John Grey staged his annual band concert at ‘THE FARM’ on Ridgeway Road  - Friday evening. Judging from the hundreds of cars parke in John’s ‘fields’ and along Ridgeway  - there were hundreds of band-lovers in attendance.  I was a beautiful evening to be in ‘the out-door-stone-Greek-coliseum’ behind John’s manse. The day after the concert John was slated to leave for a business trip to China.

Also on Friday evening the Thirty-Niner’s had their annual picnic at Whalen’s Farm - on Pennewit Road - east of Bellbrook.  Locust Wood Farm is a show-place and a tribute to Herb Whalen’s years of work improving his farm.m Herb’s son Bill Whalen, and his wife, Susan and their son and daughter live there now and continue to embellish their handsome farmhouse and grounds.  And there were more Whalen’s present - Ginny Whalen, and her daughter, Kathy Kavanaugh, and nephew Jim & Tammi Whalen.  Ginny said her youngest son, Hugh, is coming up from Florida next week.  

Susan said she had reservations for seventy one. There are thirty nine members and this is one of two events a year when wives, and widows of members are included.
And, this year there were two guests - Dave & Gretchen Sprout.  They were in town to play in Moraine Country Club’s tournament - with their hosts - Lee & Betsey Whitney.  Dave had a great time seeing old Grade School and High School class mates - and his cousin, 39’er Dr. Bill Cassel. 

Marve Keller was busy. He had two ‘dates’ - wives of  39’ers - Milly Hubler and Libby Hornbeck.  “Laurie is on the sick list. Warner Kiefaber was a ‘solo’ for Annie was on the same list.  Bill Butt was ‘single’ - “Cynthia’s at a horse show…but my Mother’s here - Ellie Butt.”

And there were three pairs of PINK PANTS there!  Jim Dueser has worn his pink pants to several 39’er parties.  “I was the first pair and got such a ‘hard time’ that John Bullock was jealous.  When I told him I’d gotten the pants at a Ralph-Lauren-Outlet for $9.99 - he rushed down and bought himself a pair… but I’m sure that Dick Cammerer paid full price…and he’s copy-cat number two…”

Rick Ohmer is President and CEO of the 39’ers.  He’s always great in the ‘heckling’ department.  It’s too bad he didn’t tell-the-tale of what he ‘did’ to his neighbors last week - but maybe some of you saw the signs nailed to pillars and posts in the Raleigh Road area the morning after Rick’s ‘lawn-mower-assault’ on his neighbors’ yard party.  Rick’s Mother, Marty, ‘ratted’ on him at a dinner group at NCR Country club on Saturday evening.  It’s a great story!

Bill Butt, Sr. held the record for ‘best-joke-teller’ in the 39ers’ although his place has been threatened by Tom Maher. Tom’s a Pro in the ‘dialect’ department. But, Tom received a ‘treat’ when sixteen year old Adam Schantz Whalen, Bill and Susan’s son and ‘car parker’ for the party, got up to tell two  stories. He brought down the house, and when he was congratulated later he modestly said:  “Well, I’ve got some better jokes but my Mom would have killed me if I’d told ‘em…”

Don Ireland said he was interested in TRI - Therapeutic Riding program. He was assured that Betty Lou Townley, founder and director of the program, would be given the message.

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