Report on the Dec 31 party

Our 40th wedding Open House was quite a special occasion on Sun Dec 31 despite the weather. We had picked the day knowing people had holiday plans but maybe would be in the Cities anyway. Being a Sunday, we hoped friends would be able to travel both ways in daylight. But we did not count on snow and ice. The rain started before noon and turned to snow by 2pm when the party started. Friends reported tough going and cars in ditches coming up and the worst was to come.

But everyone seemed to enjoy the good food, sandwiches from D’amicos and petit fours from Wuollettes Bakery (no relation) Zac had scoured the Costco wine shop for special wines. Our gift membership from one of our residents was much used and appreciated.

Poinsettas were our wedding flowers in 1966 and blanketed our party room in 2006. The landscape guy here offered to bring over some before they were thrown out. I did not expect 40 of them! Nor did Jan when they were delivered on Sat…all colors and sizes. They were used everywhere and offered to guests as they left.

Roses were also brought by guests…including Lan, our Vietnamese daughter who lived with us from 1981 until her marriage in 1984. Trong and his family brought a big pan of eggrolls for Jan that mostly got gobbled up by guests in our apt.

A big hit was the Guest Platter that Anastasia bought for guests to sign and then it will be baked to seal the signatures of all who attended. She also produced the beautiful hard bound book of our 40 years with photos of important people and events. It is available online as well. Email me for details of how to access it.

The personal highlight was Father Reiser, the priest who married us on Dec 26, 1966. He is still living near Church of the Ephiany and was happy to come despite the weather. He really had not changed…just as charming. He knew several people to chat with and we never got a photo of us with him

Folks came from Delavan, Easton, Blue Earth, Winnebago, Mankato as well as Washington DC, Boston, St Paul, Stillwater and Maple Plain. Cards continue to come in the mail as well

The weather on New Years Day was colder, crisp with sunshine making the snow sparkle in the trees…would have been a perfect travel day and a fun party day but it was already 2007 too late to celebrate 40 years.