Rumor Has It - September 2025

London, Lisbon, and lots of love. The Garofalo crew – Mike, Carolyn, Isabella, and Alessandra – crossed the pond to London to cheer on Gabriella Garofalo, who donned her cap and gown and officially became a Master of Financial Analytics from the London Business School. The whole gang hopped over to Lisbon for a gastronomic experience (code for “we ate everything,” they shared). Then came a dreamy day trip to Sintra, land of castles and cobblestones before the train to Porto – birthplace of Port wine and excellent vacation decisions. In Evora, a world UNESCO site, they had a surprise lunch with no menu in a tiny non-descript family-run restaurant with very authentic Portuguese food they couldn’t pronounce – but the mysterious spices (and memories) will linger forever!

FULL OF HEART Family and friends celebrated Jessica Stern Meyer’s milestone birthday at The Villa d’Este.

Tears of joy. On July 12, Jessica Stern Meyer marked her 55th birthday with a tender, unforgettable evening hosted by her parents, Dr. Juan and Susana B. Stern at The Villa d’Este. Jessica wasn’t sure she had the heart to celebrate, still feeling the weight of recent tragedies – until her mother gently said, “You’re my only daughter, and I haven’t planned anything since your sister passed.” What began as a modest dinner of 10 grew into a gathering of 30 cherished friends. The room, beautifully transformed, glowed with roses and candlelight. Heartfelt toasts, a loving tribute from her husband Philipp, and music reminded all present: joy and sorrow can share a table – and love, in all its forms, carries us through.

CURTAIN CALL Pictured at opening night for The Last Five Years are (from left) Matthew and Meredith LeBrun and Annelyse and Mark Frugoni.

On cue. Opening night at Queensbury Theatre’s The Last Five Years was part performance, part reunion, and all drama – in the best way. An intimate VIP reception upstairs set the scene with theater ties that ran deep: Annelyse and Mark Frugoni had just jetted back from L.A., visiting daughter Gabby – Queensbury alum, theater student, and current intern at The Wolper Organization (yes, that’s Warner Bros. adjacent). Meanwhile, Meredith and Matthew LeBrun had their own Broadway beat, returning from NYC where daughter Dini lives, while younger daughter Hope still graces the Queensbury stage. Charlotte and Jay Tribble with Ron and Tina (Tribble) MacInnes in the crowd are proud of the Tribble School for Performing Arts at Queensbury. Curtain up!

ABROAD The Finnetts moved to England. Here, they are pictured in Croatia on a family trip. From left: Paul and Amanda (Stark) Finnett, Benjamin Finnett, Tatum Treadwell, and Kai Stark.

England, here we come! Paul and Amanda (Stark) Finnett traded Hunters Creek for seaside bliss in East Preston on England’s South Coast near Brighton. Clyde the cat was less thrilled – three weeks in quarantine thanks to a three-day vaccination gap. Paul marked retirement with a sleek Aston Martin Vantage and a family-friends jaunt to Croatia with sons Benjamin Finnett and Kai Stark. The fun revved up at the Goodwood Festival of Speed – tux, gown, and racecars, courtesy of the Duke and Duchess of Richmond. They glam’d again for London’s Energy Market Summer Ball, benefiting Waves Music Therapy’s The Toby Project for troubled teens. Learn more at wavesmusictherapy.com/the-toby-project.

CELEBRATIONS Friends toasted to Perri Palermo Motamedi’s birthday at the Thompson Houston Hotel. Pictured (from left) are Heidi Turney, Perri Palermo Motamedi, Serena Hudson, Michelle Bohreer, Marian McClendon, and Alice Mao.

Pavé pens were party favors. The joyful group of 10 was gracefully pared to six after a wave of Covid and life’s usual curveballs – but the celebration never lost its sparkle. Friends gathered at the Thompson Houston hotel to honor Perri Palermo Motamedi’s birthday, surrounded by a breathtaking floral display from Sherri Zucker, who lovingly planned the affair but was sidelined in quarantine. Fellow KnowAutism Foundation board members and friends – Michelle Bohreer, Alice Mao, Marian McClendon, Heidi Turney, and Serena Hudson – showered Perri with a meaningful bracelet, her beloved Chantilly cake, and another dazzling bouquet for a bedazzled party. 

