Local residents got “Back to Mother Nature” at Nature Discovery Center’s annual Twilight Gala on Friday, May 6. Led by chairs Neil and Deepa Verma, a host committee of 12 couples, and the NDC’s board of directors, Twilight raised more than $85,000 to support the Center and its nature education programs.
Now in its 27th year, the Twilight Gala brought garden gala glamour back to the Center’s home in Russ Pitman Park after almost two decades indoors. “It was important to the Center that our appreciation for the generous support we have received throughout this pandemic was reflected in the gala,” said Spencer Curry, NDC Board President. “Bringing the Gala home to show off our Center and its beauty at night felt like the right decision. Our team’s challenge this year was to create an enchanting event that was on mission and set on the grounds of the Center” Curry explained.
As guests passed through the park’s historic brick gates, they entered a park transformed by floating lights, glittering candelabra, and wildflowers on every table. Exploring further, guests discovered elegant cabanas, lantern-lit trails, and gardens still exploding with spring color. Nature Discovery Center Executive Director DeAndra Ramsey observed, “The Nature Discovery Center and Russ Pitman Park looked absolutely magical and the community got a chance to see how beautiful our space is. For the first time in many years, our gala connected people to nature by immersing them in nature!”
Attendees enjoyed a balmy edge-of-summer evening with a three-course dinner from The ‘401 and cocktails by STILL Austin. The evening’s entertainments included encounters with NDC’s animal ambassadors like Henry, the lesser hedgehog tenrec, and Izel, the Nelson’s milk snake; a silent auction; 360-degree photo booth sponsored by Asrani Group; a flower stand selling arrangements by Cathy Bickford of the Society for the Advancement of Floral Design; and dancing the night away to funk and soul favorites by Next Level Band.
Always a star of the park, Dutch rabbit Clover was a star of the show for the inaugural “Bunny Battle,” during which alumni and fans of local universities fought for Clover’s loyalty. This year, she’ll be wearing Aggie maroon for big games.
Longtime ABC anchor and NDC neighbor Tom Koch emceed the evening. He had the chance to share a special moment with his friend and the park’s namesake, Russ Pitman, who celebrated his 86th birthday surrounded by friends at the gala.
“After years away, the return of the annual Twilight Gala to the grounds of the Nature Discovery Center on a beautiful May evening was a great way to celebrate all that the NDC has to offer,” said Neil Verma, 2022 Gala Chair. “It warms our hearts to see so many come out and join us in supporting the Nature Discovery Center and we want to thank them, the Host Committee, the NDC staff and board, and other supporters for making it an event to remember.”
The Nature Discovery Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is located at 7112 Newcastle in Bellaire. Ongoing community support allows the Center to continue to be one of the premier nature destinations in Houston. To learn more about the Center’s mission and programs, and to discover ways that you can get involved as a volunteer, member, or supporter, visit www.naturediscoverycenter.org.
Twilight Gala Chairs and Host Committe pictured left to right: Julie Mills, Brian Witt, Denka Wangdi, Mayra Marshall, Pranika Sinha, Ankur Kamdar (back row), Samir Sinha, Mona Parikh, Deepa Verma (Chair), Ram Allada, Karishma Asrani (front), Neil Verma (Chair), Anita Mehta, Samir Mehta, Payal Sheth (front), Aaron Gillaspie (back), Joyee Vachani, Jared Whalen (can just see his eyes), Vic Asrani, Jenny Park, Sameer Vachani, Meghan Lutschg, Ken Lutschg not pictured are Gil Coelho and Kristy Gillaspie
