Saturday, April 6, 2024

The big day had arrived.

Toshi got home in time to change his clothes and help loadthe car with everything we needed to take to the church by ten a.m.

We had gone with a surfer theme. Our goddaughter, Tracy, hadcreated the invitations, and her mother, Pat, created all the tabledecorations.

There were two cakes—one chocolate and one vanilla. Woodiesand vans were in evidence.

Heather Taylor arrived shortly after we did. She created aphoto booth with an ocean background that looked a lot like Doheny. She hadalso brought a printer, and her son, Eric, made prints for everyone who wantedthem. (These were the “party favors” for our guests.)

Our caterer (Chef Freddie) arrived with his team to finishpreparation of the lunch. And Pat and Bruce brought the centerpieces and helpedarrange everything. (The church sexton had set up all the tables the eveningbefore.)

Thank goodness Toshi was with us. We had brought a video ofLarry through the years to show. There was a TV, but we didn’t know how to setit up. Thankfully, Toshi figured it out.

Silvia and Kim helped me pass out the colorful leis we hadbrought for everyone.

Chef Freddie set out a lovely salad bar, and at noon,everyone who had arrived was encouraged to help themselves. Freddie had assuredus there would be plenty of food with some left over afterward. He was right!

Our guests entered, were greeted with leis,  and found seats.

Meanwhile, we plugged in the PA system, so we could makeannouncements.

By about twelve-thirty, most of the guests had arrived. ChefFreddie announced the menu, and his servers brought the food to thetables.  Lunch consisted of chickenbreast (stuffed and non-), roasted vegetables, rice pilaf, mushroom gravy, anddelicious fresh rolls and whipped butter. Yummy!

A few more people showed up during food service, and we hadmore than enough food for everyone plus large containers to take home. (We arestill finishing off some of the chicken we had frozen.)

Next, we showed the video we had prepared. https://youtu.be/4cop9YkI8nE

Everyone enjoyed looking at all the old photos and Larrynarrated part of it.

His oldest friend, Scott Campbell, had planned to surprisehim by attending. However, a business trip interfered. He sent a letter, andLorna read it. His account of a couple of incidents was slightly different thanLarry’s recollection, so he had to clarify.

Several times during the party, we requested that peoplehave their photos taken, and most did. Everyone seemed to have fun with theidea, and Eric made lots of prints for our guests to take home with them. (IF you were a guest and did not get yours, please let us know.)

I put some of the photos on a video for you to see: https://youtu.be/MHG-wE44mBU

I had asked Larry’s brother, Casey and his best friend, BobSchwenck, to speak about Larry, and they both did a wonderful job. https://youtu.be/oFXkolkDCKQ

Cake was served, followed by a toast (with sparkling applejuice).

Most everyone had a picture taken with Larry. All our kidstook great pictures with him and each other. These will provide great memoriesof a terrific event.

Too soon, it was time to call it a day, and we bid ourguests goodbye.

The whole day was a fitting tribute to a wonderful man,husband, father, and friend.