Many ’grats to Divafave Mary Ann Ross, who’s retiring from UTMB. Her swansong party at Salsa’s was organized by Pat Reazin and Anna Perez.
The “dutch treat” evening was a great success with a very special person there, Mary Ann’s 92-year-old mother, the adorable Annie Clark.
Also on hand were longtime friend John K. Shankers and her sis, Margie, and Les Wronski.
Enjoying the attentions of Salsa staff were Kelly Reagan, Evelyn Acree, Denise and Tino Gonzalez and Debbie Dyda Beall and her Rory and daughter Lauren, plus Alicia Woods, Lucy Gonzales, Anna and Manuel Perez and Janine Luke visiting with Chris Martinez, Christine Villarreal and Terri Astin.
Listening to the lovely speeches about Mary Ann’s personality and skills made by Jerry Daniels and former chair of IM Don Powell were Mary Ann’s admirers and colleagues Clinton White, Lynda Petty, old friends Gene and Susan Curry, Kim Noto Raschke, Bonnie and Raymond “Mugs” Rhew, Michele and Ronnie Bolton and Kathy and John Cooper with daughter Audra and The Diva Herself.
Great seeing Tamara Wilson and Suzan Allman there, too, and Betty and Hugh Dayton all the way in from Clute to join the fun.
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You Can’t Keep Dear Mr. Dickens Down
A Dickens on The Strand tradition, a creation of Evangeline Wharton’s fertile imagination, was created to draw people and attention to the nearly abandoned Strand of the 1970s and to celebrate the architectural treasures long forgotten.
’Vange was followed by Pat Eitel (1981 and 1982) and then Ann Anderson.
Early volunteers included Robert Lynch, Andy Leslie, Nathan Sweeten, Marc Weiss, Gerald Smith, Larry Wygant, Carlos Pena, Larry Thorpe, Susan and David Ritter, Leta Higgins and Fred and Gloria Schlemmer.
Early Scrooges were Peter Brink, Judge James A. Piperi and George Pheneger.
A high point of the event was always, and is, even to this day, the extraordinary performance of Alfred Hyslop and his reading of “A Christmas Carol.”
Alfred returns this year and may be one of the few performers to remember The Strand, dark, with unrestored buildings.
This year’s Dickens festival is the first weekend in December, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Robert Zahn is this year’s chairman.
Always based on the faithful and hardworking volunteers, it is the same this year.
Volunteers are welcome and can call GHF volunteer coordinator Eve Monteith 409-765-7834.
Another place for costumes is Yvonne Weber’s Le Chat Noir at 4301 Ave. S.
There’s an assortment of vintage furniture, an array of Dickens clothing and a collection of Dickens style hats.
There is also quite a jewelry collection and custom-stained glass by a local artist.
Please feel free to stop by and see for yourself; they’re open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily except for Tuesday and Wednesday.
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Super! Mario’s Family Comes Bouncing Back
The Diva is sooooo pleased that popular host and hostess the Smeccas, John and Ellen, even with 6 feet of water in their home, are proud to be reopening Mario’s on the seawall.
Their story is the same as 75 percent of Galveston families; infanticipating kids Shane and Franca Smecca-Snider had 6 feet, too (their baby is due in July).
Bro Giovanni Smecca and his sweet, Rocio Valle, are living in studded homes.
Only Marisa and David Rojas, whose house is a stilt home, were spared.
Shane and Franca and their Ellie, Liam and Libby, as well as Giovanna’s Destiny, Dante and Jude, meanwhile, are all bunking with Giovanna, as Ross is off in the U.S. Navy.
Franca is really grateful to Lisa Gaertner, her best friend in the whole world, for gathering essentials for them and the children.
What they take to heart is that, overall, this experience has no doubt brought us all closer together and has given us a great lesson in what really matters — and that’s family and friends!
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Displaced, But Good Ol’ Chamber Still Helps
“Galveston Island is our home, and Hurricane Ike hit us hard; but everywhere people are busy rebuilding homes, businesses, schools and institutions” said Gina Spagnola of the Baby Apple’s C of C, which is temporarily housed at 1420 31st St., Suite 22, behind the Holy Rosary Church.
Gina and Christy Benson are working hard at helping in any way they can.
The address of their fabbo Web site, which is updated frequently, is www.galvestonchamber.com.
It has information and links to the SBA, FEMA and Small Business Development.
D’ya wannabe Divafied, folks? If so, send deets ’n’ pix of your parteez ’n’ proceedings to have your name made part of The Diva’s Scenery. Call ahead and we’ll help with the pix. E-mail divascenes(at)aol.com or call her at 409-744-6540.
