Arlene Turns 80 Years Young!

Arlene Wright surprised!  With Jan Rogers

Considering how young she looks, it is hard to believe that Arlene Wright is turning 80 years old this week!  She has promised to share her secrets of continuing to look so youthful which we are all eager to hear.

In celebration of the big event, friends Jan Rogers, Kathie Price and Suzy Krabbe hosted a surprise birthday luncheon for her at the Chihuly Boathouse this week.  Arlene was thoroughly surprised when she arrived with co-hostess, Jan Rogers. 

Kathie Price signing the framed invitation.

Tour of the Hot Shop.

Of course, the Boathouse was the magical place that it always is and we all thoroughly enjoyed the hot shop demonstration and the brief tour of the Boathouse led by Damian.  Though I had seen it before, I so enjoyed seeing Dale Chihuly's good friend and mentor, Italo Scanga's room again.  I had forgotten what an art piece the entire room is with tin and copper walls, a sunken bathtub filled with Chihuly-style glass rocks and the bed located in front of a big plate glass window just at water level.

Arlene admiring the Flora & Joey Chihuly pieces.

We especially enjoyed our time in the Hot Shop watching the artists work with the hot liquid glass and appreciated our tour guide Damian's insights.  Damian has worked with Dale for over 12 years and it is evident how much he loves his job. Another favorite we toured was the all white glass aquarium and of course the swimming pool with the many brightly hued Chihuly glass pieces displayed below a clear acrylic shelf just below the lap pool.  We all admired the "car room" with two of Dale's classic convertible sports cars displayed along with glass art from his collaboration with artists, Joey Kirkpatrick and Flora Mace.

Seated lunch in the Evelyn Room

I was actually surprised that there were still so many Edward Curtis photographs and Indian blankets displayed, since having been to the Chihuly Garden and Glass, I assumed that the entire display of Edward Curtis and Indian blankets had come out of the Boathouse since there was such a large installation of those items in the new museum.  But no, there were still just as many displayed at the Boathouse as had ever been displayed.  When Dale collects, he REALLY collects!

Though we had been instructed to bring no gifts, we did bring cards and had the opportunity to sign a framed picture of the invitation as a gift which was a photo of Arlene riding a camel; one of her many past adventures.

Arlene surrounded with co-hostesses Suzy Krabbe,
Kathie Price and Jan Rogers

Arlene was thrilled with the entire party and enjoyed seeing all of her friends and the women of her family there to surprise her too including her daughters, daughters-in-law and granddaughter.  Some of her other friends attending were Susan Neumann, Patti Payne, Trudi Syferd, Joyce McCallum, Toni Hoffman, Michele Heidt, Carol Anderson, Nancy Strom and Sue Raschella. 

Arlene blew out her candles with gusto and was delighted with the three bunches (I assume there were 80!) of exquisite long-stemmed pink roses presented to her by Jan, Kathie and Suzy.

Arlene accepting roses from Jan, Suzy and Kathie

Happy birthday, dear Arlene!