FESTIVAL SPEAKERS

Meet the Speakers of our Festival

Doryn Danner Glenn, Chief Deputy District Clerk for District Clerk John D. Kinard:


Doryn Glenn was born and raised in Galveston, graduating from Ball High School in 1984. She attended Galveston College, 1984-1985 and went on to graduate from the University of Texas at Austin in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with double majors in History and Sociology. Glenn also attended law school at Louisiana State University graduating in May of 1992 with a Juris Doctor. After graduation, she returned to Galveston to practice law in the Office of James Schweitzer. She later went on to practice with Yarbrough, Jameson and Gray,

specializing in Family Law. In 2002, she started a family law section for Mills, Shirley, Eckel and Bassett Law Offices. In 2007, Glenn left private practice and began her career in judicial support in the Galveston County District Clerk's office, serving in a number of roles and as the District Clerk in 2012. She currently serves as Chief Deputy for District Clerk John D. Kinard, where she manages the jury system for Galveston County, among other things. She has served as the President of the Galveston County Bar Association, the Galveston County Young Lawyers Association and the Junior League of Galveston County. She has also served as the Chair of the Jury Service Committee of the State Bar of Texas. She is the proud mother of a 26 year old daughter, (who is a 3rd grade teacher), and a 21 year old son, (an Eagle Scout who is a college student at Texas A&M University in Galveston)

About Kimber Fountain:


Kimber Fountain is a native of the Texas Gulf Coast and longtime resident of Galveston Island. After learning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and Dance from the University of Texas at Austin, Kimber

lived in Chicago for several years where she worked as an actor and commercial voice-over artist. Her professional literary career began in 2012 as a writer for The Island Guide, after which she served as the Editor-in-Chief and Feature Writer of Galveston Monthly magazine from 2015-2021. Kimber has

authored three books on Galveston history: Galveston Seawall Chronicles (2017), Galveston’s Red Light District: A History of the Line (2018), and The Maceos and The Free State of Galveston, An Authorized

History (2020), all from Arcadia Publishing/The History Press, the largest publisher of regional history in the nation. Kimber is also professional speaker who holds history and book lectures across Texas, and in

2019, she launched The Red Light District Tours of Galveston, an historical walking tour inspired by her books. Devoted to promoting and preserving the local Galveston arts and history community, Kimber served as chair of the Arts and Historic Preservation Advisory Board to the Galveston City Council for six

years and served on the Board of Directors of the Galveston Naval Museum as Chair of the Curation and Education committee where she wrote and produced a large-scale exhibit entitled, “Women of World War II.” She is occasionally seen on stage at the Island East-End Theatre Company in downtown

Galveston. For the Festival, Kimber will be presenting the history of the Galveston Maceo family with a focus on

how the family’s Sicilian heritage played a crucial role in their elevation of Galveston to an internationally known resort destination.

Caris Brown is a native Houstonians and received her BA in History from the University

of Houston in 1999 and her Masters degree in Library and Information Science  with a

specialization in archival studies from the University if Texas at Austin in 2002. Upon

graduation she moved to the Washington DC area to work for History Associates Incorporated, and performed contractual archival services for such institutions as the

Library of Congress ANF the Smithsonian Museum. Ms. Brown returned home to Texas

in 2008 to begin work as the Local History Librarian for Helen Hall Library in League

City and happily holds that position today.

Joyce Zongrone is a retired US Navy journalist and former investigative reporter.

As an Independent Historian, she has researched local, state, national and international history for more than 40 years, belonging to ten historical societies in four states and is a genealogical docent.

She is a Vietnam Era, Desert Storm, and Global War on Terror veteran. After her release from the active-duty Navy, Joyce worked at the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) in Burbank CA, and as a freelance producer for NBC News NY. Subsequently, she became an investigative reporter for The Bay Area Citizen, the Galveston Daily News, and United Press International (UPI) winning a Texas Gulf Coast Press Association Award. She holds a BA, two MBAs and an MA from the University of Houston Clear Lake, where she completed a broadcasting internship with ABC in Houston, TX. She also worked as technical writer for the Johnson Space Center, NASA, during the

Challenger disaster. She currently resides in League City, Texas.

