Rumor Has It - January 2026

Thanksgiving surprise. Thanksgiving 2025 at Larry Feingersh’s home was deeply extraordinary. After flying 34-year-old cancer patient Rita Avila to Houston for treatments as a volunteer Angel Flight pilot, Larry watched her quietly manage her feeding tube mid-flight – and suddenly understood he had no problems at all. Wanting to lift her spirits, he arranged for her parents, brother, and young children to join her at his home for the holiday. Seeing Rita’s little ones run into her arms, Larry realized she had given him the true gift: profound gratitude.

MILESTONE MOMENT Friends and family gathered at Tony’s in the wine room to toast Linda Eisemann’s 75th.    

Friendship is the gift. Linda Eisemann toasted her 75th at Tony’s in the wine room, surrounded by 24 friends and relatives – some who’ve known her since disco was still cool. Many have been in her life for 40+ years, which is basically a miracle of endurance and group texting. She asked for “no gifts, just friendship,” but her guests outsmarted her and made donations in her honor to her favorite Houston causes. Linda got exactly what she wanted: good food, great friends, and proof that people actually can follow instructions… sort of.

ARTSY Members of the Houston Symphony League gathered at ARTECHOUSE Houston for Fractal Worlds during the Symphony League’s Arts and Culture Day. Pictured, back row: Jeff Aron, Diane Davis, Deb Happ, Tianna Hall, Carole Strachan, Leslie Taylor, Leslie Nossaman; front row: Diana Waguespack, Susan Osterberg, Angela Apollo, and Roz Cooley.   

A living kaleidoscope. Ten gals and one brave guy set off on an artsy adventure as the Houston Symphony League gathered at ARTECHOUSE Houston for Fractal Worlds, a fully immersive digital journey of experimental art, sound, and music. As the walls came alive, the room seemed to lift off its axis – bursts of colors shimmered across the space. Susan Osterberg, social event chair for Arts and Culture Day, said, “It was as if color, sound, and imagination all decided to dance together – and we got front-row seats.” Also at the dreamy event were Jeff Aron, Diane Davis, Deb Happ, Tianna Hall, Carole Strachan, Leslie Taylor, Leslie Nossaman, Diana Waguespack, Angela Apollo, and Roz Cooley. They continued buzzing about the happening over champagne at ARTECHOUSE’s XR Bar.

BLOCK PARTY The Piney Point Manor Block Party included a party train that chugged around the block and lots of family fun. Pictured are neighbors including members of the host committee Angie Habachy, Andrea Atcheson, Caroline Bay, Cindy Atlas, Maria Macia Hader, Susan Reedy, Anuja Mehta, and Roz Cooley.    

The train is leaving. The Piney Point Manor Block Party, with truffle mushroom meatballs, hot Italian sausages, a S’mores bar, and enough desserts to make a dentist weep, included a party train that chugged around the block and a bouncy house. About 50 neighbors turned out for this revamped fall gathering, which swapped cocktail hour for a 3 p.m. family fiesta. Christie Smith even discovered a fun twist of fate – she met the new homeowner of the very spot where her old house once stood! The host committee included Angie Habachy, Andrea Atcheson, Caroline Bay, Cindy Atlas, Maria Macia Hader, Susan Reedy, Anuja Mehta, and Roz Cooley.

SURPRISE AT THE SPEAKEASY Family and friends pulled off a surprise party at Enoteca Rossa’s speakeasy, Rossa Room, for Angela Mutisya’s 40th.

A family affair plus. Angela’s big 4-0 wasn’t just a birthday, it was a full-blown undercover mission of fun. Angela Mutisya’s parents, Cindy and Brian Atlas, pulled off the ultimate surprise at Enoteca Rossa’s speakeasy, Rossa Room, cleverly tucked behind their gelateria (password: “extra sprinkles”). Sixteen of Angela’s nearest and dearest, including husband Kevin, gathered for firepit appetizers and pizza hot off the oven. The private dining room filled with flowers and framed photos created Angela’s personal Hall of Fame. Four courses later, they capped the night off with affogato and a decadent chocolate ganache cake crowned with toasted meringue. Sister Julie Taylor orchestrated, sister Kimberly Harrington and Mom styled, Dad toasted, and friend Lisa Sellinger Hardin jetted in from Denver, proof that turning 40 is worth the airfare.

SPA DAYS Marcia Katz led a group of ladies for pampering at the Ixtapan Spa in Mexico. Pictured, from left, are Sabra Nelkin King, Alyssa Goldstein, Sydney Gold, Donna Heaton, Sandra Finkelman, Renata Nelkin, and Orna Feinstein. 

Ran out of time. Twenty-plus fabulous gals packed their swimsuits, sass, and sense of humor for a week of pampering at the Ixtapan Spa in Mexico. Between pickleball, salsa dancing, bingo, massages, facials, and games they had many laughs. The spa owner treated them to a private tour of his jaw-dropping model airplane, car, and boat museum. One night turned into a lively dance party worthy of a conga line! The trip, led by Marcia Katz, included Sabra Nelkin King, Alyssa Goldstein, Sydney Gold, Donna Heaton, Sandra Finkelman, Renata Nelkin, Orna Feinstein, Sara Ostrofsky, and Mirl Cohen – who added some airport drama when her passport went missing. Thankfully, United saved the day!

THANKFUL Kitty Strain celebrated Thanksgiving and her birthday in Tulum. Pictured at Casa Malca, from left, are Kitty’s fiancé Abdulla Kudrath, Sarah Strain, Kitty Strain, Sam Strain, and Ashley Simpson.

Thanksgiving in Tulum. It was pure sunshine for Kitty Strain, celebrating the holiday and her birthday with Sam Strain, Ashley Simpson, Sarah Strain, and her fiancé, Abdulla Kudrath. The adventure began with a turkey breakfast in the United Club before flying nonstop to Tulum’s brand-new airport. Casa Malca, once Pablo Escobar’s holiday hideaway and now an expanded chic boutique hotel showcasing the art collection of Lio Malca, delivered gourmet food and an artful feast for the eyes. Sculptures, pop art, drapes made of wedding dresses, and a beach tunnel created fascinating discoveries. It was a tropical Thanksgiving to remember, including the fabulous omakase finale.

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