Summer Spinnings 2023 - Volume 87 Issue 5

SPINNINGS

Class of 2023 All Saints Alumni

“I graduated All Saints confident that I could do whatever I put my mind to. I would never have been able to accomplish half of what I have if I had not believed in myself, and I would not have believed in myself if All Saints had not believed in me first.”

Cara Shield, Valedictorian, Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School Class of 2023

“I can say, without a doubt, that the eleven years that I spent at All Saints were the main reason I was able to accomplish all that I did in high school, and has gifted me with knowledge and teachings that I will draw from in all of my future endeavors.”

Meredith Gideon, Salutatorian, Westbrook High School Class of 2023

Beaumont native Katie Baker is the 2022-2023 President of the Junior League of Beaumont and has been a JLB member since 2012. A Registered Dietitian with clinical and school food service experience, Katie earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas and her Master of Science degree from Lamar University. Katie and her husband Clarke have one daughter, Mary Grace (5), and one son, Jeb (2).

2022-2023

board of directors

Hiall! As spring melted into summer, we wrapped up one league year and began another. This past year was phenomenal, and I am so proud of our members’ hard work and dedication to the league. We all came together and truly made Beaumont a better place.

The JLB would not be able to do what we do without the success of our fundraisers, Main Street Market and Dancing with the Stars, which combined raised over $230,000 net of expenses. Truly amazing! The dollars raised go back into our community to fund our projects or support the vitality of our league through means such as the training and development of our members. This year we gave roughly $70,000 in grants through CAF and the O.N.E. community projects gave another $17,000 directly to the community via their various projects, plus well over 500 volunteer hours. The estimated national value of each volunteer hour is $31.80 which equates to another $16,000 in value that our members gave to SETX. Finally, we were able to send several of our members to the Small Leagues, Big Impact Conference in Orlando back in August. Our members received valuable training and were able to gain new insights and ideas of how to make the Junior League of Beaumont better. All this to say, our legacy is not just what we reflect upon from the past, but our legacy is also what we have built this year. Our legacy is what we are building now. Our legacy is what we will continue to build.

I hope every league member knows how much I appreciate them. I hope that the Junior League of Beaumont has added value to your personal life. I hope that you have felt that you have grown as a leader, learned new things about our community, and have built lasting relationships with other amazing women of Southeast Texas.

Thank you to all our chairs, co-chairs, and committee members who made this year a huge success. You all put in long hours away from family and friends to give SETX your most valuable resource, which is your time. I look forward to seeing what is built on these successes next year.

Congratulations to all who received awards at our May Dinner. Good luck to our new Sustainers in all future endeavors, and congratulations on your new league status. Provisionals, you have amazed us all this year, and I know you will continue to do big things for the League. Our future is brighter because of you. Best wishes to our new President, Sara Norman, and our 2023-2024 Board of Directors.

I am so humbled and blessed to have served as your JLB President. It is a chapter of my life that I will always remember fondly. Thank you to everyone who cheered me on along the way. With much appreciation,

Katie O’Neill Baker

Junior League of Beaumont President, 2022-2023

President ...........................................................

President-Elect

Treasurer ..........................................................

Treasurer-Elect

Communications Council Director ..............

Community Council Director

Membership Council Director

Planning Council Director .............................

Corresponding Secretary

Recording Secretary ........................................

Past President

Sustaining Advisor

Katie Baker

Sara Norman

Rebecca Tatum

Kate Eckhart

Sarah Wells

Ashley Willis

Ashlee Garrett

Kate Thorne

Amanda Yarbrough

Lindsay Brake

Brenna Rodriguez

Kara Hawthorn

Katie O’Neill Baker

8 20 18

26

May Dinner

Check out photos from this years May Dinner event

In Recognition of Beaumont’s Historical Spindletop Oil Field. An internal publication of the Junior League of Beaumont, Inc.

