On September 29, a gaggle of gals attended the “Fabulous and 40” birthday celebration for Teresa Degenhart. The back room at C’est Tout was tastefully decorated by Allison Dinning and Susan Purks. When Teresa entered the surprise party, she was serenaded to the tune of “Mama Mia” with the words changed by Jessica Timmons (formerly of Oakwood, now residing in Oklahoma City) to once again go along with the theme of “Fabulous and 40.”  Teresa’s childhood friend, Jill Buffenberger, not only attended the party but brought along lots of “blackmail” photos of Teresa in her younger days (BIG HAIR!) Teresa’s husband, Rob Degenhart, was behind the scenes making this an evening that Teresa would enjoy. He surprised all of the women in attendance by picking up the bar tab! Even though this evening was also the preview party for Octoberfest, there were many other guests in attendance such as Julie Beyer, Meredith Collins, Lisa Michaels, Kim Howell, Michelle Kane, Sally Lahmon, Susan Mumford, Darcy Plunkett, Cindy Edwards, Wendy Halverson, Lisa Aidt and Angela Charles. We believe (and secretly hope) Teresa is right when she says, “Forty is the new thirty”!

Trish (or Honey) Hammer invited a friend for lunch last Friday at Sycamore Creek Country Club.  It’s amazing how ‘built-up’ the area has become in the past few years.  Lytle-Five Points Road is now a residential street.  The entrance to Sycamore is hard to spot and all of the rolling fields where Cullens’ horses once grazed, and later where Carolyn Knab held her horse shows – now holds large and beautiful homes. The golf course and club house are terrific and a great pleasure to see again.
“You’re talking about horses I’ll bet,” said Trudy Kent Lewis on her way to the bridge table.  “Honey, I’ve known Trudy since the second grade at Longfellow Grade School!”  We mentioned grade school mates – Jeanne Smith, Bill Cassel, Suzie Whorley Haggin…  “Gotta run, we’re playing ‘duplicate’,” said Trudy
A young and most attractive gal stopped by the table.  “I’m so glad to see you ‘cause I can tell Mother about you this weekend when I visit her in Canton…she’s always so interested in Dayton news.”  It was Alice Linxweiler Lockrem – Barbara and Fred Linxweiler’s  daughter.  Alice lives on Plantation Lane and was also on her way to the bridge table. “I’m playing in a ‘duplicate bridge’ group…

Honey reminisced about parents Patty and Tom Hammer.  “Dad hated living in the country near Bellbrook and having to commute into Dayton every morning.  When I went off to prep school he’d regale his friends about the number of ‘meals’ he had to serve every morning and evening…three horses plus a colt – that’s four, then two dogs, that’s six, then six cats – that’s twelve.  Then I work all day and have to drive back to Bellbrook and serve twelve evening meals…”

The Hammers lived on a beautiful farm on Upper Bellbrook Road…everyone loved it – except Tom.

The bar at Dayton Country Club was eight deep on Saturday last!  The decibels were at the top of the scale.  “What’s going on?” the older, staid-er arrivals asked Virgil Ricks, Dining room Manager.  “It’s a ‘progressive dinner’.” Said Virgil.  Drinks at the bar, dinner on hole number 12, dessert back in the men’s grill…”  Once seated by the windows the ‘non-progressives’ could see about thirty golf carts lined up off the new porch.  Soon a whistle blew and the bar bunch began to pick up parkas, sweaters, caps, mittens…and trooped out the door, through the porch, down the steps, and got into the waiting carts.  A parade of thirty bundled-up ‘progressives’ were last seen ascending the hill toward hole #12.  “There’s a cabin there,” said one old timers. “I remember driving off #12 and hitting Bill Gorog who was standing in the cabin minding his own business.. That must be where they’re serving dinner.  Wonder if those carts have headlights cause it’s getting dark fast…”  “Bet some of them end up driving into a sand trap” suggested another gleeful diner. (Full details about whether the ‘progressives’ ever made it back to the man’s grill for dessert will be revealed next week!)

Debby & Jim Deuser, and Jim’s Mother, BeeBee McCullum were enjoying the ‘quiet’ of the dining room.  “What’s ya got in that box?” Jim asked a dignified elderly gentleman leaving the room.  “It’s for my dog,” was the answer.  “Let me see,” said Jim snatching the box.  “This looks like your tomorrow night’s dinner to me.  You probably don’t even have a dog.”

Carole & Roger Makley left before it was too dark.  “We’ve got to get home to walk our dog.”  When Roger saw Jane Scharrer he said “I’m having lunch at ‘Limbo’s’ Monday noon with the Dean of the UD Law School…I’ll save a place for you…be there.”

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