Every Bonnet Tells a Story!

Flowers, Fun, Fashions and Stories make the Picnic on the Park Annual Ladies Luncheon and Easter Bonnet Contest a success!

You could almost hear the Rod Stewart’s refrain “Every picture tells a story, don’t it?” as ladies arrived looking picture perfect wearing their hats and bonnets filled with flowers. It was the Picnic On The Park Annual Ladies Luncheon and Easter Bonnet Contest held today at the Houston Airport Marriott. Over 240 people attended the luncheon in a show of community and support as they raised funds to support the Village Learning & Achievement Center.

Each year, before the luncheon, ladies arrive to visit, shop and bid on items. There is always something fun to buy from the booths set up by local businesses, everything from flip-flops and designer jewelry, to confections and cookbooks. The ambiance of fun and friendship was accompanied by music played by the Village Learning & Achievement Center’s Shane Hetherington on keyboard.

During that time a panel of volunteer judges evaluated the hats and bonnets worn by the ladies attending. “We’ve discovered that every hat and bonnet has a story,” said Gwendolyn Condoleo Crawford, Liaison to the Mayor of the City of Houston, Nancy Shortsleeve, Owner of Logostuff, and Mike Byers, President Humble-Area Chamber of Commerce.

“We are looking for originality, creativity and uniqueness and what we have discovered are fascinating back stories,” continued Gwendolyn. “And we’re not shying away from getting to hear every ladies’ story, we’re sending Mike out after them even before they get a chance to register.” On one reconnaissance trip Mike Byers brought over, Jane Mayer. Jane wore a modified pillbox hat of straw and white flowers. “I cried when I put it on this morning,” said Ms. Mayer, “this is the first time I’ve worn it since 1955 on the day I got married.” The hat was part of her going away outfit on that day. Today she won the award for “Judge’s Favorite.”

Other contest winners were “Most Festive” inspired by a passion for butterflies and worn by Virginia Schilling one of the many volunteers who have helped plant Village Learning & Achievement Center’s organic garden at the Stoney Glen residential facility. Wanda Wofford won the “You’ve Got To Be Kidding” for a fun hat with wine corks and feathers.

The Mint Bank sponsored a table where many of the faculty and staff of Lone Star College – Kingwood sat, who won “Best Group” for their Easter bonnets and infectious participation, which spread to include their Celebrity Waiter, David Bubier. During the luncheon the ladies had Mr. Bubier modeling various versions of their hats; each demonstration drew raucous applause and laughs from neighboring tables.

Local businessmen and community leaders act as Celebrity Waiters. They are always a hit as they wait on tables and tend to the ladies’ needs, earning tips to be contributed at the end of the luncheon. This year 13 men joined Bubier waiting on tables. Those included Rick Alspaugh, Mike Byers, Charlie Campbell, Joe Cleary, Philippe Cras, Billy Dawson, David Dickson, Chet Harris, Dan Huberty, Curtis Maxey, Robert Scarfo, John Sheridan, and Larry Shiflet. Together they received over $ 2,000 of tips to be donated directly to the Village Learning & Achievement Center.

The hats weren’t the only fashions on parade during today’s display of spring color. The audience enjoyed a fashion show presented by Tracy Stunja, featuring fashions by Etcetera. Image consultant, Cathy Fitzpatrick Cleary provided a demonstration and discussion of this year’s fashion trends. Volunteers modeled the clothes for the runway event featuring the new spring fashions. Among them were Sara Nowak, Kim Riley, Joy Walter, Amy Cowand, Margret Rose Roberto, Lindsay Stigletts, Kathy Mayeux, and Mary Lee Irwin.

Receiving the greatest applause were three models from Village Learning & Achievement Center’s program, Carley Prusak, Lindsey Stiglets, and Rosie Glass. For Carley today was a dream come true and another step along her goal to work as a professional model. Today she showed her adept skill as she twirled at the end of the runway demonstrating the fun playful attitude of the orange and pink off the shoulder top she modeled.

“I like being in the spotlight and wearing different kinds of clothes,” says Carley. “The first time I modeled was in 8th grade at the National Charity League’s program to welcome new members.” Carley recalled what happened after her first modeling show, “I came back to the center and said that’s what I want to do for a job. Now my mom and I watch America’s Top Model and all the programs I can about modeling. ” The center has since been working with Carley to help her realize her dreams.

In preparation for today’s walk down the runway Carley had her hair and make up done just like all of the other models. Jimmy Poskey and Michael Vella of Gatsby’s Hair Studio and Allison McGrady and Mary Lee Irwin from Arbonne donated their services to help all of the models look their best. Showing how it all comes together, Lisa Greco won a total make over as part of today’s show. The results were stunning, demonstrating how a good haircut and make up along with the right styling and wardrobe and accessories can really change your look. Makeover contributors were Etcetera, Silpada Designs, Gatsby’s Hair and Emily Marshal of Northwest Dermacolor Center.

After lunch and the awards presentation, Jennifer Arceneaux told her story of how the Village Learning & Achievement Center had changed her life. “My life has changed since I started at the Village Learning & Achievement Center and living at Stoney Glen. Before hand I just played with my puppies and kittens in my mom’s house,” said Jennifer. She now works at the local Goodwill store, making her own money and living at the Stoney Glen residential facility. She then went on to say how the Village Learning & Achievement Center job placement program helped her get training by volunteering at the Kingwood Library. The job placement program helped her get her present job at the Goodwill store and center provides transportation for her get to and from work. “I am really thankful to them (Village Learning & Achievement Center) for doing that for me,” said Jennifer as she ended her story.

Joe Stunja, today’s emcee, ended the event by recounting a story from the Vietnam War. The story relayed how one person can be a hero by doing what it takes to do special things without being told to do so. It was the story of Ed Freeman who won the Congressional Medal of Honor. Joe pointed out that everyone at today’s event, the waiters, the vendors, the volunteers all were heroes by helping. “Everybody here today is a very special person,” Joe said drawing the analogy, “and the Village Learning & Achievement Center from our perspective is Ed Freeman.” Joe thanked everyone for being involved and supporting the Village Learning & Achievement Center.

The luncheon and all of the festivities were photographed by the team at Steve Tarver Photography. The pictures from the event will be available for viewing and ordering after April 9, 2009.

The luncheon was only the first part of the annual Picnic on the Park festivities. The second part, the Picnic on the Park Family Festival is on Saturday, April 11 at Kingwood Town Center.

Picnic On The Park is an all day event for families with children to have fun, play games, eat and listen to music. Activities for all ages include: Games on the Midway, Inflatables, a Rock Wall, Petting Zoo, Pony Ride, Trackless Train. Special Events all day include Easter Egg Hunt (10-12n), Coloring Contest, Prize Raffles and more. This is the biggest Family oriented event in Kingwood’s Town Center Park. All proceeds benefit The Village Learning & Achievement Center providing educational & vocational services to individuals with disabilities. Free Admission. Food Booths and Crafts & more. New this year “Teen Zone.

For more information visit: www.picniconthepark.com.

Picture for both events are available for viewing and ordering here.