Champagne & Ribs
April 1, 2008
Cowboy Harley-Davidson
The champagne flowed and the ribs sizzled at the Cowboy Harley-Davidson Dealership
this April Fool's Day at the Julie Rogers "Gift of Life" Program honored Jefferson
County Judges, Bob Wortham and Larry Thorne, during the Mr.T-themed
"Party of the Year," Champagne and Ribs.
Honorees Wortham, a dedicated "Gift of Life" supporter, and Thorne, a
prostate cancer survivor and local advocate for prostate cancer awareness and the
importance of early detection of cancer, joined Linda & Joe Penland, who served
as honorary chairs for the third year, and event co-chairs and "Gift of Life" Board
Members, Paula "Torchy" Salter and Karen Fontenot, for a night of endless
champagne, sizzling ribs, and an enticing assortment of mouthwatering treats.
Joining in on the evening's excitement was the "man who made wearing gold earrings look
tough," and the "main man," Mr. T (celebrity impersonator). Traveling from Boston to
take part in the event, Mr. T entertained partygoers with his macho attitude and
unforgettable Mr. T sayings.
Beaumont's high class motorcycles glistened in the background as the Mid-Life Crisis
band set 80's "A-Team" style groove with classic Motown hits.
The first Champagne and Ribs Party was held by the "Gift of Life" in conjunction
with the Grand Opening of Cowboy Honda in 2005. Our attendance of nearly 500 guests in
2005 and almost 600 in 2007 generated funding for the program's Southeast Texas Prostate
Cancer Awareness efforts.
Learn about
Volunteer Opportunities
View
2005 Champagne & Ribs photos
2008 Champagne & Ribs Sponsors
"Champagne Sparklers" ($10,000)
Charline Dauphin in loving memory of Sidney "Chief" Dauphin and Julie & Ben Rogers
Linda & Joe Penland / Quality Mat Company, Inc.
Wayne Reaud
"Champagne Toaster" ($5,000)
Ashley & Joe J. Fisher, II
Sallye (Mrs. William C.) Keith
Denise & Mark Smith
The Lester and Sue Smith Foundation
YMBL
"Champagne Poppers" ($2,500)
Shelley & Bryan Blevins
Catherine & Dr. Donald Cotten
MehaffyWeber
Becky Quinn & Family in honor of Judge Larry Thorne and Judge Bob Wortham
Sharon Terrell / Texas Wildcatters Hockey
TOTAL Port Arthur Refinery
Maureen & Dean Winchell
Karen & Judge Bob Wortham
"Top Grillers" ($1,000)
Cheryl & Ike Akbari
Babe Didrikson Zaharias Foundation
Dinah & David Bernsen
Joe Broussard, II in honor of Regina Rogers
Drs. Craig Charleston & Gwendolyn Lavalais
Sandra F. Clark, Gail C. Jenkins, & Nell McCallum Morris
CommunityBank of Texas, N. A.
Brent Coon & Associates
Flanagan Shipping
Karen & Ray Fontenot
Steve and Brian Gentile / Gentile Construction
Joseph Kong, MD, FACR, Danny Chow, MD & Ernest Hymel, MD, PhD
Radiation Oncologists, Cancer Center of Southeast Texas and Julie & Ben Rogers Cancer Institute
in honor of Dinah & David Bernsen
Aileen & Dr. Mark Larson / Plastic Surgery Associates
Orgain, Bell & Tucker, LLP
Barbara & Bob Quinn
Joette & Gary Reger
Gay & William F. Scott
Jeannie & Dr. Leldon Sweet
Sheila & Walter Umphrey
Valero Port Arthur Refinery
Patsy & R.O. Williams, Jr. in loving memory of R.O. Williams, Sr.
"Rib Sizzlers" ($500)
Ben Beckert, MD
Broussard's Mortuary
Carlo Busceme, III in honor of Torchy
CHRISTUS Hospital - St. Elizabeth
Joanna & Judge Ron Clark
Linda & Joe Domino in honor of Judge Larry Thorne & Judge Bob Wortham
Karen & Michael Fuljenz
Mary Jane Garth in loving memory of Josh Garth
Giglio Distributing
Robin & Herman Gerhardt in honor of Carol Johnson & Susan Berndt
Marilyn & Dr. Edward Gripon
Heather & Dr. Lee Haak
Donna & Denny Harris in honor of Regina Rogers
Jean & John Henderson, IV
Gisela Houseman
Father Michael Jamail
Samia & Dr. Carl Jordan in honor of Judge Bob Wortham & Karen Fontenot
Drs. Rita & Vijay Kusnoor in honor of Judge Larry Thorne & Judge Bob Wortham
Your Friends at Lamar University
Larson's Cosmetic & Breast Surgery Center, LTD
Mary & David Ledyard in loving memory of Tom Mulavney
Paula & John Lovoi
Lynda Kay & James Makin
Carole & Paul Mattingly
Susan J. Oliver & Lynn M. Bencowitz in honor of Maragret Weitzel
Cindy & Hubert Oxford, III
Lisa & Sam Parigi
Tracie & James Payne
Kathy & Jim Rich
Schaumburg & Polk, Inc.
Dan Severinson
Michele & Mitchell Smith
Neri & Dr. Rudy Sotolongo in honor of Judge Bob Wortham
Howard Sperling, MD
Swedes Beach Properties / Anne Willis
TEXAS STATE BANK