Rumor Has It - August 2024

Haste ye back! When Memorialite Collin Powers attended college in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2016, he never suspected on his first week there he would meet Sarah Gray from Johannesburg, South Africa, his future bride. He later proposed where they met, at Arthur’s Seat. On May 25, the wedding and reception officiated by pastor John Stephens from Chapelwood United Methodist Church took place in the Marble Hall at Gosford House, a Scottish manor house in Longniddry. Highland dancers, a Scottish piper, a roaming magician, lawn games, a photobooth, and Scottish cèilidh gave the guests who flew in from 10 countries a royal welcome. A fireworks finale had everyone, including their parents Brad and Kelley Powers and Luan and Megan Gray, in awe. They will return!

ISLAND HOP TO SHOP Cynthia Wolff, Cheryl Byington, Kairy-tate Barkley, Jane-Page Crump, Evelyn Leightman (in front), JoAnn Petersen, Amanda Lundquist, Jerrie Powell, and Jennifer Barron, dubbed the Devine 9, took time to shop while on an island hop. They visited many ports on the Devine yacht in Greece. 

Devine. The nine gals who called themselves the “Devine Nine” were handed champagne, gourmet quiche, and glasses of gazpacho and fruit as they boarded the Devine yacht in Greece for seven days. If they didn’t know each other well before, they became besties. The travelers, while anchored off Porto Helios, witnessed a memorable ceremony of the burning of Judas, a celebration of the Greek Orthodox. The gourmet meals on the boat often included surprises such as squid, octopus, lamb, and goat. Stops included Hydra Port, where donkeys provided transportation, Porto Helios, Nafplio, Spetses, Milos, and Poros. The group of “Athenas” – Kairy-tate Barkley, JoAnn Petersen, Evelyn Leightman, Jerrie Powell, Jane-Page Crump, Cheryl Byington, Amanda Lundquist, Jennifer Barron, and Cynthia Wolff – are planning a reunion to relive it all. How divine!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY X FOUR Friends gathered to celebrate birthday girls Joanne Naponic, Susan Huston, Rosana Scearce, and Missa Sutto. Pictured, from left: Joanne Downes, Missa Sutton, Phyllis Rauls, Rosana Scearce, Yanne Moreano, Megan Huston, Susan Huston, Josie Kaplow, Fiona Toth, Cassandra Kelly, Joanne Naponic, Dee Sabai, and Audretta Jackson.

Birthday party for four. The four June birthday girls, Joanne Naponic, Susan Huston, Rosana Sceace, and Missa Sutton sat a large table for 14 in Grotto’s private room. The honorees’ “place card” was an enlarged paper doll bearing their face but in a skimpy bathing suit. On the other side, they were featured in an elegant evening gown. After the laughter died down, Josie Kaplow gave a toast to kick off the luncheon. She and Joanne Downes, Phyllis Rauls, and Yanne Moreano were the hostesses in charge. It was actually Joanne Naponic’s real birthday and her tiara proved it. Everyone received a Crave cupcake to symbolize birthday cake and the honorees’ pink swag bags had essentials, including pink crystal earrings, eye masks, hand lotion, and a baseball cap.

Party hopping. It’s their job – kind of. Janeen Comer, Alyssa Neher, and Ashley Chabaud had a good reason to test the watermelon margaritas and check out the scene at Emilia’s, The Annie Café, and Turner’s before going to the rodeo announcement of the new chairs. They are event planners for Phillips 66. Others who were sampling coffee martinis and the variety of buffets at the Old Havana party were Emma Aguirre, Sandy Zeutschel, and Katie Jacobson.

ILLUMINATING Dr. Ricardo Nuila reviewed his book The People’s Hospital: Hope and Peril in American Medicine followed by a lively discussion at Jane Grace’s home. Pictured, front row, from left: Dolly Brenneman, Denise Fredette, Deborah Schloss, Dr. Nuila, Sharon Brier, Kathy Baker, Debbie Blackard; second row, from left: Jane Grace, Elaine Brainard, Dr. Anne Gill, Jila Tavakoli, and Phyllis Gingiss.

Eye-opener book. Who knew? There were so many revealing facts that Dr. Ricardo Nuila, author of The People’s Hospital: Hope and Peril in American Medicine, mentioned that those that attended the Interfaith book club were in awe of the presentation. His experiences are mostly based at Ben Taub Hospital. Dr. Anne Gill led the discussion by Dr. Richardo Nuila at Jane Grace’s home. His articles can be found in The New Yorker and Texas Monthly. Club leader Phyllis Gingiss asked members to share their own medical stories, which were book-worthy.

JUST DANCE Evelyn Leightman (pictured here, with George Connelly) celebrated her 80th in a Dancing with the Stars party. (Photo: Alexander's Fine Portrait Design)

A dancing queen. Evelyn Leightman turned 80 surrounded by 120 friends. Ladies were given a Golden Age tiara to adorn their head. Michael Leightman kicked off the champagne toast and referred to the different stages of Evelyn and her family photos along one wall. The seated dinner at the Centennial Garden was the prelude to a Dancing with Evelyn show. She performed a few show-stopping dances with her instructor Kim Turner and then what everyone was waiting for – dances with her boyfriend, George Connelly, who gifted her the dance lessons. Grand finale.

OVER THE SPEED LIMIT Victory party chairs in symbolic racing flag designed clothes are (from left) Kathryn Noser, Jessica Younger, and Jennifer Barron. (Photo: Wilson Parish)

No brakes here. More than 750 partygoers joined VICTORY Houston, Inc. in Accelerating for a Cure on the fight against cancer at the 2024 VICTORY Rally Ball. As they entered the room, black tablecloths with red and yellow racing flag overlays catered to the spirit. Rally Ball Chairs Jennifer Barron, Kathryn Noser, and Jessica Younger cheered that the high-octane event raised $1.5 million. Host and KPRC meteorologist Frank Billingsley steered the party to the finish line. Fans that were flooring the gas were VICTORY president Kelsey Wright and husband Josh Wright, Susie and Scott Bender, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Jackie and Monty Eubank, Michael Vanderhider, Sandy and Will Parsons, Bebe and John Falik, Joni and John Ballis, Elizabeth and Alan Stein, and Jeff Dyke. Supporters were fast-track passengers on the road to fun.

COLORFUL Susana Monteverde, Jereann Chaney, Orna Feinstein, Jana Cothren, and Heidi Vaughan (pictured, from left) enjoyed a neon celebration for Glasstire.

Neon party. Partiers lit up in colorful neon shoes, hair, or any accessory under neon ribbons that hung from the ceiling at Glasstire’s celebration of 23 years. Julia and Dalton Harrie and Sarah Labowitz and Peter Molick were the co-chairs of fun at Sharespace on Naylor. Fantastic trips and contemporary art were the 45 auction objects donated by 34 artists. Neon vases were filled with bright flowers and glowsticks. The signature cocktail was a yellow French 75 punch – on theme! Mark Johnson and Jenny Johnson went all-in with neon yellow all-over outfits. Susana Monteverde, Jereann Chaney, Orna Feinstein, Jana Cothren, and Heidi Vaughan added color with fusions of pink, yellow, and green.

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