VOLUME 3 ISSUE 9 | July 2010 | theVIPmag.

com

O F S O U T H E A S T T E X A S

Scuba
Adventures under the sea

Surf’s Up!
Boards at Bolivar
Margaritaville,
SETX What makes
a perfect margarita?
a visit with Walter Umphrey

VIPersonality
TODD FAIRCLOTH
Angler extraordinaire
Timberline Ranch FIRS
An inside view of the PLACT
WINN E
Umphreys’ 5,600 acres 2008 &
2
ER
Excellen 009 Overall

getwet
ce in Ma
by the P gazines
re
of South ss Club
east Tex
as

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The best event party pictures

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 Abnormal
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theVIPmag.com | July 2010 3

 inside july
vip magazine
c o n t e n t s

06 starters
06 Letter from the editor

10 vip shelter

17
10 Tour of Timberline Ranch

14 vip style
14 Fashion accessories for
pool or beach
17 This is my wave, baby

21 health&beauty
21 Skin and body prep for
swimsuits

27 totally social
27 Celebrating the best
of events, who was there
and what they were
wearing

The Must-Have Magazine

40 totally worthy
40 Legal legend and
outdoorsman
Walter Umphrey
42 VIPersonality
VIP of Southeast Texas recognized for Overall Excellence
Todd Faircloth At the June 4, 2010 banquet of the Press Club of Southeast Texas, VIP won awards in six
categories of the association’s 18th Annual Excellence in the Media competition. There were
45 vip guide almost 600 entries in the various categories for newspapers, television, radio, public relations
and magazines from 2009.
45 A view from The judges honored VIP with first place in “Overall Excellence” for magazines for the second
under the water year in a row, an accolade of great pride to all the creative and business staff of the magazine.
48 3 great dates in July
VIP also won honors in the following categories:
First Place — Personal Profile Interview
Second Place — Magazine Photography, Magazine News Story, Magazine Feature Story
Third Place: Faith-based/Inspirational Print Category

VIP would like to thank all of our contributing writers,

photographers, editors and designers
(past and present) for raising the standard of
quality in every issue. In our third year of
publication, the VIP team has created a product
that is exciting, valuable and informative
through the myriad talents of many
dedicated people. We are proud to be
recognized by our peers, and
promise there will be many
competition-worthy issues ahead!

4 July 2010 | theVIPmag.com

 vip magazine
e d i t o r ’ s l e t t e r

still waters

O
Editorial
Executive Editor
cheRYL RoSe

THER THAN THE Contributing Writers

pure bliss of air-condi- cathLeeN coLe
tioning, there’s nothing hoLLI PeteRSeN
haLeY StRahaN
to beat the heat like
cool water. Here in Photography
Southeast Texas, water Contributing Photographers
options abound from SILVIa mccLaIN
Crystal Beach to Sam KYLe PeteRSeN
Rayburn Lake to the JoY PRUItt
Lee StINSoN
backyard pool. In plan- JUDY StoKeLY
ning this issue, we didn’t know our region would be
watching an epic natural disaster in the Gulf. We are all being reminded how deeply wa- Art
ter — particularly our beaches and coast — is tied to both our pleasures and livelihoods. Executive Director, Advertising Services
This month I had the opportunity to meet Walter Umphrey, a double-V VIP. Though aNNa SINgLetaRY
a name that looms large in this area and in this state, I found Walter to be a cordial and Manager, Creative Media
approachable gentleman, without formality. I thoroughly enjoyed the in-depth visit to BLaNche BoND
his ranch, and the opportunity to see how pretty East Texas is.
A moment of memory for actress Rue McClanahan, who died June 3: I “met” Supervisor, Creative Media
Ms. McClanahan by telephone a couple of months before her expected arrival in DoN gRaY
Beaumont to be the headliner and inspirational speaker for “Putting on the Pink,”
Lead Designer, Creative Media
the Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” fall event. We talked for over an hour, and in real life she JUStIN BLaNe SmIth
was just as she was on television or stage –charming, thoughtful and interesting. It’s
possible that was one of her last press interviews, as soon thereafter she began experienc- Contributing Designers
ing health problems and wasn’t able to make the trip to Beaumont. Break a leg on that KRISteN FLoReS
heavenly stage, Rue. You’ll be missed. (Read the story at theVIPmag.com, October 2009) IVaN gaLVaN
KatIe gUIDRoZ
RIcK SteIN

Advertising
to advertise in VIP,
409.880.0700
Cheryl Rose Contact Us
Executive Editor VIP of Southeast Texas
380 main Street
Beaumont, tX 77701

The Beautiful Briny Sea TO SUBSCRIBE

PLeaSe caLL 409.838.2821 oR SUBScRIBe
oNLINe at WWW.theVIPmag.com
Photography: David Joiner
TO DISPLAY THE MAGAZINE
at YoUR BUSINeSS LocatIoN,
The underwater photography this month comes courtesy of David Joiner, a Houston PLeaSe caLL 409.838.2821
native. What started for Joiner and his wife. Cynthia, as a vacation activity has become
SUBMISSIONS
a 20-year passion. They have taken diving expeditions around the Caribbean, including to SUBmIt aN eVeNt, oRgaNIZatIoN oR PeRSoN
Cozumel, Honduras, Belize, The Cayman Islands and Aruba. FoR coNSIDeRatIoN IN aN UPcomINg ISSUe,
SUBmIt oNLINe at WWW.theVIPmag.com
However, one of Joiner’s favorite dives took place at the nearby Flower Gardens, oR BY USPS at aDDReSS aBoVe.
diving with the hammerhead sharks. The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
is a coral reef about 115 miles south of the Texas/Louisiana border. “The sharks school
there in the spring and it is not uncommon to see 15 to 20 hammerheads swimming
around the boat,” he explained.
A Division of Hearst Newspapers
Publisher
BILL oFFILL

JoIN US oN FaceBooK!
www.facebook.com/vipofsetx

6 July 2010 | theVIPmag.com

theVIPmag.com | July 2010 7
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 vip shelter
a p l a c e i n t h e c o u n t r y

photography by SILVIA C. McCLAIN

The Best Kept Secret A tour of Timberline Ranch
text by CHERYL ROSE

L
ess than an hour’s drive north of Beaumont, the flat,
nearly treeless plains begin to roll, as the land ripples
in soft hills. To either side of the road, the forest nears
— tall pines and oaks and deep green vegetation. We are
leaving the “south” in Southeast Texas for just plain
“east” — leaving the Gulf Coast for the Piney Woods.
Off a farm-to-market road, a long white fence marks the begin-
ning of the Timberline Ranch. A herd of Texas Longhorns grazes
near the entrance to the 5,600-acre ranch home of Walter and
Sheila Umphrey of Beaumont.