Distributed Fall, MSM Special Issue, Winter, DWTS Special Issue, Spring, and Summer

EDITOR

Kellsey Fairchild

CO-EDITOR

Margaret Victores

STAFF WRITERS

Lauren Reicis

Kaylee Allen

Sonni Shell

Karley Zummo

Laura Victores Wyman

SUSTAINING ADVISOR

Dr. Marleen Swerdlow

AD SALES

Laura Victores Wyman

DESIGN/LAYOUT

Lori Bane

Follow these tips to help your family stay safe this hurricane season

Board Transition

Thank you to the outgoing and hello to the incoming JLB Board Members

Viva Beaumont

Beaumont celebrates Hispanic Heritage with a fun downtown celebration

Day in the Life of Insurance Agents

Read about four JLB members careers as Insurance Agents

Make Ends Meet Is the One JLB members meet with Make Ends Meet to mark the beginning of their new partnership

In-League Spotlight

Get to know the committees that will be in charge of the League operations next year

By the Numbers

Check out how JLB made an impact in our community this year

Provisional Mentors

JLB thanks its provisional mentors for a job well done

in each issue League News Advertisers Index features 30 30 6 7 8 10 13 14 16 17 18 20 22 23 24 25 25 26 28 29 contents 6

Provisional Fiesta

The Provisional Class host a Final Fiesta to celebrate the end of the year

Jewel Award Winners

Meet our four Jewel Award recipients

Transitioning Youth

Read about how the Transitioning Youth Committee made an impact this year

Member Spotlight

Congratulations to the Provisional, Active, and Sustainer of the year

Beaumont Farmers Market

Vote for Beaumont Farmers Market for the America’s Farmer Market Celebration

Sustainer Tea

Check out photos from this years event

Crawfish Boil Frittata

Use your leftover crawfish to make this delicious meal

Provisional Corner

Congratulations to our newest active members

2023-2024 is Underway

on the cover

SUBMISSIONS

Do you have an idea for a story? Would you like to be a featured or guest writer? Send ideas or articles for consideration to the 2022-2023 SPINNINGS Editor, Kellsey Fairchild, at spinnings@juniorleaguebeaumont.org. We welcome your input!

TO SUBSCRIBE

If you or someone you know is interested in receiving a hard copy of our publication, please email the 2022-2023 SPINNINGS Editor, Kellsey Fairchild, at spinnings@juniorleaguebeaumont.org to be added to the mailing list.

You will also see SPINNINGS all over town. Feel free to pick one up at your favorite boutique, hair salon, or Headquarters!

MISSION STATEMENT

JUNIOR

BEAUMONT

PREPARING FOR

SEASON

Southeast Texas is no stranger to severe weather, and with hurricane season underway it's important to prepare for any potential storm! Take some of the stress out of the season with these tips:

Create an Emergency Kit:

Put together a kit with essential supplies, such as non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, and any necessary medications. Make sure to include enough supplies for at least three days, and don’t forget supplies for your pets. It’s recommended to have at least 1 gallon of water per day for each person and each pet.

Keep Up with the News:

Stay informed about any potential storms by monitoring the news and weather reports. Pay attention to different alerts: a hurricane watch (conditions are possible in a stated area) and a hurricane warning (hurricaneforce winds are expected).

Review Your Insurance: Review your insurance policies to make sure you have adequate coverage for potential storm damage.

Evacuation Plan: Have a plan in place in case you need to evacuate and keep your gas tank full so that you’re ready to go. Know your evacuation route and make arrangements for pets.

Secure Your Home: Installing storm shutters or boarding up windows, securing loose items outside, and trimming trees and bushes can all help minimize damage. If water entry is a concern, move items to higher spots in the house, place furniture on risers, and use plastic storage tubs to protect valuables and other items.

Don't wait until a storm is on its way to start preparing. By taking these steps now, you can help protect yourself and your family in the event of a hurricane.

