Rumor Has It - March 2026

Pizza and gelato. Phyllis Crowell’s European adventure was pure delight with seasoned traveler Harry Bassist by her side. Every stop brought surprises, from Greece to Croatia, Montenegro, Sicily, Italy, Spain, and France. They joined Harry’s San Diego friends aboard the Celebrity Ship, where a friend was in charge of the entertainment. In Naples, they rolled up their sleeves to make pizza, and throughout Italy they sampled gelato at every turn. By journey’s end, Italy won their hearts, with Phyllis declaring Taormina her favorite. A cruise filled with laughter, flavors, and friendship – truly a trip to treasure!

THE POWER OF MUSIC Enjoying the Houston Symphony League’s book discussion were (pictured, from left) Diane Gendel, Dr. Keli Cohen Fein, Robert Chanin, and Darlene Lewis. The event, featuring I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine by Daniel Levitin, took place at the Gendel’s home.     

Not an ordinary book review.  Of note – quite literally – the conversation hit a high pitch once everyone navigated the brainy maze of neurological terms. A standout refrain: Music therapy helped Joni Mitchell find her way back after a stroke, eventually returning to performance. The Houston Symphony League’s book discussion was deftly orchestrated by Robert Chanin, featuring I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine by Daniel Levitin, co-chaired by Dr. Keli Cohen Fein and Diane Gendel at the Gendels’ art-filled home. The harmony didn’t stop there: Diane’s father, Herman Shoss, was a first violinist for the Symphony who moonlighted as a published country-western songwriter. Her son Keith once played bass for Papas Fritas, while daughter Jackie leads graduate painting studies at RISD. This gathering was music to everyone’s ears.

CRUISIN’ Omana and Sam Abraham in front of a chapel in Split, Croatia.    

Silk and brandy. Omana and Sam Abraham set sail from Venice on a Viking cruise that quickly proved you can take the travelers out of India, but not India out of the travelers. Viking happily added Indian dishes, culminating in a sari-and-shawl night. In Dubrovnik and Split, they bravely endured wine and brandy tastings for “serious” cultural research. Most memorable: learning doctors during the Plague wore long-nosed masks, demonstrating that even centuries ago, people trusted doctors… but still wanted them six feet away.

BIRTHDAY SURPRISE Cynthia Mills’ friends surprised her with a birthday part at Tony’s. Here, she’s pictured wearing her birthday necklace and a crown hat that features her mah jongg group.

Surprise and sassy. The ever-stylish Cynthia Mills thought she was headed to her Tuesday mah jongg match – until a “quick stop at Tony’s” turned into a dazzling birthday ambush. Her chic crew outdid themselves: designer shoe sculptures strutted across the table, while a “Table of Honor” displayed Cynthia’s life in snapshots – from babyhood to bride, with a cheerleading cameo as Kingsville’s own Cindy Lou. Guests left richer (two rolls of quarters for mah jongg given by Cynthia) and wiser, thanks to a guessing game of All About Cynthia. The grand finale? A stunning Alexis Bittar necklace. Cynthia doesn’t just play mah jongg – she wins at life, in style.

CHEERING ON THE DUDES Mary Maxey assembled a cookoff team, dubbed The Dudes, to compete in the Round Top Family Library Chili Cookoff. Pictured, from left: James Webb, Daniel Marks, Mary Maxey, Bob Milz, and Camille Samara.

Chili, chaos, and cake. At a dinner party last fall, Mary Maxey learned that two of the guests shared a birthday with the Round Top Family Library Chili Cookoff. That was all Mary needed to know to assemble a talented cookoff team comprised of Bob Milz, Camille Samara, Daniel Marks, and James Webb for a Big Lebowski Birthday dubbed The Dudes. Mary Lou Marks unveiled an Italian Cream cake big enough for 96 forks, while Yvette Webb kept White Russians flowing. Debra Samara sweetened the scene with pineapple upside-down cake for the birthday boys. Ever the hype woman, Mary lured Houston friends Deborah Dunkum, Billie Sue Parris, Martha Hill Jamison, Jan Woodward Fox, Carol and Leo DeLeon, Lucy Moorman, Lia and Dave Campbell, Linda and Leon Alvarez, Kelle and Jim Hill, and Betty and John Hrncir to vote for The Dudes. Proof chili tastes better with friends.

MUSIC AND MORE The immersion event at Mady and Ken Kades’ home offered guests a behind-the-scenes peek into the training of the University of Houston’s School of Theatre & Dance students. Pictured, from left: Lauren Waddell, Theresa Einhorn, Mady Kades, and Susan Deison.

Immersion. It was an evening that lived up to its name. Hosted by Ken and Mady Kades, the event offered guests a rare behind-the-scenes peek into the training of the University of Houston’s School of Theatre & Dance students. Under the guidance of director Sharon Ott, the evening unfolded as an interactive journey – part performance, part classroom, part magic trick. Singers sang inches away, dancers leapt through living spaces, and actors transformed rooms into moments. Guests didn’t just watch the art; they wandered through it, applauded it, and left newly immersed in the passion, discipline, and sheer joy of young performers finding their voice.

BOXING DAY BLOCK PARTY The beloved Boxing Day block party began in 2021. Pictured, at this year’s block party, from left: Clark Trantham, Melinda Clark, Alan and Marta Galicki, and Doug and Anne Culver.

Olé! Boxing Day in Southgate involved far more than recycling gift wrap. Neighbors spilled into the street for the now-legendary block party that began in 2021 when Marta Galicki decided her 70th birthday required a mariachi band. Naturally. Husband Alan Galicki sealed the deal with margaritas and tacos, and a tradition was born. Music bounced off the pavement in front of Doug and Anne Culver’s house, where Doug played bartender, shaking his famous margaritas like a pro. Tables of food and desserts lined the curb near the Galicki home, thanks to generous neighbors. Clark Trantham and Melinda Clark, along with Dr. Tiana Shiver-Bonderer and husband Michael Bonderer, added contributions and time to wrap up the holidays perfectly.

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