Rumor Has It - August 2025

No bull – just boots, bling, and a yellow mini sombrero or two. The Symphony League’s Western Night Out at King Ranch Kitchen was a rootin’-tootin’ roundup. About 30 decked-out cowgirls wrangled their way into the bar for fried chicken sandwiches, fancy bites, and even fancier wine. Barbara Files and Donna Mello played hostesses with the mostesses, greeting gals like Sassy Stanton, Harriet Gertner, Diane Davis, Beverly Mattern, and Roz Cooley. Instead of roasting marshmallows by the fireplace, they toasted to summer like true Texas socialites. No horses were harmed, but a few stilettos took a hit. 

ROMAN HOLIDAY The Atlas family had a Bellissima vacation through Italy. Pictured, at the Coliseum in Rome, are the Atlas family including Brian and Cindy Atlas; Kim, Zac, Faye, Hazel, and Lila Harrington; Julie, Anna, Tucker, and Travis Atlas; and Angela, Kevin, Naomi, and Teddy Mutisya.  

Dolce vita, Atlas-style! Traveling with 15 relatives sounds like a reality show – but this one came with pasta, not drama. Brian and Cindy Atlas led the merry band: Kim and Zac with their trio (Faye, Hazel, and Lila), Julie with her crew (Anna, Tucker, and Travis), and Angela and Kevin with their two (Naomi and Teddy). They kicked things off in a Tuscan villa (wine included), then scattered toward the coast. Highlights included truffle hunting with a dog who clearly ran the show, and boat splashing that left sunscreen and dignity behind. Stops in Lucca, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast sealed the deal – la famiglia, la fun!

NEWLYWEDS AND OLD FRIENDS Newlyweds Pierre and Diana Espejo (Kopelman) celebrated Fourth of July at the Villages Parade with old friends Linda and Monte Pendleton.

Romantic guy. Pierre Espejo pulled off the ultimate fake-out with a “retirement” party – minus the gold watch. Instead, Diana Kopelman opened a box with a shiny forever inside. He’d already won over her kids and parents in Arizona, so all that was left was the big moment. Surrounded by family and friends in on the ruse at Hotel Granduca, he handed her roses, recited a swoon-worthy poem, and dropped to one knee. Spoiler alert: she said yes! They tied the knot on April 5, 2025, and honeymooned through Ireland and England – no HR paperwork required.

FAMILY FUN ON THE FOURTH Anne Barrett and her family enjoy the Memorial Villages Fourth of July Parade every year. Pictured, at this year’s parade, are (back, from left) Rob Barrett, Logan Higbie, Allison Higbie, Dave Higbie, Anne Barrett with Turbo the Cockapoo, Elizabeth Barrett; (front) Katherine Barrett.

Family Fourth come forth. Anne Barrett’s home has seen plenty of change since 1982, when horses meandered in the woods behind her house. Bison were fenced in next to Memorial Drive Elementary. One tradition stands strong – the Memorial Villages Fourth of July Parade. Anne’s annual celebration includes her adult children Rob Barrett’s and Allison and Dave Higbie’s families joining in at the Villages Parade where her street joins Piney Point. The rest of the crew – grandkids Logan Higbie, Katherine and Elizabeth Barrett and Turbo the Cockapoo – also cheered on the decorated floats, muscle cars, and Village city officers as they rolled past – proof that patriotism never goes out of style.

SHE SAID YES JT Wallace popped the question to Brooke Butler at Mercer Botanic Gardens.

Bouquets and bullseye. Who says romance doesn’t bloom in Lubbock? JT Wallace (the San Antonio cowboy) and Brooke Butler (Dallas darling) first crossed paths at Texas Tech in 2018, but it took them until 2021 to realize they were more than just Red Raiders – they were soulmates with a flair for dramatic timing. JT orchestrated a stealthy proposal at Mercer Botanic Gardens, complete with a hidden photographer (because if it's not on Instagram, did it even happen?). After Brooke said “Yes!”, they headed to Haywire, where both families were waiting with Texan bites and happy tears. The party rolled into Flight Club with celebratory cocktails and social darts to target more fun. A Fall 2026 wedding is on the way… giving everyone just enough time to recover from the surprise and sharpen their aim.

FOURTH FESTIVITIES Pictured (from left) Caitlin Timoney, Matt Ross, Claire Ross, Chris Brown, Faye Brown, Savannah Brown, Lorilei Raymond, Gabe Raymond, Jack Brown, and Cherie Raymond were prepared to catch the candy and beads from the parade at the end of their street, Shadow Way.

