Samm's extravaganza

I got a late start at Samm's yesterday, leaving my office around 5:30, and when I arrived at the Fusselle's I parked behind Mary Schroer's red SUV. What a feast she had! They had hosted Ed's firm on Sunday so we had benefit of extras from that event - I got the caterer's card but can't locate it now, so ask Samm if you want her contact information. And her home is just lovely. The kitchen, where we congregated, has sweeping views of the pool and deck that we eventually moved onto to admire the landscaping that was artfully completely by Carolyn Ziegler and Jil Powell.

Mary had brought Gail and we chatted a bit while Ed came in bearing whiskey for the bread pudding sauce that Samm was replenishing. Jil Powell followed shortly thereafter. Gail and Samm discussed former high school classmates, including Marion White Linder, bless her, and her struggles with health.

Somehow Gail and I got onto the subject of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and I learned that she had been there when Mike Leonard, Casey's father, was managing Larry Jon Wilson and recording in a studio at a former plantation. I'm filing that one away - that girl has had some fascinating experiences. We didn't get a long conversation but she's doing well, back at work with both grandchildren lovingly cared for, Gaby in preschool and Aiden in mother's morning out.

We had a couple of new people this time: Shari Alexander and Anna Wilds and Kathy D'Atignac.

Nancy Gage came in - Nancy of SRP Credit Uniion and current president of the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce. She was followed by Sharon Johnston (of LinkedIn and networker extraordinaire fame, she's still job seeking) and her friend and realtor, Shari Alexander. Kathy Vokes, who had come with Bunny to Barb's home, followed, with news that she had just bought a home 3 weeks ago.

Anna Wilds followed. We've known each other for several years through church (well, more than several!) and reconnected on LinkedIn thanks to Sharon, so I invited her to come to WBA. She's a delightful person and smart cookie to boot. She's a franchise consultant, so if you know anyone looking for a business, she's your woman.

Anna had just met the franchisors that my husband and I met with in San Diego last week in his new venture, Brightstar Healthcare, a home health care company he's building. (He's looking for a Director of Nursing right now, and then LPNs, CNAs, caregivers, etc., so let me know if you know someone!)

Speaking of nurses, Pat Moss came in, followed by MCG general cousel Jenny Roddy, Cheryl Grace and Grace Waters and Carolyn Tynan. I had to leave for a dinner date with David, but the party was in full swing when I left and I'm guessing it didn't wrap up too soon. If you were there longer, please send notes and I'lll forward them.

Oh gosh - I almost forgot because I didn't write it down - guess who came??? Rebecca Rogers! Larry is doing so well that she came straight from work to Samm's. I was so glad! She's been a Strong Woman, in the WBA fashion exemplified by all of us - Carolyn Ziegler, Carolyn Tynan, Gail Patty quite recently, and we hope the fellowship lent her a bit of strength, or at least change of scenery.

By the way, if I missed you, let me know! It's been a wild week at work. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

We missed Barb Meeks and Linda Henderson - they both were trying to get to Samm's, but I suspect that their 5 o'clock meeting ran longer than they had hoped. Several others said they were coming that I didn't see either.

Jacqui Dekshenieks had mentioned hosting in October but we haven't reconnected on that. If you'd like to host October (if Jacqui can't, of course), November or December, let me know.

Many thanks to Samm for a bang-up first hosting of WBA~

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Sandy Vantrease
Financial Advisor