Red Haute Divas

January 27th

Host: Queen Connie Kaleta

Activity: Celebrating the Red Haute Divas 11th Anniversary

 

20 divas came out to join this party at Veritas Restaurant in Sugar Land. Shirley, our purple purse holder, shared the activity within our bereavement fund for the past year. Up-to-date rosters were distributed by Queen Connie. The 2015 calendar of events was built. When business was completed, fun games were played (prizes for winners) and prose/poetry on the subject of friendship was shared. Finally, a delicious lunch was served and enjoyed. Our new queen was complimented on a job well done during 2014. Divas in attendance included Sue Adam, Julie Beu, Shirley Beu, Linda Dick, Eva Fackeldey, Becky Gay, Pat Hayden, Connie Kaleta, Virginia Lemmon, Sandy Livingston, Sheila Lubojasky, Janet Moss, Dolores Patterson, Lisa Pepin, Eva Quearry, Arlene Rivenes, Diane Schuler, Norma Smith, Brenda Stevenson, and Barbara Trotter.

 

February 24th

Hosts: Susie Adair and Barbara Watson

Activity: Games and lunch at Barbara W's Sugar Wood home. Divas to wear rodeo clothes and red hat bling.

 

17 divas attended today's celebration of fellowship and fun. We gathered at Barbara Watson's beautiful home where mind-challenging games were played, where delicious lunch, dessert and drinks were enjoyed, and where camaraderie proved once again to be alive and well. Prizes were awarded to the winning teams and door prizes were given to all. Divas in attendance included Susie Adair, Sue Adam, Julie Beu, Shirley Beu, Linda Dick, Becky Gay, Pat Hayden, Virginia Lemmon, Sandy Livingston, Sheila Lubojasky, Dolores Patterson, Lisa Pepin, Arlene Rivenes, Evelyn Rosenbaum, Diane Schuler, Brenda Stevenson and Barbara Watson.

 

March 24th

Hosts: Pat Hayden and Ester Wleczyk

Activity: Lunch and Games at Ruchi's Restaurant in Rosenberg

 

16 divas gathered at this Mexican Restaurant for fun and camaraderie this lovely spring day. Several unique games were played and prizes were won. Hosts Ester and Pat provided take-home treats for everyone. Food at Ruchi's Restaurant got raves from all 16 ladies there. But, most of all, the free&easy interchanges between the divas spoke volumes about the strong friendship that has been built over the decade they've been together. Divas present included Susie Adair, Julie Beu, Shirley Beu, Virginia Lemmon, Pat Hayden, Connie Kaleta, Sandy Livingston, Dolores Patterson, Lisa Pepin, Arlene Rivenes, Evelyn Rosenbaum, Diane Schuler, Marcelle Smitley, Brenda Stevenson, Barbara Trotter and Ester Wleczyk.

 

April 28th

Hosts: Julie Beu and Barbara Trotter

Activity: Tour of three Museums at Houston Baptist University at 7502 Fondren Street in Houston. Lunch at the Saltwater Restaurant at 9110 SW Freeway.

 

10 divas gathered to go to three educational and interesting museums at the Houston Baptist University. Even the native Houstonians amongst us didn't realize that this university in our midst housed the Museum of Southern History, Bible Museum, and Museum of American Architecture & Decorative Arts. The Bible Museum particularly captured the interest of the divas present. Fun camaraderie and a delicious lunch were enjoyed at the Salt Grass Restaurant on Highway 59 after the tour. In attendance were Divas Julie Beu, Connie Kaleta, Becky Gay, Virginia Lemmon, Sandy Livingston, Lisa Pepin, Eva Quearry, Barbara Trotter, Diane Schuler, and Brenda Stevenson.

 

May 26th (Rescheduled to June 2nd)

Hosts: Diane Schuler and Virginia Lemmon

Activity: Bunco and Lunch at Quail Valley Country Club
 

What a fun time the 17 of us divas had today at Diane's & Virginia's well-planned event. We visited, played 24 rounds of bunco, had lunch, and enjoyed being together. These hostesses outdid themselves to make the day special. The table decorations were homemade&clever; the bunco prizes were neat pieces of jewelry; the door prizes were beautiful live plants; and the candy treats were delicious. Thank you, Divas Diane and Virginia! Those is attendance included Divas Susie Adair, Sue Adam, Julie Beu, Pat Hayden, Connie Kaleta, Linda Dick, Becky Gay, Virginia Lemmon, Sheila Ludojasky, Sandy Livingston, Lisa Pepin, Eva Quearry, Arlene Rivenes, Dolores Patterson, Diane Schuler, Norma Smith, and Marcelle Smitley.