The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th and spans the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. According to the National Weather Service, the 2023 hurricane season is expected to be slightly below normal with a prediction of 13 named storms, including six

hurricanes, two of which will be major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher). Experts say the transition from a La Niña to an El Niño cycle means the season is more likely to be relatively quiet.

Remember, it's important to take hurricane preparedness seriously.

JLB Board TRANSISTION

Viva Beaumont: Embracing Diversity and Culture

Viva Beaumont captivated the hearts of Beaumont with its vibrant celebrations. People packed downtown Beaumont on Sunday, April 30 to celebrate Hispanic Heritage.

"The highlight of the day was seeing such a diverse crowd embracing the entertainment and dancing together! It was a beautiful display of unity and joy,” recounted Emily Wheeler. Wheeler, Director of Event Services and Chief Marketing Officer with the City of Beaumont, was one of the driving forces behind bringing this event to life. The festival highlighted local artists, restaurants, groups, and attractions to shine a light on the rich Hispanic culture in Southeast Texas. “We live in a beautiful and diverse community, and it is important to celebrate everyone who makes this such a vibrant place,” Wheeler explained.

The feedback for Viva Beaumont has been overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic. "We are overwhelmed with the positive response we've received from those who attended. People of all ages stopped us at the event to give accolades and promised they would be back next year," Wheeler said, continuing, "We are so grateful for our sponsors and all of the city departments who make these events possible." Though specific details about the next Viva Beaumont celebration remain under wraps, Wheeler offered a teaser, saying, "The Lucha Libre wrestling and Loteria were excellent additions to the 2023 festival, and we hope to bring those attractions and much more to next year."

Mark your calendar!

The City of Beaumont’s event schedule is jam-packed with summer fun, including the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration, regular Classic Movie Nights at the Jefferson Theatre, and Lunch at the Lake every Tuesday in June and July at the Downtown Event Centre.

"The highlight of the day was seeing such a diverse crowd embracing the entertainment and dancing together! It was a beautiful display of unity and joy,” recounted Emily Wheeler.

day in the life of...

INSURANCE AGENTS

Amber Villarreal

Allison Wright Tea Do

Lana Richards

What made you choose this career?

• I worked as a Team Member for an Agent for 8 years and I love the fact that I’m able to meet with people everyday to help manage their risks. I also love being a small business owner and making an impact on my team and the community. - Amber

• I never thought about a career in the insurance industry, but I ended up opening my agency 13 years ago when I was approached by an acquaintance telling me I should become an insurance agent because of my customer service background running a family business. My normal work day ends around 5:00 pm with a review of what our office accomplished that day and a list of tasks for the next day. - Tea

• I chose this career because I wanted to do something with my life that makes a difference in people’s lives. I love to talk to people, and I love to make sure they are properly protected. - Lana

• I made the decision to switch careers in 2017 after Hurricane Harvey. I had previously been introduced to the insurance industry in my former position as Risk Manager at Lamar State College Port Arthur. During Hurricane Harvey, I remember so vividly the conversation with my sister as her house was flooding. She was walking out but was "ok with the outcome because she had flood insurance". It turns out her flood policy has lapsed and her agent at that time never followed up with her regarding her payment not being received. I knew at that time that I could be a better agent for the Southeast Texas community. - Allison

How do you start and end your day at work?

• I start every day with a quick team meeting! - Amber

• After dropping off my children to school each morning, I head to the office where the first thing I do daily is make our office a pot of coffee and catch up on emails, messages and claims that have come in through the night. - Tea

• I always start the day with coffee! It’s a must – but we jump right into an office team meeting to set the tone for the day. As an office, we end the day reflecting on who we’ve helped and how we can be better tomorrow.

- Lana

• This honestly depends on the day. Having to keep myself and my staff motivated and working with a positive mindset is very important to me. The insurance industry can be very difficult at times, especially having to deal with highly emotional people and situations. I try to start my day with listening to a podcast about leadership or something that can help me run my office more efficiently. Once I get to the office, I check in with my staff to see if they need help with anything, personally or professionally, before we hit the ground running. My day ends by trying to wrap up any loose ends for my clients. - Allison

Would you choose this career path again?