Timberline Ranch
This ranch, one of several homes they own, is a special retreat
for the couple. Twenty-five years ago, they purchased the property
that had a main house on 750 unimproved acres. Over the years,

10 July 2010 | theVIPmag.com


The Umphreys found this the pretty glass conservatory in England and had it
shipped back to the ranch.
When travelling through Virginia, Walter Umphrey was taken with the covered
bridges and decided to build one on the ranch.
The Lodge is built entirely of cypress wood.
they have added acres to the spread, molded the land, dug lakes,
created pastures, planted trees and built roads, barns and buildings.
For a dozen years, the Timberline Ranch was the Umphreys’
primary home. Walter flew by helicopter to work each day in Beau-
mont to steer his law firm, Provost Umphrey. Then Hurricane Rita’s
105 mph winds blew through in 2005, taking down 100,000 trees
on the ranch. Sheila remembers that the damage upset her husband
so much, they moved to Beaumont while repairs were made. Once
relocated, they found it more convenient to remain in Beaumont,
though they often spend weekends at Timberline. “East Texas is
the best kept secret in the state,” Walter said.
Peaceful Retreat
Passing through the brick gatehouse, a concrete drive winds
by pasture, forest, barns and houses. Seven families call the ranch
home, including the ranch manager and three horticulturists.
Ahead, a large bronze statue of a snorting bull, a gift from Walter’s
law partners, indicates the entrance to the main house.
The previous owner built the antebellum-style house. The porch
is stocked with rocking chairs, including a giant one, another gift.
Inside, the home’s décor is hunter green with dark paneling. A dra-
matic staircase spirals through the center. The back patio overlooks
the swimming pool and lake. Surrounded by live oaks, pines and
magnolias, the view of the lake’s serene waters provides a sensation
of tranquility and peace.
All five lakes on the ranch were planned and built by Walter and
his ranch employees. The lakes range in size from 18 to 54 acres,
and all are stocked and managed for fishing.
The lake closest to the house is a visual gem, surrounded by cy-
press trees that the Umphreys planted as saplings. Wire enclosures
protect the cypress tree roots, since beaver (and the occasional
alligator) sometimes cross over from one of the two creeks that run
through the ranch.
A small flock of Lesser Canada Geese, including several fluffy
goslings, browse the grasses near the lake. The geese are ranch pets
that wander the spread at will.
Within sight of the main house is the party barn, a covered
structure built for their daughter Paige’s wedding. Now the barn
area is used by the Umphreys for the occasional law firm party,
but they also allow local community groups to use the facility for
events.
A Working Ranch
Driving into the interior of the ranch, cattle watch the truck pass
by. These are Brafords — a Brahman-Hereford mix — and around
600 call the ranch home. The ranch has 1,700 acres of improved
pasture. Another 1,800-acre parcel is part of a high-fence natural
forest area for raising deer. The deer here are a hobby, not a sport,as
Walter does not allow any hunting on the ranch. The exception >>
theVIPmag.com | July 2010 11
 is predators such as coyotes, which attack the
calves.
Broad golden fields dotted by red barns sweep
away in each direction from a lane lined with
live oak trees that Walter said were first planted
in one-gallon pots. The hay grown on the ranch
supplies a feed store they own in Woodville.
A surprise business of the ranch is 1.1 million
square feet dedicated to growing seasonal color
flowers, the majority of which stocks stores such
as Home Depot, K-mart and Costco locations from
New Orleans to Houston to Dallas. The entirely
automated greenhouses are 2.5 acres each, and
come from Belgium. Computers from Denmark
control the light, ceilings, water and temperature
for the seedlings. At peak seasons, one greenhouse
E has 17,000 hanging baskets, a beautiful sight, but
E SE still not as outstanding as when the greenhouses
COM ANSION ! are a sea of red during poinsettia season, Walter
U R EXP HE FLAT said.
O &T A scale model of the Tyco Feed Store in Woodville sits on
J ARDIN the ranch. The Lodge
LE
The centerpiece of the ranch is the Lodge, a
beautiful building the Umphreys built in the last
few years for entertaining and guests. Sheila, who
has a master’s in fine arts and an interior decorat-
ing business, created a perfect balance between
rustic and luxurious inside. Dramatically high
ceilings, roof beams, planks, textured walls and
tile balance granite countertops, leather furniture
and bronze statuettes. The Lodge also is filled
with taxidermy mounts of predators killed at the
Umphrey ranches. A mountain lion crouches on
the fireplace mantel in a living room ringed by
deer trophies.
The outdoor patio is nearly as large as the
Lodge, with big ceiling fans to generate a gentle
breeze for guests relaxing by the swimming pool,
designed to look like a natural rock pool with
Braford breeder cattle wander the pastures. Purebred waterfalls. A gorgeous and restful swathe of green
Brafords are 3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Hereford, and are lawn slopes away beyond the pool.
known for their superior maternal ability. Tossing a favorite ball into the pool for their
beloved dogs to retrieve, the Umphreys have ob-
viously created a special oasis. Timberline Ranch
is a major operation that they have carved out
(Below) The flowers in the greenhouses change four times of these piney woods, taking justifiable pride in
a year. The business employs 120 seasonal workers. their accomplishments. VIP

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12 July 2010 | theVIPmag.com

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 vip style
c o o l b y t h e p o o l
Disc earrings
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14 July 2010 | THEVIPMAG.COM

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photography by KYLE PETERSEN

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THEVIPMAG.COM | July 2010 15
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16 July 2010 | theVIPmag.com

 vip style

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c o w a b u n g a !

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Gary Linthicum
Kacy Compton

photography by LEE E. STINSON

THEVIPMAG.COM | July 2010 17

 brazen or heartless. None of them wish destruction
on anyone. Just think of them as positive-thinkers,
making lemonade out of lemons. Or, more accu-
rately, obsessed fanatics, hungry for one thing and
one thing only – surf.
“Storms in the Gulf are really awesome wave
generators,” said Beaumont resident and 20-year
surfing veteran Kacy Compton. “Actually, South-
east Texan surfers could be meteorologists because
we’re totally focused on the weather. We are always
looking for the perfect conditions for great surf.”
The truth is that there is no such thing as a half-
hearted Texan surfer. Because the ideal surf condi-
tions arrive only occasionally, local surfers must be
committed to catch a wave at any moment.
Compton, who frequents the shores of High
Island and Galveston, habitually travels the world,
chasing the perfect wave in tropical locales like
Hawaii, Guatemala and Costa Rica. And, while the
Texas surf can’t possibly compare to the swells
of exotic islands, he continues to look forward to
coming home to the beaches of the Bolivar Penin-
sula.
“There’s no better vibe than the one in Texas,”
Compton explained. “The beaches aren’t over-
saturated. It’s just that good ol’ boy lifestyle mixed
with sand and surf. Everyone’s extremely welcom-
ing of newcomers and we’re a tight-knit group.”
Gary Linthicum, Beaumont resident and local
attorney, agreed that though the surf may be in-
consistent, there’s nothing like enjoying your pas-
sion right in your own hometown. As a teenager,
Linthicum fell in love with surfing at the Bolivar
Peninsula. After a 20-year hiatus, he returned to
the sport six years ago.
“I’ve chosen to live in Southeast Texas because I
like the quality of life here,” Linthicum said. “I’ve
chosen to surf here because of the camaraderie I
enjoy with the local surfing community.”
With a demanding career and a vibrant family
life, Linthicum likens surfing to a thrilling depar-
ture from daily stress. “I find a lot of joy in the
water,” he described. “It’s a complete escape.”
In fact, most surfers describe their experience
as less of an athletic challenge, though it certainly
qualifies, than a Zen-like vacation from everyday
reality.
“When I’m at work, I’m thinking about the mil-
lions of things I have to do,” said James Chaney, a
Port Arthur physical and occupational therapist.
“When I’m out in the water, all that stress disap-
pears. All I’m thinking about is the next wave and
where I need to be in relation to that wave. I’m
literally moving with nature. It’s a definite rush!”
Though Chaney, who’s been an avid surfer since
2006, has also had the opportunity to surf tropical
waters - most particularly during his short resi-
dency in Maui, Hawaii — he attributes the clarity
of mind he experiences as a quality universal to all
beaches, whether he’s surfing Honolua Bay or off
the Galveston Seawall.
In fact, enormous waves or not, Texas surfers
will agree that there is beauty and excitement in
surfing even the most unassuming of local beaches.
“You gotta love to surf if you’re gonna be a
surfer in Texas,” Compton said. “There’s a lot of
heartbreak – a lot of heartbreak! But it’s peaceful
out there – totally relaxing. I’ve seen dolphins and
sea turtles out in our waters. In Texas, we may
have to take what we can get, but we also really
love it.” VIP

