Guscio: Frank Hodge's retirement a grand affair, with a surprise guest
This column was updated on Jan. 28 to correct the name of Police Chief Joey Reynold's wife.
Guess who was in Bluffton last week ? Am I taxing your brain?
Well I'll tell you who dropped into a wonderful party, thrilling us all, wearing a very blue ensemble and making Nancy Golson swoon with delight.
It was 'Elvis' who stopped by Patsy and Frank Hodge's house to help celebrate Frank's retirement as Bluffton's very dedicated Deputy Town Manager.
The party was a love feast for all of Frank's family, friends and co-workers. He served for almost four decades and that is a very long time !
Bluffton's bon vivant, the one and only Geist Ussery, pulled out all of the best in his wonderful repertoire to produce a glamorous, delicious affair.
The flowers were gorgeous as was Patsy as she and Frank, along with daughter-in-law Janna and grandchildren P.J. and Ryan greeted guests as they arrived at their front door, making all feel immediately loved and welcome.
The weather was lovely -- balmy and perfect , as everyone mingled inside and out.
Music was softly playing on the porch as guests spilled out onto the lawn to chat and sip libations from the bar.
Corinne and Michael Reeves were so excited to share news about son Michael 's new job in San Diego. He is having a wonderful time by the way.
Other guests, full of fun and laughter, were Jennifer and Joe Green; David Brown, just back from a glorious trip to Prague with his adorable wife, English; Loretta Wells; Joanie Heyward; Lisa and John Sulka; new town manager Marc Orlando and lovely wife, Jaclyn; Bess and Mike Soper; Liza and Bill McCracken; Ann and Monty Laffitte; Sandy and Tommy Rhodes; Agnes Pinckney and Virginia Dean -- two Pinckney Colony treasures; and the one and only Druella Schultz with her dynamic mama, Peggy, sister Angela and brother-in-law Ed Wyman.
Also attending were Roberts Vaux; Erin and Tabor Vaux with sister Mary Vaux Bell and husband, James Allyson Harden -- always beautiful -- with husband Joe; Margaret Jones looking lovely and serene accompanied by husband Wes; Jane and Tom Upshaw; Yvette and Lamar Acuff; Tammy and Jim Sauter; Kim and Robert Jones; Anna and Cal Sharp; Julia Causey; and our fabulous chief of police Joey Reynolds and his lovely wife, Jackie.
Also there were Nancy and Charlie Golson, Palmer and Marti Golson, and Carolyn and Marty Smith. Rose and Weston Newton were there, looking festive and fabulous.
Patsy and Frank's sons Perry and Chris flew down from New York with their wives Janna and Mary with grandchildren P.J., Ryan and Heyward and were the icing on the cake so to speak.
The party was a smash hit and what a grand send off for Frank's new "southern agenda" I trust he can top his over the top soiree.
BLUFFTON TRUMPS ATLANTA
I just got back from a harrowing drive to and from Atlanta at speeds over 70 miles an hour.
Heaven help those who try to go the speed limit.
The weather in the big city was hovering around 20 degrees as Tat and I traveled hither and thither. We did not find one person who spoke English and when we did, everyone was from out of town and knew nothing.
When we took a cab -- only once -- the driver was from Guinea and kept saying he wasn't a guinea pig, he only ate them.
We were very glad to get out at our destination.
Another thing that was a bit odd was that whenever we said, "Thank you," people replied "No problem." Everyone, everywhere.
I found that very peculiar.
Why would it be a problem?
When I got home I checked my emails and Facebook to see if I missed anything.
The most charming post I found was by Nedra Brown. She posted a delicious looking photo of what she and Bill were having for supper. Four Oaks Country Ham biscuit slices w/red eye gravy, Daniel Boone stone ground grits, sliced tomatoes, hot homemade biscuits with Moose Cafe Apple Butter.
This wonderful "spread" was a Christmas present they had received from granddaughter Emma McCracken and Lisa and Preston McClun.
Nothing could be finer than breakfast for supper in Bluffton, SC.
Home, sweet home.
HOW SWEET IT IS
Lori and Peter Kraft's brother-in-law Oliver Kita is the proprietor of a very famous chocolate shop in Rhinebeck, N.Y. -- Oliver Kita Chocolates.
For many years he has been voted one of America's top ten chocolatiers and has once again been so honored.
The chocolates are not only delicious but beautiful as well.
HORSE POWER!
We are in for a grand treat once again.
The fabulous Budweiser Clydesdales will return to Bluffton on March 15.
The beauties will muster in front of The Store on Calhoun Street.
The horses will be here in Bluffton to await the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17 and will spend about four hours in Bluffton. Don't miss this rare opportunity to see them. They are breathtaking.
Babbie Guscio is the social columnist for The Bluffton Packet. She can be reached at The Store on Calhoun Street.
This story was originally published January 27, 2016 at 12:15 PM with the headline "Guscio: Frank Hodge's retirement a grand affair, with a surprise guest."