Bocce party
This past week Don hosted an end of the year Bocce party for the Don's Place teams. Russ, head chef of the Strip House, created a delicious meal for everyone and Don recognized some special people from the season. Julie Nevius, a loyal bocce, player for the past several years, will be leaving us for New Orleans this summer when her husband Jim retires from the Navy. We are really going to miss both Jules and Jim but more about that later when we have their "official" good bye party later in June. The evening had some interesting moments. Several friends presented Don with little mementos in appreciation for his sponsorship. Larry Smith, local piano man at the Pier House, presented Don with a little gift, a golf glove that was for a right handed golfer (Don is left handed). Chris, our favorite Sugar Apple employee gave Don some special grill lighters in the form of a pool stick and a golf club. And then the big gift appeared, Nicky and Tom, retired teachers from New Jersey, presented Don with an amazing painting of Don's Place, complete with the poinciana tree and a glimpse of Don's powder blue scooter in the corner. Nicky, an accomplished artist, captured essence of Don's Place in this beautiful painting. We will find a special place to hang it.
I just had my last day of students for the summer today. After this weekend, I will be heading to our lake cottage in Indiana to visit my three daughters and grandson. I will not return until the day before school starts in August but when I come back, Liz and Bronson, our five year old grandson, will be moving back to Key West. Bronson is our little Conch and he and his mother are ready to leave the snow behind and return to hot Key West. And HOT it is. This might be the hottest day I can remember since we moved here in 1998.
While I am gone this summer, I will be missing three wonderful fun events and I am really sorry for that. First of all, I will miss Jim Nevius's retirement ceremony from the Navy. I am sure it will be very impressive but Don will go, and hopefully I will get to see the pictures. In addition I will be missing Julie and Jim's going away party at Don's Place. We always throw fun parties and I hate to miss it, but I will be there in spirit and then I intend to visit them in New Orleans as soon as I get a three day weekend from school. I also will be missing Alysia Thibault's baby shower. Alysia is Nancy's daughter and she has been waiting a long time for this blessed event. Alysia and Dave's baby (Leo) is due in September so at least I will be back when Leo makes his appearance into the world. I am happy to welcome Nancy to the "grandmother of a little Conch" Club. This is a very elite club--Nancy and I are the only members!
I will continue to write from Indiana this summer and report on goings on at Don's Place. For now, try to stay cool and quit complaining-- remember how cold we all were in February? SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!!! YIPPEE!!!