A Summer Sock Hop Party at the Beach 50's Style

Cathi Hatch, Brad Harlow, Brian Vowinkel

 This evening Ken and I joined John & Molly Otter at their new home on Mercer Island for the annual Harlow-Otter summer party.  This year's theme was a 50's Sock Hop at the Beach.  It was a perfect evening; not too hot and not too cold.  The lake was beautiful and the two Adirondack wood chairs placed at the end of the Otter's long dock were so picturesque and inviting. Everyone gathered on the back lawn, the dock and on the new deck at the lake's edge where the very brand-new fire pit was lit for the first time.

Brian Vowinkel and Rolf DeDamm

Brad Harlow showing off his white socks to Steve Kutz

Molly and John were the most gracious hosts welcoming friends to their new home.  Co-hostess, Alison Harlow, admitted to being very relieved that the party was at the Otter's home this year after having hosted it at the Harlow home for the past eight years.

Rolf & Nicole DeDamm were dressed perfectly for the occasion; Rolf in skinny jeans and a tee shirt and Nicole's hair combed "dogs' ears" style.  Brad & Alison Harlow were also in party attire in black leather and looked as if they had just stepped out of the movie, Grease!  Janet True was in the theme and wore husband Doug's burgundy letter sweater with rolled up jeans and a "Janet" pin on her white Peter Pan collar blouse.

When we arrived, the first bottle of Moet Chandon Imperial Brut Champagne had just been sabered by Rolf using his special saber invention which is perfectly

Gathered on the new deck at lake's edge

balanced to take the top off a champagne bottle cleanly.  It is scimitar shaped with a special stand to protect the blade.  Of course, that was definitely not the last bottle of champagne that was sabered at the party and several had a hand at opening additional bottles including Brian Vowinkel!  I thought the passed hors d'oeuvres which included two favorites that everyone was raving about; crab salad on a Ruffles potato chip and devilled eggs were perfect accompaniments to the champagne.  Does anything taste better than a salty potato chip!?

Cathi Hatch and Rolf DeDamm
with his saber invention

Of course there was lots more food including burgers and salad and fries and many choices of beverages in addition to the champagne.  And for dessert, they served two of my personal favorites of all time; root beer floats and brownies.  Yum!

We arrived early and left early (after all I did have Curmudgeon Ken in tow) but some of the other friends that we saw also attending the party included Greg & Lauren Porter,

Adirondack chairs in the background with
Brian Vowinkel preparing to saber a bottle

Sarah Rindlaub, Susie & Brian Vowinkel, Steve Kutz, Jackie & Peter Dunbar, Robbie London, Tim Larsen, Janet & Doug True, Stephanie & Dustin True and dozens of others.

What a fun party!!  Thank you Otters and Harlows!