By Miz Cheevus
January 20, 2004

News of "real" traveling keeps coming to our little mixer, such as those who spent Christmas in New York/New Year’s in London.

The Guitars — Phil, Jane, Catherine and Philip (who lives in Redondo Beach, Calif.) — spent Christmas at the Waldorf in New York City. A highlight of this trip was Christmas Eve at St. Michael’s Church, where Jane’s good musician friend, Nick White, is organist and choirmaster.

Nick was at the National Cathedral before going to NYC. The entire service was a sacred experience, they said, with candlelight from beginning to end, the music and choir heavenly.

After the service, their driver took them straight to ground zero. In the next few days when leaving NY, Nick said for Jane to say "hello" to his hometown, London.

And so she did.

Arriving back in Abilene, Philip flew off to California, but Phil, Jane and Catherine flew to London, where they stayed in the beautiful Cannizaro House Hotel — right in the heart of Wimbledon, where Phil’s brother Earl and wife Maggie Guitar live.

They hosted a party for the Abilene Guitars at the Wimbledon Country Club; highlights at that gathering were seeing Abilenians John and Lauren Suttle, who live in London, and Norma Schaffer and her college friend from Baylor, who travel to London each year at this time. MC thinks Jane had the seat of honor with British opera star — bass Stafford Dean (Covent Garden, Glyndebourne, Munich, etc.) Now, that was a great party!

Out-of-towners still around

Some visitors are still around: Orville and Delores Hicks, Fort Pierre, S.D., came to Abilene for the holidays with daughter Sherry Hirsch (husband, Dr. Victor) and family. Another of their daughters, Dr. Karen Aldredge (and husband, Bud), Sweetwater, shared some of the visiting; and their son who lives in St. Johns, Ariz., will have his time as the couple travel homeward. "Maybe the snow will be gone by then," quipped Delores.

Numerous out-of-towners joined a host of Abilenians in saying "goodbye" to Alberta Maxwell, longtime booster of Abilene’s cultural and educational community. MC nosed around at the reception to say "hello" to daughter Ann and husband, Dr. C. Eugene Carlton Jr.; their Houston friends: Bill and Flo McGee, David and Lynda Underwood, John and Margot Cater and Bill and Carol Ann Anderson; Terry and Quay McCall of Comanche (visiting with relatives Minters and Sheltons); stepdaughter Mary Glen Maxwell Strange and husband, John, visiting with Lindy Russell, Dallas attorney, daughter of late Abilenians Jim and Angie Russell.

Guns, knives and gems

Who would expect to see a society dame strolling up and down the aisles of a Gun & Knife Exhibit?

MizC keeps telling the editor that news is where people are, and that’s where she saw many last Sunday at the show, which, according to owner Kim Hill of Fredericksburg, comes to Abilene four times a year. J. Shea, Jeweler (where precious gems can be viewed) and friend Courtney Gilmore were likewise inspecting the various jewelry offerings (i.e. Shirley Meyer’s Wild Plum; Joyce Gray’s Southwest Collections featuring Native American pieces; and Michele Schoonmaker’s Basket Case); in addition to antique collectibles by Drexel Doran, Joe Blakely and Jon Thomas.

Miscellaneous goings-on

Members of the Abilene Philharmonic Guild journeyed out to Joy Ramsey’s home for the meeting on Monday the 12th with hostesses Janie Holloway and Connie Baucom, and where there was discussion about the Mardi Gras Ball (chairs Gloria Fanous, Celina Fennell, Inga Montgomery) on Feb. 28.

Claudia Walker introduced Clay Freeman, AHS theatrical department, and Terry Godfrey, choral department, who presented scenes from Abilene High School’s "Music Man" opening Jan. 29. Students appearing were Andy Hothan, Karen Thames, Sara Welch, Matt Young, Amanda Dunn, Zachry Godfrey.

The Jan. 16 Abilene Woman’s Club Benefit — dinner and show, "Let us Entertain You" — produced by Barry Smoot and emceed by Betty Hukill included vocalists Kristie Perkins; Cody Lane; Tyler Lawrence; Lanie Westman, accompanied by Sherry Frush; Betty and Charlie Hukill with his guitar.

The fourth annual Antique & Collectible Appraisal Fair at the public library was organized by Dennis Miller. About 85 people brought their keepsakes to be appraised by Tom Craig, Mike Warren, B.J. Naranjo-Smith, Phil Johnson, Ken Riney, Debbie Bolls, Frank Chafey, Vonceil Robertson and Doug Roysden.

And, sneaky MC went on Friday again to "Meet the Celebrities" hosted (traditionally) by Liz and Cris Herrera the night before the annual telethon to benefit the Rehab Center. The 34th fund-raiser on Saturday didn’t end until the required amount was pledged — then people could go to sleep.

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