Rumor Has It - February 2025

Drinks on the driveway. Chis and Reese Baker have a patio incorporated into their driveway with a place for large tables and many chairs. And their newly poured driveway has a large flagstone-like pattern meant to host parties. They invited neighbors to bring food and drinks and share a chitchat in the holiday spirit. Nancy and Mark Reichek, Kathy and Chris Hollister, with adult children Abby and Daniel, Bert Baker, Linda and Steve Schweitzer, Dana and George McKeon, and Daryl Hartman walked on over to share cheers.

IT’S AMORE Aron Saks proposed to Emma Hocking in Lake Como. 

When moms become matchmakers. Marilyn Saks and Karem Hocking have been best friends for more than 17 years. In July 2023, Emma Hocking’s happy hour with her mom and her mom’s BFF took a turn since Marilyn was determined to set Emma up on a date with her son, Aron. Aron took Emma to dinner at her favorite restaurant in Dallas and afterward to the Akai speakeasy. The first date became a forever date in October 2024, when they went to Italy. Aron arranged a private boat ride in Lake Como with a huge bouquet of her favorite flower, Casa Blanca Lilies, which were out of season. As they floated by the Rockefeller’s Villa Serbelloni,  Aron proposed with a sparkling engagement ring. The parents of the couple, Marilyn Saks and Steve Saks and Karem Hocking and Gordon Baker, sparkled about the Yes news too.

WHERE’S JANET? At Carrabba’s with family.

Where is Janet? Janet Meador Pate raised her four children in Hunters Creek when there were horses in a stable behind her house and buffalo next to Memorial Drive Elementary. When downsizing, she moved to Spring Valley 20 years ago. With another downsizing, she has recently moved to the Tanglewood area. The annual pre-Christmas lunch normally in her home moved to Rosie’s room at Carrabba’s. The fun gift exchange and games among the 18 partiers of her grown children and their families and her sister happened back at the new Tradition home. Where are Meadors? Elizabeth Bruman, the Spring area, Melanie Meador, Austin, Texas, Johnny Meador, Buda, Texas, and Andy Meador, Missouri City. Janet is the center of them all.

THE POWER OF BOOKS The reader volunteers in the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation program have as much fun reading as the children do listening and answering questions. Pictured, from left: Patti Gillies, Cathy Wheatley, principal Corey Pradoes, Deborah Dunkum, Sharon Brier, and Sharon Smalling.

Inner child. Through the Barbara Bush Literacy Guild, volunteers sign up to read at a variety of elementary schools. At Askew Elementary, readers Deborah Dunkum, Patti Gillies, Sharon Smalling, Cathy Wheatley, Carla Stevens, and yours truly read once a month. In November, the program included a book present to each child in the program. They were as overjoyed to receive the books from the foundation as the readers were to give to them. In some households, the only books the children own are the ones they receive from the Curiosity Cruiser library bus supported by the Bush Literacy Guild Foundation. As the page turns….

HOLIDAY HAPPENING The Memorial Drive Garden Club Holiday Lunch took place at Laurie Sorsby’s home. Pictured (bottom row, from left): Barbara Files, Martha Blecher, Linda Squire, host Laurie Sorsby; (top row, from left) Pat Moon, Susanna Jeu, Mary Grace Landrum, Elizabeth Nelson Davia, Sharon Roark, Suzy Godwin, Lindy Folloder, Kristi Barnhill, and Lisa Stephens.

Sled and reindeer stop. The Memorial Drive Garden Club Holiday Lunch at Laurie Sorsby’s home had a sighting of Santa Scott Stiffel and Elf Tim Lootens. They along with Mrs. Santa President Jana Stiffel and Mrs. Elf VP Membership Rachel Lootens, handed out Secret Santa gifts to the 70 participants. The host committee snowed everyone with an overabundance of everything delicious. Donations to raise up families were generous.

