50th Anniversary of Apollo Moon Landing Takes Flight as Houston’s Leading Lady of Philanthropy Gets a Star

Lone Star Flight Museum patrons did an about face this year, heading north on I-45 for the annual gala that is typically held at the museum on the grounds of Ellington Airport, a destination that requires a jaunt several miles south on I-45. The Revaire, the luxe party space a stone’s throw from the 610/Katy Freeway interchange, played host to the action-packed black-tie evening.

With the 50th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing less than two months away, the museum adopted “Moonstruck: 2019 Blue Skies” as the theme of its gala. In a further nod to the milestone anniversary, special guest was Apollo 13 flight director  Gene Kranz. He was given special recognition by former astronaut Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, museum board chair Scott Rozzell, and museum president and CEO Doug Owens (Lt. Gen., ret.). Kranz is a member of the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame.

This was also a special night for Houston’s leading lady of philanthropy, Margaret Alkek Williams, who served as honorary chair. She was presented a certificate assigning her an honorary star in the constellation Virgo, her star now known as the Margaret Williams Superstar. Applause, applause!

The busy evening, emceed by KPRC Channel 2’s Khambrel Marshall, included a video on former President George H.W. Bush, highlighting his life from his military service through public office and on to his Points of Light philanthropy, which brought the entire gathering of more than 500 to their feet. The museum also premiered its latest video.

Houston-based Universal Weather and Aviation received the Blue Skies Company of Distinction Award for its contributions to the private aviation section and for its humanitarian services following Hurricane Harvey. The award was accepted by Universal’s CEO Ralph Vasami.

The night concluded with a live auction, a “paddles up” moment, and dancing to the sounds of the Richard Brown Orchestra. Chairs Janine Iannarelli and Bette and Ralph Thomas led the night to proceeds of more than $700,000 for the museum’s STEM programs.

PC Seen: John Nau, Philamena and Arthur Baird, J.P. Bryan, Teresa Owens, Jeriann and Byron Severson, Marta Kranz, Julie and Keith Page, Sheri and Grant Roane, Stephanie Nellons-Paige and Rod Paige, David Dewhurst, Leslie Caron, Katrina Arnim, Rossitsa Nicolova-Dimitrov and Anton Dimitrov.