“Please join us for a 75th Birthday celebration for Darrell Apt,” read the multicolored invitation.  “And, shhhhh! It’s a surprise!”  Lots of family, friends, fellow veterinarians, owners  (two legged) of clients (four legged) were at Benham’s by 5:30 last Tuesday – and were in very good voice to serenade Darrell and ‘party planner’ Carol Collins Apt when they arrived near 6:00 PM.

Sons Scott Apt, and Jerry Apt and his wife Lisa, daughter Polly Apt Page and her husband, Bob Page were there.  Unfortunately, daughter Kelly Apt was unable to come…all the Miami Valley Hunt subscribers remembered Kelly and asked to be remembered to her.

Carol’s nieces, Melissa Schumm and b were their with their mother Cindy.  Bill Collins, Chuck Woods, DVM Charles Ackley and wife, Barry & Jane Baumgardner, Ed & Betty Jean Schwinn, and Dr. Mary Pryor were among the guests.

“There’s neighbors – Bob & Wisch Hitchcock, said an Oakwood Avenue-ite to Jane Scharrer.  “I haven’t seen them in years!”  Seeing Wisch always evokes memories of GeeGee Stout Cheslock.  She and Wisch were classmates at Denison Univ – just a few yeas ago.  A great visit was held by the four…

Bob & Maureen Becker, Beth & Robb Casteele, and Lucy & Jess Perez enjoyed the bill-board of ‘case history’ photos that Carol had arranged Rick Pieters, Jack Devins, John & Linda Lombard, Cathy Blum & Bill Gibson and Jane & Fred Setzer chatted-up their fellow guests.  

Everyone in Oakwood knows Mike & Jenny Kelly. People kept them busy reminiscing about the days when Mike was first Police Chief and then City Manager. And it’s always a delight to see Jenny Kelly at Dorothy Lane Market.  Ryan Quigley was also representing the DVM’s of Dayton. Molly & Eric Reed, Dick & Cynthia Robinson, Dr Steve Schaerer, John Halpin, and Heidy & Jim Nellis headed toward the beautiful Buffet Supper table. Greg File has now joined forces with Benhams and you all know whatta super chef Greg is!  The Buffet was the Best! – Until Greg brought out four or five differerent and each one more delicious than the last – Birthday Cakes!!!  It was death by chocolate, butterscotch, vanilla,

And Beaver Boyer was ‘tending’ the bar. The quips, barbs, and bon-mots were being served up as fast as the olives! Dolly Tomashot, Carin Solganik & Tom Silverii, Tracey Schurman and John Russell were obviously having a great time. Aldene & Dale Nash, Grete Schioler, Mike & Nancy Carner, and Maria Becker all
Seemed to know everyone.

Nanci Koepke said Jack had gotten a last minute call and couldn’t join the Birthday party. Beth & Richard Loew, John & Ruth Donahue, Tom Kern, Mary Swank, Denzell Slish and Elena Becker completed the terrific mix of guests.

THE DANCE GROUP met at Dayton Country Club on Friday last.  It looked like a full turn out and it was holiday-festive!  Music was by the ‘Nostalgia Band’.  They played all the 40’s and 50’s dance music and everyone was jitterbugging their hearts out.
Nancy Hardy and Tom Gillaugh announced their engagement that evening – which made the party even more gala.

Judge Walter Porter had a field day chortling about ‘…most recent election results.’

Marge Hicks urged DCC members to attend the Membership meeting Tuesday afternoon at 5:00 PM to speak for Walter Schaller as interim-mgr.          

Dr. Ken & Angela Pohl received compliments on the two pairs of swans on their pond on Ridgeway and Park. One pair is totally black and the other pair is white bodied with black necks.  One of our older swans was killed…the experts said by a fox.”  “We do see fox in the area,.” Said Dr. Jim Sheridan, a tablemate.  Another table-mate offered to bring a few foxhounds over but it was generally decided at the table that Oakwood might object to a ‘chase’. (All this edifying conversation was done to “String of Pearls”.)

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