The weather outside was frigid, but gracious hospitality in the Mountain Brook home of Carmen and Randall Morrow warmed the spirits of Birmingham Music Club Guild members. More than 70 of them gathered for the Guild’s annual holiday celebration on the evening of December 9. Beth Adams and Susan Boston were party co-chairs.
Nigel Kepple welcomed and assisted guests as they arrived. Pianist Michael Barren played Christmas music during the 7 to 9:30 party hours and concluded with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” for Jean Liles. Barren studies piano with the Guild’s accomplished Margery Whatley.
A winter wonderland theme was carried out for the “Prelude to the Holidays” event. Creating the perfect Christmas setting were candles, sparkling reindeer, poinsettias, amaryllis, and pine cones. A spectacular 12-foot decorated tree was the focal point in the den, where the fireplace was hung with colorful stockings. Reindeer and a wreath adorned a mirror. Tables in the kitchen area were decorated with holly, pine cones, and votive candles. Outside, icicles and white lights framed the porch and arbor entry leading to the pool area below.
In the dining room, the banquet table was laden with hors d’oeuvres and centered by a faux fur runner accented with candelabra fashioned as deer antlers. Always a favorite delicacy was Tom and Anne Lamkin’s beef tenderloin, sliced for sandwiches. Other treats to delight the gourmet palate included crab dip, barbecue wings, ham and cheese melts, sausage balls, warmed brie cheese in a boule round served with crackers, brownies, cookies, and cupcakes.
Bob Brown and Bob Black were the popular bartenders. No need for ice chests to ice down wine and beer because a footed bathtub filled with ice in the master bath served this purpose. A cowhide rug defined the area. The bartenders were delighted with this resourceful setting for serving guests.
Among party-goers were Beth and Scott Adams, Judy and Charles Anderson, Roberta and Jim Atkinson, Martha and Bob Black, Shirley and Bob Brown, Susan and John Boston, Mary Margaret Bowman, Cheree and Eric Carlton, Elaine and Oliver Clark, Kay and David Clark, Betsy Cooper, Naomi and Kirk Cunningham, Lesley and Sterling DeRamus, Janine and A. D. Goode, Judy and Jim Haise, Susan and Wyatt Haskell, and Angie and Allen Holder.
Also celebrating were Sandra and Elam Holley, Margaret Hubbard, Nancy and Ed Jones, Nell Larson and Russell Kilgore, Barbara and Robert Klyce, Anne and Tom Lamkin, Jean and Curtis Liles, Virginia McDorman, Carolyn Reich, Beth Miller, Carmen and Randall Morrow, Charla Mobley, Kathie Ramsey, Brenda Ross, Joy Schuffert, Lochrane and Mell Smith, Michelle and Mabry Smith, Melinda and Steve Smith, Nan and Phil Teninbaum, Elise Warren, Liz and Tom Warren, and Judy and Edward Wiggins.
