Only on Hilton Head: Island party offers perfect holiday blend

Every holiday season, we look forward to Pat and Lynda Laff's party around the corner on Club Course Drive.

We weren't part of the original gathering, which began fourteen years ago, but, like everyone else, we like spending time with the Laffs and their assorted cute, little, white dogs; one old, one nearly blind, one shy, one nudging for an ear-scratch the moment he sees you, and all wearing Christmassy, colored collars.

It's simply a smorgasbord of fun.

Husband Johnny D and I know what we are wearing two weeks ahead of time. Can't be caught in the same duds two years in a row, not that our Sea Pines friends even know what we're wearing from one week to the next.

We bring an unoriginal bottle of pinot grigio and a sensible gift from me, for Lynda... usually.

The Laffs throw what I call a "blended" party, which means the Star of David graces the top of the Christmas tree while "Chanucka" (as Lynda spells it) candles and dreidels embellish the tops of mantles and counters throughout the open dining room. There is also a litter of nativity scenes, cherubs, and chocolate truffles -- the last which may be what I have instead of religion.

All of that leads to a sitting area, bar, airy kitchen, den, breakfast nook, and out to the back deck, where there's a grill, more comfy chairs and tables, and stairs, leading down to the pool. We are, after all, on Hilton Head, where the pool doesn't take December off.

The "blended" approach stems from Pat and Lynda's "blended" families.

Lynda was reared Methodist, "technically," she says.

Pat is Jewish.

They met at a business meeting in Washington D.C., many lunar calendar years ago and, well, blended together her two children; Josh (who lives in Chicago), and Anna (who lives here on Hilton Head), with Pat's two sons; Mike (still in D.C.), and Josh, (who moved here with Pat and Lynda ).

How does one cater such an event?

You import a Baptist, African-American chef from Memphis named Troy Cage, who manages food and beverage for the American Queen Steamboat. Cage has been cooking for thirty-three years, receiving much of his training and experience from "the finest properties" in the Lowcountry -- the Sea Pines Resort, Chechesse Creek, and Colleton River Plantation, he says.

Memphis is Troy's hometown, but he gained much knowledge and fandom from his years working locally.

"There are so many amazing people here who have helped and supported my dreams to cook, and bring a smile to people's faces while they share the joy of my food," says Cage, who gladly treks here from Memphis year after year to cater the Laff's gala.

The party has grown from around twenty guests in 2002, to more than sixty revelers.

As usual, we expect to blend together joyfully.

Carmen Hawkins De Cecco lives on Hilton Head Island. She blogs at hiltonheadblogangel.me.

This story was originally published December 13, 2015 at 6:04 AM with the headline "Only on Hilton Head: Island party offers perfect holiday blend."