18 July 2010 | THEVIPMAG.COM

 Tears for Piers
Hurricanes may generate a surfer’s dream wave, but Ike certainly was not
doing the local surfing community any favors when it irrevocably damaged the
heart of Southeast Texas surfing: Meacom’s Pier, near High Island. Built in 1965
by John Mecom Oil Company, the one mile-long wooden pier — the longest
wooden structure on the Gulf of Mexico shoreline — created ideal sandbars
and unbelievable surfbreaks. Over time, the pier’s popularity grew, creating an
unofficial home to surfing aficionados.
“Meacom’s Pier was the closest place you could go to really catch great
waves,” James Chaney said. “Everyone misses it.”
Marked for demolition by the Texas General Land Office in November 2009,
the loss of this beloved surfing home base was met with tears of nostalgia and
regret. Each piling removed took with it the history and love of the surfing com-
munity.
Kacy Compton remembers growing up at the pier and catching his first
waves in its salty waters when he was just a boy. Passing down the tradition,
Compton taught his now 16-year-old son, Dylan, to surf along the same shore-
line when he was only seven.
With such a dedicated following, there are currently rumblings that the pier
will eventually be rebuilt. In the meantime, local surfers congregate at other
nearby beaches or even throw pool parties to revisit their fond memories of
Meacom’s Pier.
“Meacom’s Pier was our home,” Gary Linthicum explained. “Without it, we’re
all a bit displaced.”

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theVIPmag.com | July 2010 19
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 health
b o d y
Suitably
prepared
Bikini Wax 101
Getting your first bikini wax can
be a nerve-wracking experience.
Michelle Ruppell of Beaumont’s
Spa Della shared a few tips to
make the experience as painless
as possible.
• Have at least ¼˝ of hair growth
to wax.
• Don’t use any lotions or irritants
on the area before waxing.
• Relax! You will remain com-
pletely covered throughout the
procedure.
• Exfoliate afterward to avoid
ingrown hairs.
• Avoid the ocean or lakes for
48 hours afterward to reduce
bacteria exposure.
beauty
b u f f
text by HALEY STRAHAN
T
he summer days are heating up
and it’s time to break out the
teeny bikini. VIP asked local
beauty experts for their best
secrets to a beach-ready body.
Wax and Relax
The first step before hitting the pool is to take care of personal
grooming. Waxing is a great way to remove hair from sensitive areas
like the bikini line and underarms. Waxing removes hair for longer
than shaving, and it reduces the risk of unsightly bumps and razor
burn. “The bikini wax is my most popular service this time of year,”
said Cindie Springer of Cynthia’s Day Spa.
If you have extremely sensitive skin, very thick hair, or just don’t
want to deal with shaving or waxing, laser hair removal could be a
good option. “In four treatments, you can completely remove hair
growth from the bikini area, underarms, legs or anywhere else on the
body,” said Mellie Bevilacqua of Beaumont Family Practice Aesthet-
ics. This non-invasive procedure is fairly painless and removes hair
permanently, she explained.
Buff it Up
Cold winter air dries out the skin and can leave you feeling rough
and flaky. Indulge in an exfoliation treatment to slough off that dull
layer and reveal healthy new skin. “Our Caribbean Therapy body
scrub is a great way to get ready for summer,” said Katie Craigen of
the Getaway Day Spa, located in Beaumont’s MCM Elegante Hotel. >>
THEVIPMAG.COM | July 2010 21

DIY tanning
Avoid the common self-tanning
pitfalls of orange palms and
streaky ears by following these
simple steps to an even glow.
• Exfoliate your body to smooth
rough patches. Concentrate on
areas like knees and elbows.
• Completely dry the area you
will be tanning. Do NOT mois-
turize.
• Apply a small amount of tan-
ner to your body with closed-
fingered hands. Open fingers
could cause streaking. Start at
the face and work downward.
Do not apply directly to feet or
backs of hands.
• After tanner is applied, gently
run your hands over your legs
lightly running them over the
feet and toes. Rub the backs
of hands together.
• Wash your hands immediately
and avoid getting dressed for
at least 20 minutes.
“We use Dead Sea salt to slough
off the dead skin and a steam
canopy to moisturize and soften.”
Other ways to exfoliate the
skin include chemical peels and
microdermabrasion. Michelle
Ruppell of Spa Della recom-
mends glycolic facials to her
patients looking to shed their
dull winter skin. “A glycolic facial
will help get rid of all those dead
skin cells,” she said. At Cindie’s,
Springer uses diamond micro-
dermabrasion to smooth out the
skin. “The great thing about
exfoliating the skin before you get
into the sun is that it will allow
you to get a smoother tan,” she “Many people like to come and tanning salons,” said Craigen. “It
explained. get a spray tan as a final touch lasts two weeks and has antioxi-
It is important to take care of before they go out in their swim- dants, vitamins and hydrates the
your skin after receiving an exfo- suit,” said Robyn Reyes, sales skin,” she said.
liation treatment. New skin can manager of Bronze Body. “Spray
be particularly susceptible to sun tans give you a nice brown color Protect Yourself
damage. “I wouldn’t recommend and work for all skin pigments,” The most important thing
going out into direct sunlight for she said. A professional spray you can do to maintain a beach-
a few days after a treatment,” tan is waterproof and should last worthy body is to protect it from
Ruppell said. about two weeks, she added. the sun’s harmful UV rays. Be
Airbrush tanning, offered at sure to wear sunscreen every
Get a Glow Getaway Day Spa, can make your day, but especially when you will
Everyone looks better with a bit tan even more flattering by high- be in direct sunlight for several
of color when lounging poolside. lighting certain areas to make hours. “The best thing you can
Whether you choose professional you seem more toned. “Our do for beautiful skin is to wear
spray tans or self-tanner, it’s easier airbrush tanning is the same sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses,”
than ever to get a sun-kissed glow. kind you see on TV at high-end said Springer. VIP

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22 July 2010 | theVIPmag.com

 COLOR
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Beaumont, TX 77707
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theVIPmag.com | July 2010 23

 eating drinking
s a l t n ’ l i m e

“When choosing tequila, it is important

to choose a variety that specifies
100 percent agave on the bottle.”

photography by CLAUDIA ZAMBRANO

VIP goes on the trail
of the Perfect Margarita

text by HALEY STRAHAN

othing says summer like a frosty marga- apple martinis, to stay

rita on a hot day. For such a simple cock-
tail — the International Bar Association
standard calls for only tequila, lime
juice and triple sec — the margarita has
spawned countless variations. We talked
to some local bartenders (and some
amateur margarita aficionados) to find
out what makes the perfect margarita.
Margarita Mystique
Margaritas have remained a perennial party favorite since
they were invented in 1932... or 1937... or maybe 1948. The histo-
ry of the margarita is highly disputed, as most locals would love
to hang a “Home of the Margarita” banner in their city streets.
The margarita is the national cocktail of Mexico, and many
versions give credit for the invention of the margarita to bartend-
ers from that country, including one legend that holds that the
tangy elixer was first concocted in honor of Rita Hayworth.
Another tale credits a bartender at the famed Balinese Room in
Galveston with creating the world’s first margarita for singer
Peggy (born Margaret) Lee.
Wherever its birthplace, the margarita remains an immensely
popular drink, standing up to the winds of changing fashion and
the undisputed queen of
summer cocktails.
Talking Tequila
The basis for a great margarita is good tequila. Over the
past decade, the tequila business has exploded with high-dollar
luxury brands and trendy celebrity labels. Most experts agree
that there are a few guidelines to be aware of when navigating
the many types of tequila.
When choosing tequila, it is important to choose a variety
that specifies 100 percent agave on the bottle. Any other varietal,
called a mixto, will contain only 51 percent tequila and 49 per-
cent fillers such as fructose sugar. These added sugars account
for most of the epic tequila hangovers that cause many people to
shy away from margaritas.
Tequilas are designated into four basic groups: Blanco, which
is aged less than 30 days and retains the agave flavor; Reposado,
aged a minimum of two months resulting in a subtler flavor;
Gold, which is a mixture of blanco and reposado varietals; Anejo,
which is aged a minimum of one year.
Most bartenders prefer the blanco, gold or reposado tequilas
in margaritas, as the expensive anejo tequilas are thought to be
wasted in a cocktail.
Whether the more flavorful white or gold tequilas or the

