Murder Ink Presents "Masquerade" Murder Mystery Dinner for City of Alamogordo, New Mexico

Saturday, October 13, 2018

The Murder Ink acting troupe entertained 150 people on Saturday evening, October 13, 2018 at the Willie Estrada Memorial Civic Center in fine style. "Masquerade" was written and directed by Connie Breding with assistance from Deborah Cobb who plays the role of Dee Skinner, the detective who questions everyone about the murder.

A brief synopsis is that the guests have just attended a first-rate touring production of Andrew Lloyd Weber's iconic musical, "Phantom of the Opera", and they are now gathered at the Civic Center for a late-night dinner and a meet and greet with the actors and crew of the production. In addition to a superb meal provided by Mountain View Caterers, they are entertained by the performers to a couple of musical numbers from the show. The ambiance provided by As You Wish decorators was just outstanding. It was a great night of mixing and mingling and fun trying to solve the murder.

The Civic Center was so elegantly decorated that I was compelled to photograph several settings for your enjoyment. I will let the photos speak for themselves.

Lovely!

Candelabras a must!

Encased Rose

Beautiful!

Entrance

Carla Kerr aka Leticia Rothburg Bloomington (production angel)

Guests, Jean Courtier and Trudy Reese

Beautiful table setting

Connie Breding, Writer and Director of "Masquerade"

Shawn Darling aka Rex Billingsly (The Phantom) and Keddy Lorraine aka Adele Wentworth (Christine)

Andrea Garcia aka Sabrina Anders (Madame Giry)

Bianca Lechuga aka Marla Cameron (Meg Giry)

Tina Lawhorn aka Calley Cues (light technician)

Heather Evans aka Emily Porter (Carlotta's maid)

Kimberly Rodriguez aka Willa Ushush (stage manager)

Patrick McDonald aka Dennis Deveroux (Piangi) and Heather Bash aka Collen Sweeney a (Carlotta)

Carla Kerr aka Leticia Rothburg Bloomington (production angel)

Many guests really got into the spirit of "Masquerade"

Lovely guest with Leticia (Carla)

Keddy Lorraine (Adele)

Santiago Rodriguez aka Rick Mallory (Firman) catching Leticia as she faints upon hearing that Rex (her son) is the murderer.

Director Connie Breding announcing the murderer's name

Connie hands the plaque to the gentleman who solved the murder mystery

Kerry Uribe looking on as the gentleman receives the second place plaque for his group's effort in solving the murder

At the end, Connie introduced each cast member who talked about themselves to help the guests know more about the actors.

Keddy Lorraine aka Adele Wentworth

Patrick McDonald aka Dennis Deveroux (Keddy's brother in real life)

Mary Cobb aka Ivana Dresser (costume maintenance)

Andrea Garcia aka Sabrina Anders

Gabe Mauger aka Josh Williams (brother of Ellie Mauger, production assistant)

Deborah Cobb aka Detective Dee Skinner

Shawn Darling aka Rex Billingsley

Carla Kerr aka Leticia Bloomington

Tony Calderon aka Gary Fairbanks (all the way from Tucson, Arizona)

Heather Evans aka Emily Porter (from Las Cruces, NM)

Tina Lawhorn aka Calley Cues  (the victim)

City of Alamogordo employees, Kerry Uribe and Josh Sides were absolutely the best at assisting us with everything. We do appreciate the two of you and all you do to make these events successful.

Thanks to my husband, Doug Kerr who took most of the pictures. He is working with a new camera and had some problems with it, but for the most part, he did a great job.

See you at the next murder mystery??

This is all I have to say for now.

Carla Kerr Attends Las Vegas High School (Nevada) 62nd Reunion, Class of 1956

September 29-October 1, 2018

Carla Kerr flew to Las Vegas, Nevada to attend her 62nd Las Vegas High School (LVHS) Reunion on September 29, 2018. The class members are just about all octogenarians now so out of a class of over 400, they've dwindled quite a bit. The reunion has, for several years, combined with class reunions from 1939 on.

She also visited with her son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Nona Henry, who now reside in Las Vegas. Larry was Carla's escort to the Reunion.

Special recognition was given to the classes of 1956 through 1959 and each received a large VIP ribbon. The class of 1948 celebrated their 40th Reunion. This all took place at The Orleans Hotel and Casino at 4500 W. Tropicana  in the Mardi Gras Ballroom. Prior to the buffet dinner there was a cocktail hour with a no host bar. The food was delicious and the ambiance was lovely.

The Class of 1956 took the attendance trophy. Entertainment was by the current Las Vegas High School students consisting of the LVHS Band, LVHS Cheerleaders and a group of outstanding singers and dancers.

Carla Crittenden Kerr with her best girlfriend Mary Kincaid-Chauncey

L to R: Mary, John Holland (Mary's ex and Carla's first boyfriend) and Carla

Same as above-just different shot

Carla with Saundra Meek Taylor, Class of  '58

Dessert!

The Flag Twirlers coming in with the Band

LVHS Cheer Leaders

LVHS Flag Twirlers

The LVHS Singers and Dancers were outstanding

LVHS  Band was marvelous!

Some of the dancers in action

Carla with the Attendance Trophy

Carla with her fabulous escort and son, Larry Henry

On Sunday Larry took me on a touring ride of the area. Then he brought me back to the hotel and he and Nona returned that evening. We went downstairs to a lovely restaurant to enjoy a delicious prime rib dinner. Indeed, there was so much on the plates that they went home with some wonderful left overs!

Larry picked me up at the hotel on Monday and took me to the airport. I told him I felt terrible about forgetting to get a picture of him with Nona. I guess when one is 80, one can be forgiven for being forgetful!

The Reunion was a grand success and my son said he truly enjoyed being a part of it. It is always great to make those re-connections with childhood friends and I'm grateful that I am still around to do so.

Thanks to Larry Henry for being my photographer. I believe Mary took the shot of Larry and me.

This is all I have to say for now.

Red Hatters Dine at Spaghetti Western in Alamogordo, New Mexio

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Ten Red Hatters of the New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter and two husbands gathered at Spaghetti Western restaurant in the White Sands Mall in Alamogordo, New Mexico to enjoy Pizza and Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches. The food is delicious and the service was great.

We also celebrated member Darla Shelley's birthday gifting her with a new hat.

Queen Ladybird aka Carla Kerr

L to R: Darla Shelley, Alice Evans, Carla, Trudy Reese and Gail Swineford

Carla with Dorothy Edwards

Alice and hubby, Evans

Dorothy looking quite perky

Carmen Veenpere, our lady of world cruises

L to R: Darla, Carla and Trudy. Darla is checking out her new hat.

Darla and Carla. Darla also received a red scarf.

Darla, looking quite pleased with her swag

Alice and Dorothy in conversation while Margie Purcella looks on

A shot of the restaurant. It is very quaint.

The owner is himself building a beer and wine bar adjacent to the restaurant. We are definitely awaiting the opening of the much needed establishment.

My husband, Doug Kerr, was taking the pictures and I apologize for not taking one of him. Thanks, Doug, for the great shots. It was a FUN get together and we will be returning to Spaghetti Western. Our member, Jan Jennings, stopped by a little later and we failed to get her in a shot as well.

This is all I have to say for now.