GLAM GALS Fifty friends gathered to honor Leila Perrin. Pictured (from left) are Marilu Garza, Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman, Leila, Sandra Porter, and Chris Kase.   

Glam. It was pure Southern sparkle at Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman’s swanky high-rise, where 50 glittering guests gathered for an evening of art, elegance, and celebration. Hosted with flair by Yvonne and Sheperd Perrin, Marilu Garza, Sandra Porter, and Leisa herself, the soirée honored the ever-fabulous Leila Perrin – whose journey from Southern belle to powerhouse executive is the stuff of legend. A surprise moment stole the show when artist Taft McWhorter unveiled Pursue Your Passion, a custom painting gifted by 10 devoted friends. Glasses were raised to “Tequila Leila,” the once-reigning Queen of the singles scene, as guests savored Marilu’s divine cuisine and the magic of friendship.

MILESTONE MOMENTS Fifty celebrated Ruth Sherman’s 85th including (from left) Anna, Candance, Eli, and Marc Sherman, birthday girl Ruth Sherman, Scott Sherman, and Rhonda and Steven Kaplan.

Connections and cake! With a first career as a Ph.D. in microbiology, Ruth Sherman reinvented herself as everyone’s favorite sex, marriage and family therapist, as seen and heard on several shows. Ruth turned 85 in style at Four Leaf Towers. Fifty partiers gathered to celebrate the trailblazer, including her children Marc Sherman, Rhonda Kaplan, and Scott Sherman, who shared hilarious tales of growing up with their science-loving, straight-talking mom. Ruth chimed in with gratitude and the story of meeting her rabbi husband Jerome (Jerry) Sherman – while on a date with someone else! Granddaughter Anna wowed with centerpieces of vintage-like lanterns with snapshots of Ruth through the decades. It was a celebration of science, sass, and serendipity – just like Ruth herself!

SMILES FOR ALL Dr. Craig Armstrong and his wife Lana are pictured at the latest Texas Mission of Mercy, where free dental care was provided to those in need.

Pearly whites. Dr. Craig Armstrong and his wife, Lana, just got back from Abilene – tired feet, full hearts, and 683 brighter smiles later! At the latest Texas Mission of Mercy (TMOM), $911,000 in free dental care was delivered with love and laughter. TMOM, backed by the Texas Dental Association Smiles Foundation, brings pop-up dental clinics to those who need it most. Dr. Armstrong, the foundation’s fearless Chairman, and Lana have now volunteered at over 10 events. Houston’s turn is coming up Sept. 26-27, 2025 at Wheeler Baptist Church. Smiles are contagious – help spread one at www.tmom.org.

A SWEET GATHERING Diane Gelman’s Fresh exhibit is on view at Phoenicia downtown through the end of fall. Pictured at a dessert reception at MKT Bar are (from left) Jill Reichman, Becky Katz, artist Diane Gelman, Robin Beerman, and Elaine Roufa.

Food centric. EAT! Thanks to a City of Houston artist’s grant, Diane Gelman’s Fresh exhibit at Phoenicia Specialty Foods downtown opened Aug.  1 with a dessert reception at MKT Bar that blurred the line between art and indulgence. Guests marveled at the exhibit of Diane’s oversized sculpted donuts, towering ice cream bars, and canvases of pastries so realistic they devoured Diane’s edible versions. Jill Reichman, Becky and Paul Katz, Sheila Aron, Robin Beerman, Elaine Roufa, and Rhonda and Bill Glick showed zero restraint, proving that in the face of great art (and frosting), self-control is highly overrated. The exhibit runs through the end of fall.

ROMAN HOLIDAY The Atlas family had a Bellissima vacation through Italy. Pictured, at the Colosseum in Rome, are the Atlas family including Brian and Cindy Atlas; Kim, Zac, Faye, Hazel, and Lila Harrington; Julie, Anna, Tucker, and Travis Taylor; 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!

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