The Galveston County Daily News

The Baby Apple literati glitterati were spectacularly entertained and educated at an evening hosted by David and Teri Callender and Garland Anderson.

The evening began with a talk by the tall, dark and dynamic Howard Rootenberg, a rare-book seller and expert whose enthusiasm and charm was surpassed only by his knowledge.

His most compelling talk at Levin Hall was followed by a dinner in the University of Texas Medical Branch Moody Medical Library’s rare book room.

The Truman G. Blocker Jr. History of Medicine Collections, made possible in part by the generosity of the Moody Foundation, is the largest collection of its type in the Southwest and includes medical archives, prints, portraits, manuscripts, microscopes, medical instruments and a substantial number of rare books, including 33 that were printed before 1501.

Dining amid the priceless tomes and bronzes were most fortunate attendees Shrub Kempner, Peter Moore, Howard and Daralyn Brody, Betsy Clardy, Cary Cooper, Bill and Cathy Elger, Jackie Genovese, Pat Ciejka and Galveston Historical Foundation’s Dwayne Jones.

Library staffers were associate veep Brett Kirkpatrick and old Strand Theatre friends Sarita and Tom Oertling, she watching carefully and hesitantly as a bunch of astonished book lovers true, momentarily handled a 500-year-old priceless tome. This before she took it over with her usual grace (the Diva’s seen newborns held with less care, ha-ha).

The Diva and The Doc had a very nice time seeing doctors all Burke Evans, Pam Watson, Betty Protas and Sharon and Ben Raimer.

New Lifestyle Has Cleta Cruising Along

Everyone’s favorite writer Cleta Sireno, a 23-year vet of The Daily News, its Lifestyle editor for years, and PR for St. Mary’s working with Linda MacDonald, is hanging up her mouse and media contacts to retire and spend more time with her Joe.

First up is a New England coast cruise up to Quebec, then maybe a little painting and, oooh, maybe that novel she’s planned since our salad days.

Her many friends at the William Temple Episcopal Center honored her at the new Olympia Grill (more on them, stay tuned) with a retirement party hosted by the WTEC board.

Attending were former Center directors the Rev. Helen Appelberg, the Rev. Bob Wells and his Carol and current center director the Rev. Kyle Stillings.

Presenting Cleta with a City Cert (in recognition for dedicated service and leadership to the center and to the University Area Association signed by Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas and city secretary Barbara Lawrence) was board member Mary Townsend, accompanied by hubby Courtney Townsend.

There were former board prez Bill Hearn and his Mary, back from their new home in Waco, former board prez Suzanne and Mike Bishop, who shared their condo for three months after the storm, current prez Dan Freeman, Marc and Martha Cuenod, Nita Caskey and the Revs. Lillian and Bill Hyde, who joined longtime friends Bob and Eileen Hern, Thea Everett, Jody Tomberlin, photog extraordinaire and longtime UAA prez Robert Mihovil and his beautiful Sally, past UAA and WTF prez Suzanne Bishop, and co-workers Linda Quebe and Ellie Trochesset in adding their good wishes.

Sharing the celebration and making the evening complete were all Cleta’s family, sweet hubby Joe, son Mike and Kari Sireno and grandson Jacob of the Alamo City, daughter Terri Sireno Burchfield and Tim of Galveston, and daughter Angela Sireno Yanas and James and granddaughter Erin of Texas City. More pix next Scenes.

Keep A Date In Your October Diary Free

Don’t forget, folks, that the Children’s Center Ball on Oct. 17 will be honoring the Honorable Jan Yarbrough and raising funds for center programs that serve at-risk families and youth as well as special-needs children.

It will be held in the Frances Anne Moody Ballroom at Moody Gardens Hotel.

Nick And Henry Take Softly, Softly Approach

Capital Q Texan BBQ is softly opening at 13th Street and Seawall Boulevard.

Owners Nick Fontana and Henry Gandy, owners of two DeeCee eateries, are thrilled to be part of the Sunny Sandbar and are ready to serve islanders and visitors alike.

Nick is the late Judge Piperi and Lena Piperi’s nephew and has an East End snazzienda.

He’s back to re-establish his roots in Galveston and couldn’t wait to be back here!

More next Scenes ... tune in.

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.