24 July 2010 | theVIPmag.com

 smoother reposados make the better margaritas is a point of Jimmy Buffett’s Perfect Margarita
contention among margarita lovers. “Patron Silver is most Perfect Margarita from Jimmy Buffett’s
requested in our margaritas,” said Russ Stephenson, manager
Margaritaville Restaurant
of The Grill. But Gordan Parrish, public relations representa-
tive for Easy’s Tapas and Martinis, said, “I prefer to use a gold
Crushed ice
tequila. I think gold is better in a margarita because it has a little
3 lime wedges
more agave flavor.”
2 oz. gold tequila (Cuervo 1800)
1/2 oz. tequila (Cuervo White)
Mix it Up
1 1/4 oz. Rose’s Lime Juice
A purist would limit the ingredients of a margarita to three:
1/2 oz. triple sec
tequila, lemon or lime juice, and triple sec. With so few ingre-
Splash of orange Curacoa
dients, any one taste can overpower the others and ruin the
cocktail. “The key to a good margarita is consistency,” said
Put all ingredients except the 3 lime wedges into a shaker.
Stephenson. “A consistent margarita with the right flavors is
Squeeze two of the lime wedges into shaker. Shake well.
always a winner.”
Rim outside edge of glass with lime, then salt.
Of course, it is also important that each of the ingredients be
Add fresh crushed ice to the glass.
of good quality. “We use sweet and sour in our margaritas, and
Strain mixture over ice into glass. Add lime wedge.
it so important that you use a good one,” Parrish explained. “We
use Grower’s Fancy Juice. The sweet and sours are really differ-
The Grill Signature Margarita
ent from brand to brand.”
courtesy of Russ Stephenson, Manager
Many bartenders add a splash of orange juice to their marga-
ritas to sweeten the cocktail. “I use the triple sec very spar-
1 1/2 oz. Patron Silver
ingly and add orange juice,” said Parrish.
1/2 oz. Grand Marnier
Of course, there are many versions of margaritas popular
1/2 oz. Cointreau
today like strawberry margaritas, sangria margaritas and mar-
Splash of sweet and sour
garitas with rum and liqueur floaters on top. While these are
popular, particularly at restaurants serving frozen margaritas,
Shake and pour.
they are very different drinks from the traditional margarita.
“Tangy!” “Salty!” “Tart and not too sweet!” These are some
Easy Frozen Margaritas
of the enthusiastic reactions we elicited when we asked some
1 can frozen limeade concentrate
local margarita fans what they loved about their favorite drink.
6 oz. tequila
One thing is for sure, most people love a good ‘rita. The zingy
2 oz. triple sec
concoction walks a fine line between a girly beach drink and
those eye-poppingly strong cocktails for serious connoisseurs
Fill blender with crushed ice. Add all ingredients
only. A true crowd-pleaser, the perfect margarita is perfect
and blend until smooth. Pour and serve.
anytime. VIP

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theVIPmag.com | July 2010 25
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26 July 2010 | theVIPmag.com

 totally social 1
e v e n t s

LiveWell Women’s Conference 1

1. Joan Lunden. 2. Dr. Howard Murad. 3. Ann Kendrick and Sheila Barry.
4. Linda Domino, Ellen Jones, Heather Petkovsek and Ivy Pate. 5. Jamie Fountain,
Carole Choate and Ann Choate. 6. Peggy Albanese, Lynda Bihm and Pat Ducharme.
7. Nadine Richardson. 8. Cliff Tolbet Becky Howard. 9. Kristina Knowels, Kelly
Brewton, Ellen Phelan and Mitzi Burns.

2
2 3

8 9
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theVIPmag.com | July 2010 27

Gusher Boys Haven
commen
P Re ded
VI
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nd

IP
hem

me
Marathon Crawfish
ove t

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l

VIP Recom
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mended V
VIP OTS
1. Emily, Karina and Jake Shermans.
Festival SP

ded
2. Stephen and Lacey Goodman, 1

IP
en
Kimberly and Nick Dauriac. 3. Amy

R
ec
Bergen, Stephanie Tran. 4. Sean Atnip, om
men
ded VIP R
ec
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Javon Merrick, Amiee Riley. 5. Julie 1. Louie Jones, Christian
Walker, Danielle and Chuck Hughes and Cross, Cameron Berry, David
John Walker. 6. E.M. Smith. Tran and Gunter Burns.
2. Richey and Lori Richardson.
1 3. John Truong and Bruce
White. 4. Izabella Wade,
Jazmine Eisle and Ettie
Thompson. 5. Lisa Shults,
Randy Kott, Toby Shults, Kaleb
Sparks and Parker Shults.
JOY PRUITT

2 3 4

JUDY STOKELY
5

4
5 6

28 July 2010 | theVIPmag.com

 1
Brent Coon’s 50th Birthday Bash 1

at Brentwood Country Club

P Re
commen
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VI
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nd

IP
and Daryl Martin. 3. Brent Coon. 4. Joey Smith and
them
me

love

Re
Dawn Breaux. 5. Kelly Conkle and Timothy
VIP Recom

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Apshire. 6. Kevin Hardgroder and Jan Dodson.
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VIP OTS mended V
7. Aislinn Phelan and Katie Brannon.

SP
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LEE E. STINSON
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Harbor Hospice 1. Humza Arfeen and Margaret Golias. 2. Brian and Ashley Gaspard and
Anthony Rodriguez. 3. Emily and Laila Ochoa. 4. Lindi and Abbi Messina.

Butterfly Release 5. Sarah Fontenot, Brenda Fontenot and Ann Dinham.

1 2 3 KYLE PETERSEN

54

theVIPmag.com | July 2010 29

Spindletop Roller Better
Business
1

Girls 1. Dallas Costanzi, Lori York and Clayton

Manzer. 2. Dwayne Bennett and Lauren Eaves.
3. Cynthia Bland and Avery Hemmings. Bureau
4. Messica (Captain), HouMaCiDaL Kat and
Crush Limbrawl. 5. Mike Eaves, Casey Doguet Torch
Awards
and Sandy Eaves.

1 1. Ron and Kelley Borel. 2. Frank Culpepper and Jeff Landgrave with Copy
& Camera Technologies, Winner of the Torch Award (Small Business).
3. Guest speaker Brian Tracy and Michael Clayton. 4. Bryan Case and
Anthony Toups with Classic Chevrolet, Winner of the Torch Award (Large
Business)l. 5. Debbie Bridgeman and Laura Sattler. 6. Chris and Pam
Johnson, Summer and Cody Burch.

2 3

3 judy stokely 4

5 6
judy stokely

30 July 2010 | theVIPmag.com

Oaks 1 2 3

Historic
Preservation
Bash
1. Shonte and Rodney Cooley.
2. Rod Ruppel and Gene Schulz. 4
3. Matt and Patty Dinkle. 4. Leigh
Kimball, James Makin and Kim Huber.
5. Rebecca Boone, Julie Camara and
Dot Way. 6. Greg Gonzales,
Clint Linscomb, Syd Boyd.

