Rumor Has It - April 2025

Bahama mama. Nassau, Bahamas was serving up sunshine and sea breezes for Amanda Finnett’s birthday getaway with hubby Paul Finnett – meanwhile, back in Houston, a three-hour flight away, winter was throwing a tantrum. Mermaid Amanda made the most of the sparkling blue waters at the sleek new Goldwynn Resort before indulging in a celebratory feast at the historic Graycliff Restaurant, a 18th-century gem tucked inside the Graycliff Hotel. With the world’s third-largest wine cellar boasting 250,000 bottles (including a rare 1865 vintage), it was a wine lover’s paradise. But the real jaw-dropper? A gold sports car casually cruising through the ocean – until closer inspection revealed it was actually a cleverly disguised jet ski for rent. In the Bahamas, even your ride can have an extra flair!

GLAMOROUS GALENTINES Cindi Rose hosted a Galentine’s Party at Christie’s Seafood & Steaks.

Presents kept coming. The Galentine’s party at Christie’s Seafood & Steaks was a dazzling affair, with 16 ladies dressed to the nines in red and pink. The ever-fabulous Cindi Rose hosted the lively dinner, where 10 generous guests went full Oprah – gifting everyone goodies like lottery tickets, perfume atomizers, bling heart pins, sweets, and luxe lotions, all in chic bags. Astrologer Herb Hochman added a mystical touch with impromptu readings. And here’s a stylish history nugget: the dinner took place in the very room where former President George H.W. Bush, Chief of Staff James Baker, III, and fashion icon Oscar de la Renta dined – while security subtly hovered. Who knew this spot had such star-studded history?

CELEBRATING FRIENDSHIP The annual Memorial Drive Garden Cub Friendship Party was held at Fratelli’s. Pictured (from left) are Spook Willoughby, Bruce Shelby, Dan and Kimberly Gartner, Tim and Rochelle Lootens, and Laura Shelby.

Garden Club Friendship Party. A sculpture cut out of Michelangelo’s David in all his glory was a photo opp at Fratelli’s at the annual Memorial Drive Garden Club Friendship Party. The party celebrated couples or “bring a friend” the day after Valentine’s. Keyboard music added to the atmosphere where a sea of partiers dressed in red mingled with glasses of wine at the buffet dinner. Susanna and Stephen Jeu, Hansa and B.J. Mehta, and Gerry and Mala Salvador were swapping stories as Spook Willoughby, Dan and Kimberly Gartner, Tim and Rochelle Lootens, and Bruce and Laura Shelby were adding to the laughter.

GALENTINE’S Ladies in the Nottingham Women’s Club and Wilchester Women’s Club get together every year for a Galentine’s mixer. Pictured (from left) are Allison Needham, Amy Johnson, Alex Kelly, Courtney Peterka, and Erin Cowling.

Galentine’s mixer. Galentine's is the annual mixer that brings together the fabulous ladies of Nottingham Women’s Club and Wilchester Women's Club. Since the event planning alternates between the two, this year, the dynamic duo of Laura Chapline and Gaby Valencia, social chairs for WWC, took the reins. And wow, did they deliver! The February bash at Monarch Bar and Lounge was absolutely buzzing, with 90 women sipping cocktails, mingling, and making memories. A show-stopping karaoke moment was Shannon Richey, Lauren Selwyn, Erin Cowling, and Alex Kelly belting out Shania Twain’s Any Man of Mine. The crowd went wild, proving once and for all – this is what a woman wants!

A king (cake) kind of party. A fleur-de-lis banner greeted 20 guests who found twinkle lights in the air and purple and green beads on five tables. Christine “Chris” Baker threw a Mardi Gras Birthday with chicken and sausage gumbo, a variety of sausage, okra, boudin balls, bread pudding, and three king cakes for hubby Reese Baker. It was a fun krewe of people that included Mark and Helen Worthan, Mike Evans, Cynthia and Cam Lange, John and Vicki Lange, Linda and Steve Schweitzer, and Bert and Felicia Baker. P.S. Reese didn’t put a baby in the king cake in fear that someone would get a cracked tooth or choke.

NAME CHANGE Author Celeste Connally (pictured, with mom Judy Perkins) spoke at a Houston Junior Forum book review gathering.

She changed her name. At a Houston Junior Forum book review of All’s Fair in Love and Treachery – held at the lovely home of the author’s mother, Judy Perkins – author Stephanie Perkins made a surprising revelation. To avoid being lost in a sea of other authors, she cleverly rebranded herself using her middle name and family name, emerging as Celeste Connally (because, let’s face it, the world can only handle so many Stephanie Perkinses). Later, Celeste was a featured panelist at a Galentine’s Party at Fabled Bookshop in Waco, Texas, celebrating romance novels with fellow book lovers. A USA Today bestselling author of the Lady Petra Inquires historical mysteries, Celeste excels at crafting stories about women who refuse to do as they’re told – because where’s the fun in that?

