Fifty-four guests (who had concluded that insanity isn’t
catching) attended Charm’s Baby Shower at 
Barn 18, Golden Gait Stables, this
past Saturday. After a brief torrential downpour (see “FRAIN” – n., Florida
rain, as in the kind that makes you pull over on I-95 because you can’t see a
damn thing but it’s sunny across the street and it only lasts for 10 minutes)
required relocating six yellow linen-clothed tables to the shed row, the weather
was relatively cooperative but humid. Team Charm was in great form, getting
everything ready for the distinguished guests. Charm was expertly braided in
purple and pink (Rona Platt, whose day job is General Counsel of a large
company) and her hooves were liberally bathed in glitter (later obscured by a
self-applied mud wrap). Table centerpieces of multicolored Gerber daisies in
vivid spring colors were expertly arranged (by Lori Hochman, daytime office
administrator) in cowboy-boot vases anchored with sliced carrots for use later
as an equine snack. Pink, purple and turquoise cowboy hats and bandanas adorned
tables festively sprinkled with tiny plush ponies, set off against mare-and-foal
themed tumblers and serviettes. 
The event commenced with modified Bingo, requiring guests to
mix and mingle to find out who had had plastic surgery, who could do a
cartwheel, and who had unpolished toes. The winner was Jorja Williams, Esq.,
although Yoshimi Smith, Esq., was a close runner-up and protested the judge’s
awarding of the top prize to Madame Williams. Next, guests enjoyed a delicious
lunch of gourmet salad (two choices), artisan rolls, tender chicken piccata, and
fresh pasta primavera, complimented by a lovely champagne punch. After the
repast, guests competed in equine-themed trivia, which they reported was quite
challenging. The winner, Kim the Classy from Barn 18 (dressed to the nines),
scored a record 17/20, perhaps surpassing the crowd with her knowledge of Mr.
Ed’s owner’s last
special
chocolate offering to Table 2 in honor of Rona Platt’s 50th
birthday. To end the fete, guests enjoyed Pin The Foal On Charm (Nancy Nassau,
designer; photo credit copyright Briana Hassibi), and left with numerous
mementos including miniscule feed buckets filled with jelly beans and tastefully
wrapped in cellophane with multi-colored pipe cleaners (Paula Albright
Creations). Guests also enjoyed contributing their name suggestions for Charm’s
foal-in-utero on a three-dimensional multi-media presentation (special effects
by Lohr Family Enterprises).
Throughout her celebration, Charm was the model of, well,
charm and humor, delighting attendees with a run and attempted-buck, as she
nibbled on a centerpiece and tried to sample the punch. Although hesitant at
first, Charm did seem to enjoy her carrot cake dessert, and then topped that off
with the feather boa from Ms. Platt’s birthday chapeau. Charm posed for
numerous pictures with guests, and proved that she is as photogenic as she is
charismatic.
As a result of the guests’ generosity, many essential dollars
were raised for animal-related charities throughout the US.
The human hostess asked to express her gratitude to all those
on Team Charm who assisted in making the event a success (in no particular
order): Briana Hassibi, Denise Molina, Jessica Toresco, Denise Dorchak, Paula
Albright, Susan Stutz, Rona Platt, Nancy Nassau, Wendy and Katie Lohr, Tiffany
Child, the proprietors of Devine Bistro, Elizabeth Hollman of Everlasting
Events, and last but not least, Jonathan and Emilio.
Slide Show of the event
Amy
B. Beller, Esq.
