Suzy Mayo honored in New Braunfels

Suzy Mayo was recently honored by her son Billy in his fabulous New Braunfels home on her birthday.
At the same time, Mayo was hosting gathering of Republican Party bigwigs.
The house is a showplace with paintings, bronze statues, oriental rugs, crystal chandeliers, and antique furniture. Especially noteworthy is Mayo's collection of antique musical instruments.
During the event an open bar provided drinks, and hors d'oeuvres were served from a table graced with arrangements of red roses and white chrysanthemums.
At a grand piano a pianist provided music and then played "Happy Birthday" when friends of Suzy formed a circle and sang and danced.
Mayo was assisted by his son Neal.
Out of town guests included Helen Guerrero and her daughter and son-in-law, Jesse and Michelle Martinez, Karen Jackson, Julieta and Frank Staggs and Estela Kramer, Annie Bruce Babb, and Elizabeth Sorrell. The latter three were conveyed in a limousine to the affair.
Villarreals entertain Spanish guests
Three couples flew from Spain to Houston for some gala social affairs. They were mainly entertained by Elsa and Amando Villarreal.
The Institute of Hispanic Cultures named María Dolores de Vila Rodriguez Queen Isabela and her husband Isaac Vila Rodriguez as King Ferdinand at the Noche de las Americas in the Hyatt Regency.
Four hundred attended, and $120,000 was raised. Amando, once president of the Institute, provided the visitors with much sightseeing and fine foods. They had a walking tour of downtown Houston; including the Spindletop Terrace, 36 floors above the street; dinner at Michelangelos, a restaurant in the Montrose area; and an auto tour of Rice University and River Oaks.
After the big affair the Villarreals gave a party for 50 at their home. Paella was the featured food.
Former Laredoans attending were Arturo Jacobs, Servando Ramos, Elva Sanchez Ramos, and Judy Nava.

Charles Johnson appears in pageant
Sam Johnson invited a group of friends to attend the recent Lutheran Order of the Alamo Court pageant at the San Antonio Municipal Auditorium especially because Charles G. T. Johnson was a participant.
Since Charles was an escort in 1989 he donned a much-sequined cape and served as an escort.
Guests included Charley's decorating business partner, Javier García, Laredo; Ricardo García and Yoli Raykish, Austin; Elizabeth Newton, Nelda Guerrero Drury, and Estela Kramer, San Antonio; and from the Meadows retirement community, Annie Bruce Babb, Betty Malmquist, and Elizabeth Sorrell.
The costumes featured long trains blazing with sequins in various designs. Once assembled on the stage the court enjoyed two superb ballet numbers. It was a delightful evening.

Loni Rose marries college love
Here's a real life story that sounds as if it came out of a fairy tale. Loni Rose, Martin High graduate, married an old love from her college days, Fred McConnell, earlier this year.
Loni is the daughter of the late Bea and Bill Rose, who owned a fabric shop in Laredo. To the owners of that shop, Mac came for Loni's phone number after having last seen her 35 years ago at Rice University. Once they met, it was wedding bells.
Loni has lived in San Antonio, where she has three children, Sana Tyson, Erin Tyson, and Brett Sames. The latter is only 14 years old. Loni has had a busy life; she worked for the Laredo News, then in San Antonio for Anderson Advertising and Beldon Roofing.
Since Mac is a banker in Philadelphia, Loni spends 10 days each month and most of the summer there. Because of her son, who has ties with his school friends, his father, and grandparents, Loni remains in San Antonio most of the time. But she is delighted at finding her old beau of 35 years ago.

Notes from Laredo
The Tasting Tea at Christ Church Episcopal turned out a gala affair, according to Sheila Glassford. Tammy Summers and Triana Sames decorated with gold and orange cloths. Sheila and Barbara Powell sold baked goods.
Among those attending were Sylvia Barrera, Nancy Leyedecker, Liz Foster and daughters, Dorothy Longoria, Josephine Brand, Olga LaVaude, Sam Johnson, Mary Jo Brenner, Minita Freeman, and Aurora Alexander.
The big news at the church is that the minister, Rev. Sherridan Walker, there many years, has been called to be an assistant at St. Mark's in San Antonio after Jan. 1.
Sheila had her usual large family gathering at Thanksgiving. Edward and Rosie Glassford and their infant son went to North Carolina to see Rosie's family.
The Tuesday Music and Literature Club recently heard a program, act one of a skit on Dia de los Muertos, by Raquel Valle Senties, according to Ruth Fierros. Raquel was assisted by Jeannie Lopez and her sister from McAllen.
Delta Kappa Gamma, Alpha Nu Chapter, had an anniversary luncheon at the Laredo Bar and Grill early in November.
Ruth joined me for supper at the Meadows recently. She is completing her memoirs.
She hosted a family gathering at Thanksgiving, with Philip, Jr., and wife candy, Philip III, Stephen of Houston, and granddaughter Nina with husband Paul, of Galveston, where she is med school.
The latest news from Olga LaVaude is that she, Suzy Mayo, and Frank and Julieta Staggs went to New York for a series of shows. Olga recently gave her home to her daughter and moved into an apartment.
Our correspondent, Robert Dwan of Tucson, Arizona, a veteran colonel and former Laredoan, called to give news of the death of two former Laredoans, Mary Wright Love of New Braunfels and Jeannette Taylor Till of Pearland, TX. Ben Wright, a cousin of Albert, Bobby, and Julia Muller, lives in Pipe's Creek, TX, says Robert, and keeps up with old Laredoans, as he spent part of his youth here with his grandmother, the late Ida Muller.