• Absolutely! It’s extremely rewarding and the #bestgigever. - Amber

• Yes, I certainly would! My career has allowed me to meet and help people from all walks of life. It is truly rewarding when a client chooses you to protect their most valuable assets and be there for them when a disaster strikes. - Tea

• Would I choose this profession again? In a heartbeat, yes. If you’re passionate about serving people and your community, this gig is for you! - Lana

• Absolutely. It's more than just a sales job. I get to help people with something that is pretty difficult to understand. Insurance is more than just something that is required by law or your financial institution. If covered properly, your assets that you have worked so hard to purchase will be well protected. - Allison

What is the most memorable thing you’ve learned from this profession?

• I always tell people that it is better to have it and not need it than not have it and need it. - Tea

• The most memorable thing I’ve learned is that what I do matters. We live in a fallen world, and unfortunately bad things can happen to good people. Being able to hold someone’s hand and say, “Don’t worry – I can help!” can be life changing. It’s not about ‘saving someone 15% on their car insurance.’ It's about taking the time to find out what they need. It’s always different for everyone. Except life insurance–everyone needs life insurance that they own and control outside of any work policies! - Lana

• I think the most memorable thing and important thing I've learned is that the majority of people have absolutely no idea what kind of coverage they are carrying and what the implications of not being properly covered means for them in the event of a claim. I've learned to slow down and explain things to them even if they aren't really wanting to hear it.

- Allison

What do you wish others knew about this profession?

• All insurance agents and insurance companies are not alike. We each offer different products and services that may or may not allow us to service you as a client. Most importantly, we do not make up the premium/price for anyone. - Tea

• This profession is awesome, but with many small businesses, it becomes a part of who you are. You represent a brand, but it’s still your small, local business. You must make sure you have healthy boundaries in place – just like any profession. - Lana

• Your agent doesn't control your rates. The only thing we can control are the coverages that we provide to you based on the type of policy written. -

Allison

What industry changes have you experienced, good and bad?

• Being an agent in SETX is a challenge. I’ve experienced companies non-renewing due to location, rate increases, and claims issues due to lack of parts.

- Amber

• We are constantly dealing with changes in state laws and company’s rules and regulations, therefore, we have to always be willing to adjust how we sell our products. I do not see it as a good nor bad thing, but it makes us stay alert for when we have to help clients with sudden changes to their policies that are advantageous to them.

- Tea

• Right now, the insurance industry is going through some major changes. It’s like anything – it will always ebb and flow. Costs of everything are on the rise and insurance is no exception. My advice is to find a good agent that will answer your questions, give it to you straight, and show up when you need them. Focus on those positives, not the pricing. - Lana

• I think the most recent industry change is the majority of the carriers in Texas have taken extreme rates. Insurance premiums have gone up for every insured in the State of Texas and it is causing some uncomfortable feelings for customers. It's so important to find a local insurance agent that you can sit down with and talk over your concerns, especially during times like this.

- Allison

Any advice for the upcoming hurricane season?

• Make sure your policies are in force and paid in plenty of time, have a hurricane plan, and take pictures and inventory of your home. - Amber

• Be and stay prepared. If your insurance agent has not done their annual review of policies with you, please call them to make sure you are covered in case of a bad storm. - Tea

• My #1 advice regarding hurricane season is take a video! Every May, I make a video starting from my front door. Film walking into your house, record your cabinets and cupboards and open them up. Describe what you see in there and maybe what you paid for it as you remember. It may take 10-15 minutes, but in the event of a total loss, it is invaluable. You will have to itemize all the things in your house – down to how many jeans you have, DVDs you own, etc. take it from someone who has lost everything in a flood – it’s HARD to remember all your stuff! This way you can update what you have each year, and it will give you a great head start in the event of a loss. - Lana