Escape and celebrate! Savannah and Chris Brown slipped away for four delicious days in Mexico City – tacos, tamales, and total culture immersion. Meanwhile, Chris’s mom, Cherie Raymond, held down the fort with grandchildren Jack and Faye Brown, soaking up sunshine, splashes, and all the ice cream they could handle. Back stateside just in time for the Villages Fourth of July fun, they joined extended family – Caitlin Timoney, Matt and Claire Ross, Lorilei and Gabe Raymond – for a candy-catching, bead-grabbing, sidewalk-sitting parade party at the end of their street. Red, white, and woo-hoo!

CENTENARIAN Ruth Eagle celebrated her 100th birthday with husband Ray plus friends and family. 

Older woman. The June celebration for Ruth Eagle’s 100th birthday at The Village of River Oaks was nothing short of legendary – just like Ruth herself. Her husband, Ray Eagle, fresh off his own 97th birthday bash, delivered a heartfelt congratulatory speech. Their children, Amy Khalsa and Stephen (with wife Maggie) Eagle, hosted the festive affair for 70 guests spanning four generations, plus out-of-towners who wouldn’t miss it for the world. Ruth’s favorite dessert, a decadent Black Forest cake, read “100 Years Loved.” As for the secret to their 74-year marriage? Ray summed it up in two words: “Yes, dear.” Ruth was “older”-whelmed, speechless (for once), but visibly touched.

FATHER-DAUGHTER TIME Catherine Davis and her dad, Terry, traveled to Spain to celebrate Catherine’s 35th.   

Father-daughter trip. She showed him her favorite place in the world when he gifted her a belated 35th birthday gift…a trip to Spain. The biggest “birthday surprise” on their arrival was the celebration going on as Barcelona had just beat Madrid for the football (soccer) title. Terry Davis took his daughter Catherine Davis on an 18-day journey to see all things Gaudi in Barcelona, enjoy a private sailboat trip around the coves in Sóller in Mallorca, and dine lavishly after a Basque food tour with a dinner at Akelarre (a three-star Michelin restaurant) on their 50th anniversary menu. Other unique adventures included an olive oil tour and tasting and food tour “Mimo Bite the Experience,” a truly San Sebastian experience. By the end of the trip, they had mastered the art of tapas and tangoed with jet lag, but their passport was stamped. They said “Unforgettable (with a side of olives).”

THE VIEW WAS GREAT BUT THE RING WAS BETTER Madison Warren shrieked yes when Abhishek “Abi” Ajay proposed on a rooftop.

From roommates to rooftop. When Abhishek “Abi” Ajay moved into the same Cleveland house as Madison Warren, there was a double take, then a year of solid friendship before love took the wheel. Madison, ever the brave one, taught the Columbia grad how to drive – miraculously, they're both still here. Adventurous foodies at heart, their biggest surprise wasn't in the kitchen but on a rooftop in downtown Cleveland where he proposed. Abi lured her with “dinner,” while friends and family hid in the Vault – yes, an actual vault. Mom Karen Warren was first to be retrieved… champagne-ready!

PURA VIDA Grace and Jim Hard enjoyed adventures in Costa Rica.

Exotic place. Where’s Guanacaste? Turns out, it’s a real place – with a direct flight and everything! Grace and Jim Hard landed in Costa Rica’s dry rainforest, swung by monkey-filled parks, and got wild at a chocolate factory (literally). Adrenaline soared thanks to generous chocolate samples. In San Jose, they dined with Houstonian Hania Parker, who’s made the city her tropical HQ. Three days, countless laughs, and zero complaints. Who needs a map when you’ve got pura vida?

MIRL’S BIRTHDAY MILESTONE Mirl Cohen celebrated her birthday with friends. Here, she’s pictured (middle) with hostesses Belinda Denn and Roseanne Kaufmann.

Revealing tidbits. Mirl Cohen’s milestone birthday sparkled with surprises and heartfelt moments at Rosanne Kaufmann’s, with Mirl’s sister Belinda Denn co-hosting the cheerful affair. Guests were delighted to learn charming tidbits – like Mirl’s middle name (Paula) and that her late husband once penned a best-selling song just for her, reaching #18 on the charts (Ron Cohen’s “Woman I Love”)! Sharon Maloney delighted Mirl with a well-received group gift of a three-piece luggage set and two Southwest Airline tickets – ready for new adventures! Diane Gelman’s festive birthday cake, topped with Mirl’s name and a colorful “75” in candy, was a showstopper, and Cynthia Mills, who added touches behind the scenes, included a fragrant flourish with beautiful flowers. It was a Happy Hour with Hugs, as warm and memorable as the woman it honored.

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