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Euphoria 1 2

Live
1. Honorary Chairman Greg Busceme and
Brandy Mouton. 2. Edie Comeaux and
Richetta Blanchard. 3. Jessica Hill and 3 4
Pam Sassier. 4. Jacquetta Walker and
Debbie Bru. 5. Cathy, Grace, and Russ
Hartlieb. 6. Karl Huch and Kim Cessac.
7. Featured artists of the evening Rolando

silvia c. mcclain
Diaz and Seth Simmons.

6 7

32 July 2010 | theVIPmag.com

AMSET Treasure 1

Auction 1. Mitch Smith and Russ Waddill. 2. Carlo

kyle petersen
Busceme and Tom Kiehmhoff. 3. Michele Smith
and Annie Green. 4. Chris and Lana Portner.
5. Melissa Tilley, Tam Kiehmhoff and Lynn P.
Castle. 6. Melanie Dishman and Jeff McManus.

2 3 4

5 6

2
Children’s Museum 3

Garden
1
Party
1. Tawana Cadien and Nick Canizales.
2. Anthony Delgadillo and Marissa
Sellers. 3. Jonathan Naas and Daron
Etie. 4. David Lezcano, Jennifer Wein-
berg, W.L. Pate, Jr., Susan Ley,
Tim Manning and Doug Blake. 5
5. Hosts Allison and Mike Getz with
Tommy Neild and Jerry Nathan.
6. Brandey Gideon, Allison Gilbert and
Wendy Henry.
judy stokely

theVIPmag.com | July 2010 33

 THE BEAUMONT CLUB
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34 July 2010 | theVIPmag.com

The ARC Annual Dinner
1. Connie Szuch, Dr. Paul Szuch, Connie Berry and Cyndi Bloodsworth.
2. Brenda Sullivan, event honoree Dr. Carl Hubbell and Toy Babb. 2
3. Tiffany Woodall, Brandon Pieternelle, Stacey Hansard. 4. Lisa and Jeff
Thibodeaux. 5. Bob and Kelly Phillips.

Silvia C. MCClain
3 4 5

1
City of Beaumont 2

Blues and Jazz

Festival 1. Misty and Richard Hopkins.
2. Sara Hatfield and Mike
Abernathy. 3. Sheila Sells and
Leonard Lewis. 4. Nakole
Merrick and Ken Sutton.
3 4 5. Richard and Amie James. 5
6. Rodney and Becky Ames,
Audwin Samuel. 7. Judge
Terrence Holmes and Tammy
Holmes.

3 7

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lee e. StinSon

theVIPmag.com | July 2010 35

 1 2 American Red Cross

Hurricane
Lee e. StINSoN
Party
1. RJ and Jerrica Wortham. 2. Lisa and Mark Fiorenza.
3. Jennifer and Greg Thomson, Regina Rogers.
4. Jonathan and Brooke Stovall. 5. Sheree Pierce, Nancy
and Larry Beaulieu and honoree John Stevens.

3 3 4 5

Junior League of Beaumont’s 1. Camille Mouton, Susan Gordy, Barbara Quinn

and Tammy Crutchfield. 2. Alea Greer and Amy Mayo.
3. Christine Stetson with children, Mae and

Annual Meeting Jack Guidry. 4. Lindsay Zummo, Janci Kimball

and Cindy Partin. 5. Laura McMurray, Connie Berry
and JoyLynne Baker.

1 2 3

4 5
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36 July 2010 | theVIPmag.com

Tutus and Tiaras 1 2
benefiting the American Heart Association
1. Phoebe and Haley Strahan. 2. Remi Kimball, Pastor Lindsay Clark
(Mrs. Texas United States 2009) and Alana Christopher. 3. Ciji Levier and
Christiana Malveaux. 4. Elizabeth Boutte and Kendal Devillier. 5. Debra
Arnold and Staci Tittle.

3 4 5

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theVIPmag.com | July 2010 39

 vip worthy
m a n o f
An Outdoors Advocate
I
text by CHERYL ROSE
“
like projects.”
Spend much time with the man selected as
a Texas “Legal Legend of the 20th Century,”
and you’ll soon learn this is a favorite refrain of
his. Walter Umphrey is indeed a man who likes
projects, juggling a multitude of them at once,
knowing the important details of each one.
Umphrey is a genuine up-from-his-bootstraps
American success story, a defender of the “little
guy.” Just past his 74th birthday, Umphrey walks
tall and radiates a calm confidence. He’s at the office of Pro-
vost Umphrey, where he is managing partner, every weekday
by 6:30 a.m. After spending nearly every day of his career
at the courthouse, he now makes an appearance there only a
few times a year for the firm’s most important cases. He has
a little more freedom to pursue his other pas-
sions, which include a deep appreciation of
the outdoors, wildlife and Texas. Legal pioneer
“Wildlife and conservation don’t just
happen. It’s size of population, the numbers Walter Umphrey
living on acreage…there is so much to it,” Um-
phrey explained. “You’ve got to prepare and is as at home on
work hard at it.”
From 1991 to 1997, Umphrey served on the his tractor
Texas Parks and Wildlife commission. He was
appointed by former Texas governor Ann Rich- as he is in a
ards and worked his way up to vice chair of the
commission. “It’s the best job in Texas,” he courtroom.
avowed. “You get to visit all the ranchers and
farmers, all the best places in the state. There’s nothing like it.”
Umphrey was born in Port Arthur, and didn’t grow up
with hunting and fishing as a lifestyle. His adoptive father,
Fulton Lee, was a police constable and later a Justice of the
Peace. However, his father-in-law, E.W. McCarthy, the former
president of Gulfport Shipyard, was an avid outdoorsman. He
introduced Umphrey to the various sports and to the man-
agement that must go into protecting wildlife so that it can
flourish.
On his several ranches, Umphrey raises and manages a
variety of game animals including mule deer, quail, dove, tur-
key, rainbow trout and bass. He no longer shoots big animals
personally, but instead limits himself to dove and quail. “It
takes more experience and skill,” he said.
Umphrey enjoys fishing, going after mostly bass and
crappie. Though his ranch lakes are stocked, he appreciates
the beauty offered at Sam Rayburn Lake, a man-made lake
managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Umphreys
40 July 2010 | THEVIPMAG.COM
t h e l a n d
have a lodge home there. “It’s a beautiful lake,” Umphrey
said. “You don’t have to be wealthy to enjoy its public parks.
It’s suitable for family and kids or just fishermen. And it’s so
close, just an hour away.”
A few years ago, Umphrey gave the lead donation to fund
the Umphrey Family Pavilion at Sam Rayburn, a meet-
ing space for fishing tournaments, community events and
concerts. Recently, Umphrey and several business partners
invested in the Rayburn Country community near the lake,
planning a facelift for the golf course and clubhouse. “I’m not
a golfer, but I like projects,” he reiterates. “You could see it
was just a gem in the rough.”
Several of Umphrey’s philanthropic ventures and volun-
teer activities have supported opportunities for nature lovers.
He has served on councils for both the National Wildlife Fed-
eration and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower
Center. Locally, he purchased and donated
land at Mesquite Point-Pleasure Island for a
state park.
Umphrey’s philanthropy has cast a wide
net from causes benefitting disabled children
to medical research and scholarships. With
his wife, Sheila, Umphrey has made major
donations to both their alma mater universi-
ties, including a lead gift for the new football
stadium at Lamar University. Umphrey, who
went to Southern Methodist University on a
football scholarship playing offensive guard
before transferring to Baylor, is pleased by the
enthusiasm of the Lamar students and general community
for the football program. “We’ll be regulars at the games, but
fall is tough – I’ll have to work it in between my hunting and
fishing,” he said.
Always accompanied by his three beloved yellow Labs,
Umphrey enjoys getting out of town to spend time at one of
their ranch homes or taking scenic motorcycle rides.
This father of two, grandfather-to-seven has traveled far
and wide, participated in legal dramas, and created busi-
nesses. However, he still treasures simple times – dinner with
friends, playing with his dogs and even riding his tractor. He
speaks with pride of his personal New Holland tractor with
20-foot Bush Hog attachments that he keeps on the Timber-
line Ranch. “It has radio, air-conditioning, telephone. I love
to get in it and stay and mow all day.”
Though he could live anywhere, Umphrey is comfortable
in Southeast Texas. “I like to stay where my roots are, where
I’m known,” he said. VIP
 Larger Than Life
Walter Umphrey has a fascinating
career history, with national and
historic benchmarks throughout. The
list of legal and personal accolades he
has accumulated is formidable, and
really, any of these deserve a story of
their own. For those unfamiliar with
his amazing story, here are a few,
abbreviated highlights:

• Co-founded the Provost Umphrey

Law Firm in 1969 with the late David
Provost. Today more than 30 lawyers
“scatter like quail each Monday,” Um-
phrey described, from four offices to
locations around the nation and globe.

• In his first federal case in 1972,

Umphrey won a $4 million verdict.

• Admitted to the Supreme Court Bar

in 1973.

• Umphrey and the firm tried and

won the nation’s first class action/
consolidation trial involving asbestos
exposure — $1 billion involving more
than 2,000 Texas asbestos victims.

•Umphrey was the lead attorney for

photography by SILVIA C. MCCLAIN

the State of Texas against the tobacco

industry in 1998, which resulted
in a historic civil litigation settle-
ment—$17.6 billion.

• In May of this year, the Jefferson

County Bar Association awarded Um-
phrey the Blackstone Award, the most
prestigious award or recognition that
a Bar Association can bestow upon
one of its members.

• Umphrey and his wife, Sheila, have

a special milestone this month, an in-
creasingly impressive one: Their 50th
wedding anniversary on July 8.

THEVIPMAG.COM | July 2010 41

 vip worthy
v i p e r s o n a l i t y

Todd Faircloth
“Crappie” Diem - A Bassmaster
who seizes the day and the fish!

D
text by HOLLI PETERSEN

reams are like pennies … everyone has a pocket

full of them.
While it is important to dream big, the real
question is whether or not you have the chutzpah

photography courtesy of BASS COMMUNICATIONS

to venture out of those entrapping comfort zones
and really do something about it.
Todd Faircloth, 34, is certainly one of those
rare, brave ones.
Growing up in the bass-bountiful small town
of Jasper, Texas, Faircloth picked up his first rod
and reel at the age of 3. Even at that young age, he discovered an innate
love and talent for the patiently mastered art of fishing alongside his be-
loved hero — his father. With time, his devotion to the sport only grew.
Though talented enough to win local, amateur competitions, fishing
remained a mere hobby for Faircloth. It was not until the age of 24, after a
temporary stint in carpentry, that Faircloth made the bold decision to risk
it all.
Giving up the familiar daily grind to pursue his true passion, he dedi-
cated himself completely to bass angling. After qualifying for his fourth
fishing classic and picking up a few sponsors along the way, he recognized
that he had, indeed, created a career doing what he loved.
“I’ve always enjoyed being outdoors,” Faircloth
recalls. “I needed that freedom of being my own
boss and having control over my own life.
This was a dream that just fell into place
for me.”
Today, this Bassmaster Elite Series
Pro enjoys a nationally respected
reputation with over $1 million in
winnings. Known as an ultra-com-
petitive, versatile, power-fisher-
man, skilled in the technique of
pitching and flipping, Faircloth
travels the nation, casting out
on some of America’s most
picturesque waters. What do you love most about
In 2008, Faircloth earned your job?
the runner-up position at The challenge of figuring the fish out.
the Angler of the Year race.
And, in 2010, he placed third How much of fishing is strategy
at Bassmasters Classic. (Think and how much is luck?
Super Bowl of fishing.) 80 percent strategy, 20 percent luck.
When fishing is your day job, it
begs the question: How do you spend What makes a successful
your weekends? For Faircloth, the bass angler?
answer is simple. He relishes spending Hard work and dedication.
quality time with his loving wife of eight
years, Angie, two sons, Hudson and Harrison, Fishing in solitude or with com-
and his one-year-old baby girl, Helen Claire. A pany – which do you prefer?
hands-on dad, Faircloth believes in instilling an impor- Depends on the company! The best
tance for living your dream in his children. Yet, he never fails to remind company would be my boys. I like to
them of the motto he espouses: You get what you put into life. VIP see their excitement when they catch
a fish!

42 July 2010 | theVIPmag.com

photography courtesy of BASS COMMUNICATIONS
Favorite place to fish?
Sam Rayburn (Jasper, TX). It’s my
home lake and where I learned to fish.
Best part about Rayburn?
The solitude and natural beauty of the
lake, combined with good fishing.
What’s the biggest fish
you’ve ever caught?
11.5 lbs.
Most meaningful award?
Winning my first Elite Series Tourna-
ment at Table Rock Lake (Branson,
MO).
Most interesting location you’ve What are the most commonly photography by JUDY STOKELY
traveled to for the sport? overlooked hot spots for
Chicago, IL. catching bass?
Large main lake flats.
What are your must-have
tackle box items? What’s better - catch or release?
Yamamoto Senko, All-Terrain Tackle Release, because it provides the
Jig, and Sebile Flat Shad. same experience for others.
Favorite lure, rod and reel? Tastiest fish?
5” Yamamoto Senko and a Castaway Fried crappie.
Rod.
What’s your best tip for the
novice fisherman?
Try different depths and locations –
don’t get hung up using the same bait
on every spot.
theVIPmag.com | July 2010 43
 Where Business &
Pleasure Meet
Business Meetings & Conferences
Receptions & Luncheons
State-of-the Art Communications
Flexible Room Arrangements
Exquisite Decor

1776 Calder Ave. Beaumont, Texas

409.832.1621
www.broussardsc entre.c om

44 July 2010 | theVIPmag.com

 vip guide
s e e t h e
DIVE IN
photography by DAVID JOINER
THE THRIVING DIVING COMMUNITY IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS
F
ar out to sea, glides by, seemingly oblivious
away from the to the scuba diver right below
beaches and it. The diver signals to his
the crowds, buddy, pointing up. His partner
another world looks and nods. For a short
lies below time, they are not outsiders
the surface. looking into this world, like
Brightly people looking through an
colored aquarium’s glass. They are,
coral and for a while, members of this
sea sponges spread for miles submerged menagerie.
in a vast underwater garden. Beaumont attorney Dana
Dolphins, sea turtles, rays and Timaeus knows what it’s like
countless varieties of fish swim in that underwater realm. He’s
around the reefs. A whale shark been diving since 1972 in places
s e a
including the Bahamas, Hondu-
ras, Cozumel, the Florida Keys
and the Flower Garden Banks
National Marine Sanctuary,
which includes Stetson Bank, in
the Gulf of Mexico off the Texas
coast. Growing up in Port Nech-
es, he watched the television
series “Sea Hunt” that portrayed
Lloyd Bridges as adventurous
scuba diver Mike Nelson. The
young boy was hooked.
At 15, Timaeus made his first
dive in a freshwater Texas lake.
“The visibility was poor but I
text by CATHLEEN COLE
thought it was great,” he said.
He now heads out to open water,
where the visibility is much
better, a few times each year.
He’s used to getting “checked
out” by the marine life, includ-
ing sharks, which doesn’t bother
him. Instead of avoiding sharks,
he knows how to invite them for
a visit. “I learned to call sharks,”
he said. There’s no food in-
volved, so no feeding frenzy. He
learned the skill from a videogra-
pher in the Bahamas. He makes a
deep sound in his >>
theVIPmag.com | July 2010 45
 throat, he explained, which vi-
brates a membrane in the regu-
lator. “We’ve called sharks in,”
he said. “They swim right by
us and go away.” Isn’t he afraid
that he’s calling the sharks to
Southeast Texas. He learned
about the Flower Gardens At 15, Timaeus
and oil-rig diving in the Gulf
e
of Mexico and the beautiful made his first div
in a freshwater
freshwater lakes around Texas
including Sam Rayburn and