• The best advice I can give is to schedule a meeting with your agent to review your coverages. It's during these meetings when I determine if someone has any gaps in coverage that could leave them in a pretty bad spot if something were to happen. I tell my customers all the time that it is a lot easier to have discussions about coverage when you aren't in the middle of a disaster or claim. - Allison

MAKE ENDS MEET IS THE ONE

Members from The O.N.E. committee and the incoming board hosted a meet and greet with Make Ends Meet in June, where they presented a $5,000 check to the nonprofit to mark the beginning of our partnership. The Junior League of Beaumont is excited and honored to put our resources to use in helping this amazing organization fulfill their mission and increase their reach.

Make Ends Meet of Southeast Texas is a non-profit organization created to support single-parent families. Their goal is to provide networking opportunities for parents and activities for children to learn, grow, and have fun. They have been serving single-parent families since 2021. Currently they are a network for low to moderate-income families that provide programs, fun learning activities, and holiday events. They plan to expand their mission to include a parent support group with a counselor and educational activities for their children. Some of their feature events include:

• Back-to-School Bash in August

• Trunk or Treat in October

• Easter Eggstravaganza in the spring

If you’re interested in learning more about Make Ends Meet, please reach out to The O.N.E. Signature Project’s Chair, Marie Murray.

Explore the committees in charge of the League’s ongoing operations.

FINANCE

This committee meets about once a month to administer the current budget. They also advise the Board and Membership on financing the League’s endeavors and prepares next year’s budget for presentation to the Board. Additionally, this committee will study our current fundraisers and explore the interests of our members in order to develop a proposal to present to the Treasurer-Elect for her Ways & Means proposal. The standing members of this committee are the Treasurer, who serves as Chair; the Treasurer- Elect, who serves as stepup Co-Chair; the immediate past

IN-LEAGUE

Spotlights

Treasurer; the President-Elect; the Fund Development chair; and the chairs, cochairs, and business managers of each fundraising committee. This is such a great committee to see how we raise our money as well as how we use our money to give back. This committee is currently chaired by Rebecca Tatum!

MARKETING

The Marketing Committee is responsible for addressing the publicity needs of the League. This is done in various ways, including hosting roundtables and utilizing various forms of media, such as write-ups for the website, social media posts, and choosing members to recognize for outstanding service. Marketing is also responsible for designing and selling JLB merchandise. This committee has no standing members; if the committee

is formed, the Communication Council Director serves as chair unless she appoints another committee member as chair. Sarah Hearn Wells is this year’s chair and number one hype girl!

HEADQUARTERS

The Headquarters Committee is responsible for making plans, decisions, and purchases for the continued maintenance and preservation of our facility. Headquarters does a little bit of everything, including overseeing our beautiful landscaping and updates and refreshes to the house. The standing member of this committee is the Headquarters Chair, who serves on Planning Council and reports to the Planning Council Director. Rebecca Hudson is this year’s Headquarters Chair.

FUTURE PLANNING

This committee assists the PresidentElect in planning for the upcoming year and researches and advises on issues brought forward by League members, sustainers, and the President in order to make our League stronger and better. The committee assesses the needs of membership through surveys and speak-outs at general meetings throughout the year and forms recommendations that are put to vote by the Board. This committee chair serves on Planning Council and reports to the Planning Council Director. Future Planning is chaired this year by our wonderful President-Elect Sara Collins Norman.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

This committee is responsible for putting together our education and training opportunities, which take place year-round. They plan, organize, and help to execute these meetings. Anyone can join this fun committee and bring new ideas for training or activity opportunities to the League. The standing member of this committee is the Education & Training Chair. This committee chair serves on Planning Council and reports to the Planning Council Director. Anna Nobles Papa is the current chair of this committee!

