Rumor Has It - December 2025

Adventurous. Seven flights, six hotels, three countries, and two heroic carry-ons later, Ron Thompson proved that love means mastering airport security with style. His pre-birthday adventure for wife Peggy Thompson covered five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, starting in Lima, climbing up to Machu Picchu, and splashing down at Argentina’s Iguazu Falls – 165 waterfalls in just one mile. In Buenos Aires, they toured Eva Peron’s mansion, where her closet once boasted 400 dresses and 600 hats – Peggy’s luggage suddenly felt modest. The grand finale each year is Peggy's New Year's Eve birthday, when fireworks light up the sky for everyone… but somehow, no one remembers it’s actually for her. Ron does – and he’s got the passport stamps to prove it.

Eruption. Volcanoes, history, and just enough adventure to justify a return trip, Romina Sumpter’s annual escape to Antigua, Guatemala, has it all. She checks into the colonial style El Convento Boutique Hotel, where vaulted ceilings and volcano views make every morning feel cinematic. Between leisurely strolls past the Capuchinas Convent ruins (abandoned after an 18th-century earthquake) and the iconic Santa Catalina Arch, she somehow finds time for “research” at the patio spa – surrounded by lush greenery and a breeze that says, “You’re not going home anytime soon.” Antigua never disappoints – unless you count the moment you have to leave.

DRESSED TO KILL Pictured (from left) at Houston Junior Forum’s Death of a Gangster Murder Mystery Dinner are Karen Darnell, Carolyn Staples, Kathi Guillory, event chair Susan Fisher, Julia Heller, and Susan Loberg.

The Mob was there. Anita Drink, Earl Gray, Brooks & Dunn, and Luna Sea were just a few of the shady “characters” at the Houston Jr. Forum’s Death of a Gangster Murder Mystery Dinner. Fifty guests turned suspects tried to unmask the killer – while sipping martinis under blinking glasses and roaring ’20s backdrops worthy of Gatsby’s ghost. Glam chair Susan Fisher and her mob – Karen Darnell, Carolyn Staples, Kathi Guillory, Julia Heller, and Susan Loberg – transformed All Saints Church into a speakeasy. Husbands-turned-“gangsters” David Fisher and Korey Heller swapped mob tales, proving once again that crime and cocktails make excellent company.

JUST DANCE Pictured at the Racket Club Fall Dance are (from left) Jason and Barbara Files, Jessica Liff, and Cynthia Schaefer.

Dance, dance, dance. The Racket Club Fall Dance hit all the right notes – 95 years of music, mayhem, and marvelous moves celebrated at the Houston Country Club. Barbara Files had extra reason to boogie, joined by her daughter Jessica Liff (fresh from Tennessee) and son Jason. Clem and Jamie Barrere marked 30 years of membership with spins worthy of “Dancing with the Stars.” The floor stayed hopping with Connie and Cal Dalton, Rachel Messina and Victor Yang, the Roitschs, the Jubans, the Frels, the Bryants and a chorus line of party pros from Roz Cooley, Barbara Hinds, Pat Moon, Diane Davis, Sheila Rice, Paul Wobbe, and Mary Sage and Frank Nadolney. It was all types of rhythm.

GIRLS TRIP Pictured, from left: Lindy Folloder, Suzy Godwin, and Lisa Stephens in Honfleur, in the region of Normandy, France.   

Girls’ French trip. Gal pals Lindy Folloder, Suzy Godwin, and Lisa Stephens began their 18-day adventure in Honfleur, France, channeling their inner Monets at the 17th-century La Ferme St. Siméon – where even the butter deserves its own museum wing. Lindy swears she’d return just for another taste of that Normandy magic on a warm boule. From there, the trio cruised through the Baltic States, sampling mushroom soup, dark rye, and enough wheat beer to float the Regent ship themselves. With five-star service, postcard views, and laughter as rich as the butter, they’re already plotting their next grand escape for 2026.

EAT, DRINK, AND BE SCARY John and Joni Zavitsanos at their annual Halloween party.

Frights, friends, and fancy gelato. John and Joni Zavitsanos once again proved that Halloween is best celebrated with costumes, cocktails, and a cauldron of Brazilian stew. Their annual bash mixed spooky spirit with serious flavor – hot dogs for the little goblins, plenty of wine and beer for the grown-ups, and a new star attraction: Constantino Artisan Gelato in decadent flavors like Crème Brûlée and Bananas Constantino. A front-yard bouncy house kept the kids airborne until the sugar kicked in. About fifty neighbors and friends showed up rocking Rocky Horror tees, neon shirts, and capes galore. Seen haunting the fun: Linda and Steve Schweitzer, Chris and Kathy Hollister, Juanita and Alex Leon, Natasha Becton, Tiana Shriver and Michael Bonderer, and Mary and Jim Gosnell – no tricks, just treats (and maybe seconds of gelato).

UK ADVENTURE Laurie and Kevin Foxx traveled through the UK. Pictured is Laurie with a barn owl at Cameron House in Scotland.

Was Sir Lancelot there? Probably – but Laurie and Kevin Foxx were too busy living their own legend! True castle connoisseurs, they never met a turret they didn’t like. Their royal romp through the U.K. began at Bamburgh Castle in Northern England, where knights, Vikings, and dragons once ruled the lore. From there, they toured Balmoral Castle – the Highland retreat of the Royal Family, newly opened to the public – and finished with a swoop at Loch Lomond in Scotland. At Cameron House, Laurie took up falconry, sending a barn owl and a hawk soaring across the golf course. With a leather glove hiding a tasty morsel, she quickly learned the secret to attracting a bird’s affection – feed it first, then strike a regal pose! 

BLOCK PARTY Pictured, at the Longshadow Moms Block Party, are (from left) Nick Medina, “prisoner” Dr. Mehrzad Zarghouni, and Adams Braly. In the background is Bob Guldner in a skeleton costume.

No tricks, only treats. The Longshadow Moms’ Block Party was frightfully fun! The cul-de-sac bash has grown up with the kids – more teens danced to the DJ on the Medinas’ drive than bounced in the bouncy house. Fueled by pizza and candy, “Warden” Morgan Zarghouni kept order starting at 4 p.m. on October 26, as costumed creatures filled the night: a walking dinosaur, Hoffman pirates, a skeleton (Bob Guldner), a gallant knight (Nick Medina), “Prisoner” Mehrzad Zarghouni, and spirited neighbors Meg Guldner, Adams Braly, Marnie Medina, and Lauren Rutherford. It was a hauntingly good time – proof Halloween magic is alive and dancing in Hunters Creek!

HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR Dr. Jacquie Baly was named Humanitarian of the Year in the Philanthropic Female category at the Annual Humanitarian Awards Luncheon. Here, she’s pictured with husband James Craig.

Someone has to do it. Dr. Jacquie Baly was named Humanitarian of the Year in the Philanthropic Female category – proof that doing good really does pay off (in awards, at least!). A powerhouse public policy leader, professor, and philanthropist, Dr. Baly has spent decades uplifting communities, inspiring others, and somehow still finding time to sleep. “I’m deeply humbled by this recognition,” she said. “My work is about creating opportunities and empowering the next generation to lead with purpose.” The honor was presented at the Annual Humanitarian Awards Luncheon: Celebrating Leaders Who Inspire, hosted with the Latino Learning Center – because even superheroes of kindness deserve lunch and applause.

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