10 minute read
Houston
HOUSTON...Where We Stay Busy!
Houston Houston
As we know, many adjustments had to be made to allow members and guests to come together safely and the Houston Chapter definitely found ways to do that. February 11 found us at the home of Knight Lee Slataper and his lady, Laura, for our first Thirsty Thursday. Attendance was limited to 25 and the event was held outdoors.
Winter Storm Uri hit Houston on February 13 and left close to 4.5 million homes and businesses without power and killed more than 200 people statewide. Many of us were without power for over 48 hours. Those who had gas fireplaces were huddled around them and meals were uncertain as we struggled to find ways not only to try to find warmth and food, but information. Then, many of us were forced to deal with flooding in our homes once again, but this time not from rising water, but rather from broken pipes! It was a mess and the demand for materials and contractors to make the repairs compounded the problem. A number of our members had to deal with this, but perhaps no one suffered more than our friends Lawrence and Terry Estes. As of this writing, they are still out of their home over 6 months later.
Speaking of Lawrence and Terry Estes, they had planned to host our next Thirsty Thursday, but obviously were unable to do so. So on March 11 Master Host Lee and Laura Slataper stepped up for those of us still dealing with flooded homes under repair and welcomed us back to their beautiful home. At this point, we all needed a warm and friendly place to gather and be comforted.
Meanwhile, our Assemblage Committee worked on plans for our Assemblage Weekend. Since many of us had hoped to be heading to Italy for the rescheduled FICB Congress, we chose a theme for our Assemblage of “A Weekend in Italy”. Little did we know that would be our only trip to Italy this year when the Congress was ultimately cancelled. Our special guest for the weekend was Teresa McKinney, Founder and President of Delectatio Wines. She represents many Italian wines which were featured over the weekend.
We had the special pleasure of also hosting the National Meeting as a part of our Assemblage Weekend so on April 9, we opened our Assemblage Weekend with a casual event at the home of Grand Commander and Master Lady Buddy and Trish Hagner. It was a beautiful evening under the stars for the 69 people in attendance. A buffet of Italian foods was served and enjoyed along with Ardenghi Sparkling Rosé “Ametista”, Pagano 2019 White “Fabula” Falerno del Massico DOC, Dacapo 2018 Gri-
By Trish Hagner
gnolino d’Asti “Renard” DOC and Dacapo 2018 Ruche Castagnole Monferrato “Majoli” magnums.
Saturday, April 10, found our dedicated committee that included Carolyn Blanchard, Tyri Centanni, Ginger Covington, Lulu Curtice, Terry Estes, Nan McCreary, Lois Van Vooren and Michelle Wise hard at work setting up the Ballroom at the Royal Sonesta Hotel for the Enthronement Ceremony, Dinner, Dancing and Silent Auction. What an amazing job they did!
We had arranged for the Delegates for the National Meeting to hold the Saturday morning meeting at Messina Hof Harvest Green followed by a lunch and we were fortunate to have the founders of Messina Hof, Supreme Knight and Supreme Lady Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo with us. They are not only the founders, but great friends and members of the Houston chapter and it was a treat to get to spend time with them and have them share their wines with us.
Saturday evening found us all dressed up and ready to party! In order to maintain some social distancing, we held our Enthronement Ceremony in the Grand Ballroom of the Royal Sonesta Hotel where guests sat at their dinner tables. We were pleased to welcome new Gentle Lady Gina Rumore and Knights Steven Conner and John Tweed. It was also a great honor to welcome our Grand Administrative Officer Tom Webb, Chapter Commanders Gordon MacKay (Lodi), Jim Hamilton (Los Angeles), Bob Bennett (Tennessee) and Vice Commander Rich Moss (Gulf Coast). Following the ceremony, 75 members and guests checked out the silent auction items, bought raffle tickets and participated in the cork pull to raise money for the scholarships and other charitable activities of our chapter.
Chef Robert Graham prepared an exquisite meal and it was beautifully paired with our Italian wines. Let your eyes feast on our menu!
AMUSE BOUCHE
2018 Ardenghi Pinot Grigio “Valdomino” DOC, Veneto 2017 Dacapo Barbera d’Asti “Sanbastian” DOCG, Piemonte
FIRST COURSE
Buffalo Mozzarella with Charred Broccolini, Sourdough Croutons, Pesto, Lemon and Red Pepper Puree 2019 Pagano White “Falaghina” Tardiva, Compania IGT
SECOND COURSE
Parmesan Polenta with Italian Sausage and Fennel Pesto Ragu 2019 Pagano “Piedirosso” Roccamonfina IGT
THIRD COURSE
Campanelle Pasta with Wild Mushrooms, Truffles & Madeira Cream 2017 Pagano Red “Gaurasi” Falerno del Massico DOC
FOURTH COURSE
Veal Osso Bucco with Au Jus and Saffron Risotto 2016 Dacapo Nizza Riserva DOCG
FINALE
Deconstructed Cannoli with Pistachio, Ricotta and Chocolate Ca’ed Balos n/v Late Harvest Bianco “Passito Dore”
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And all the while we danced to the music of our favorite band, Checkered Past! We were so very happy to be back together and to share the evening with special friends from Los Angeles, Biloxi, Tennessee and Lodi! We loved having you and hope you’ll come back again and again!
