Tahoe: Who needs an excuse to party?

With the dearth of snow, the bad economy and the prevailing fear factor, what’s a local to do? With the click of a computer mouse and the magic of “evite,” a party was born to whisk away those winter blues. The excuse? Who needs an excuse to party? Well the excuse was a couple of birthdays to celebrate — like David Conover’s and Christie Milz’s. Respective mates Julie Conover and Norm Milz spontaneously pulled the party together last Wednesday at one of Tahoe City’s favorite downtown eateries, Wolfdale’s, with the help of Douglas Dale who offered a four course dinner with wine at a very special price that wouldn’t break the bank (piggy bank, that is). Presto — 60 gregarious souls signed up for an evening of good food, friends and fun.

There seemed to be a real sense of hunger out there — not just for food, but to connect with friends and acquaintances. Living up in the mountains, and with everyone cutting back on everything, there are less opportunities for folks to get together and socialize. The fun quickly started in Wolfdale’s bar area with drinks and a delectable hors d’oeuvre buffet featuring both hot and cold oysters, crab cakes and other tasty tidbits. Everyone was genuinely happy to see people they hadn’t seen in a while. After the cocktail hour, guests moved into the main dining room for dinner, which offered choices for both first and main course. The dining room was abuzz as guests chatted away the night. After dinner there was a birthday song and candles, and the requisite chocolate cake as only Wolfdale’s can do it with raspberry sauce, berries, and cream! This “no-excuse-to-party thing” could get habit forming…

Some of those merrymakers who didn’t need an excuse to party included Mike and Carol Sabarese, Sue and Sam Harrosh, Wendy Wood and Gary Spohr (it was also Gary’s birthday that day!), Heidi Shaughnessy, Rich Scardigli, Toni and Dan Neubauer, Hailey and Danny Pavel, Pam Ferris and Mike Pavel, Julie Kirby, Maja Thaler and Scott Gillespie, Lisa and Jean Fritsch, Di Dorsa and Bruce Ells, Michele de Braganca, Kathleen Dale, Nileta and Dick Morton, Gail and Larry Tomlinson, Jim Kuncle, Jimalu and Gary Davis, Sandra Carter and Todd Mather, Nora Leeder, Sally Carey, Al Multon, Judy and Dick Lingle, and Dawn and George Grass.

— Vicki Kahn may be e-mailed at vickikahn@sbcglobal.net