dinner? “We’re warm-blooded
red meat,” he said. “They want
fish.”
Timaeus says diving has
come a long way since the early
days, thanks to better technol-
ogy. Diving now takes more fi-
Texas lake.
Toledo Bend. He eventually dis-
covered other gorgeous places
to dive and enjoys treasure
hunting. In Venice, Fla., he’s
found prehistoric shark teeth
fossils. “You never know what
you’re going to find,” he said.

photography by lee e. STinSon

nesse and technique than brute
strength, which is why it’s a
popular sport with women.
“Scuba diving is serious fun but
it’s also skilled fun that requires
some discipline associated with
that skill,” he said. “It’s a man-
aged risk and a low risk when
done right.”
Timaeus was certified to
teach in 2000 and he’s an
instructor at Scuba Brothers, a
dive shop in Nederland owned
by Allen and Anne Acord. The
Acords named their business
for their sons, James and Alex,
who also dive.
Allen Acord, who grew up in
Port Arthur, first started diving
in 1990 while he was in the U.S.
Army stationed in Germany.
When he came home in 1993,
he wanted to continue and was
happy to find that there is a
thriving diving community in
Today scuba diving is his
vocation and his avocation.
“Scuba diving for me is a way
of life and a love of the water
and all things in it,” he said.
“One of our greatest joys is to
introduce the young and the
young at heart to scuba diving.”
His wife, Anne Acord, shares
his passion for scuba diving,
although she was pessimistic at
first. She had told her husband
she probably wouldn’t like it,
she remembered. What was
her incentive to learn? “He
said he’d do it with or without
me!” she laughed. She became
a complete enthusiast on her
first trip to dive the reefs off
Cozumel. “Scuba diving is
relaxing and something the
whole family can enjoy,” she
said. “It’s an adventure every
time you go diving. This is how
we get our rush.” VIP
photography by lee e. STinSon

Take The Plunge

The open water is calling you, but first you need to learn how to
photography by DaviD Joiner

scuba dive. Contact a local dive shop for information on lessons and
certification.
According to Allen Acord, a typical certification course takes two
weekends and costs about $350, which covers the tuition, books
and use of all the gear you’ll need except a mask, fins, weight belt
and snorkel. You’ll need to buy those items for yourself. The first
weekend consists of classroom and pool instruction. On the second
weekend, you’ll go to a dive site, usually a lake. When you pass the
course, you’ll be a certified open-water scuba diver.
46 July 2010 | TheVIPmAg.COm
How do I know if that’s a live wire?
You don’t. Just assume any downed power line is live – and deadly. A downed line can
electrify anything it touches, including you. Keep your distance, and call us to report it at
1-800-ENTERGY (368-3749). Get the facts about power line safety at entergytexas.com.

Felipe Varela, Storekeeper

� ������� ���� ������� ������ ���� ����� ������� ��������� ���� ��� ������ ���������

theVIPmag.com | July 2010 47

 vip guide
c a l e n d a r

Independence Day Celebrations July 4

great dates in july

{ July }
JULY 1
Opening Spindletop Roller Girls
Reception for Game starts at 7p.m. Ford Exhibit
George Wentz: Hall. Tickets $10 in advance $13 day of
event. Children 2 - 12 admitted for $5.
A Retrospective
Being Andy Warhol
July 23 Traveling exhibit featuring 49
Enjoy the colorful paintings and photographs taken by Andy Warhol.
collages by native artist George Through August 15. Museum of
Wentz at the Art Museum of the Gulf Coast. 409.982.7000,
Southeast Texas. Reception museumofthegulfcoast.org
6-8p.m. On exhibit July 24-Sept.
26. 409.832.3432, amset.org JULY 2
First Fridays on Lincoln Avenue
Shopping, food, and entertainment.
Lincoln Avenue, Groves. 6–9p.m.
Spice of the 409.962.3631, grovescofc.com
Season 2010 Motorcycle Ride
July 30 Texas Motorcycle Rights Association –
The theme this year for the annual Ride to Pleasure Island. July 2–4.
benefitt Leadership
culinary event to benefi Contact David Die, 409.749.4995
Beaumont is “Let the Games
Begin!” Masters of Ceremonies JULY 3
will be Bob Phillips, Texas Country Light up the Night Fireworks Display
Reporter, and Kelli Phillips, KFDM- Crystal Beach’s fireworks show. Food
TV News Reporter. Forty celebrity & drinks available. Go to the beach at
waiters will serve at the Beaumont Alma Road and turn right. Bring your
Country Club. 6:30p.m. Tickets $75. own beach chair! Show will start at
409.838.6581, bmtcoc.org dark, 7–10p.m.
Shangri La Gardens Independence
Day Concert
The Orange Community Band
will perform from 7:30-8:30p.m.
shangrilagardens.org
JULY 4
Independence Day Celebration at
Riverfront Park
Live musical performances, delicious
foods and drinks, and a dramatic
fireworks display. Riverfront Park,
Beaumont. Orchestra performs
at 8p.m., fireworks start at 9p.m.
409.838.3435, beaumont-tx-complex.
com/riverfrontpark.html
Independence Day Celebration in
Port Arthur
Patriotic music and awe-inspiring
fireworks. Lamar State College Port
Arthur. 409.984.6101, portarthur.net
JULY 9
Familiar Spirits
A Port Arthur Little Theater
production of a dramatic play that
will scare and delight audiences.
Performed as a dinner theatre at the
Beau Reve House on Sara Jane Road.
Performances 7:30p.m. July 9–11, 16–18.
Peddler & Outdoor Expo Combo Shows
A “his and hers” weekend at Ford
Park, July 9–11. The 7th Annual
Southeast Texas Great Outdoors
Expo offers attractions and exhibits

Event Submissions
Do you have an event you would like to promote? Do it with VIP for FREE! Please send us details—dates, times, location, contact phone,
web address and a brief description—to vipnews@thevipmag.com. Information should arrive at least 60 days in advance of the event.

