The Galveston County Daily News

A surprise birthday was held for Divafave Clarence Cantini to c’brate his big 8-0 at Gaido’s Pelican Club.

Hostessing was his lovely wife Sue Pennington Cantini and family mems.

Helping blow out the candles were his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Irene and Ray Hernandez, Cara Leah and Addison; Brittany and Angela Niccolai Addison and Corrine, Claudia and Lance Hinojosa with grandsons Cameron and Mitchell and Julie Cantini Best.

Also there were sisters Mary Louise Cantini and Lillian Cantini Rourke and nephew Jerome Rourke. Friends Cyl Pucciarello and Al and Ardath Hinojosa.

Unable to attend but sending best wishes were daughter Linette and Bill Devoe and grandson Chase Niccolai and son and Stephen and Shena and granddaughters Katrina and Claire.

The Cantini family and the Fisher/Beust families have been great friends since the ’30s or before on 28 and 29th and Broadway where Cantini’s grocery store was located and a teenage Clarence used to deliver groceries to Fannie Fisher and her granddaughter, a very smitten little Diva.

Three Lotsa Plus One Makes A Big 24

Aannndd, happy birthday to Steve Salch, Andy Abercrombie (who got a call from an astronaut in outer space) and Brenda Lee, who share Oct. 24 with the Diva.

Archie And Kelli At Home On The Ranch

Another opening, another show — Ranch and Home Products, under the fourth, count ’em fourth, generation, is super excited about their reopening and fresh start!

Established in 1938, Ranch and Home has been a part of the Galveston Community for over 70 years.

With the support of valued customers and the Galveston community, BOI Archie Panfilli III and wife Kelli of UTMB fame have decided to carry on as the fourth-generation owners and reopen the doors of what some would consider a “Galveston Staple.” (You may remember his dad Archie Jr. of happy memory.)

R & H is in the renovation process and is excited to be reopening its doors for the first time since Hurricane Ike in the next few weeks.

But wait! There’s more! Stay tuned for more on the grand reopening.

A Little Late But Loadsa Fun At Class Reunions

Fun reunion — 1953 and 1954 Classes of Dominican, Kirwin, and Ursuline Reunion Celebration had to be rescheduled last year for the 55th reunion of the classes of 1953 because of Ike.

So, as it’ll take a lot more than a miserable homewreckin’ heartbreakin’ h’cane to stop the Catholic Old School men and women of the Baby Apple, the classes of ’53 celebrated 56 years and ’54 celebrated 55 years this year.

Activities started with a Friday social gathering at the Holiday Inn with 60 in attendance.

Came the dawn and Saturday events included Mass at St. Patrick’s followed by dinner and dancing at the Knights of Columbus Hall with 82 in attendance.

Dancing to the music of Harry Guss were outta towners Billy Greve and daughter Joan of Longmont, CO; Betty Moody of Stone Mountain, GA; Betty and Mark Kubala and Don Owen and Dianne Loup of Beaumont; Eddie and Shirley Hartnett of Rockport, and Anthony and Mary Fertitta of Dallas.

The planning committee included Gerry Harrington, Neal Fassetta, Pat Mallini, Lee Otie Zapp, Harry Guss, Jim Termini, Flora Mae Cox, Marie Pucciarello and Anita Taylor.

Anita tells us that Anne and Harry Forester, Lena and Jimmie Milligan (both guys grads of Kirwin ‘54), Betty Lewis, Mel Butts, Frances Lidstone, and Patsy LeBouef had a great time at their reunion. The gals are all from class of ’53 at Dominican High.

In addition to participating in the Dominican-Kirwin-Ursuline reunion of the classes of 1953 and 1954 on Oct. 9 and 11, the Ursuline Academy Class of 1953 celebrated the 56th anniversary of their high school graduation at their annual covered-dish luncheon in the home of Alice Quilter Harrington on Oct. 10.

Enjoying Alice’s hospitality were Barbara Ganter Swann, Theresa Cox Sorensen, Norman Celli Alderman, Beth Boening-Cos, Sue Pennington Cantini, Shirley Plitt Cucco, Peggy Dellolio Dallas and Nancy DiMare Davis.

Sylvia Ann Doyle, Carolyn Grossman Ford, Charlotte Lema Gray and Gerry Smith Harrington trippin’ down memory lane with Joanne Schneggenburger Nessler, Virginia Van Zandt Roberts, Herminia Gomez Salazar and Nina Tollett Serio.

Everyone enjoyed visiting and catching up on the latest since Ike caused the cancellation of the 2008 reunion.

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. Call ahead and we’ll help with the pix. E-mail divascenes(at)aol.com or call her at 409-744-6540.