Holiday Spirit: Celebrating a Year of Writing and Reading

Although WAG’s annual member shindig on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014 was a holiday party, there was little doubt that the evening was more about a changing of the guard. Outgoing WAG president Art Crummer handed over the reins to Susie Baxter in the symbolic form of a 9-pound hammer and a large bucket of gravel (Susie had suggested by eMail a ceromony where Art passed the gavel, but spell check had changed it to “gravel”).

In return, Art received an Amazon gift card and a six-pack of a brew whose identity was kept secret, for he cleverly left it part way in the lighted gift bag, which blinked merrily away.

The potluck dinner allowed WAG members to showcase their favorite dishes and desserts. Food tables overflowed with baked ham, chicken salad, black-eyed peas, casseroles, corn pudding, green salad, fruit salads, key lime pie, apple pie, brownies, fudge, tea and water. Some members even contributed bottles of wine.

The diversity of the food offerings contributed to the success of the party, said WAG member Joan Carter.”Worked out better than having a caterer, though it was a puzzle for those like me who don’t cook!”

Art serenaded those in attendance with his unique brand of folk, blues, and swing music, beginning with Don Groom’s ode to Payne’s Prairie, “Vitachoocho,” followed by Will McLean’s “Wild Hog” (in keeping with some of the organic, free-range pork Mary Crummer provided). A number of original compositions followed (“I Never Ever Sing Old Lost Love Songs”, “I’d Rather be Your Number Three”, “Interstate I-75 Rag”, and “Lovebug Blues”). He closed with “Elmer’s Tune” and “My Blue Heaven”. He was accompanied by WAG members Patsy Murray on fiddle (or was it violin?) and Jeffrey Shapiro, his clarinet adding wind under Art’s lyrics.

WAG members also took time to reflect on the loss of co-founder Kal Rosenberg, who passed away on Nov. 11 after a battle with kidney disease. Kal would have enjoyed the camaraderie that he helped establish. He is missed.