Browse archives: 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995

Published on 06/08/1998 All articles from this issue

Weather's heating up - and so are the parties

printer friendly version

By Robin Katsaros

Socially Speaking

Croquet anyone? Manlou and Gary Thomas hosted the recent 23rd annual croquet tournament at their home in Los Altos Hills. This group of local residents originally "bonded" out of their love of tennis. This year's theme, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," set the stage for everything from the invitations to the menu, which included Frogmore salad, Tybee Island shrimp, Beaufort Voodoo Berries - well, you get the idea. There was real cause for celebration as Dick and Jane Walker won the mixed doubles for the first time in 23 years! Locals Ken and Mary Baumel (he took first place in the men's singles), Jan and Phil Meyer, Dr. Buz and Georgie McLain (she won the women's singles), and Celeste and John Viegas attended and had a "ball."

The magnificent seven: The dark, sleek limousine gracefully donning a banner, "the magnificent seven," pulled up in front of the Sheraton Palace Hotel in San Francisco on May 2. It was a non-traditional birthday party for Los Altos Hills resident Carol Pearson and six of her close friends. These seven accomplished women had such a wonderful, crazy day that they made a commitment on collaborating together on a book about women. Los Altans Linda Beutelspacher and Libby Jones, who both attended the bash, claim the book is scheduled for production a year and a half from now, with a book signing at Heintzelman's. We'll keep you posted.

Fast feet and fun times: This was no ordinary party by any stretch of the imagination. Former Los Altos resident Joy Craft hosted a "tango and martini" party at her new home in Woodside. Half the group were from Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, including John and Susan Burr, Jack and Susan Flesher, Eric and Jennifer Hawks, Mark and Lane Hollinger, Arlene and Roger Melen, Lani Rizzo and Gary Dorff, Andrew and Johanna Wise, Jim and Judy Mitchell, Pat and Kathy Groves, Jeannie and Mike McGillis, and Mike and Mamm Hudnall. Imagine if you will, a 17-piece orchestra, two sets of dance instructors (one for tango, the other for ballroom) who got the crowd moving in the right direction, and opera singer Iris Frasier. It was simply magical.

Have a funny story to tell? A celebrity sighting or any other good scoop? Let me know by writing to "Socially Speaking" at the Town Crier, 138 Main St., Los Altos 94022, or by calling or faxing 949-4207. You can e-mail me at: rkatsaros@aol.com.