The Galveston County Daily News

Linda Ott Thompson hostessed the “annual loosely woven Catholic old school tie” group this year at her brand new Broadway-on-the-Bayou snazzienda.

The group, friends since Ursuline days, included LuAnn Pratt Nye, Rosie Mendoza, Susan Miller Dean, Monica Fisher O’Donohoe and Anne Piperi Cooney.

The group had a slumber party and spent the whole weekend doing “girlie” stuff.

They had to do it sans Ann Piperi Cooney, who was up near Dallas buying a new house. As she’s the comedian of the bunch, this “annual” group is planning another weekend for the fall.

Some of these gals are not only lifelong friends; their parents — Pat and Bernie Fisher, Helen and Earl Miller and Bernard and Bunny Ott — were great friends in the generation before them.

Paradise Maintained For Milton, Frances

Milton and Frances Fundling celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary at a party hosted by their children and in-laws.

Milton and Frances were married in Galveston after he returned from World War II.

Staunch islanders, they have lived in and raised their family in Galveston since 1946. See pix.

Children’s Center About To Have A Ball

The Children’s Center Ball will be Oct. 17 at Moody Gardens Hotel in the Frances Anne Moody Ballroom.

The ball will honor the Honorable Jan Yarbrough and raise funds for the Childrens Center programs that serve at-risk families and youth as well as special-needs children.

The center will be celebrating its 131 years of service to Galveston and Galveston County, capturing the time and essence of turn-of-the-century Galveston and dancing to the beats of the Mambo Jazz Kings.

Eliza Thomas Quigley is the VP of development and community relations, and Elizabeth Kinard is her right hand as director of volunteer services and development coordinator.

Chair and co-chair are Dotsy Matthews Balentine and Addie Earthman Pappous, respectively.

The ball committee consists of Libbie Ansell, Tom Becker, Joan DiBella, Pamela Gabriel, Joan Milan, Cynda Mullikan, Shanna Pagan Pennington, Janice Pierson, Alisha Prather, Mary Jo Naschke, Heidi Seigel, Kelley Sullivan, Kristen Sullivan Berger and Stephanie Vasut.

Three Moody Boogie Nights For Francie

The Moody family gathered three nights in a row last weekend, starting with Friday night’s dinner at Shearn’s to celebrate Francie’s 40th b’day and to let everyone meet sweet little Alexis.

In the group were Ann and Robert Moody Sr., Bobby Moody Jr. with Frances Ingrid, Russell and Kristi Moody with Maggie and Rusty, Vic and Cindi Matthews with Will and Kit, Allan and Lori Matthews with Tiffany and boyfriend Rick, Kimmy and Marissa, and Dotsy Balentine (Alexis’ godmother to-be) with Lauren.

Next came Independence Day at the A Club with the same cast o’ characters and then, Sunday, they wrapped up the weekend at the David Cook concert at Moody Gardens — with a thrill for the kids meeting the band backstage for photos and autographs.

Y’all Splash Out For Paws With A Cause

More fun in a good cause, “Paws by the Pool,” by the Galveston Island Humane Society, is Aug. 8 at the Evia Pool and Cabana.

It’ll feature “nibbles and bits” and two drink tix for bevvies.

The people will get something to eat and drink, too.

Better dress in “cool island attire” for you and your pet, and enter the “best dressed pet” contest with prizes, a raffle and more.

To getcha paws wet, directions to Evia and RSVP to GIHS by Aug. 5, call 409-740-1919 or e-mail info@galveston humane.org.

Seawall Scene Of High And Soft C’brations

Ball High’s class o’ ’69 recently had a social party at Mario’s on sixth Street and Seawall c’brating their 40th reunion.

’Twas a “soft” opening for the new Capital Q Texas BBQ is smoking hot on 13th Street and Seawall.

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