Friends mingle during holiday gatherings

Last Updated on Monday, 02 January 2012 15:34 Written by Cathy Finnegan Sunday, 01 January 2012 00:00

Marie and Lloyd Hayes hosted their annual Christmas party at their decorated home on the lagoon and this year bells lined the walkway and played music as guests walked by. Ryan Jones and Mike Almodovar checked coats and stored bags and boxes of canned goods guests brought for the Community FoodBank. We caught up with our hostess, Marie, wearing a spiral Santa hat and apron, setting up for the buffet at the dining room table while guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres in the family room. Lloyd sported his favorite Phillies apron as he chatted with Richard Kull, Charlie Bowman, Bob McMurray and Alan Edmund sitting at the counter; and he carved hams he cooked for the party. Everyone stopped to chat with Bill Duffy and Jim Andrews who served as mixologists.

I thanked Lois Werner and Joan Walker for helping to place the poinsettias in St. Peter’s and Joan promised to keep them watered. Gary Jessel and Bob Blevin sported Tommy Hilfiger Hawaiian Christmas shirts, Gary’s with a Christmas tree and Bob’s with Santa in summer attire. Bob also showed off his “Ho Ho Ho” Santa socks. It was good to see Jeannette Pepe at the party. After years working at Chelsea Title and then at the Marr Agency, Jeannette has a new knee and hip and is enjoying retirement. Brian Roberts took time out of his busy schedule to stop by the party. Gail McMurray’s been working long days at Ruth’s Hallmark Shop during the holiday shopping rush. Denise Jessel didn’t care if the Eagles won or lost when she watched their game from a posh sky box at Lincoln Financial Field.

I caught up with Sallie Eachus, Judy Kolea and Midge and Ron Grunstra checking out the buffet, then sat down with Muriel Dickinson to eat where we reminisced about the many years we played on the same team in the Women’s Volleyball League. When I spotted my husband outside talking with Todd Bower and Gene Farrell on the back deck, I called him inside as he was just getting over a cold. JT Williams made sure all the ladies sat on his lap and told him what they wanted for Christmas. Gail Ping called husband Scott who was in Los Angeles for a Survivor taping, so he could say hello to all his friends. Sandy Simpson wore a red cardigan sweater accented with white snowmen while Gail Blevin showed off a deep red, ribbed knit cowl neck sweater from The Flying Carp accented with a Charity League pin. Susan Sheppard told me she doesn’t get her picture in my column as much since she became a freeholder. Meanwhile Tony Wilson, who took over Susan’s 3rd Ward council seat, finds it hard to get through a room filled with people without stopping to talk to everyone. Linda Gronert and Maribeth Neall were still taking reservations for the Exchangette Christmas dinner. Alice Wolf arrived late after working at the Music Pier box office, but still had time to visit with everyone at the party. Rita and John Stauffer are looking forward to the arrival of their fifth grandchild. Ralph Werner didn’t have to worry about where he parked his car as he just walked across the street and was home. Carol Heenan, Eric Wakabayashi and Jim and I ran into Mary Ann Kull and Beth Bowman as we headed home, as they were returning to the party to pick up their husbands after seeing Jackie Evancho in concert at Trump Taj Mahal.

The Exchange Club held their annual Family Christmas Dinner at the Tuckahoe Inn and the children sat mesmerized by the magic of Chad Juros while their parents enjoyed the social hour. Waitresses Kelly Ann Whelan and Allison Mullen also got a kick out of Chad. Stu Sirott, who coordinated the evening’s festivities, let me in despite the fact my husband didn’t sign us up, but Jim assured Stu that President Jon Batastini took his reservation. I stopped to chat with Michelle and Paul Iannace, then Maryann Jones and Maribeth Neall waved us over to join them at their table. Warren Iredell sported a cute snowman tie and introduced me to Marggie Barnes who recalled playing volleyball with me back in the 1970s when she played on the Volley of the Dolls team. Vonnie Price is still anxiously waiting to get her Charity League pin kit. Ed Price brought daughter Maddie to the dinner. Maddie is home for the holidays having just finished her first semester at Wake Forrest. Bill Meis, Don Johnston and Erich Blasberg didn’t bring their wives, and their grandchildren are too old to sit on Santa’s lap. Evie North asked to jump ahead in the buffet line as her grandchildren were really hungry. Brigette Walls had her hands full with her granddaughters Sophia and Sadie Tucker, who were all decked out in velvet dresses and fancy shoes. Tony DeLuca entertained at the piano and after dinner, while everyone sang “Jingle Bells,” Santa (Bob Smith) arrived to hand out gifts to all the children. Don Doll, Stu Sirott and Tom Ulmer assisted Santa with the children and took pictures. Noah and Mark Faverzanni and Tony Wilson reluctantly sat on Santa’s lap. When Steve Gillian wanted his turn, I told him he’d have to wait until the end as it’s according to age. Kim Weiland won the Basket of Cheer and Kenny Parsons won the $50 gift certificate to the Tuckahoe Inn. Jon Bastatini was in good voice as he closed out the evening leading everyone in singing Christmas carols.

Charity League held their annual Christmas Luncheon at the Ram’s Head Inn on a sunny afternoon. Anne Adelmann chauffeured this columnist and did a superb job getting us to the destination. The Inn was beautifully decorated with wreaths, garland and Christmas trees as the ladies enjoyed a leisurely luncheon. I caught up with Chris Pfund, who keeps members apprised of the latest fashions at Donna/Gay Dillon Boutique. Sue Phillips, who sends out Colony Club’s monthly newsletter, still finds time to make Charity League Christmas pins. This year, members and friends of Charity League made 6,412 pins. Dottie Schaffer picked up several pin kits to take to members in Florida to work on this winter. I enjoyed chatting with Ingeborg Carlson and her daughter, Inge Reynolds. Ingeborg graduated from Ocean City High School in ’59 and was a waitress at Watson’s while in high school and college. Inge, who is a nurse and has three children, recalled working Flanders while in college. I enjoyed lunch chatting with Joanne Kisby and Lois Fee, co-chairs of the mart this year; Sandra Perskie, a past president of Charity League; Wendy Lohs, who sold raffle tickets at the luncheon, and Pat Fitzsimons, who has been a member of Charity League over 40 years.