FUND DEVELOPMENT

This committee is the strategic arm of all incoming revenue for the Junior League of Beaumont. This committee identifies and plans small-scale fundraising initiatives, identifies and writes grants, creates donor relations strategies, and establishes diversified funding initiatives. This committee works with the marketing committee, the Spinnings committee, and our two fundraiser committees to develop an annual corporate sponsorship package to utilize all the League's fund development resources. This is a great in-league committee to join if you enjoy fundraising and would like to learn skills and strategies to run a successful nonprofit. This is one of our newer committees and is led this year by

Lindsey Reed Sorrell

MEETING ARRANGEMENTS

This committee plans the location, décor, and refreshments for the League’s monthly general meetings. The standing members of this committee are the Meeting Arrangements Chair and Co-Chair. This committee chair serves on Membership Council and reports to the Membership Council Director. Our two chairs this year are

Ashley Redwine Case and Mandy Anderson Street!

PROJECT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT/CAF

This committee assesses our community projects’ effectiveness and sustainability. They seek to fill needs in our community by proposing projects that could be ongoing committee projects or signature projects. They oversee the application process, select recipients, and administer CAF grant funds. This is also where The ONE was born. This committee is a league favorite—you get to truly see how all our hard work on fundraising gives back to the community and you get to have a voice on which non-profits receive our grants! The standing members of this committee are the CAF/PRD Chair and Co-Chair. This committee chair serves on Community Council and reports to the Community Council Director. This committee is currently chaired by Mandy Newman

WAYS AND MEANS

This committee evaluates current fundraising activities, receives input from the membership, researches possible fundraisers, and develops proposals appropriate for membership evaluation. This committee also evaluates membership obligations, including financial obligations, fundraiser participation, and placement hours through the Ways and Means proposal. The standing member of this committee is the Treasurer-Elect. This committee chair serves on Finance Council and reports to the Treasurer. Kate Eckhart is the current chair of this fun committee.

Thank you all for volunteering to chair in a JLB committee!

NUMBERS by the

Community Impact

The Junior League of Beaumont’s 2022-2023 League year in review...

142 Active members 394 Sustaining members

30 Provisionals welcomed to active status

7,300+ Hours put towards the League by our members

4,500+ Attendees at Main Street Market

2022-2023

COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE FUNDS

$65,000 Awarded to 33 non-profits in our local community!

800+ Attendees at Dancing with the Stars SETX

$103,000+ Given to the community through awards, grants, donations, and volunteering

Provisionals

The 2022-2023 Provisional class hosted a Final Fiesta to celebrate the end of their provisional year before becoming full actives. A special thank you to this year’s mentors, as well. Your commitment to the league and your dedication in shaping the next class of JLB members will have amazing effects for years to come.

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May DINNER

AWARD WINNERS

jewel

Ashley worked very hard this year to balance our league goals of putting as much money as possible back into the community with creating an amazing member experience at our meetings. She did this in a year of record-breaking member attendance at meetings, rising costs of just about everything, and worldwide shortages. Despite these challenges, she created memorable meetings that also facilitated member engagement. Thank you for your dedication to our members and our mission!

As the Director of Nominating and Placement, Ashlee streamlined Mini-Meetings and made the conversations more impactful. Ashlee created a placement meeting that engaged members, allowing for connection with new committees and increased focus on and commitment to in-league committees. The improvements that Ashlee introduced will impact the League for years to come! Congratulations Ashlee and thank you for your commitment to the Junior League of Beaumont.

In addition to her commitment to the Junior League of Beaumont as CoChair of Abolish, Tania founded DAR Studio this year. Dar, Spanish for give, is Beaumont’s newest Community Center with a variety of classes and ways to connect. From CPR, Yoga, and Spanish Classes to Girls Empowerment, Dar has something for everyone. Thank you for your contributions to the Junior League of Beaumont and Southeast Texas!

She opened the year with bingo for teachers as a way to share the warning signs of human trafficking and closed the year jumping in with Catch My Thrift, Beaumont’s newest Resale shop benefiting Harvest House. Bethany redefined the role of the Abolish Committee to best partner with the mission of Harvest House. Thank you, Bethany, for your amazing work this year and impact on the Southeast Texas community.