48 July 2010 | theVIPmag.com

featuring the best in hunting, fishing,
ATVs, boats and camping. Combined
with The Peddler Show offering arts
and crafts. Small admission price
and free parking. peddlershow.com,
fordpark.com
Cruise Night
In honor of Collector Car
Appreciation Day, a cruise down Main
Street in Vidor. 6p.m. Music, prizes.
409.769.0877
JULY 12
Nations National Championship
Baseball outing for the family. Ford
Fields. July 12–24. Tickets for the
day: Adults $3, Kids (12 & under)
$1, and Seniors (65 & older) $1.
409.951.5417.
JULY 10
Wild West Family Day
Come dressed as a cowboy or cowgirl
to celebrate cowboy artist, Charlie
Russell, with western games, art
projects, and rodeo demonstrations.
Stark Museum of Art, Orange.
10a.m.–2p.m. Free. 409.886.2787,
starkmuseum.org
Beaumont Art League Photo Show
Reception, 7–9p.m. 409.833.4179,
beaumontartleague.org
networking event hosted by Coldwell
Banker Southern Homes, 628 South
Main, Lumberton. 8–9a.m.
JULY 23
Opening Reception for George
Wentz: A Retrospective
Enjoy the colorful paintings and
collages by native artist George Wentz
at the Art Museum of Southeast
Texas. Reception 6-8p.m. On exhibit
July 24–Sept. 26. 409.832.3432,
amset.org
Opening Reception for Women
Artists: Selections from the
Permanent Collection
A dramatic grouping from the
permanent collection of the Art
Museum of Southeast Texas, featuring
a range of styles of artwork by women
artists. Reception 6–8p.m. On exhibit
July 24–Sept. 26. 409.832.3432, amset.org
JULY 25
World Wide Wrestling
The RAW WORLD TOUR comes to
Ford Arena for one show at 5p.m. See
all your favorite RAW Superstars live
in action! Ticket Prices are $63, $48,
$38, $28 and $18 (including facility
fee). fordpark.com
JULY 29
The Sound of Music
Port Arthur Little Theatre kicks off
its 2010-2011 season in conjunction
with Lamar State College Port Arthur
in the classic musical. Show dates:
Jul. 29–Aug. 1, Aug. 5–8. palt.org
Pioneering Women Media Party
Pioneering Women presents
“Celebrating 90 Years of the 19th
Amendment.” Media party at Suga’s
at 5p.m. 2010 honorees are Charlene
Babineaux, Cindy Bloodsworth,
Barbara Daniels, Cheryl Black-
Fitzpatrick, Jane McBride and Eleanor
Mitchell.
JULY 30
Spice of the Season 2010
The theme this year for the annual
culinary event to benefit Leadership
Beaumont is “Let the Games Begin!”
Masters of Ceremonies will be Bob
Phillips, Texas Country Reporter,
and Kelli Phillips, KFDM-TV News
Reporter. Forty celebrity waiters will
serve at the Beaumont Country Club.
6:30p.m. Tickets $75. 409.838.6581,
bmtcoc.org

JULY 15 Lakes Schedule Courtesy of

Charlie Russell’s Yarns, performed //////////////////////////////////////////
by Raphael Cristy
Award-winning historian Raphael Sam Rayburn Tournaments
Cristy provides special insights July
about the American West through 3 Anglers Quest Saturday Series #7 Mill Creek Park
storytelling and the writings of 4 Anglers Quest Individual Series #7 Mill Creek Park
famous cowboy artist Charlie Russell. 10 Bassmaster Weekend Series Umphrey Family Pavilion
Lutcher Theater. 6:30p.m. Free. 17 CAST Couples Cassell Boykin
409.886.2787, lutcher.org 17 Get Reel Bass Anglers ((Club)) Monterey Park
20 PAR Bass Club (Night) Mill Creek Park
23 PAR Bass Club (Night) Mill Creek Park
JULY 17
August
Super Saturdays on the Avenue
A shopping extravaganza in 3 Anglers Quest Saturday Series #7 Mill Creek Park
Downtown Port Neches on the 4 Anglers Quest Individual Series #7 Mill Creek Park
3rd Saturday of every month. 10 Bassmaster Weekend Series Umphrey Family Pavilion
17 CAST Couples Cassell Boykin
409.722.4023, portnecheschamber.com
17 Get Reel Bass Anglers ((Club)) Monterey Park
23rd Annual Cajun Food and Music 20 PAR Bass Club (Night) Mill Creek Park
23 PAR Bass Club (Night) Mill Creek Park
Festival
Burton Coliseum, Lake Charles will
be jumping with lively Cajun sounds Toledo Bend Tournaments
July 17–18. Savory Cajun specialties, July
raffles, arts and crafts booths and 10 Bass N Bucks Cypress Bend
games for kids. Admission is $7 11 Sportsman’s Bass Club (Night) Cypress Bend
per person, and free for children 24 Media Bass Super Team Cypress Bend
12 and younger. 337.217.0880, 24 Fairmount Bass Club (Night) Paradise Point Marina
cfmalakecharles.org.
August
JULY 22 17 PAR Bass Club (Night) Six Mile
20 PAR Bass Club (Night) Six Mile
Morning Mixer 21 Fairmount Bass Club (Night) Paradise Point Marina
Lumberton Chamber of Commerce 28-29 BFL-Cowboy Division Cypress Bend

theVIPmag.com | July 2010 49

 vip guide Complementary & Alternative Medicine
g u e s t c o l u m n for Cancer & other Incurable Diseases

10
photography by SILVIA C. MCCLAIN
To-Do’s for
Summer ’10 text by MICHELLE MCCALOPE

“Summer. Summer. Summertime.

Time to kick back and unwind.”

T
he lyrics from Will Smith’s song “Summertime” describe my
mood to a T. Summer is a great time to relax and refresh your
mind, body and soul. Here are my top tips for enjoying the
long days of summer.
• Medicinal Plants from around the World
Go somewhere. Anywhere. Get out of the house. Whatever your • Ayurvedic Therapy • Weight Control
budget allows. You don’t have to go that far. One of my favorite memo-
ries is going to a Galveston hotel, hanging out at the pool, and lying on • Pain Management
the cushy chairs, just enjoying a lazy day and people-watching. When I
came back home, I felt renewed and refreshed. • Herbal Medicines
Have a healthy summer. Experiment with grilling fruits and veg-
etables instead of just meat. I plan to buy a new barbecue grill and try
• Nutritional Therapy
my hand at grilling squash, corn, peaches or pizza (of course, healthy
pizza if my trainer is reading this) or some of the other recipes featured Dr. Mahesh D. Kanojia
on the Food Network. I am a Food Network fanatic!
Re-connect with relatives. Go visit your cousins or that great-aunt … brings a rare and needed
you haven’t seen in awhile. You’ll be glad you did.
perspective to cancer. He possesses
Read a good book or check out a great summer flick. In fact, you both an expert knowledge base
can combine the two by reading Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Eat, Pray, Love.” The in eastern and western practices
movie version of the mega-bestselling book comes out in August.
and leverages both in creating
Enjoy a delicious ice cream cone. It’s one of the summer’s simplest an integrative approach centered
pleasures. Put the kids in the car and go to your favorite ice cream shop.
There’s nothing better! around the patients values, beliefs
and resources.
Watch the sun set over the lake, river or ocean. It doesn’t matter
which one as long as you’re near water. Not only is it romantic, but some- Several years ago, Dr. Kanojia became convinced that
how life seems to slow down when you’re enjoying Mother Nature. he could do more for the general health of his cancer
Dress the part. Put on that pretty sundress, those high heels, or cute flip- patients by adding complementary therapies to his
flops. The summer is a great time to showcase that casual-chic look. allopathic methods of cancer care. He has traveled
Try something new. I’m planning to buy a bike and to take swimming extensively and observed first hand traditional Indian
lessons again. I know how to swim, but I need a refresher course. What and Chinese medicine, and the curative power of
is it that you’d like to do? Just do it!
many medicinal plants.
Entertain friends at home. It doesn’t have to be anything complicat-
ed. Just throw some burgers or hotdogs on the grill and mix up a fruity
drink. Good friends and good food are all you need for a great summer Complementary & Alternative Medicine
gathering.
Relax. Unwind. Kick back. After all it’s summer and I can’t get that
for Cancer and other Incurable Diseases
song out of my head!
Michelle McCalope is an award-winning journalist and president 3455 Stagg Drive Beaumont, Texas 77701
of McCalope Media, a public relations and communications firm in
Beaumont. VIP Phone: 409.835.2082

50 July 2010 | theVIPmag.com

theVIPmag.com | July 2010 51