Cousins Linda Fatta Ott and Debbie Helton Flores, are set to captivate audiences at the  Italian festival with a tale deeply rooted in family legacy and resilience. Linda enjoys the study of genealogy and has done extensive research of their family. In 2019 Linda and

Debbie set out on a pilgrimage through Louisiana and Mississippi to trace their roots and explore their family history. The cousins proudly traced their lineage back to their great-grandparents, Giuseppe and Antonina Di Fatta. Giuseppe, his brothers and other family members immigrated to Louisiana in the late 1800s to pursue a better life for their families. They soon became successful business owners and sent for their families to join them. Yet, amidst the triumphs lies the shadow of tragedy when Giuseppe and the other family members fell victim to a harrowing lynching in 1899. The echoes of this dark chapter resonate through Linda and

Debbie’s family history, underscoring their indomitable spirit. Linda and Debbie’s other great-grandparents were Simone and Josephine Emmite, who embarked on a transformative journey to America, arriving at Ellis Island in 1896. Settling initially in Bryan, the Emmite family later found solace in Dickinson following the tumultuous 1899 flood.


The familial narrative unfolds with Simone and Josephine's daughters, Concetta & Katie, forging a new chapter by marrying Giuseppe’s son, Nick Fatta. Nick arrived at Ellis Island in 1909 and the couple married in 1912. Amidst the familial tapestry lies the poignant saga of Nick's stewardship of the Dickinson Ice and Fuel Company, a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering resolve. Nick's journey symbolizes the immigrant spirit and determination that defines Linda and Debbie’s ancestry.

The Fatta family's storied past is anchored by Nick's visionary investment in 1943, when he acquired land on the bayou, affectionately known as "the Pines".  This idyllic retreat became a sanctuary for generations, fostering cherished memories and familial bonds. As time wove its intricate tapestry, the family homestead metamorphosed into Fox Trace, a testament to the evolving landscape of Dickinson. Transitioning to the present, Linda reminisces about her formative years at Dickinson High School, culminating in her graduation in 1967. The passage of time led Linda to traverse across states, settling in California and Nevada, yet her heart remains tethered to her Texan origins.


Debbie lives in Friendswood with her husband and two children. She became part of the Italian festival, chairing the St. Joseph Altar which is a labor of love dedicated to her loving Grandmother, Katie. She also served as treasurer of the Dickinson Little Italy Festival of Galveston County for two years and is currently the secretary of the Board. As Linda and Debbie stand poised to share their saga at the Italian festival, their narrative transcends borders, weaving together the threads of resilience, heritage, and enduring

kinship that epitomize the Italian-American experience. Through Linda and Debbie's story, audiences are invited to embark on a journey of discovery, where the past converges with the present, igniting a beacon of hope for future generations.


Alfio A. Tropea grew up in a very strong Sicilian Community of Fisherman, including his grandfather, father and uncle, from Acitrezza, Sicily and learned to speak the “ Old School “Sicilian language. Always had a passion of promoting the Italian Sicilian heritage and traditions to pass on to our children. Born in Galveston, Texas May 02, 1950 Grew up and worked a Family-owned Corner Grocery Store with his parents who both were from Acitrezza, Sicily and making Italian Sausage in the meat market, which he still makes for special family occasions and holidays.


Married to Angelina Floridia Tropea for 46 years and have 3 children, Sebastian, Anthony, and Angela also 2 grandchildren

Luca and Gianna. Co-Founded with Salvator Arcidiacono, The San Giovanni Italian

American Association in 1984 and was elected as the 1 st President of the  association. Served as President of O’Connell High School Sports Booster Club for 5 years.


Spearheaded the restoration of the Italian Vault in Calvery Cemetery along with Salvatore Arcidiacono to Honor the

forgotten Italians. Served on the Galveston Historical Commission. City of Galveston Civil Service Commissioner for 2 years. Founder and 1 st President of The Gulf Coast Trans Am Club, a sport car club for Pontiac. First Pontiac Trans Am Club in Texas recognized by Pontiac Motor Company. Co-Director of The Saint Joseph Italian Festival in League City

with Mayor Johnny Adolfo. Past Owner of 1st Choice Motor Company Past Faithful Navigator of the Fourth Degree Knights of

Columbus. Recognized by Mayor Carmelo Scandura of Aci Castello, Sicily, for the work and continuing the tradition of the feast of San Giovanni Battista, in Galveston, Texas. the Patron Saint of Acitrezza, Sicily, Italy.

Currently Chairman of the Feast of San Giovanni Committee, which put on the Feast of San Giovanni Battista in Galveston,

Texas, yearly every June 24th at Sacred Hearst Church.
Share by: