Toga Party 2010 - Bayview Boat Club

TOGA! TOGA!

It's Party Time,... Italian Style!

Saturday, September 11, 6:00 PM

Location: Bayview Marina pool
Event Flyer (opens in new window)

Event Wrap-up: What. A. Party. Exclamation point.
Planning hosts (and life-members) Gary and Marilyn Kay Dobson really outdid themselves with the Toga Party by the Pool, producing the best party, so far, this year!

The guests arrived to find that extensive draped canopies, billowing sheer fabrics, twining greenery and other touches had transformed the Bayview pool area, recalling the opulent decadence of Ancient Rome. The magnificent attired attendees completed the effect.
Goddesses

In recognition of the day - September 11 - we began with the slow unfurling of our Flag, which was Flag display ceremoniously carried by the Knight and his Maiden, as we listened to Ray Charles' rendition of America, the Beautiful. Then, Chaplain Pat Lee began his planned benediction for the 9/11 victims and heroes, their families, and for those in the service, protecting our freedom. However, Pat was forced to cut it short, choked by the unexpectedly powerful feelings that were welling up in all of us. Never mind, his overwhelming emotion even more eloquently "spoke" all that needed said, and left everyone deeply moved. The tribute concluded with Alan Jackson's Where Were You, When the World Stopped Turning?

Then, it was time to move on to more festive music and dancing, DJ'd by Jake Bays, and feasting on smoked brisket and beer-butt chicken, washed down with beer and "vino".

Gary Dobson acted as emcee for the Roman slave auction of the Bayview Boat Club Board members. Caesar massaging feet The "slaves" were later seen feeding their "masters" strawberries, fetching drinks, massaging feet and shoulders, and dancing, before finally receiving their freedom, again. We want to thank all the winning bidders - it was fun, and we collected $230 to benefit the Texas Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Later, the costumed guests were lined up by Commodore Larry "Caligula" Nelson, to be judged by popular acclamation. We had lots of great lookin' outfits, but the winners proclaimed Best Dressed were Jake "The Barbarian" Bays and Monica Dusek.

After the costume judging, Deb Brantley organized willing participants for some non-violent 'gladiatorial' games of skill (such as, trying to roll a lemon into a hula hoop, using a banana, swinging on a string tied to your waist).

Acknowledgements:
It was a fun party and a wonderful night, with many people to thank. First, Gary and Marilyn Kay, for their creativity and hard work, putting it all together. Also, to their good friend, Gayla Lazzaro, for helping decorate, and her company, Fabricut, Inc., for providing the many dozens of yards of fabrics that went into "setting the scene". Thanks to Scott Fort and Randy Wilson, for cooking up the meat, and Jake Bays, for the music. Thanks to Deb Brantley, and her helper, Bettye Ann Howell, for the games. And thanks to everyone who brought food, and to those who came in costume - as toga'd Romans and Greeks... or even Medieval and Viking characters!
Finally, thanks to Jim Rosenberg and Bayview Marina, for providing the venue... and lots of ice.