Event Date: September 30, 2021
Location: Forest Club
Event: Luncheon
No. of Attendees: 110
Money Raised: $80,000
Beneficiary: The Heritage Society
Honorees: Rae Bryant, Lisa Cari, Betty Trapp Chapman and Anne Hulme Sloan
Sponsors: Faith P. and Charles L. Bybee Foundation, John P. McGovern Foundation, Joanne E. Zumbrun, Evelyn and John Boatwright, Minnette and Peter Boesel, Harriet and Truett Latimer, Catherine Campbell Brock and Nita Vandiver Jackson, Elizabeth Brueggeman, Betty Trapp Chapman and Anne Hulme Sloan, C.C. and Duke Ensell, Linda McReynolds, Rosemary Rodd, Judy Sauer and Lynda Underwood
Décor: Kirksey Gregg Productions
Photography: Priscilla Dickson
Houston Heritage Luncheon Celebrated Its 67th Year
With A Nod To An Iconic Houston Fashion Institution
The Heritage Society, founded in 1954 by a number of public-spirited Houstonians, was formed to rescue the 1847 Kellum-Noble House from demolition. Over the years, they have saved an additional nine historic buildings, restored them to their respective eras, and moved them from various locations to join the Kellum-Noble House in Sam Houston Park.
This 67th Houston Heritage Luncheon, held this year at Forest Club, celebrated another former Houston institution. Any native-born Houstonian remembers Sakowitz—the legendary nationwide fashion store that graced what became the area of Galleria, then downtown for many years, and later settled into its final Westheimer home. Memories of this couture destination were relayed to the crowd by keynote speaker Robert Sakowitz, the son of its president, Bernard Sakowitz. Also, on hand to share reminiscences were Robert’s sister Lynn Wyatt and her son Steve Wyatt. Several former Sakowitz employees were in attendance as well as a memorabilia table that included furs, a men’s seersucker suit, a sheer bedjacket, a men’s top hat, two lady’s hats, and a tiny onesie with Sakowitz emblazoned across the front.
The luncheon menu was a remembrance of the well-heeled Sky Terrace Restaurant at the Downtown Sakowitz store. It featured Vichyssoise, Shrimp Remoulade Salad, and a Pecan Ball with chocolate sauce. Kirksey Gregg Productions created a trio of floral vases for each table and surrounded the stage with white wrought iron planters as a nod to the Sky Terrace décor.
Major supporters of this exciting luncheon were Faith P. and Charles L. Bybee Foundation, John P. McGovern Foundation, Joanne E. Zumbrun, Evelyn and John Boatwright, Minnette and Peter Boesel, Harriet and Truett Latimer, Catherine Campbell Brock and Nita Vandiver Jackson, Elizabeth Brueggeman, Betty Trapp Chapman and Anne Hulme Sloan, C.C. and Duke Ensell, Linda McReynolds, Rosemary Rodd, Judy Sauer and Lynda Underwood. Honorees taking bows were Rae Bryant, Lisa Cari, Betty Trapp Chapman and Anne Hulme Sloan.
Socially present were: The Honorable Sallie Alcorn, The Honorable Robert Gallegos, The Honorable Amy Peck, The Honorable Carolyn M. Johnson, Angela Caughlin-Cannady and Will Cannady, Evelyn Boatwright, Heritage Society Executive Director Alison Bell, Lisa Cline, Katherine Warren, Galveston Bryan Museum Development Director Mary Lou Hollender and Franelle Rogers.
