A Glamorous River Oaks Home Hosts a “Luncheon” that Rocks the Night

“This is the best non-luncheon luncheon ever,” beamed Jackson and Company‘s Milton Townsend as he perused the glam crowd that packed the River Oaks home of Elizabeth Petersen and Gary Petersen.

Indeed, Legacy Community Health’s annual fall fundraiser was one helluva party that rocked the night. Due to Hurricane Harvey and the destruction at Wortham Theater Center, the event was moved from noon to night and from the theater to a theater of whimsical interior design, created by Miles Redd. (Every room in the house spoke to the contemporary, capricious oeuvre of the New York designer.)

The excitement was palpable as this night registered far more like a festive holiday party than a staid luncheon. And the 300 plus guests loved it. Initially, the expected turnout was a mere 200. But with the social clout of chairs Elizabeth Petersen, Melissa Mithoff and Katherine Murphy and the magnetism of the honorees, retailers Shannon Hall and Marcus Sloan, there was no way the turnout could be contained.

Legacy headliners in the joyful crush were CEO/executive director Katy Caldwell and chief development officer Chree Boydstun. They welcomed the fetching crowd, merrily dressed in their cocktail attire best. The vibe, thanks in no small part to the chairs and honorees, was pure fun. Fun with a cause. The event raised more than $300,000 for Legacy’s Little Readers Program presented by H-E-B.

As is tradition with the luncheon, Jackson and Company continued its role as caterer to the fundraiser. On this evening, many would agree that the party fare surpassed anything served at the Wortham. In fact, the seductive aromas emanating from three food stations had the most serious calorie counters succumbing. Should we indulge in the signature chicken empanadas with avocado sauce or the seafood martini in the dining room where the culinary theme was coastal South American, or the baby kale salad made to order in the kitchen, or the oh-so-tempting dishes outdoors at the Italian themed station?

Savoring the delish evening: C.C. Connor, Michael Mithoff, Paul Murphy, Kathryn and Jeff Smith, Ursaline Hamilton, Mark Sullivan, Stacey Soriero, Ceron and Todd Fiscus, Sallie Sargent, Tiffany Smith, Cyndy Garza Roberts, Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin, Monsour Taghdisi, Gina and Dr. Devinder Bhatia, Valerie Fuller, Courtney Hopson, Don Mafrige Jr. and Debbie and Rudy Festari.