Mailbag - December 2016

A PHOTOGRAPHER’S LIFE Iconic photographs lining the hallway of Bob Gomel’s Memorial home reflect a prolific life behind the camera. (Photo: hartphoto.com)

Photographer-as-subject is happy

As a print photographer, I am particularly interested in how my pictures reproduce in various media. Sometimes, it can be disappointing. Not so with The Buzz. Last month’s piece, The Life of a LIFE Photographer [Behind the Lens, November 2016], looked great. The story by Cathy Gordon was very well done, and the [Memorial] cover by colleague Michael Hart: superb. How blessed it was to have top professionals make me proud!

Bob Gomel

Editor’s note: Thank you, Bob, for trusting us with your historic photos.

Band of Brothers story a blessing

We have talked about little else in the days since Margaret died, and the wonderful article and tribute blog [that] were published. So many people have shared with us how much they enjoyed the story about our family and The Band of Brothers [The Wedding Singers: Band of Brothers keeps it in the family, by Jennifer Oakley, November 2016]. The story and the conversations it has sparked have truly been a blessing to the Frazier family as we continue to process the joy of Margaret’s life and legacy, and the grief of her passing. Thank you, again, for the special care with which you treated all of us, and for the amazing and wonderful article and covers. They are such a gift.

Claire Frazier

Editor’s note: Getting to know the Frazier family was a treat for us. We were so sorry to hear of matriarch Margaret’s passing. Jennifer Oakley’s blog post, “Margaret Frazier’s Legacy” is here.

Story created new family memories

It was such a blast for the Band of Brothers to be featured in The Buzz. We were so fortunate to have our late Mom be a part of the story and photo shoot, as she and our Dad shaped us into the guys we all are. And, of course, her untimely passing between the interview/photo shoot and release of the issue made our story so much more poignant. We have heard from lots of friends who all loved the story, and even from the barista at my Starbucks this morning!

Bob Frazier

Party like rock stars

Chris, Noah and I have spent the last couple of weeks feeling a little bit like rock stars.

Andria Frankfort’s article in the November issue about our Thanksgiving-leftover party [Always a Party: Making leftovers new, November 2016] has garnered us so many positive comments and compliments from friends and family who read it. Andria did a great job capturing the spirit of the festivities, and we were flattered to be included in the issue.

Thanks to all at The Buzz,

Melanie Herz Promecene

Anyone remember?

Anyone remember the circus-themed restaurant on Westheimer? The roof was made to look like a red and white striped tent, and there was a large elephant outside. Who could forget Sonny Look! He was a master of greeting guests in outlandish, gaudy dinner jackets. He made everyone laugh and served wonderful steaks. My parents double dated often with Sonny and his wife before any of them married. Old Mexico on West Gray had a gift shop in front with a parrot who talked all the time. We were used to Felix’s in the village, but learned to love Old Mexico with its lovely courtyard. Ye Old College Inn was another favorite. There was a seafood restaurant on a shell road, which I believe was an extension of Fannin, where I had lobster thermidor for the first time. Got curly fries, root beer and A.C. in the little window for a few minutes at Stuart’s before driving across the way to eat a Prince’s hamburger! Prince’s limeades came with a scoop of lime sherbet … sooo good!

Becky Brenham

Editor’s note: Thanks, Becky, for leaving this comment under our November 2014 Restaurant Memories story. You definitely will want to check out Russell Weil's More Restaurant Memories in this issue.

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