Rumor Has It - October 2025

Bring your card. The Houston Racquet Club Tuesday Mahj Squad embarked on their first annual retreat at Sheryl Fisher’s stunning Lake Travis home for a two-day Mah Jongg frenzy! With a tally sheet to track the wins, no one was “dragon” at the five sessions. Diane Roberts was crowned the Mahj Queen. A morning boat ride started with the East wind. The gals passed around and over the cooking jobs. Others there were Susan Weisselberg, Diane Rager, Cheryl Kramer, Denise Wilhite, Jane Grace, Mandy Wigginton, and Lynne Williams; Stephanie Jamison, Liz Butler, Sue McFarland, and Helen Crowe missed out on the fun! 

House concert. Sue Shefman, the hostess with the mostest, threw a Hippo House bash. Brian Kalinec strummed his guitar, singing folk tunes by musicians like Woody Guthrie and John Steinbeck. Neighbors and friends from all over Houston grooved to the music and raised $1600+ for the Alzheimer’s Association!  Jill Rose, Kay Hoss, Carol Mahoney, and Pat Sussman joined the fun. Want to help? The 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s - Houston takes place Sat., Nov. 8. See act.alz.org/goto/TeamCheerio.

FALL CALL More than 175 gathered at Lakeside Country Club for the Houston Junior Forum’s Fall Call luncheon. Pictured (from left) are Laurie Wasmuth, president Sharon Cook, and Lu Chambers.

Generosity is always in style. After a prism of summer activities, Houston Junior Forum’s president Sharon Cook unveiled the year’s theme, Kaleidoscope, at the HJF Fall Call luncheon. Board members Lu Chambers, Dawn Frazier, Lauri Wasmuth, Dale Kurtz, Melinda Vanzant, and Linda West were thrilled that over 175 women gathered at Lakeside Country Club to hear Nick and Diane Marson share their unlikely love story, inspiring with tales of kindness when their plane was forced to land with 38 other commercial flights on 9/11 into Gander, Newfoundland, a town with 10,000 residents. No, there were not enough hotel rooms! “Daily Essentials” for seniors and other projects that benefit children and seniors are partially funded from Houston Junior Forum’s City Market, April 9-10, 2026. Details at houstonjuniorforum.org/.

POWERHOUSE PANEL During the 5th annual Millennial Millionaire Fireside Chat, five millennials shared their journeys.

Millionaires. Expertise and opportunity set the stage for the 5th Annual Millennial Millionaire Fireside Chat, where five millennials shared their trials and terrors to reach the top. Ivan Sanchez, president of Houston Millennials, and newly crowned Miss Grand Texas Lieve Blanckaert welcomed an elite crowd of professionals ready to talk shop and sip success at Decorum/Pour Behavior. Panelists Dr. Steven Kaufman, Louis Restrepo, Jeremy Jenson, Chas Sampson, and Viannk Mansur dropped wisdom like it was hot (and tax deductible). Absorb more at HoustonMillennials.com.

A fishy story. Tina Raham Stewart and Pam Brown not only had some sun and beach time in Cabo but they jointly reeled in the biggest catch of the day – a blue marlin at 165 pounds. Tina stayed in style at a penthouse at Villa La Valencia in Cabo for a month. A steady stream of gal pals including her goddaughter and friends came to play. Joyful laughs were had in a party boat anchored in a pool at Villa del Arco. By the end, Tina and her friends agreed the real catch of the trip was the resort’s lazy river… “it never got away.”

Glowing growing family. Ivy June Glowacki at 9.1 lbs. joins loving parents Patrick and Molly and her adorable 3.5-year-old brother Ollie on Aug. 14. Ivy can’t wait to have her face painted with Ollie for great fun and admire art at the Menil, where her mom works. Their rescue pup Zoe is thrilled to have another girl in the house. Ivy has her mom’s baby quilt of hearts and original Arthur Rackham Peter Pan prints hanging on the wall. Grandparents Mary and Bill Mayo and Ken and Kim Glowacki are glowing with pride. 

ARTSY Julianne Youn and her family. Pictured (from left) Eric Youn, Julianne Youn, Toby Armstrong, K.C. Youn, and Monica Youn.

