Along came Thursday, May 23rd, the day before the pageant. We received a phone call from the President of the World Lebanese Cultural Union – North American Region, Mr. Khalil Khouri that he just arrived to Houston accompanied by his Deputy, Professor Clovis Karam. We all met at Flo Paris Bakery at 4PM, and from there we departed towards City Hall to attend the 5PM appointment with the Mayor that was pre-set by Lebanon Times Magazine & Radio.

The group included the Mayor of Dhour El-Shweir Engineer Habib Moujaes, the President of the Dhour El-Shweir Emigrants Festival Mr. Wadih Abdel-Ahad, World Lebanese Cultural Union—North American Region’s President Mr. Khalil Khouri, Professor Clovis Karam, Samih Baaklini and his son Albert,  Dr. Hala Ghoson, Editor-In-Chief of Lebanon Times Magazine & Radio and President of World Lebanese Cultural Union – Houston Chapter Nabil El-Habbaki, Directing Editor and President of Gibran Khalil Gibran Cultural Association in Houston Julia Nader.

Introductions were made and the Honorable Mayor Sylvester Tuner welcomed all and spoke warmly to the guests from Lebanon. He congratulated Lebanon Times Magazine & Radio for its efforts in showcasing Lebanon’s culture concurrently with Houston’s culture, the evidence being in their insistence on organizing the Miss Lebanese West Coast USA Pageant in Houston. He wished the Mayor of Dhour El-Shweir and Ain El-Sindiani Habib Moujaes and Wadih Abdel-Ahad a pleasant stay in Houston, and welcomed the Lebanon Times team, Professor Clovis Karam, and Khalil Khouri.