The gift of time

WBAP's Hal Jay shares powerful story of life-saving transplant with Tarrant Heart Ball

What: 2023 Tarrant County Heart Ball

Where: The Worthington Renaissance Hotel

The 411: On January 10, 2023 popular WBAP morning radio host Hal Jay collapsed from an irregular heart rhythm. On February 3, he underwent a heart transplant. By April 4, he was back on the air, and on April 22, he was sharing his story in person as keynote speaker for the American Heart Association's Heart Ball.

In his brief but powerful remarks, Jay thanked his wife, Ann Harbuck, his family, and medical providers, and God for saving his life. In keeping with the gala's theme, "The Gift of Time" Jay said he had a new-found appreciation for "giving your heart and body time," emphasizing, "I will never NOT exercise again."

The 2023 gala - chaired by Stephanie and Michael Klein - brought together hundreds of Heart Association supporters, philanthropists, and medical personnel. They were seated alongside heart disease survivors and their families, who shared their harrowing stories to inspire fellow guests.

The evening's proceedings were led by mistress of ceremonies, CBS News anchor Nicole Baker, under the guidance of AHA executive director Corrie Harris.

After a cocktail reception and multicourse (heart-healthy) meal of mixed greens salad, pan-seared jerk chicken, and berry tart and chocolate mousse, guests had the opportunity to give through an "Open Your Heart" appeal.

Those holding out with bigger bucks bid fast and furiously in a live auction. Up for grabs were trips to Broken Bow and Big Sky; packages for the Charles Schwab Challenge and Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo; Duke basketball tickets; Ginger Walker Art; and a De Boulle necklace.

Those who wanted to continue the celebratory evening took to the dance floor while the Mitchell Ferguson Band entertained.

In all, the night raised $300,000 to further the American Heart Association's work in Tarrant County.

Who: Aimee Plummer, Robin Carson, Melinda Bronstad, Allison and Tug Rix, Becca and Johnny Cheng, Lori and Brad Bruce, Trey and Kristin Carmichael, Angela and Rick Bettinger, Arturo Ruiz, Mercedes Cruz, Ava Beach, Allen Beach, Elaine and Shawn Tubre, Emily Howard, Hatice Dalton, Marcia Jacobs, Eric and Shannon Benink, Anthony and Cynthia Villagran, Nancy Murphy, Sarah Harbuck, Emily Avila, Robert Luera, Shehla Shah, Syed Nayyar Shah, Thomas Williams, Suzy Pratt, Lou Martin, Jennifer and Kenneth Willingham, Tammy and Heath Middleton, Kassy and Jacob Flesher, Chrissy and Jordan Long, Matt and Katie Foust, Treanise Owens, Joel and Lisa Mohrman, Michael Tilley, Denise Castle, Georfe Terrazas, Boozaziel Chavez, Tim Dohse, and hundreds more AHA supporters.

Photo by Stacey Brooks

Sarah Harbuck, Emily Avila, Robert Luera, Ann Harbuck, Hal Jay, Shehla Shah, Syed Nayyar Shah

Celebrity wedding

Whataburger pops up at MLB star Bobby Witt's wedding to Colleyville bride

Photo by Lyndi Stücky for People Magazine

Bobby Witt, Jr. and Maggie Black were sweethearts at Colleyville Heritage High School.

Kansas City Royals slugger and former Colleyville Heritage standout Bobby Witt, Jr. married high school sweetheart Maggie Black in Dallas on Saturday, December 14. And the bride wore white, and the guests ate Whataburger.

Among the many fun and fabulous wedding details — reported exclusively by People magazine — was a Whataburger pop-up restaurant constructed for an epic reception after-party.

When the ceremony at the Thompson Hotel ended, the magazine says, more than 100 people secretly created a replica Whataburger restaurant in the venue, complete with tables, booths, an ordering counter, drinks and condiments station, the newlyweds' favorite menu items, and actual Whataburger employees to serve everyone.

Watch a fun video of it here:

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The pop-up was dubbed, appropriately, "Witt-a-burger."

"The couple has a sentimental connection to the burger joint, as they used to hang out at their local Whataburger after baseball and football games while dating in high school," People says.

Witt is a Whataburger brand ambassador.

Bobby Witt Jr., Maggie Black, Whataburger wedding One of the wedding photographers posted a cute Whatabuger pic and lovely tribute to the couple.Instagram/Britney Tarno

Witt, 24, graduated from Colleyville Heritage High School in 2019 and now plays shortstop for the Kansas City Royals; Black is a personal trainer. Witt's father, Bobby Witt Sr., was a star pitcher for the Texas Rangers in the 1980s and '90s.

The 300-person wedding guest list reportedly included the entire Royals team, as well as MLB all-stars Andrew Benintendi, Whit Merrifield, Cole Ragans, and Rusty Greer.

"The couple — who first met and began dating in high school after a smitten Witt asked Black’s best friend for her schedule so he could transfer into her physics class — says their winter wedding was 'a long time coming,'" People says.

“We had been boyfriend and girlfriend for so long that it’s exciting for both of us to now get to call each other husband and wife,” Black tells the magazine. “We are just super excited to finally be married.”

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For the ceremony, they (with the help of Leslie Ochs of Alice and Apricot Weddings) transformed the downtown Dallas hotel ballroom into an intimate chapel, complete with custom stained-glass windows by Vim + Venture.

“There were so many fun details throughout the design that incorporated Bobby’s love for baseball and Maggie’s personality with the warm and classy atmosphere," Ochs tells the magazine.

To read the whole story about Witt and Black's wedding, head over to People magazine.

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