January 1, 1985
01/03/2004
A belated New Years Bridge Club group(Littles, Browns, Malletts, Kempfs, Amitranos, Otts plus Brian Little and Bill Little's sister Crissy) were invited to a "traditional" New Years dinner ----> WOW!!!
Annual New Year's Eve Gala 2001
We commenced with dinner in a private dining room at Chianti's in Durham - thank you Dave for the arrangements!
PLAYERS: Amitrano's, Brown's, (guests) - Dave & Carol Delong, Jaeger's, Kempf's, Littles, and Mallett's.
After a scrumptious dinner we retired to the Mallett's new home where we distroyed Liz's new carpet (2nd year in a row?) and brought in the new year! Thanks Jeff & Liz!
Another fun evening at the Mallet's...
Well, at long last the bridge (as in "span" - such as over a creek!) is fixed!!!.........................
We decided to keep it simple - Soup & Salad! Well it was, but there were also the copious
side dishes not the least of which was one of Auntie Tricia's eggplant & sweet peppers
drenched in oil and other spices with wonderful bread to slop it onto - OK wrong terminology
but it was delicious - so much so that this horsd'ouevre was brought into the dining table by
you know who!
We had a pleasant interuption when Bill and Kay dropped by with grand daughter Harper -
Scott and Jennifer's cutie! After a quick "hello" they went back home and we got back to the
groceries!
Liz prepared the soupa! Receipe out of __________? (not, for once, from Southern Living). It was
excellent and received cudos from all - 'cept our veggie person who had an also delightful
quiche from _______ (what store- help?). Salad made for an army! and dressing were equally enjoyed -
bread and Bull's Blood Wine complemented the table. Oh, least I forget, the dessert cake with
creme topping (lo cal, of course!) was enough to curl your toes!
And YES!, we did play several rounds of bridge. A highlight was Tricia making SLAM but unfortunately
not bid! Her partner will take part of the blame!
I must have been tired - I did not catch the time/place for our next rendezvous, but till then...
WOW! You could smell the garlic from the parking lot! So we arrived (some of us arrived at 7:30PM) at
Daniel's Restaurant at the
Intersection of I-40 and St. Rt. #55 to celebrate the great Bridge Club's Annual Valentine Feast - no we did not play
bridge - although we could have as we stayed late enough!
This is where Dave, after we ordered our copious meals (suggestions from Gael!), presented the framed
pics from our outing at New Year's. He can be so sweet! Specially wrapped in pink paper with a candy
Valentine and pretty ribbon - is this really our Dave's handiwork?...
We all had huge dinners - Daniels' does not know the "word" small! A bottle of "Cushman's" Reserve
complimented the meal. Here's one for the books! Dave cancelled his entre - he had plenty with
just horsd'ouevres and salad! I think everyone at his end of the table took pity and felt sorry for him -
I saw a number of "samples" being passed onto his plate - I think in reality he had about an 8 course
meal! Desserts are definitely New York! As I recall the table of eight shared two of these goodies!
and in other parts of the World!
Pete and Dave went ahead on Wednesday, Dec. 29th to scout the area. Upon arrival we picked
up the keys and checked out the 7 bedroom rental home which offered very ample space for our
outing - we did not belabor the fact that the Amitrano's, Duzenbury's and Ott's could not join us
but the room was available - good selection Bill K. Anyway, Pete and Dave set an agenda:
(1) Haircut for Dave, (2)Car Wash for Pete- then (3)Dinner @ OutBack for steaks! and then
(4) Grocery Shopping and to top off the evening (5)Legends! "The World's Greatest Live Tribute
Show".
Contacted Bill K. Wednesday and met with him Thursday for Golf - The three of us played
"?" Course. Visited Bill's Am. Legion Hall for "19th Hole" - the reason one belongs is for
inexpensive booze! I guess it was - I didn't pay the bill! The peanuts were good. Many slots! Many
players! Many cigarettes and smoke!
Went to beach house - awaited arrival of Gael & Ruth and Jeff & Liz and Bill L. & Kay. Bill K.
went home to get Andrea and cooking gear as he was "in charge" of Thurs. nite dinner.
I think Ruth and Gael arrived first via Ruth's car. Then Jeff and Bill eased in from a liquid lunch
from their condo in North Myrtle. Kay and Liz were flying in about 9:00PM. We ate we drank we
(the dd's) picked up the airport two! The Bill Kempf dinner was truely gourmet! Grilled, blackened
salmon with a salsa & herb sauce - excellent! Enjoyed by all.
Friday. Breakfast of eggs to order, grits, pork tenderloin, sausage, coffee, and "Mary's" then
off to golf for the guys and shop till ya' drop for the gals at nearby malls!
After the days activities we lounged about - football 
et al notwithstanding we freshened up and made
ready for an evening out to dinner, but first a visit to the Kempf's new home. They have a lovely
new spread and were very gracious to entertain us with cocktails (that's booze and beer for those
who don't know us!) in this lovely new abode!
but mostly - more shopping and golf -
and Ruth's jig saw puzzle. This one wasn't fun!! Hope Ruth loses this one!
A relaxing day realizing that the return home was facing us all on Sunday - but one last gala
"eating frenzy"! Bill K. again took the helm and put together a delicious "surf & turf" extravanganza!
We had steak and lobster, or lobster and steak and some had two lobsters and etc!! and it was good!
