Christmas partying all round the island

The isle’s Laffite Society started the season with a roar during its holiday banquet in the Buccaneer Room of The Strand’s Jackus Building.

The old Maceo bakery, now replete with a mammoth bar found by Dale and Diane Olson and imported from an old Chicago “Speakeasy.”

Ed Jamison welcomed more than 60 guests who enjoyed a fabulous dinner and renditions (see pix of entertainers) of “A Pirate Isle No More, “Ashton Villa Waltz,” “My Galveston Gal,” “Wear an Oleander in your Hair” and a recording of “At the Balinese Room” delighted such as Clifford Johnson, Kay Schwartz, Will Zapalac, Linda and Ondree Kuhn, Cindy and Ron Gilroy, Ann and Harry Forester, Cathy Hitchcock and Steve Austin, Betty and Ed Connor, Pam Gilbert, Jamie and Stanley Murry, Marsha and Fred Moore, Jame Chance, Tom Curtis, Sandy Sheckt, Tom Haldo and Willie Peyton Jr. Jeff Modzelewski led the traditional “Corsairs’ Toast” and a short history of the society’s past 15 years.

Listening intently were Sarah and Walter Modzelewski, Anita and David Schuler, Suzanne McClure, Arthur Kennedy, Sandra Rodgers and Galveston Symphony violinist Jack Schaefer.

Also there, were Lizett Gaudin, George Najarian and Philip and Martha Randolph. Ginny and former newsguy (one of the Diva’s “feet on the street”) Dave Roberts made sure mems and guests smiled pretty for pix.

Author Jean Epperson and physicist Shelton Kindall chatted merrily with Judy and Joe Dolfi and Marge and George Dersheimer.

Lynette and Bill Haaga and Jan and Larry Porter and all joined in a rousing rendition of Glen Campbell’s “Galveston.”

The banquet committee mems, led by Lynette Haaga, Diane Olsen, Kathy Modzewelski and Jim Nonus, give special thanx to Cathy Conlon-Townsend, of Galveston Connection.

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Ecstatic Cruising For Fullen Fam

The formidable and prolific Fullen family gathered for Christmas aboard the Carnival Cruise Ship Ecstasy bound for Cozumel and surrounds.

The Ecstasy and Cozumel may never be the same. Fullen family mems cruisin’ were Bob and Mary Fullen, Sharon Fullen Mollenkopf and Kirk, their Kit and Kessie; Marybeth Fullen Roark and Lance; Constable Jim Fullen and daughters Aubrey and Dana and son Jimmy Dale.

Linda Sue Fullen Kelley and Kyle with children Amanda Kelley Lozano and John, Amanda and Alona; Debra Lynn Fullen Popovich and kiddos Katie and Adam; Mike and Marriane Fullen and boys Stephen and Mike Jr. Also Kenny Fullen with son Jordan and daughter McKenzie; John Fullen and Jonathon. In addition to family mems, many friends came along, bringing the total of the group to a whopping 56.

The clan had early seating and took up most of one side of the dining room, natch.

Bob and Mary won a bottle o’ bubbly during the Newlywed Game (they’ve been wed 57 years) and say they may be back next year ... if the Ecstasy has recovered.

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Goodwins Yule Fun At Olympia

Drs. Jim and the lovely Jean Goodwin hosted a yule party at the Olympia Grill with son/UTMB med student/newlywed Paul and Jane happily greeting old friends.

The Doc and The Diva visited with sweet George Mitchell and wishing him a Kala Christouyina, along with Garland Anderson, TopDoc David Callender, Marilyn and Malcolm Brodwick, Dr. Randy Urban and Drs. Blake Rasmussen and Elena Volpi.

Also having a great time were Bill New, Alice Oberholtzer, Sandi and Sam Cowan, Lucy and Joe Gonzales, Dr. Melinda and Chris Moore, Glenn Ostir and Ivonne Berges, Dr. Kenneth Ottenbacherj, Ananpal Singh and Meena and Mukaila Raji.

Report on the tots’ Nutcracker party and performance, next Scenes.

D’ya wannabe Divafied, folks? If so, send deets ’n’ pix of your parteez ’n’ proceedings to have your name made part of The Diva’s Scenery. And if you are on the mainland, send in your party pics and the Diva will let everyone know what is going on. Call ahead and we’ll help with the pix. E-mail divascenes(at)aol.com or call her at 409-744-6540.