Ashley Case Dollars and Sense

Tania Castelan Outstanding Community Impact

Bethany Longmire Outstanding Community Project Member

Ashlee Garrett Innovator Award

TRANSITIONINGyouth COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT:

Transitioning Youth had an amazing 2022-2023 League year! They kicked off the year with a goal-breaking workshop and school supply giveaway in August, decorated pumpkins in October, and had a safety workshop with BPD in November. In December they went on a tour of Beaumont Community Players, treated the kids to Elf The Musical, and provided a fun popcorn bar during the CPS Christmas Party. In January they took the kids out to eat at Cheddar’s with a motivational speaker, then in February they helped them make vision boards focused on self-love in AND helped host CPS prom (with many of you helping!). During spring break in March the committee had a video game truck at the League house for the kids to play! This committee was a great team and did AMAZING work! Thank you Sharita Gardner, Nicki Pomonis Messina, Megan Kingrey, Neé Coleman, and Bre Johnson.

PROVISIONAL OF THE YEAR

Megan

Pounders

Megan went above and beyond for the provisional class this year. She put a lot of time and effort into the provisional project, going above and beyond to ensure its success. She always had a smiling face while doing so and was an inspiration to the rest of her class. She showed her passion in working for others both inside the JLB and out and embodies the character of the League. She is truly amazing, and JLB is better for having her in our midst!

ACTIVE OF THE YEAR

Brenna Rodriguez

When Brenna’s term as JLB President finished she could have chosen an easy assignment and deservedly relaxed and recharged—instead, she dedicated herself even more to the League and to Make a Wish. She has had an extensive impact across the League and the community and has truly embodied the spirit of servitude. She is the ultimate example of a leader has been such a vital member to our League and to various committees while remaining humble and gracious through it all. Thank you, Brenna!

SUSTAINER OF THE YEAR

Kathryn

Fuller

Kathryn has been as committed to the League as a sustainer as she was as an active member, dedicating years of service to our mission and our community. She has been an amazing resource, mentor, advisor, friend, and confidant. She has done so much for the League, including participating in Dancing with the Stars SETX (and winning the Mirrorball trophy to boot) and she was an integral part of this year’s Dancing with the Stars as the committee’s sustaining advisor. She is caring, understanding, and helpful, and we are so happy to have the support of such a wonderful woman.

THE BEAUMONT FARMERS MARKET

TheBeaumont Farmers Market is gearing up for the Farmers Market Coalition's 2023 America's Farmers Market Celebration. The celebration is held August 5-12, 2023, but you can start participating in June by voting for BFM! The American Farmland's Trust and Farmers Market Coalition are giving away $15,000 in prizes to the nation's favorite farmers markets. Voting starts June 19 and runs through September 18, 2023 at markets.farmland.org. All you need to type in is Zip Code 77707 or Beaumont Farmers Market. We encourage the JLB to shop our market to see how wonderful it is and to cast your vote! Ask your friends, family, and coworkers to vote as well!

Go to markets.farmland.org and vote for the Beaumont Farmers Market TODAY!

SUSTAINER tea

CRAWFISH BOILFrittata

How about doing a frittata? Not familiar? Think of it as an omelet’s adventuresome Italian cousin. This recipe is Straight Outta Breaux Bridge! Inspired by Chez Jaqueline’s killer crawfish omelet. Also included are essential frittata tips. Let’s do this!

SERVES 4-6

INGREDIENTS

• 8 large, pastured eggs

• 1/4 cup half and half

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 2 shakes Crystal hot sauce

• 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper

• 1 cup C’est Bon cleaned crawfish tails

• 1/4 cup frozen or canned (drained) corn

• 1 cup cubed red skin potatoes

• 3 tablespoons light olive oil or avocado oil

• Blackened Cajun seasoning

• 1 cup hand grated pepper jack or sharp cheddar cheese

• Microgreens, cherry tomatoes, and red chili flakes to garnish

METHOD

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees. Start by dicing the red bell pepper into 1/4” x 1” strips and the red potatoes into 1/2” or slightly smaller chunks. Steam or blanch until almost tender. Test with a toothpick.

