The ‘DCC Regulars’ were right on time Tuesday evening at The Oakwood Club. Well, at least three of them were – Tom Pavey, Tom Kendall, and Bob Day. It takes them a while to get to their table cause they have to chat-up everyone there who’s always been their ‘best friend they haven’t seen since…’

Couldn’t mention running into Toni and Dr. Ty Payne in Newport Beach, California until it was certain they were home. “Yes, we are here,” said Toni. “I couldn’t call you right back this morning ‘cause I was at an antique auction…didn’t you love ‘Pasquals’? I was so surprised to see you and your friend Liz Johnson …hope you had as much fun as we did in the Laguna Beach area…”

Lunch at Culp’s Café in Carillon Park last Friday was delicious as always. Dick Cummings arrived and he was obviously half frozen. The weather was sunny, but the temperature was way below freezing. “We’re working on replacing all the windows, sashes, and…all the rotten wooden parts of the ancient Deed’s Barn.” Once he’d had some hot coffee he started peeling layers of duds. “You can see the progress we’re making – despite the weather…gotta be finished by May…think we’ll make it.”

“I’m using a crew of all ‘elderly volunteers’ and they are unbelievably tough and dedicated. If I were paying top dollar to a bunch of young ‘pros’ – I wouldn’t be getting half the job done. When these men finish a task they’re right in my face with a …now what do you want me to do? Have you seen Burt Saidel and his ‘God Squad’ today? They’ve been such terrific workers…”

Dayton Country Club hadda full house on Saturday evening. Members who were going on to the Vanguard concert at the Art Institute were there by six o’clock – Charis Gridley, BeBe Bates, …then the ‘333 Gang’ arrived – Jim & Midge Harlan, Bud & Aileen Welch, George Mayley…then the Thruston Road Gang led by Diane & Dick DeWall…then the ‘stylishly-late diners’ led by Dotty Bachus & Joe Acito…and there was a huge, young, having fabulous-fun group attending a ‘Bar Mitz-vah’.

The Vanguard Concert series drew a large crowd at the Dayton Art Institute – Elana Bolling, founder of Vanguard forty eight years ago, was at the front desk greeting attendees. “You’re in for a treat this evening,” she assured her friends. “Ran Dank is a fabulous pianist…he did a seminar for Stivers High School yesterday…many of them will be here tonight…he’s only 27…born in Israel…has a Masters degree from Juilliard…Vince and I want to adopt him!”

His program began with the ‘three ‘B’s – Bach, Beethoven and Bartok. And the Chopin and Liszt brought down the house. Elana reminded her Guarantors of the post-concert-party at the roof garden of the Carillon. George Houk, Macy Janney, Ralph Johnson, Carol & Duncan Powell, the Haddicks, the Bob Siebenthalers and Ludolph Van Der Hoeven were there.

The guest of honor, Ran Dank, tried his best to devour the beautiful buffet table and be charming to everyone there who wanted to tell him how much they’d enjoyed his concert. He proved as adept at eating and chatting – as he’d been at the piano. “I’m off to New York early in the morning…New York’s been home for five years.”

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Nancy & Colin Campbell