A phone call to Jane Scharrer from Long Pond, Mt. Dessert, Maine, informed ‘Round Town’ all about the super party for Jane’s father, the late Albert Scharrer, held at the University of Dayton’s Law School last Thursday. Jane’s account began with: “…as Caris Gridley said…’Round Town’ could have gotten six columns outta this if they’d been here!”
Jane went on: “Walter Porter spoke…Dave Greer spoke…and Dave and his Dixieland Band played…all this was in the court-room of the Law School…then everyone went in to a terrific dinner… Carolyn Kiefaber, my former next door neighbor, was there…so was all the John & Patty McDonald family…I got the nicest note from Bill Lincoln after the party…sure wish you’d been there…you knew Daddy better than anyone there.”
Dateline: Long Pond, Mt. Dessert, Maine “Ship Wreck” Four PM, sunny, cool, gusty wind, white caps on Pond. Suddenly a very wet, life-jacketed gent is standing on the deck of Connie Breen’s camp named Crazy Winds’. “I’m OK,” he began. “My daughter is with me but she lost her jeans when we capsized so she’s on your beach with our kayak.” “I’ll run get a beach towel,” said Connie. “I’m Kathleen” said the towel-wrapped lady. “And those were my favorite jeans. If they wash ashore – save ‘em for me!”
Father, “I’m Ken Brenner,” asked if he could use the phone to call his wife. “She’ll pick us up and we can load the kayak in her car.” Suddenly there’s loud pounding on the front door – and there stood a very tall, very severe looking gent with a cell phone in his ear. “Where are they?” he shouted. “They’re out on the deck.” “I asked,” shouted ‘Sunny Jim’, “Where are they?” “Come out on the deck!”….
Next, ‘; Sunny Jim’ was standing atop the picnic Table (“Better reception’) and shouting into his phone. “I was up on top of Beach Hill mountain at the Ranger tower with my binoculars and saw ‘em capsize. Then I couldn’t see ‘em anymore so I called the Park Rangers and the Police-Fire volunteers…and now I’m canceling em.”
Well, ‘Sunny Jim’ was too late – for next appeared two rescue-clad very young and serious look- ing gents – who were obviously disappointed not to be needed. They were the Police/Fire’ Dept. and after many “thank-you-so-muches’ and ‘that’s-what-we-dos’ they headed up Connie’s hill and were met by the Park Rangers who’d
received ‘Jim’s’ call.
Next up was wife – Mrs. Benner – who was delighted to find her nearest ‘n dearest, though wettest – in fine fettle. “We haven’t had this much excitement at ‘Crazy Winds’ in years,” said Connie. “Won’t you come in a have a drink.” So two wet, and one dry Benner came in for a glass of wine and a ‘getting to know you’ session.
“We’re from Pittsburgh…and have had a condo in South West Harbor for twenty years…I’ve been in the Air Nat’l Guard for years so have been in WPAFB many times. Our daughter here, she of the towel, lives in Boston and writes children’s books. “And I graduated from Miami Univ. in Oxford – so I know Dayton.” Said Kathleen. “What year did you graduate?” we asked. “Well, I’ve a daughter at Harvard and another entering Miami – so you know my age!”
“We’ll bring your towel back tomarrow,” they said when leaving amid many heart-felt ‘thank-yous.’ And the next day mid-afternoon three dry Benners arrived carrying a beautiful floral centerpiece, a copy of one of Kathleen’s books – and one very cleaned ‘n pressed towel. Our second ‘getting to know you even better’ – session was even more delightful – complete with exchanges of addresses etc. One last interesting vignette re: Benners. “One of our other daughters is in the military and flies refueling tankers for jets. Kathleen has just written another book entitled “Pilot Mom” based on her sister’s life in the Air Force – and raising two children.
See what the turbulent waters can wash up! Unfortunately the designer-jeans have not surfaced – They would make a great excuse to get together with The Benners again!
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