Helen Hoffmann at Gibbon’s Literary Club Christmas luncheon — Express-News, 2 Jan 1927

Sunday, 2 January 1927 San Antonio Express-News (page 56) social column. Members of the Gibbon’s Literary Club and their guests enjoyed the annual Christmas luncheon at the Casa Regina, Oakland Street. Miss Helen Hoffmann is listed among the guests present, alongside Mrs. E. G. Markel and Miss Margaret Carolan of St. Louis, Mrs. G. W. Moore of Ashland, Kan., Miss Lillian Rollins of Tucson, Ariz., Mrs. R. Vander Stratten, Mrs. L. Griesenbeck, and Mrs. Katzenberger. The luncheon was presided over by the club president, Mrs. C. B. Mendel; the Very Rev. H. A. Constantineau and Rev. George Sexton served as guests of honor.

Helen would have been approximately 15–16 years old at this date — the earliest known social clip placing her in San Antonio society. Within four years she would pledge Phi Zeta Chi sorority (May 1931). She was named the Texas Girl Coffee namesake by Hoffmann-Hayman in 1933.

Transcription

The members of the Gibbon’s Literary Club and their guests enjoyed the annual Christmas luncheon at the Casa Regina, in Oakland Street, Monday, with Very Rev. H. A. Constantineau and Rev. George Sexton as guests of honor. Mrs. C. B. Mendel, the president, presided. Each one present was called upon to express some thought suggested by the holiday season. A short musical program arranged by Mrs. C. T. Griesenbeck followed. Miss Ira Mae Nethery gave several selections on the harp, “Elegy” (Massanet), the “Spanish Patrol” and by request, “The Rosary.”

Miss Bessie McHugo gave two humorous pianologues “Soap,” and “In the Usual Way.” The tables were unusually attractive in a decoration of American beauty roses with Christmas greens and red tapers in silver holders. Among the guests present were: Mrs. E. G. Markel and Miss Margaret Carolan of St. Louis; Mrs. G. W. Moore of Ashland, Kan., Miss Lillian Rollins of Tucson, Ariz., Mrs. R. Vander Stratten, Mrs. L. Griesenbeck, Mrs. Katzenberger, Miss Marie Callsen and Miss Helen Hoffmann.

Source

• San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio, Tex.), 2 Jan 1927, p. 56, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/1270450125/ (accessed 18 May 2026).
• Archived export: /assets/pdfs/1927-01-02-san-antonio-express-news-helen-hoffmann-gibbons-literary-club.pdf.