SILVER SOCIETY The Silver Society Tea, held at the Bayou Bend’s Lora Jean Kilroy Center, brought together 50 ladies. Pictured are social chairs Karen Warren and Carolyn Putterman.

Everyone had a sterling good time. The Silver Society Tea was a polished success, with a full house at the Bayou Bend’s Lora Jean Kilroy Center. Social chairs Karen Warren and Carolyn Putterman welcomed 50 enthusiastic ladies, all eager to sip tea and soak up knowledge. The highlight? Guest speaker Christine Gervais, the Fredericka Director of Rienzi and Curator for Decorative Arts at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, who shared fascinating (and slightly scandalous) tales of 1700s women who could only own silversmith businesses if their husbands conveniently kicked the bucket. Meanwhile, guests enjoyed finger sandwiches, and delightful sweets.

TEA TIME Ladies donned colorful hats for a tea party fundraiser at Julie Bartlein’s to raise funds for Anne Frank Hadassah. Pictured (from left) are Linda Suib, Julie Bartlein, and Harriet Gertner.

Hats and high tea. Twenty fabulously dressed ladies, flaunting an array of vibrant hats, gathered for a lively tea party to raise funds for Anne Frank Hadassah. Host Julie Bartlein decked out her home with silver tea pitchers brimming with flowers, adding charm to the affair. Marilyn Chambers snagged a prize for her vintage hat, hand-painted by Eric Javits, while Betty Babendure’s quirky spider hat came with a tale from her teaching days.

HATS OFF Julie Bartlein hosted a lively tea party, a fundraiser for Anne Frank Hadassah. Pictured (from left) are Braha Radom, hostess Julie Bartlein, Helena Zach, and Susan Davis.

Julie sported a borrowed hat that had once made an appearance at the Kentucky Derby, thanks to her daughter-in-law. For a fun twist, Julie listed 10 random items that could be found in purses – whoever had the most in their purse won. Braha Radom and Helena Zach emerged victorious. Meanwhile, Jill Reichman aced the Jordan almond guessing game. The biggest trivia shocker? “High tea” isn’t what most people think!

DUBAI DREAMS Tiffany Johnson and Rosie Daza (pictured, in front of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque) traveled to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Adventures in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. During the pandemic, Tiffany Johnson dreamed of visiting Dubai and Abu Dhabi. That dream came true when she and her best friend, Rosie Daza, embarked on a thrilling adventure. From the moment they soared to the 146th floor of the iconic Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, they were on an exhilarating high taking in breathtaking views of the glittering skyline. The excitement continued with Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Towers. They embraced the desert with a 4x4 safari, sandboarding, and a magical sunset. At the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, they admired its stunning white marble and gold details. The boldest experience? Sampling camel meat – a regional delicacy banned in the U.S. A journey of firsts and unforgettable moments, this was a trip to remember.

BRAINY BUNCH Friends and family celebrated Dr. Jacqui Baly’s doctorate from USC.

Lots of brains. The invite said it all: One degree wasn’t enough for Dr. Jacquie Baly! To celebrate her doctorate from USC, Terri Wang and Rosemary Schatzman brought Ph.D. elegance to Tony’s. Among the brainy bunch? Husband James Craig and first-name-basis-with-brilliance doctors: Yvonne Cormier, Julie Baker Finck, and Alice Mao Brams. Shining alongside her dissertation on minority student success were official kudos from the City of Houston and Governor Greg Abbott. Dr. Baly just raised the academic bar – and effortlessly vaulted over it!

TEA TIME Linda Suib hosted her annual Galentine’s Party at McHugh Tea Room.

Tea pots and more party. Glistening tea pots and warm laughter filled McHugh Tea Room as ladies in pink, purple, and red gathered for Linda Suib’s annual Galentine's Party – a cherished tradition celebrating friendships old and new. Tables were adorned with tulips and heart-shaped chocolates, while tiered stands displayed delicate, crustless egg salad and chicken salad sandwiches alongside pastel cupcakes. This year, 36 guests, including longtime friends from Sunday school like Amy Grenader, enjoyed the festivities at five elegantly set tables. Linda shared personal connections with each guest, and a lively love-themed trivia game had many winning cuddly prizes. The guest at each table with the birthday closest to February 14 took home the floral centerpiece – even if their birthday was in June!

Wags and Whiskers. More than 225 animal lovers donned their glitziest Western duds for the 12th Annual Wags and Whiskers Luncheon at Hotel ZaZa. The “Lassos and Leashes” bash wrangled over $130,000 for Interfaith Ministries’ Animeals program, which keeps 1,300 pets of homebound seniors well-fed and pampered. The event featured a celebrity pet fashion show, a lively silent auction, and honorary chair Ernie Manouse of Houston Public Media. Stealing the spotlight? Spokesdog Moose, who, with handler Nadia Tajalli, worked the crowd for some tail-waggingly big donations!

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