Spoon steamed peppers and potatoes onto a paper towel lined cookie sheet to dry and cool. Then place them in a bowl with the corn and toss with 1 teaspoon olive oil, a pinch of sea salt, and a pinch of blackened seasoning. Line a cookie sheet with parchment and spoon the peppers, potatoes, and corn onto the sheet. Roast in the oven till lightly browned. Remove and pat with a paper towel. Let them cool on the kitchen counter then spoon into a bowl and place it in the refrigerator until you are ready to start your stovetop egg mixture.

Season the crawfish tails to taste (do not rinse). Heat a large non-stick skillet on medium-high, add a half

tablespoon of oil, and quickly sauté the crawfish tails (do not crowd) till the spices are fragrant and the tails are bronzed and just cooked through. Be VERY careful not to overcook your crawfish at this stage. Turn them out onto a paper towel to drain and rest. You can place them in the refrigerator along with your potato, peppers, and corn while resetting your kitchen for the stovetop phase. Use a large glass mixing bowl, add the eggs, half and half, salt, and hot sauce, and whisk vigorously but just till the egg whites are fully incorporated; any more agitation risks the eggs turning out tough. Let the mixture rest for 10 minutes before starting your pan.

Cooking a proper frittata is a twostage process. First, use your best oven-safe, non-stick skillet. Warm the skillet on medium-low and add the olive oil. Swirl to coat the bottom and sides When the skillet is warmed, add the egg mixture, then the peppers, potatoes, corn, and

crawfish tails and cook low and slow for approximately five minutes until the edges of the egg begin to set. Loosen the edge with your spatula. Scatter the grated cheese over the top, and go straight into your preheated oven. Bake for about five minutes. Test by jiggling the pan to see if the center is starting to set. When the center is no longer jiggly, test for doneness by piercing the center with a knife, and if the eggs don't run back into the cut, you are ready for a quick run under the broiler to finish.

When your frittata comes out of the oven (watch that hot handle, use a mitt), slide it out on a cutting board or serving platter to avoid your skillet's residual heat overcooking the eggs.

Garnish with quartered cherry tomatoes, red chili flakes and snipped microgreens for a pop of color and flavor. Serve in pizza-style slices.

Recipe by Dub Brown

ESSENTIAL FRITTATA TIPS:

• Use your best oven proof, non-stick skillet. Cast iron is OK if well-seasoned, porcelain lined cast iron is better and super non-stick ceramic lined is best. No plastic or wooden handles.

• Guideline: 8" skillet—6 eggs, 10" skillet—8 eggs, and so on. The egg mixture should just cover the fillings. A traditional frittata is about one-half to three-quarters of an inch thick.

Cooking a proper frittata is a twostage process.

• Use a light, higher heat neutral oil. Butter will over-brown the bottom of the frittata.

• You’ll need a good whisk and silicone spatula.

• Remember, “Time, and a cooking egg, waits for no man.” Prep the ingredients ahead. Use your phone or kitchen timer.

PROVISIONAL CORNER

Please join us in welcoming and congratulating our newest active members! We cannot wait to serve alongside you and to share in your growth and accomplishments now and in the future.

2023-2024 IS UNDERWAY

The 2023-2024 League year is already off to a radiant start!

Service Squad helped Night to Shine make their summer kickoff event, Shine on Summer, a dazzling success.

The O.N.E. has already coordinated with Make Ends Meet and given them a $5,000 head start on this year’s mission.

The DWTS committee has stars in their eyes planning next year’s event!

Karley Irwin ZummoHamishire-Fannett Middle School Educator of the Year

Sara Norman welcomed Elle Elizabeth.