NAUGHTY OR NICE The annual PJ party is also a birthday celebration for Mary Reed. Pictured, from left: Barbara Files, Marcia Brown, Mary Reed, Paulette Levine, and Martha Blecher.

So much laughter. The annual pajama party to celebrate Mary Reed’s birthday includes a naughty or/and nice gift exchange. Two shocking gifts were in demand by very married moms. Twenty friends brought food to enhance the roast beef that Mary provided and, to top it off, Vicki Friedman brought a double-decker bundt cake with two flavors as a delicious treat. Three of Mary’s friends from the First Wives Club were there.

SIP & STROLL At the fifth annual Fleetwood Sip & Stroll, the “King and Queen of Christmas” aka Darren and Cat Green welcomed neighbors to the Tiara & Crown Krewe’s tent for appetizers, jingle juice, and hot chocolate. Pictured, from left: Jake Nguyen, Darren Green, Cindy Nguyen, and Cat Green.

Holly jolly neighbors. Partymiester Gigi Rodriguez organized the fifth annual Fleetwood Sip & Stroll of nine houses that ho-ho-hosted food and drink stations throughout the neighborhood to a life-size snow globe for photo opps. Partiers started at Jacob and Maryse Vela’s with sangria and snacks and strolled with a map of all the host houses. The Tiara & Crown Krewe was at the home of King and Queen of Christmas Darren and Cat Green outfitted in crowns and royal capes and their crewe with blinking tiaras. A blended Hanakkamas stop was hosted by the Rhode and Gelber families.

A warm and toasty reception. An outdoor firepit blazed outside as guests walked up to David Eastlake and Miguel Lozano’s winter white wonderland as hosts of the Tangle Lane holiday party. A white Christmas tree and lighted gift boxes set the mood. A La Carte Events catered 45 guests. Liz Andrews coordinated with the help of the social committee that included Sallie Salners, Sue Howe, Iva Ann King, Pam Cagle, Delia Stroud, Michele Hosko, Sharon Cordes, Jennifer Vanarsdel, and Peg Austin. The planners are already at work for the spring social. 

CELEBRATION VACATION Jill Reichman felt colorful on her birthday in Oaxaca.   

What’s behind the colorful walls? That’s what Jill Reichman was wondering on a birthday trip to Oaxaca given by family and friends that included Lauren Reichman, Trevor Reichman, Katelyn Wood, and Justin Doak. They stayed in a magnificent Airbnb  within walking distance of the square. One day, they experienced a five-hour cooking class and made mole negro, empanadas, and rolled corn on a stone. They visited Pug Seal-Zapoteco, a private art hotel boutique with exciting high design. The six-course birthday dinner at Criollo was fulfilling and one of those places behind the colorful walls.  

Take my word on this. A fabulous night on April 1 is in store if you love to read.  The reveal of authors that will leave you speechless at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Celebration of Reading was announced at Stephanie and Frank Tsuru’s home. President and CEO Dr. Julie Baker Finck shared the authors that will enchant the audience:  James McBride, H. W. Brands, Nate Bargatze, and Kelsey Grammer. Neil Bush reflected on his mother, the late First Lady’s passion for literacy. Enjoying every word were Ron Finck, Gail and Greg Garland, Ginger Blanton, Susan Bruch, and Lily and Charles Foster. For tickets, contact [email protected].

Bargains and couture. Fashion in the Fast Lane Lunch, a celebration of fashion, philanthropy, and community spirit is April 8, 2025, at River Oaks Country Club to benefit The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary. VIPs event chair Ann Ayre, honoree Hannah McNair of the Houston Texans Foundation, Chic Boutique co-chairs Alison Gemp and Melanie Jarrell, Chic Boutique Showroom co-chairs Stick Delaup and Mikki Donnally, fashion chair Donae Chramosta and Silent auction chair Jean Peck hope to see you at the four-day shopping extravagance starting April 9. Don’t be surprised to see Oscar de la Renta, Valentino, and Chanel deals on the racks. For lunch reservations, contact 713-202-2146 or [email protected]. 

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