NEIGHBORS
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by Sharon Albert Brier, staff writer
Rumor Has It Under the tree. It was a perfect day when Courtney McKenzie and Anthony Goble wed outside at Lillian Farms in the Hill Country. Courtney’s mother, Lynda Johnson Stroman, and Bill Stroman walked Courtney down the path to a spectacular tree hovering over a burlap-covered arch. Sandia, a white Labrador mix, was the ring-bearer. The 140 guests (45 from Houston) partied in the barn. The groom’s cake was shaped like a car with a deer strapped to the top artistically drawn on with icing. Jars sealed with burlap had pistachio nuts as party favors. Courtney and Anthony are living in College Station. Giddy up. Vicky Dyer-Smith donned a flashing white cowboy hat to celebrate her 65th birthday. Her hubby, Howard, lassoed in 45 cowgal pals and the family. The Brenner’s on the Bayou patio featured a life-size cutout of Elvis Presley in cowboy gear for photo opps during the brunch. Vicky’s son, Jeff Dyer-Smith, and daughter, Karen Gabbay, gave personal remarks that made her sound like a saint (according to Vicky). Yours truly and my cast of Pink and Rosie River Connie Reddy, Flying Tennis Balls Sharon Maloney, Mad Happiness Mady Kades and Running Right and Center Connie Senter and Assistant Chief Sign Holder Francis Rubin involved the audience in a skit. The Book of Vickisms was given to Vicky, with plenty of Vicky stories. Howard and his posse outdid themselves. Lettuce have some fun. You could just eat up the flower arrangements that included herbs, carrots and cauliflower at the Tanglewood Garden Club’s annual progressive luncheon, “Farm to Table.” Randi Casada and Kay Theede co-chaired the fun event that started with appetizers chosen by Stassa Moore and Janet Cravens at the home of Tana Wood. The main course of Chicken with Collards Pilau was supervised by Barbara Forbes and Mary Fusillo at Krissi Reid’s home. Dessert connoisseurs Jan Nieland and Susan Spalding decided upon pecan tarts, strawberries and Texas Cookie Emporium treats at Beth Robison’s. Care for a bib? In a “manor” of speaking. The grand finale of the fourth season of Downton Abbey was celebrated by an intimate group of gal pals at
BRENHAM WEDDING Bridesmaids have a picture-perfect moment with Courtney after she married Anthony Goble. From left: Sommer Terry, Alyssa Taylor, Ariel Goble, the bride, Becky Fojt, Katie McGregor, Ashley Hall and Meg Greenwood Rife.
Rosanne Kaufmann’s mansionette patio home. “Lady” Rosanne served English food that included salmon tea sandwiches and scones and so much more. Of course nothing but her best china plates and linen napkins were used for the dinner before the friends all huddled around the tube for the two-hour special. One guest came with a feathered fascinator to dress the part of English life. Rhonda Glick wore an antique watch on a necklace, which was admired by Lindy Kahn, Mildred Titlebaum, Marcia Katz, Tammy Simi and Sue Feinberg. Bling. Phyllis Rauls, Tracy Erwin and Mills Toomey certainly know about sparkle. They threw their magic in the air as co-chairs for the Diamonds and Denim Girls Just Wanna Have Fun event to benefit Ronald McDonald House Houston. As usual the ladies-only night included shopping and glamour. The Omni Houston Hotel was filled with 500-plus, including the Houston Fire Department hunks, massage booths, makeup and manicure booths, fortune tellers, dinner, a DJ and more. An added feature this year was funny girl Helen Perry. Over $145,000 gross was raised. Ca-ching! Love song. Five years ago, Evan Howell
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and Ginger Moore met when Tom Jaber of the Shepherd School of Music asked them to sing in a new ensemble at Chapelwood United Methodist Church. One night in January, as Ginger exited the Tasting Room in Uptown Park from an online date gone sour, Evan arrived. The two decided to have a drink. The impromptu date led to many others, plus a Valentine proposal. An engagement party at the Houston Racquet Club included 200 friends and a songfest when Evan belted out in his baritone Besame Mucho, and Ginger in alto style singing Close to You by the Carpenters. JoAnn Peterson, Donna Dawson, Dr. Nyda Brown, Dave Beerbower and Bert Graham were in the crowd. Hiccup. Robert Sakowitz hosted a gathering to help with Alley Theatre auction wine items at The Tasting Room. Dr. Warren Simi and Dr. Rick Senter shared fish conquests and fishing techniques at length with Brian McGrath, who donated a Leonard fishing rod. Linda Lorelle and husband Lou Gregory and the Alley’s GM Ten Eyck Swackhamer know about tales. Have some good news to share? We want to know. Email us at info@thebuzzmagazines.com.