Wedding Bells … The words “I do, I do” rang loud and clear mid-June when Joan Kathryn and George David Hitt were married. The couple celebrated the night before with a rehearsal dinner for family and out of town guests at Bar Italia Ristorante in this city’s popular Central West End. A few native and one former St. Louisans in town for the festivities included Ron and Beverly Riddick (Montclair, NJ.), Gregory B. Smith (Chicago, IL), Tracy Lewis (Chicago, IL.), Earnestine Benford (Panama City, Panama), and Stephen and Meredith Miller (Fairfield, CA.). Many Happy Returns of the day Joan and David!
I had the pleasure of attending the official launch of native St. Louisan Crystal Kelley Diaz-Granados’ first literary offering, “Carrot Sue.” “Carrot Sue” is a delightful children’s book with beautiful illustrations by Gloria Day. Crystal’s goal is to ignite the imagination of children and encourage them to read more and try new things. “My parents read stories to me every night at bedtime,” says Crystal. “Sometimes, even crafting their own in which I had to imagine myself in the story.” An enchanting story, Carrot Sue is a is now available for purchase at Amazon.com. The Carrot Sue book signing was held at the newly opened Five Oaks in Olivette. A line of excited children and their families waited patiently to have their copies of Carrot Sue autographed and take pictures with Crystal!
Kudos Ms. Nyla Johnson! Nyla graduated with honors on May 11, 2024. Nyla earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Xavier University of Louisiana. Nyla majored in accounting and business administration. She is looking forward to spending the summer in Chicago. She has accepted an externship with Ernst and Young. Proud Mom Denise Halley Johnson is looking forward to visiting Nyla this summer. Onward and upward Nyla!
St. Louis Smart Set, Inc. installed new members earlier this year. The new members whom the group was excited to welcome into their sisterhood are the beautiful ladies in white. Akella Wicker, Kathleen Smith, Erica Randall, Stacy Reed Mevs and Lisa Terry. The cheerful ladies in red are a few of the members who greeted them during dinner. Pictured are Krishna Walker, Jackie Hamilton, Kathy Surratt States, Bettye Reed, Paula Knight and Janet Jackson Williams. The dinner meeting was held at Smart Setter Andreal Hoosman’s Excelsior Event Center in Florissant, MO. A fun filled evening was enjoyed by all.