 

June 23rd

Hosts: Sue Adam and Sheila Lubojasky

Activity: A Lovely Party at the S&S Tea House

 

19 divas were in town to attend this month's gathering. And what a fantastic event is was! Hostesses Sue and Sheila made us feel very special from the moment we walked into the S&S Tea House - Sue's home. They served refreshing beverages in adorable Diva glasses which were our 'happy' to take home. It was evident the amount of time, effort, and creativity that Sue and Sheila put into the table settings, each one beautifully set with lovely china and centerpieces. And then there was the food! A delicious lunch with salad, casserole, yummy cheese French bread, and our choice of cobbler or cake was served to us by our competent hostesses. Just when we were ready to take a nap after the wonderful meal, we had to become alert enough to learn/play a fun game called Progressive Rummy. After much instruction and a few slow starts, we caught on and enjoyed it immensely. Lovely jewelry prizes were awarded the winners. Thank you, Sue and Sheila, for a memorable day together! Divas who enjoyed the tearoom experience with our hostesses included Dana Anderson, Julie Beu, Linda Dick, Eva Fackeldey, Becky Gay, Pat Hayden, Connie Kaleta, Sandy Livingston, Janet Moss, Eva Quearry, Arlene Rivenes, Diane Schuler, Norma Smith, Marcelle Smitley, Brenda Stevenson, Barbara Trotter and Ester Wleczyk.

 

July 28th

Hosts: Dana Anderson, Lisa Pepin and Arlene Rivenes

Activity: Lunch, shopping tour, and a scavenger hunt at the RED POTATO MARKET in Simonton, TX

 

15 of us enjoyed this country outing to Simonton. This community has a unique rich history of being the red potato farming center in the United States. The Red Potato Market is a quaint 3000 square foot space filled with everything from vintage home&garden décor and collectibles to homemade bath soaps and jams and jellies. The ladies enjoyed viewing and buying items in the different rooms. Box lunches from the Essence House Café in Fulshear were served & eaten upstairs and were coupled with tea prepared for us by the Red Potato Market owners (two delightful women). These ladies shared the history of the area, demonstrated some basics in repairing antiques, and told us about their annual red-barn market days in the fall. The divas then returned to the shop below and participated in a scavenger hunt within the various rooms. The three top-team winners chose from red hat prizes provided by the hostesses. Each diva also received a decorated goodie bag, each with different small gifts. In attendance were Susie Adair, Shirley Beu, Linda Dick, Becky Gay, Sharon Gorman, Sandy Livingston, Dolores Patterson, Lisa Pepin, Eva Quearry, Arlene Rivenes, Diane Schuler, Norma Smith, Marcelle Smitley and Ester Wleczyk. Susie's sweet mother was a guest for the day.

 

August 25th

Hosts: Linda Dick and Norma Smith

Activity: Tour of the new Grand Parkway Gallery Furniture store and its various & interesting amenities.
Lunch and camaraderie there as well.

 

15 divas came out to enjoy this wonderful outing planned by hostesses Linda Dick and Norma Smith. The new Gallery Furniture store is spectacular indeed and we enjoyed all that it had to offer. There was an air-conditioned atrium filled with exotic birds, happy fish in a koi pond, and darling monkeys darting around in their cage. Inside the furniture store itself was an aquarium filled with beautifully-colored fish that glided effortlessly through the water. Also located in this architecturally-beautiful building is a Brookwood Community store with seasonal displays to view and purchase. For simple fun, we were invited to crawl up a very tall table with its long-legged chairs for a group photo. We were also tempted to take the sign that read ‘Feel free to jump on these mattressess’ seriously. After all that, we gathered in their own restaurant to enjoy a delicious meal. Four door prizes were won by the lucky gals chosen. And we all left with a delightful ‘take home’ gift – a note pad stating ‘Some days I just feel like a diva!’ How appropriate is that! (By the way, this store does indeed sell furniture in case you were wondering!) In attendance were Divas Julie Beu, Shirley Beu, Linda Dick, Becky Gay, Pat Hayden, Connie Kaleta, Sandy Livingston, Dolores Patterson, Lisa Pepin, Arlene Rivenes, Evelyn Rosenbaum, Diane Schuler, Norma Smith, Marcelle Smitley and Ester Wleczyk. Diva Janet joined us for lunch, bringing her darling  granddaughter and her son with her.

 

September 29th (5th TUESDAY)

Hosts: Shirley Beu, Brenda Stevenson and Eva Quearry

Activity: Speaker from the Houston Police Department at Eva Q’s home, followed by lunch there.

