By Elinor Tinsley
We know that our models for the semi-annual Salty Mermaid Fashion Show, held at the Eagles last Wednesday, November 19, 2025, are probably not ready for the Paris runway, but we guarantee you that we had a lot more fun at our fashion show than the ones in Paris. Twice a year, Shauna Williams, owner of The Salty Mermaid in Crystal Beach, heads up a fashion show featuring Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter outfits from her boutique. The audience and the models were treated to many great fall and winter outfits with an emphasis on sparkle and swagger. The proceeds of the show along with 10% of the sales until the end of November, are generously donated to the Eagles #3719 to help them fund their many worthwhile projects. Each patron and model received a 10% off coupon for their entire purchase for the remainder of the month. There are so many people to thank that made this event happen, but no one more that Shauna Williams, who all with her husband Christopher, continue to show their love and support for the community they love.
As guests entered they were greeted at the front by the friendly staff of the Salty Mermaid, including Neal George Ballard, or Merdog Neal George on his Facebook page, Dede Ballard’s pup. After getting a plate or two of yummy food and a beverage from the bar, attendees sat down and conversed with friends until Shauna got up to open the show and introduce our MC for the evening, Bob Hibbard and our DJ Billy from Margaritaville. Each of the 19 models wore two different outfits with the exception of Elinor Tinsley, who opened the show with a drop dead gorgeous outfit from the Queen of Sparkles collection and then did double duty as the evening’s “official” photographer.
A week or more before the show each model went in to the Salty Mermaid and was assisted by the wonderful staff and friends they brought, and picked out their two outfits and accessories. All the outfits modeled are available for sale right now in the shop. From very casual to very dressy, the models were able to give the audience a taste of what The Salty Mermaid has to offer.
This event couldn’t be pulled off without the wonderful staff of The Salty Mermaid, the staff and volunteers from the Eagles, our illustrious models, Linda Chesser, who finagles all the models, special guests and let’s not forget the wonderful food provided by Karen Jewell, a member of the Eagles Ladies Auxiliary, but providing the food on her own. Our special guests included Dena Tocco, District Director in Galveston County, sent by Representative Terri Leo Wilson. Dena was asked by Terri Wilson to model in the show, and was a real trooper and our tallest model at 5’11”, and did a wonderful job. Although the evening was full of fun and laughter, the main purpose of the event is to raise funds to help the Eagles’ many worthy causes and at the end of the event Shauna presented Eagles president, Matt Davis with a $1,000 check, which was the 10% of the Spring Fashion Show sales. Matt had help accepting the check from Debi Hewitt, Texas State Madam President from Bacliff #3199 and Donna Mittendorf, Madam President Crystal Beach #3719. Debi Hewitt gave a very impassioned talk about the Eagles State Service Project, Service Dogs Inc., which the Eagles contribute to greatly. The most unique aspect about this organization is that 100% of dogs trained come from rescue shelters. These dogs are trained to help the hearing impaired, child victims, PTSD patients, and for search and rescue, to name just some of those they help. The successful Cigar Bourbon Tasting down in the Nest also had Marvin “Hawk” Hebert, Texas State Worthy Vice President #3111 introducing Service Dogs Inc. as the Eagles State Project. If you’re interested in what this organization does, please visit their website at servicedogs.org.
If you missed this event, make sure you make plans for the Spring Fashion Show which is usually in April, where the Salty Mermaid will present some wonderful spring and summer fashions and then present the Eagles with their check for the 10% of sales from the Fall Fashion Show. These events are always great fun and help support the wonderful work our local Eagles #3719 does to help our local community, our state and our nation.
The Models
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