What woman doesn’t remember those first dance steps taken on her father’s feet, his strong arms guiding her to the music?
(That may not be happening as much these days. But in my day, and I’m dating myself here, putting a record on the stereo, moving the coffee table out of the way and jitterbugging around the living room to Big Band music with my dad, Charlie Butler, is among my favorite childhood memories.)
That’s a long way of saying there’s a special relationship between fathers and daughters, – hence the phrase “Daddy’s little girl.”
The folks at the River Church decided several years ago to honor that bond with a Daddy-Daughter Dance. They go all out for the dress-up occasion, with big time decorations, yummy munchies and a lot of details to make it a night to remember.
They held their fifth annual outing on April 12, and it was a record-breaker with more than 250 attendees.
Created on the theme “Moonlight in the City,” the idea was to take the girls, ranging in age from 2 to 15, back in time when elegance prevailed. Decorations included the moon, sparkly lights, stars, pearls, lace and all things decadent.
The whole evening is a production. Dance creative directors Lori Quisenberry and Michelle Mulkey worked with a team of 50 people to transform the space.
The sparkly doesn’t just come from the décor, the girls arrived in their spring finest. Satin, lace, velvet, hairbands, fancy hairdos and big smiles also lit up the room.
The dads were no slouches, with many of them breaking out their little-used (in Durango, at least) button-down shirts and ties.
Kim Beach, the cast director, coordinated the folks who sang, danced and interacted with the girls throughout the evening. Characters included dancing servants and several couples performed choreographed dances to delight the room.
The evening began with a fanfare, and the couples waltz was definitely a high point. There’s nothing like swanning, ’er, sweeping, around the room to make a woman feel elegant.
Barbara Rosten led the culinary team.
My thanks go to Jen Kline, the children’s pastor at the River Church, for serving as my correspondent on this story.
“Our goal is to create a place where dads and daughters can connect, have fun and create lasting special memories,” Kline said.
Based on the happy faces at Moonlight in the City, I think they can call it mission accomplished.
HHH
Whether it’s raining (fingers crossed) or sunny, here’s hoping these folks have wonderful spring birthdays – Ian Gordon, Staci Latham, Randy Glenn, Martina Pansze, Gary Conrad, Eric Copeland, Calvin Chase, Karin Kingsley, Joe Albert, Beth Green, Allan Green, Norm Goldman, Laura Jaramillo, Ronda Conrad, Dorothy Gore, Liz Callard, Jean May, Pam Leder, Erica Max, Christopher Leach, Mark Hardaway, Karson Harbison, Rebekah Markley, Ida Kolb, Sophia Raymond, Al Studer, Kathy Anderson, Coy Bryant, Kyle Houle, Jeanette Johansen, Rileigh Leininger, Aiden Roesser, Nathan Wickett, Isaac Forsythe, Feather Smith, Patricia Montonera, Tonya Mayberry, George Mayberry, Ron Stockton and the one and only Joe T. Silva (93!).
Special greetings go to two women who join Silva in making nonagenarianism look vital and productive – Jean Pearthree (92) and Doris Higgins (96).
HHH
Tonight is the final performance of “Love Letters” at the Durango Arts Center. The couple featured tonight is Beth Drum and Rich Fletcher.
Theater lovers should make this a “do-not-miss,” not only because it’s a wonderful play and a chance to see local luminaries in a different light, but also because monies raised will go toward some much-needed improvements to the DAC Theatre. That means we’ll enjoy the results, no matter what performance we go to see at the DAC.
Tickets are $26 at the door, $20 for DAC members. The performance begins at 7 p.m.
I was fortunate enough to see Meredith Mapel’s and Jack Llewellyn’s rehearsal for Friday and was planning to see the other two couples, just to see the different approaches they took to A.R. Guthrie’s epistolary – that’s a fancy way to say told through letter writing – play.
I got caught in the newsroom Thursday night, so had to miss my colleague and friend Judith Reynolds and Gordon Thomas. I’ve heard I missed something special.
I am planning to go tonight to see Drum and Fletcher, so I guess, to quote Meatloaf, “Two out of three ain’t bad.” Hope to see you there.
HHH
As we approach the end of the school year, another group of graduates is poised to go out into the world.
For a number of years now, the mothers of the graduating class at Durango High School and the school’s female staff have created a special rite of passage for the young women who are headed in every direction once they receive those diplomas. It’s a senior girls tea, and the event serves as an opportunity to send them off with some wisdom and joy.
This year, the moms are seeking donations of tea cups and saucers, so each girl walks away with a memento that says they are cherished by our community. We have about three weeks to collect 150 sets of cups and saucers, so everyone needs to check their china cupboards and select something special for the big day pretty quickly. (The quickness also ensures the mothers don’t waste energy worrying that they won’t get enough sets.)
Susan Schaldach is spearheading this part of the effort. You can reach her at 769-7524, and she will come pick up your precious cargo. Or you can make it even easier for her and drop it off at her home, which is centrally located at 20 Bacus Ave., just off Clovis Drive.
Let’s send these young women off knowing they have a strong community foundation.
HHH
While I’m on the subject of sending young women out into the world, “Girls Fun-ding Night Out,” will give parents and girls information about opportunities for scholarships.
The event is sponsored by the local chapters of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, all of which work to raise money for scholarships. There are four P.E.O. chapters in Durango, and they sell nuts and poinsettias, hold bridge parties and even pass the hat to make sure young women have the opportunity to pursue further education.
The Women’s Resource Center will also present information about its Fort Lewis College scholarship and Education Opportunity Fund for girls going for certification courses rather than bachelor’s degrees.
The event will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday in Program Room No. 1 at the Durango Public Library, 1900 East Third Ave.
Refreshments will be served.
HHH
Hunting for Easter eggs as they celebrate their anniversaries are George and Melodie San Miguel, Michael and Linda Buehler, Bill and Marianne Griffin, George and Aurora Rose, Steve and Marti Kiely, Charlie and Julie Arbaugh, David and Janine Bulen, Paul and Pat Root, Ralph and Sarah Campano, Bill and Kathy Owen, Barry and Phyllis Stone and John and Kate Ogier.
HHH
abutler@durangoherald.com