 

12 divas were able to attend this event planned by hostesses Brenda, Eva Q. and Shirley. We were welcomed into Eva’s home with mimosas and pastries as we mingled and caught up, after which we settled in for the main event presented by Stephen Daniel, a Public Affairs liaison of the Houston Police Department. Although it is sad that a program entitled “Surviving An Active Shooter” is relevant in this era when senseless killing seems to be far too common, the question is ‘would you know what to do if you are a victim of an active shooter?’ Mr. Daniel was informative and engaging as he delivered pertinent life-saving information in the event of horrific shootings such as Columbine and Sandy Hook. His message of RUN, HIDE, FIGHT empowered us with more knowledge, awareness and confidence than we had before the presentation. A nutritious lunch was served after the presentation that allowed more conversation and camaraderie. Divas present included Sue Adam, Julie Beu, Shirley Beu, Linda Dick, Pat Hayden, Connie Kaleta, Sheila Lubojasky, Eva Quearry, Arlene Rivenes, Diane Schuler, Brenda Stevenson and Ester Wleczyk. They each were presented with a goodie bag as they left for the day.

 

October 27th

Hosts: Connie Kaleta, Janet Moss and Dolores Patterson

Activity: Diva Murder Mystery Party at Janet Moss's home.

 

19 divas were home to partake in this enjoyable gathering at the beautiful home of Diva Janet. But this day her home was the Ravenwood Manor, a setting for a ball for the good citizens of Bloodworth Falls. The ‘characters’ were involved in a mystery after a murder was committed during the course of the festive affair. And what an array of very colorful characters! It was so much fun for the divas to don masks and create/assume the personality of someone else. What an enthusiastic participation they displayed both in costume and in role play! The plethora of creative and talented ‘actresses’ among us will long be remembered. The fun&laughter will be remembered too as they solved the whodunit while interacting with the likes of Brad Olive, Reese Cerulean, and Brit Mint.

The divas who joined hostesses Janet, Dolores and Connie this day included Barb T, Becky, Diane, Eva Q, Evelyn, Julie, Linda, Lisa, Pat, Sandy, Sharon, Sheila, Shirley, Sue, Susie and Virginia. Special thanks go to Janet for the vision and hard work in putting this performance together. Yummy appetizers and delicious salads were served; gift-card prizes were won; and a halloween-inspired ‘happy’ was a take-home extra for all.
 

November 16th (3rd MONDAY)

Hosts: Sharon Gorman, Sandy Livingston and Evelyn Rosenbaum

Activity: Tour of a Winery

 

13 divas came out to join the party that Sharon, Sandy and Evelyn planned for the November get together. We met at Clancy’s Public House, an Irish pub-style restaurant in Richmond, where the tables were festively decorated in Thanksgiving items galore. These decorations were given as door prizes to the lucky winners later. A special take-home treat of chocolates was at each place setting. An opportunity to express thanks for blessings received during the year was given to each diva present, where LIFE, FAMILY, FRIENDS and GOOD HEALTH were main themes. Lunches ordered from Clancy’s interesting&varied menu were delicious. Divas present included Sue Adam, Julie Beu, Sharon Gorman, Connie Kaleta, Virginia Lemmon, Sheila Lubojasky, Janet Moss, Sandy Livingston, Arlene Rivenes, Evelyn Rosenbaum, Diane Schuler, Norma Smith and Marcelle Smitley. After enjoying good food and friendship at Clancy’s, several of the divas made a short trip down the road to the Braham Winery, a rustic family-owned business offering a small boutique and tasting rooms. Purchases included cute Christmas items, olive oil & spices and bottles of wine for seasonal toasts.     
 

December 14th (2nd MONDAY)

Hosts: Julie Beu, Becky Gay and Barbara Trotter

Activity: Christmas Party

 

Our DIVA Christmas celebration was ‘over the top’, thanks to the creativity and work of our hostesses Julie and Becky. We gathered at Becky’s beautifully decorated home for the fun event. Divas wore christmas-themed hats and were invited to participate in various games, such as answering holiday questions written on paper trees located throughout the house, naming mystery items deep within a stocking, and playing charades using Christmas song titles. Winners were awarded prizes. We also played the Left-Right game to distribute our gift exchange. Fun/fun/fun! All this while divas were enjoying appetizers and festive beverages. Chef Gabriella prepared and served a delicious meal to everyone’s raving - a yummy experience indeed. Present were Divas Susie Adair, Sue Adam, Julie Beu, Linda Dick, Becky Gay, Sharon Gorman, Pat Hayden, Connie Kaleta, Virginia Lemmon, Sandy Livingston, Sheila Lubojasky, Janet Moss, Dolores Patterson, Lisa Pepin, Eva Quearry, Arlene Rivenes, Evelyn Rosenbaum, Diane Schuler, Norma Smith, Marcelle Smitley, Brenda Stevenson, and Ester Wleczyk.