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MARCH | PAGE 30 | 2016 MATTHEW RAMIREZ CATCHES THE SPIRIT. PHOTOGRAPHY GARY FOUNTAIN, WILSON PARISH. HOLOCAUST MUSEUM HONORS GUARDIANS OF HUMANITARIANISM M ore than a thousand individuals helped honor Velva G. and H. Fred Levine at the Holocaust Museum Houston's annual Guardians of the Human Spirit Luncheon at the Hilton Americas–Houston. Chaired by Kelli Cohen Fein and Martin Fein and Carol and Michael Goldberg, the museum's signature social and fund-raising event added $690,000 to HMH's coffers. Notable New York Times columnist and author David Brooks gave an impassioned talk about virtuous selflessness and humility, the topic of his new book, The Road to Character, which examines how character shapes the pathway to success. HMH created the Guardian of the Human Spirit award in 1997 to recognize Houstonians who have worked to improve the lives of others and the quality of life in the city. The Levines are long-time museum members (Velva is a founding board member) who have also founded a scholarship fund for teenagers at the Ben-Gurion school in Israel. Funds raised at the enlightening luncheon help the museum increase awareness of the dangers of prejudice, hatred and apathy through lessons learned from the Holocaust and other genocides. Spotted in the ballroom: Mayor Annise Parker, John Whitmire, Eitan Levon, Arthur Schechter, Sylvester Turner, Gary Tinterow and Christopher Gardner, Linda Lorelle, Brittany and Brad Dinerstein, Ellen Cohen, Alan Rosen, Anna Holiday, Ginger Blanton, Lorraine Wulfe, Jeff Early, Helene and Dror Zadok, Jeri and Marc Shapiro, and Heidi and David Gerger. Arthur Schechter Chair Michael Goldberg Chair Carol Goldberg Chair Kelli Cohen Fein Chair Martin Fein Gary Tinterow Christopher Gardner David Brooks Bailey Dalton- Binion Kristen Habich Honoree H. Fred Levine Gail Klein Milton Klein Honoree Velva G. Levine Marilynn Lecker Ira Lecker Brittany Dinerstein Sandi Hajtman Michael Hajtman Sanford Dow Heather Dow Brad Dinerstein Carol Sawyer Nancy Dinerstein Laura Jaramillo Rick Jaramillo Annise Parker Barry Mandel Lorraine Wulfe Linda Lorelle BERING'S ANNE LEE PHILLIPS PARTY-HOPS FROM WESTHEIMER TO BISSONNET. PHOTOGRAPHY EMILE BROWNE, SHAU LIN HON. DIAMOND JUBILEE TWO CONCURRING SOIRÉES MARK THE ICONIC HARDWARE AND HOME EMPORIUM'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY. I n 1940, August C. Bering Jr. — a descendant of German immigrants who landed in Texas in 1846 — founded Bering Lumber Company on Houston's east side. Today, Bering's remains a beloved bastion of the way things used to be: a family-owned and -operated business. While they no longer sell lumber, the company hasn't strayed very far from its roots; third-generation president Augie Bering V told PaperCity, "It's an old-time general store on steroids. The categories we sell have almost stayed the same, be it engraved invitations, fine china, eco-friendly cleaning supplies, nuts and bolts, or a Big Green Egg." Hundreds of loyal clientele flocked to the Westheimer and Bissonnet locations to mingle at concurrent celebratory soirées "75 years in the making," as the faux bois invitation proclaimed. Guests chatted and shopped, cocktails in hand, knowing the event benefitted Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, while Mercury Orchestra played, first at the Bissonnet location then at Westheimer. The Bering family turned out in force, including Mia and Augie Bering V, Bonnie and Augie Bering IV, Melissa and Chris Schmitz, and Heather Bering Mafrige. Toasting to three-quarters of a century: Walt Haralson, Lesley Sullivan, Mary Burnett, Julie and Robert Shuford, Geoffrey Westergaard, Carolyn and Steve Mafrige, Pat and Mac Shuford, and Donna Bryan. When all was said and done, no one left empty-handed — goody bags filled with Bering's gear were handed out as guests bid adieu. For more party coverage, visit papercitymag.com. Allison Smith Peyton Barnes Georganna Barnes Kara Smith Brooke Luz Mary Burnett Brett Luz Keely Everett Heather Bering Mafrige Bonnie Bering Robert Shuford Steve Mafrige Carolyn Mafrige Pat Shuford Mac Shuford Jacqueline Turano 75 Years of Bering's Cat Everett Augie Bering IV Julie Shuford Mia Bering Augie Bering V Katherine Andrew David Andrew Geoffrey Westergaard Darren Schick Lesley Sullivan Marynell Florence