Partying Tiki style just got easier on isle

Johnny Lidstone’s turned his historical east end home into a tropical paradise with his new Tiki Hut and Bar. The hut, built by Johnny and Dad Merle Lidstone, was constructed after Hurricane Ike claimed all of Johnny’s shade trees.

It’s inaugural event was the recent Friday night happy hour with Sister Sheila Lidstone serving famous margaritas by Sue Stramblad and brother-in-law Chris Webber DJ’ing for the evening.

The tropical setting was perfect for party goers Tony and Cheryl Mancuso, Skippy and Denise Schaper, cousin Rena Lidstone, Ruth Canales and Billie Raitano.

Longtime friends and new island residents Tom and Linda Delaney enjoyed visiting with Harry and Marian Millo, Ron and Betty Dyda, Jerome and JoAnn Anselmo and Pat Lidstone

Also on hand for the party were neighbors Ron Wyatt and Martha Mahoney, Johnny’s Aunt Frances Lidstone and friends John Gonzales, Mike and Tiffany McKinney, Judy Dubose and David Swain.

Musn’t forget dear friend Marie Cruse from Johnny’s Hotel Galvez days in the early 1970s.

Enjoying the evening and being away from work were co-workers and favorite ladies Joyce Blackwell, Mary Pena, Tammy McKenna and Connie Martin. Lets’ not forget the guys, Jody Stein, Robert Cummings, Willie Ransom and Henry Hawkins.

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ETC Presents ‘Gypsy’

The East End Theatre Company (now at the former Strand Street Theatre, ya’know) is presenting the first of a bang-up season with “Gypsy.”

You know it’s going to be a blockbuster when Kim Mytelka directs and the cast includes: Robin Lusby Schaefer; Janie Stewart; Chesney Garza; Courtney Chilton; Katie Harrison; Kevin Daugherty; Justin Gonzales; Prari Blair; Lauren Moreau; and Penny Rieger.

Others in the cast include: Benjamin Grafton; Matt Poole; Michael Wonio; Hannah Harper; Chloe Whatley; Jetta Hoffman; Lynn Sherwood; Frank Petronella Jr.; Trey Rabago; Stormy Overly; Caroline Menefee; Sean Penalber; Curtis Barber; Mason Aiken; Sidney Schaeffer; and Tyler Garza.

The musical director is Carol Daubert; choreographer is Jennifer Daugherty; stage manager is Warren Post.

Set design is by Tom Boone; light design is Todd Zaba; and costumes are by Jutta “Charlie” Franklin’s Galveston Island Costumes one of the Baby Apple’s newest businesses.

“Gypsy” runs through Aug. 7. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2:30pm.

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Hanging Onto Our Heritage

Brian Davis’ “Lost Galveston,” a collection of more than 200 images of Galveston Island buildings that no longer stand, chronicles buildings ranging from civic and social places to schools and residences.

The result of his exhaustive research is a 128-page collection of photographs in Arcadia Publishing’s “Images of America” series. The book is $21.99 and an accompanying post card series, also to be released in conjunction with the book, which features 15 images from the GHF collection, is $7.99.

Both will be available for sale online at http://stores.ebay.com/galves

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“Lost Galveston” will be released this week, and GHF will host a free and open-to-the-public reception July 31 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the 1861 Custom House, in Galveston.

For deets, call 409-765-7834.

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Passing Of The Gavel

Meanwhile, back at Ashton Villa, Galveston Historical Foundation exec Dwayne Jones and outgoing president David Bowers led the annual meeting, which includes the “passing of the gavel” from outgoing board prez David Bowers to incoming Prez Cheryl Vaiani, a foundation board member who has chaired Galveston County Historical Museum and Heritage Properties committees.

Divafave Cheryl Vaiani is an assistant professor at the Institute for the Medical Humanities at the docshop and married to the darling Sonny Vaiani.

There also were a lot of awards given out, stay tuned for more on that.

Brian Davis was there signing copies of his new book “Lost Galveston,” published by the foundation and Arcadia Publishing, which includes never-before-seen pix of the 1895 Ursuline Academy, a masterpiece of Venetian-gothic architecture that Nicholas Clayton designed for the Ursuline nuns on Avenue N, between 26th and 27th streets.

Brian and the foundation are trying to gather as many as possible family pix to be scanned and kept safe, as we’ve already lost much of our heritage.

Call 409-765-7834 to arrange the scanning and sharing.

Next Scenes … the lalapalooza of a Palapalooza, and some of Houston’s political high-flyers partying on the bayou.

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.