someone new and welcome them into our community. Let’s not give anyone “left out feelings” as my grandkids like to say.

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On to April…..I dare say that a lot of us are married, or were married to our handsome prince, and even though most of us worked outside the home, we had a partner that handled the finances. I know there are exceptions but, all of us, as women, and more than likely, the survivors, could use a little education on estate planning and some practical, every day, advice on what to know and when to know it when that dreaded day happens. David Novelli and his business partner will be here to help us prepare for and navigate that day when we are suddenly in charge! Bring a pen and paper and get ready to take notes and ask questions.

2023 BLO STEERING COMMITTEE

Vice-President Treasurer
Tracie deRoulac Kelly Beavers

Membership Secretary
Kim Clendenin Margaret Hudson

Communications Programs
Terri Levert   Cheryl Campbell
Judy Love
Julie Schouest

Parliamentarian   Special Projects
Valerie Gerbino   Jenifer Miller

EVENTS AND NEWS

MARCH MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON

IT’S ROUNDUP TIME

IT’S A TEXAS 2 STEP
TWO PROGRAMS IN ONE MEETING
A HISTORY OF THE RODEO
AND
LEARN HOW TO GARDEN LIKE A PRO
March 13, 2023

The March meeting kicks off with Cathy Alexander, Member of the Agriculture Education Committee of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, presenting a brief history of the Houston Rodeo.

Following Cathy is Jill Wyatt, President of the Bentwater Garden Club and Master Gardener. She will present Rounding up Your Gardening Skills. Did you know there is something in your garden that you can use to make your own tea or add something special to an exotic drink? What plants are best suited to our climate or are freeze resistant? What herbs are best to have on hand for those special recipes? These are all things Jill will be sharing with us.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Jill Wyatt will have her cookbook for sale at the luncheon. She is speaking about herbs and will share some new recipes. Cash or check only.

**DUST OFF THOSE BOOTS, LADIES.
THERE WILL BE PRIZES
FOR THE BEST BOOTS**

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MARCH 13, 2023
The doors to the Yacht Club open at 10:30 a.m. and the luncheon begins at 11 a.m. Reservations are due by MIDNIGHT, SUNDAY, MARCH 5TH. To make a reservation, use the Bentwater App, go online or call the Club at 936.597.6219. Please make sure you have a confirmation from the Club for your lunch reservation as you will be required to check in. This program will sell out, so make your reservation asap!

The menu for the lunch: Chef’s famous smoked beef brisket, twice baked potato and roasted vegetables. Desert is Rosemary cheesecake with candied rosemary and salted caramel sauce. If you prefer the alternate meal, chicken cobb salad and fruit cup, make this request when registering. Lunch orders cannot be changed after the registration deadline above. A cash bar for wine and champagne is available.
Please wear your name tag so the many new members can get to know you.

ACTIVITY/VOLUNTEER GROUP NEWS

The Bentwater Ladies Activity Groups have something for everyone. Here are some examples of these groups:
CAR: Children and Reading had a training session for new volunteers. Everyone is ready to brighten the day for young children in the Head Start Program by reading books to them.

Note: Check your spam email for emails from group organizers as their email addresses may not be in your approved senders list.

Also, check the BLO Website to find other groups that may interest you.

BUS TRIPS - Limited seats still available

Immerse yourself in the complimenting beauty of art and nature at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. The Houston and River Oaks Garden Clubs present a Major Flower Show accredited by the Garden Club of America. Florescence 2023: Metamorphosis will delight and amaze you combing many elements including horticulture, botanics, photography and needle point. Join the BLO on this exploration of color, ingenuity and stunning exhibits on Thursday, April 27 from 9 - 4:00ish. The trip cost of $66 includes all the items and LUNCH.
5 seats are still available. Contact Pam Gallagher - see information below.

Yee Haw and Howdy pardner! The BLO Ladies are headed to the Rodeo, Monday, March 6th. We will be sittin’ pretty in the Chairman’s Club Specialty area where the grub is deeeelious and the beer has a bottomless glass. 2:00 to midnight….ish
$190 includes bus, driver tip, pre-trip snacks, a couple downhome drinks plus wine and water to tide you over until arrival. In the Club belly up to the bar ladies cuz that’s the BLO way and eat until you bust that gut, it’s all included.
There will be plenty of time to check out livestock, admire the art and shop! Rodeo events start at 5:45 and JASON ALDEAN will ramp up the two-steppin ‘bout 8. 3 seats have opened up. Contact Pam Gallagher - Information below.

