A Symphony of Friends for Susan

CK Coles, Birthday Girl Susan Neumann,
Trudi Syferd, Joyce McCallum

We recently celebrated an auspicious birthday for dear friend, Susan Neumann.  I don't want to make it too obvious but the birthday does include a "7" and a "0".  
Several of her friends including Nancy Strom, Sue Raschella, Jan Rogers, Trudi Syferd, Diane Kuenster and I put our heads together to plan a birthday luncheon in her honor. Nancy Strom led the charge and literally sent hundreds of emails to the "committee" to ensure that every detail was thought out and handled. 

I was pleased to be able to set the tables and arrange for the flowers and table

Serenading Susan.

 decorations as part of my responsibilities which I think is the most fun part of entertaining.  Nancy chose the menu and used her incredible skills of lyric writing to write a special version of "Side by Side" that we planned to sing to Susan prior to sitting down for lunch.  Sue and her husband, Tom, had the important responsibility of tasting wines and selecting just the right ones for the luncheon (though we did have to consider sending Sue to Betty Ford for rehabilitation following the luncheon since she took her responsibility

Dining Room Table

so seriously!  Joke!).  Jan did her usual remarkable job of preparing and sending the invitations, while Diane agreed to make her famous bread sticks and Trudi offered to bring the dessert.

When the invitations were sent, there were a few guests who revised their travel plans just so they could be there to help Susan celebrate.

Living Room Table

On the day of the big event as the guests arrived, to begin the celebration each was offered a Susan's Sin, which was a delicious version of a sugar-rimmed Lemon Drop topped with Prosecco.  Joining the celebration with the hostesses were CK Coles, Susan Taylor, Suzy Krabbe, Arlene Wright, Joyce McCallum, Penny Thackery, Toni Hoffman, Michele Heidt, Kathie Price, Sandi Premselaar, Carole Ellison, Tula Holmes, Peggy Swistak, Mary Nelson, and Sharon Over.    

Right before it was time to sit down for lunch, the guests gathered around the piano in the living room where we

Susan clapping for the song performance.

needed Susan to actually accompany us as we sang "Susan' s Serenade".  We all got into the words as Nancy led us in a rousing performance.  I think Susan was thrilled with our rendition!  See the lyrics at the end of this blog posting.  

Thankfully Judy Bone Hebert was in the kitchen to manage the many special food requests, allergies and preferences.  She actually keeps a notebook with everyone's special food preferences which is very helpful to the hostesses.  

l-r: Diane Kuenster, Joyce McCallum, Penny Thackery,
Sandi Premselaar, Peggy Swistak, Arlene Wright,
Kathie Price

The menu included:

Cathi's Herbed Carrot Soup

Diane's Famous Parmesan Bread Sticks

Nancy's Version of the JLS Beach Salad

with Choice of Grilled Chicken Breast or Wild Salmon

More of Diane's Famous Bread Sticks

Trudi's Salted Caramel Chocolate Cupcakes 

(which tasted delicious but didn't look pretty so were 86'd and substituted

with a pretty  Layered Lemon Cake)

Front row: Arlene Wright, Sharon Over, Michele Heidt, Susan Neumann, Tula Holmes, Toni Hoffman, Susan Taylor, Kathie Price, Cathi Hatch, Diane Kuenster, Second row: Suzy Krabbe, Jan Rogers, Nancy Strom, Trudi Syferd, Sandi Premselaar, Penny Thackery, Back row: Joyce McCallum, CK Coles, Sue Raschella, Peggy Swistak, Mary Nelson, Carole Ellison 

When it was time for dessert, we sang to Susan and each got to make a birthday wish for her before we blew out our own candle.  Happy, happy birthday, dear Susan!

SUSAN’S SERENADE

Susan Neumann, Jan Rogers, Carole Ellison, Susan Taylor

Oh she’s talented, smart and she’s funny

And she’s just as cute as a bunny!

Susan’s our special friend,

True blue to the end.

By Our Side.

The piano is one of her passions,

And two at a time is her fashion.

Whether Brahms, Bach or Liszt,

She’s just in her bliss.

By Our Side.

 

Susan toasting her friends.

Refrain:                                           

Africa, China and Russia,

South America, too, she has seen!

Istanbul, Egypt and Europe,

Why, she’s quite the international queen!

Gary Katharine and Anna she dotes on.

They've added granddaughters and grandsons.

Including Katharine's boys

And Anna's three joys

All Side By Side.

Suzy Krabbe, CK Coles, Susan Neumann, Cathi Hatch

She loves walking with her sweet pal Lily,

They trek when it’s warm or it’s chilly.

And what jokes she can tell,

Keeps us under her spell!

By Her Side

Refrain:                                           

Make a wish!  Seated:  Sue Raschella, Susan Neumann
Standing: Sharon Over, Jan Rogers, Carole Ellison, 
MaryNelson, Tula Holmes

She is our dear friend always

She’s got our front and our back.

She’s trustworthy, loyal, and kindly

On these points, she just will not slack!

Susan~ we’re all here now on your big day

To say we’re so glad you came our way!

You’re so kind, good and true,

Happy Birthday to YOU!

By Our Side.

No April Foolin’

Side by Side.

Nancy Strom and Sue Raschella