Week end and beginnings

Well, the weekend finally passed. For several days, the planning and preparation was intense for the "Winter Formal" to honor home school seniors Maggie Blevins, Cary Ann Swindal, Katie Leach, & Ryan Porter. Attendees were invited earlier and came from all over the Birmingham area, Jasper, Southeast Alabama, Northeast Mississippi and Memphis and Franklin, Tennessee.

It began Friday night as the attendees began arriving and changed into the formal attire required and headed to the ballroom (Forestdale Lions Den). One enterprising group even arrived in a limo. Special guests included pastors of attendees and a former governor of Alabama. The ballroom was decorated in an evergreen forest theme and white cloth covered tables with candles and flower arrangements. After a welcoming announcement and prayer, dinner was served to attendees seated by random selection to encourage introductions and conversation. The dinner menu was planned & prepared by the chief cook and bottle washer from the Hat Creek ranch and support and servers with family and friends of attendees. Dinner was served and began with a green salad with chef prepared dressing, pork tenderloin and sauce, creme garlic potatoes, spiced black-eyed peas, and croissants. The dessert of bread pudding and special sauce was served and as tables were cleared, the music came up and ballroom dancing commenced. Many of the attendees had attended classes and private instructions and as the dancing continued, those with desire but without experience were encouraged to partner with some one with experience and learn a few basic steps.

As dancing continued, the tables were pushed back and room was made for the Virginia Reel. Two lines formed with about 12 to 14 couples each and the caller made a brief description of the steps. Then the music began and the dance continued. As the midnight hour approached, the lines began racing through the steps to see which could finish first. It was all in fun and much frivolity was enjoyed. Some of the group began changing clothes and assisted in removing the "forest" as clean up had to be performed prior to leaving.

As the hall emptied, overnight guests were shuttled to the Hat Creek headquarters (females) and to the Pea patch (males). Brunch was served Saturday morning, social time ensued and a junk food picnic was enjoyed at a local park in the late afternoon. A movie viewing capped the evening and the remaining guests returned to their quarters. Sunday arrived with breakfasts and church attendance and the weekend festivities ended.

The core members of this group have been enjoyed before and the character of the group has been experienced in their respect for each other and ability to enjoy each other with different ages and backgrounds. It is a blessing and gives hope for the future to watch this group of young people.