Here’s your chance to have a “front ROW” seat TO one of the most iconic courtroom DRAMAS of all time. Sunday, April 30, 7:30 Broadway comes to Hobby Center and BLO has your ticket!
$151 transports you back in time to Monroeville, Alabama in the 1930’s - supplying the bus, driver tip, bus goodies, wine, water, and Jury summons (ticket). We will have dinner beforehand which will be on your own dime.
5 seats are available. Contact Pam Gallagher - Information below.

You can sign up for bus trips by contacting Pam Gallagher at 832.724.6200 or pamgallagher79@gmail.com. Reservations can only be guaranteed with payment by check payable to the BLO or by credit card. Checks (only) can be left in the box on Pam’s stoop, 115 Sarasota Circle.

MIX AND MINGLE
“Let the Shenanigans continue as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.”

Join the fun at the Crescent Grille, Bentwater Country Club on Tuesday, March 21st from 4 to 7 PM.

(If you wish, wear your Shamrock green attire.)
Hosted by the Bentwater Ladies Organization (BLO), the Men of Bentwater (MOB) and the Bentwater Civic Association (BCA), new residents receive a welcome gift bag and membership information will be available. If you have one, wear your name tag, and if you plan to stay for dinner, reservations are recommended.

A good time was had by all at the February Mix and Mingle. There were 3 lucky winners of the prizes donated for the event.

1. Donator: Beverly Smith, Coldwell Banker Realty
Prize: White Wine and Gift Card for GuadalaHarry's
Winner: Carol Viktorin

2. Donator: Worthington Manor
Prize: Red Wine with a decorative holder
Winner: Juanita Broussard

3. Donator: GuadalaHarry's
Prize: Gift Card for GuadalaHarry's
Winner: Bonnie Brasic

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

The Bentwater Ladies Organization appreciates the sponsors that support our organization throughout the year. Each month we will spotlight one or two of our valued sponsors. Please support these sponsors with your business.

Nicole Castellano McCormack

Independent Consultant
RODAN+FIELDS ~ #1SKINCARE Brand in North America
https://ncastellano.myrandf.com/en-us/

Independent Consultant
SCOUT & CELLAR Wine Co.
https://scoutandcellar.com/?u=queenovino

Nicole Castellano McCormack and her husband Jack McCormack moved to BENTWATER in 2020 from the CHAMPIONS area in Houston, where they were Golf Club Members. Nicole is originally from Santa Fe, NM where she is from one of the 33 Founding Spaniard Families, and was "Miss Santa Fe New Mexico USA" in 1992. She speaks fluent Spanish and has 2 teen boys (Benjamin & Wesley), who attend Montgomery High School.

Nicole has Snow Skied for over 40 years, loves to Travel, Garden, Cook, Fly Fish, and also loves to Deep Sea Fish several times a year in Florida, Costa Rica and Mexico. She and her husband are co-owners of the PALACE PRIME STEAKHOUSE (a fine dining restaurant) in downtown Santa Fe on the Plaza. They go back several times a year to visit, enjoy the Santa Fe Opera, Spanish/Indian Markets, and fish the rivers of Northern NM.

Nicole attended her mother’s alma mater The University of North Texas where she obtained her BBA in 1992 and was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority. She was a Fur Coats & Leather Sportswear Buyer for Neiman Marcus for 10 years, and also worked as a National Retail Manager for Bill Blass. In 2022, she went back to further her education, obtained her Executive MBA from BAYLOR University, and was Harvard Business Review Published.

Bentwater Ladies - Calendar

JANUARY
9 – Sign up luncheon
17 – Mix and Mingle, Hats Off to the New Year
20 – Round Top Bus Trip
FEBRUARY
13 – BLO 30th Anniversary Celebration
21 – Mix and Mingle
MARCH
6 - Rodeo Bus Trip
13 – History of the Rodeo; Presentation by Master Gardener
16 – Schulenberg Bus Trip
21 – Mix and Mingle
APRIL
10 – Be Prepared, Financial Security, David Novelli
18 – Mix and Mingle
27 - Florescence Bus Trip
30 - To Kill a Mockingbird Bus Trip
MAY
8 – Jewelry Show, Jen Welker - Golden Thread
16 – Mix and Mingle
JUNE
20 – Mix and Mingle
JULY
18 – Mix and Mingle
AUGUST
15 – Mix and Mingle
SEPTEMBER
11 - Patriotism, Jim Morris
19 – Mix and Mingle
OCTOBER
9 – Fashion Show by Dillard’s
17 – Mix and Mingle
NOVEMBER
13 – Lisa Shumate, Motivational Speaker/Author
21 – Mix and Mingle
DECEMBER
5/6 -Holiday Home Tour
8/9 -Holiday Dinner Dance
11 – Christmas Program, Lake Creek HS Choir

Dates are subject to change. Please check bentwaterladiesorganization.com for updates.