Multiple celebrations. Julianne Youn's 80th birthday kicked off with a splash in the Blue Lagoon and a blue curaçao drink while cruising to Iceland and the Faroe Islands. Back in Houston, the party continued on her actual August birthday with a dinner arranged by Kim Sharp for 30 Korean community friends at Casey’s Share Office. Days later, Eric and Monica Youn hosted an art show at Bori Art Gallery, showcasing Julianne's stunning florals, abstracts, and portraits under her name Chan Ju Youn. The proceeds benefitted Korean American Association of Houston. The array of sushi and fruit was as artistic as the gallery walls.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD Madelyn and McCartney Van Brunt welcomed their first born, Greer Susan Van Brunt, to the world of soft pink and green in her room. (Photo: Lauren Holub Photography)

Pink and green. Madelyn and McCartney Van Brunt are over the moon with their little bundle of joy, Greer Susan Van Brunt, born on July 12, 2025! Her room is a pink and green paradise with dog-themed decor, including watercolor prints featuring their black Labrador, Rita. Greer dreams of growing big and strong, being kind and courageous, and playing dress-up. With Rita and their two cats, Fletch and Loosa, watching over her, Greer is surrounded by love and laughter. Grandparent love is shared by Gretchen and Alan Hilyard and Greta and Eric Van Brunt.

PURR-FECT PAIR Cory Wimberly frequents the Memorial Villages Farmers Market with TPuss. She watches the dogs from her safe position.

Calico cruiser. Cory Wimberly never owned a cat before he was found by one. While he was unloading his film equipment truck, a calico rubbed up against his leg. Ten hours later when he finished filming for MotorTrend, the cat was still there. Cory, who had only owned dogs but was petless then, decided the cat was meant to be his new companion. He named it TPuss. She was about one when he was found and two when she began riding on his bike. She is now 2.5 and delighted to be a voyeur in a secured basket on Cory’s handlebars at the Memorial Villages Farmers Market every Saturday. Meow.

They’ve got frequent flyer miles in their DNA. Sally and Max Easley are no strangers to packing boxes – or passports. Originally hailing from Alaska, they made their way to Hunters Creek by way of Calgary, Alberta. With one daughter stationed on the East Coast and the other holding down the fort in Houston, the Easleys figured Hunters Creek was the perfect quiet landing spot – at least for now. No surprise that Max is in the oil and gas industry. He is also a hot rod enthusiast with a soft spot for every sport known to mankind, while Sally prefers the calmer joys of reading and getting her hands gloriously muddy in pottery and ceramics. Their labradoodle Reggie has wasted no time establishing dominance over the local squirrel population. Fun fact: This is house number 18 for the Easleys. They’ve lived in four countries, eight cities, and probably know more about bubble wrap than most professional movers. 

173 TOTAL Claire and Dick Brooks combined their 173 years for a birthday celebration at Ninfa’s. Friends and family toasted the couple. In lieu of gifts, guests brought canned and packaged food to donate to Second Servings.    

A charitable birthday. At 88, he can fix anything with duct tape and spackling. At 85, she’s the heart of the family. Claire and Dick Brooks combined their 173 years for a birthday celebration at Ninfa’s. With serapes on the tables and passed frozen margaritas, 50 guests gathered in a private room at Ninfa’s Post Oak. Toasts were given by adult children, Lisa Brooks Serabin and Greg and Dan Brooks and close friends Hans and Marge Mayer read a poem before multiple choice questions were handed out to see how savvy the guests were about their hosts. Did one win a gold NASTAR medal for downhill skiing? Who has a Corvette? In lieu of presents, guests brought canned and packaged food to donate to Second Servings. 

ROYALTY Joni and Joe Abalos hosted 50 glam guests, including (pictured, from left) Miss Universe Iraq Hanin Al Qoresishy, Helene Zadok, and Miss Universe Denmark Victoria Kjær Theilvi.

Beauty, brains, and buffet. Joni and Joe Abalos barely unpacked before hosting 50 glam guests – including Miss Universe Denmark 2024, Victoria Kjær Theilvig, in town for the BEC Wellness Blue Night Fashion Show. Houston’s own Miss Universe Iraq, Hanin Al Qoresishy, posed with guests. Rony Claude and Jane Le Brun and Dror and Helene Zadok had artistic connections to the event. The organic filet in the bar and tequila shots in the kitchen were a popular exotic balance. The putting green lured the men, the elevator saved the stilettos, and the man cave whispered sweet nothings to anyone needing a break from all the sparkle. 

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