By Miz Cheevus
February 5, 2005

Six White Horses and their riders from Hardin-Simmons University and Phil and Jane Guitar greeted the attendees of Abilene Opera's 25th Anniversary Gala - ''A Meeting of Cultures in West Texas'' - at the T&P Events Center Saturday evening. Featured were singers from the forthcoming opera ''The Girl of the Golden West'' - soprano Patricia Stevens and tenor Drew Slatton, accompanied by pianist Cheryl Lemmons. Plus, meeting and dancing to the music of Johnny Bush of Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. +A new drink Honkeytonic - the name of Bush's new album - was introduced. Jane, the opera's producer, introduced director Ron Luchsinger and conductor Denis Segond.

MC observed some other opera participants in the audience - Samuel Cook, William Mouat and Richard Reeves. And among jovial minglers were Stephanie Mouat; Jean Cook; Michael Scarbrough; Brian Green; Lee and Rhonda Moore; Barry and Judy Arthur; Dan and Jo Smith; Terry and Janet Franklin; Mike and Marty Lanier; Terry Gilbreth; Larita Gilbreth; Billye Proctor Shaw; Myra Dean and Joe Moore; Millie Sayre; Sharon Allen and Brenda Black Krick.

WORLD of WHEELS fascinates our lil ole reporter. The 26th show with its built, rebuilt, fancy colored vehicles was at the Civic Center last weekend.

It's painful to realize we've been practical all these years. Locals Rick Egbert and wife Roni, their son and grandchildren were showing a '94 Chevrolet called Mad 57 (copying the '57 Nomad) and a race car called ''Tuff E Nuff.'' Rick's display space held many trophies - one for first place in l979 with a '71 Camaro.

''Spider'' was the name of a good looking '64 Corvair Manza in fuchsia and turquoise owned by Kenneth Boswell. A 1934 Red Ford Pickup owned by Duane Mitchell was like the one MC stuck in the sand, and a '53 Red Studebaker, exhibited by Ricky and Sheila Morgan was much like the one we honeymooned in. WOW! A 1923 Ford Roadster owned by Stacy Bryam was too nostalgic; a Junior Dragster Jaguar and a '36 Chevy owned by J. L. Geis were pretty cool; and the Preacher's Harley owned by Jeff Fenwick, the minister at Jesus Saves Church south of Anson, sent our Sunday wanderlust back to her conservative wheels.

At The Grace on Tuesday, Los Aficionados was hosted by Evelyn Bein; Mary Bauernfeind; Helen Cartee; Beverly Kimbrough; Judy Wilson; Bev Wright; Hazyl Lindley; Betty Nelson with food from women of ACU.

There were many guests. Gail Russey hosted a Dyess table composed of Tanya Harencak; Lee Redmond; Jodie; Hammes; Michelle Montgomery; Nancy Moshella, who especially enjoyed the program on ''Three Master Paintings: Three Windows on the Italian Renaissance'' interpreted by famous Art Historian Nigel McGilchrist from Italy, whose presentations for the week were sponsored Jackie and Bart Cox; Nita and Doug Drawe; Judy and Larry Godfrey; Mishi and Sandip Mathur M.D.; Angela Nicolini, O.D.; Jolene and Richard Sollivan. Rob Westman, on behalf of AISD, videotaped the lecture, and it can be viewed next week on Channel 7.

It was one of the better evenings ... on Tuesday when KACU brought ''From the Top'' of National Radio fame to the Paramount Theatre to be videotaped for Public Radio International. This live performance featured our own musical string group ''Revolution'' (from Abilene and Cooper High Schools) directed by Darcy Radcliffe.

Some faces seen in that audience were those of Lynn Barnett; Linda Bratton; Annabel House; Tido Jansen and Stacy Kwak; Lawson and Jane Hager; Allen and Susan Teal and daughters Emily, Megan and Julia; Mary Gill; Nancy Brock; Stan Smith; Jody Klotz; Anita Fergus; Harriet Bass; and a full house of appreciators.

Last week a crowd seemed to be stirring downtown - mainly, having dinner at Cypress Street Station and then on to the Civic Center for a bit of Broadway. In the course of the evening, MisVisitor saw Bill and Maedene Armer; Don and Mary Ann Paige; LaVerne Boynton; Seymour and Gay Beitscher; Dick and Beverly Tarpley; Pat, Diana and Tracie Hartmann; Tommy and Gaylon Neatherlin; Bobbie Gee; Linda Barnett; and several from Hamlin - Cel Cowan; Cheryl Lewis; Elaine Lewis and Daurice Steele.

Sewing Club members and others were wishing Sam Waldrop a Happy Birthday on Wednesday. A table hosted by Bill and Amber Cree united some bridge players and sidekicks: Norma LaBarthe; Barbara Bethel from Dallas; and Jim and Donna Weber who drove from West Palm Beach (in company with dog Blue, a former resident of Rescue the Animals, and will return to Abilene for his date with Cassie Cree to attend the Fur Ball on 19th).

The Best Mystery Writer (news anchor too) of all is the Weather, especially this week.

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