We wrapped up the weekend with our traditional Sunday Brunch. It is always so special to spend this time together, to share updates about the wine industry from the experts in the room and to say “so long until next time”.
There is one last official “unofficial” event of the Assemblage weekend and that is when Buddy and Trish Hagner invite any out of towners still in town to the Original Ninfa’s on Navigation for an authentic TexMex dinner. Gordon and Annette MacKay were still in town and were also joined by Houston Vice Commander Jim Curtice and Lulu Curtice.
But April wasn’t over yet! Still basking in the success of our Assemblage, our chapter came together again on April 15 for another Thirsty Thursday hosted by Mark and Heidi Davis on their rooftop patio with views of the Houston downtown skyline. Supreme Knight Tom Eddy joined us via Zoom on May 13 for a Thirsty Thursday gathering hosted by Buddy and Trish Hagner.
May 26 found us with an opportunity to have a dinner at Ouisie’s Table and a dinner featuring Stags Leap Wine Cellars. Our first course was braised short rib bruschetta with 2019 “Aveda” Sauvignon Blanc. The cucumber and smoked salmon rolls we enjoyed next were paired with 2018 “Karia” Chardonnay. The first entrée was a seared Mediterranean branzino with 2018 “Hands of Time” Pinot Noir. The second entrée was prime grilled beef tender medallions with 2018 “Hands of Time” Red Blend. Dessert was a hazelnut napoleon with 2018 “Artemis” Cabernet Sauvignon. In addition to all of our live events, we also hosted or participated in three virtual tastings: March 16 with Fullerton Wines in Oregon, May 18 tasting with Ian White of Smith Devereux in Napa, and Supreme Knight Allen Shoup and Master Knight Gilles Nicault and Long Shadows Winery in Walla Walla, Washington. Many of our members hosted groups in their homes so there were many tasting going on among our members!
Looking ahead, our calendar is full and even includes plans for our 2022 Assemblage on April 29 – May 1 so please make your plans now to join us! We truly can’t wait to see you!
Hosts Laura & Lee Slataper
International wine trends and updates by Teresa McKinney
Stags Leap Wine Cellars Dinner at Ouisie’s Assemblage Weekend Kickoff under the Texas Stars
March 11 – Thirsty Thursday Crowd
Buddy Hagner, Mike Lawch & Tyri Centanni join Tom Eddy via Zoom
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In Memoriam Gaye Platt
Lady Master Commander Emeritus, Houston Chapter
Gaye Platt passed unexpected on July 14 after just having celebrated her 80th birthday. She was buried alongside her beloved husband of 33 years, Arthur Platt, in a private family graveside service. Her life, however, was celebrated on August 4 when family and friends came together to share stories and, of course, much wine.
Gaye was a founding member of our Chapter and served as Lady Master Commander for 13 years. She was truly one of a kind … in the best way possible! She was generous with her time, talents and treasure and not just to KOV. She and Arthur were well known in the Houston community for their charitable work. In 2019, Gaye, with a gathering of family and many friends established the Arthur and Gaye Platt Viticulture Fund and opened the Viticulture Laboratory at Texas A & M University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Horticultural Sciences and, upon her passing, the Platt’s wine collection will pass to the university under the supervision of Supreme Knight Dr. George Ray McEachern.
In addition to her love of wine and KOV, Gaye was a generous and loyal supporter of the Honor Flight organization. As a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, she became aware of the mission of Honor Flight Arizona during a presentation at a meeting of the chapter in Prescott, Arizona while visiting her dear friend and a former KOV Houston member, Dorothy Castanos. In honor of Arthur, who was a veteran, she decided to sponsor an entire flight departing from Phoenix and she personally flew with that group of WWII veterans as a Guardian. Over the years, Gaye fully sponsored fourteen flights. Additionally, she sponsored eleven individual Guardians – sons or daughters of veterans who could not afford the cost of the trip. In late 2015 Gaye sponsored the Honor Flight Arizona’s 50th trip to Washington, DC. She planned to sponsor the 100th flight scheduled for 2022.
She was remarkable in so many ways and never sought the spotlight or any recognition. But the Houston Chapter exists and is strong because of her and of Arthur. They may be gone, but they will never be forgotten.
Peg Christensen
Gentle Lady
Our chapter was saddened to learn of the sudden death of our sweet friend Peg Christensen on August 21, 2021. She and her husband, Arden (Chris) Christensen joined the Houston Chapter in 2003. To her, family was everything and good friends were also treated like family. She was an amazing cook and friend. She enjoyed life and was known the share her opinion on almost everything! She loved her wine and her animals as well. When trying to describe her in a few words, these come to mind … amazing … faithful … beautiful … determined (she defeated cancer in her 80s!) … well-traveled .. endearing. Her last instructions to her family were Go have some wine! And so, of course, they did.
