Bonnie Ganz celebrates her birthday Jules Verne style
Bonnie Ganz had so much fun at her birthday party 10 years ago, she repeated the gaiety and laughter on Aug. 13 at the home of Anthony Gagliardi.
Dressed as Anne Boleyn, Bonnie greeted her 50 or so guests, all female — and several also in costume, as one might surmise. There was a whole lot of chatter and laughter going on throughout the afternoon party.
Guests were greeted with French `75s and delectable hors d'oeuvres. The visual of Jules Verne's “Around the World” was immediately established by hot air balloons (helium, in this case), laden with baskets of beautiful flowers as table centerpieces. The international theme was everywhere, with a Chinese dragon, a piñata, and American and Italian flags suspended overhead.
A tiki bar, in full Hawaiian atmosphere, was
Janet Kaford, Bonnie Bateman-Ganz and Patty Knutson at Bonnie Ganz's birthday party
a popular watering spot. The food stations were in the décor for the cuisine of the region they represented, as were the dishes offered. For dessert, a beautiful cake decorated with a hot air balloon visually tempted the tastebuds. As guests entered, they signed a soon-to-be-framed poster of a hot air balloon wishing Bonnie a happy birthday.
DJ Michael Musa kept the party lively and some even danced.
More than $14,000 was donated to the Steel
Magnolias. The Steel Magnolias raise funds to benefit children with developmental delays, behavioral and learning challenges, and other special needs at the Stramski Children's Developmental Center.
Seen at the scene: Alice Wallace, Barbara Cline, Carli Steers, Clarissa Nakata, Cyndi Seibert, Dede Rossi, Dia Kaesman, Diane Dilday, Elaine Goodnoe, Janet Kaford, Janice Merriweather, Jennifer Cameron, Joyce Ricci, Judy Ross, Kimmy Hertzog, Miyoko Henderson,
Leslie Stonik, Nancy Friedman, Patty Knutson, Polly Cross, Susan Dilday, Tamara Achauer, Theresa Brunella, Victoria Witherington.
Members of Steel Magnolias, which co-hosted the event, included President Bobbie Fesler, President-elect Michele Dobson, host Anthony Gagliardi, Gary Lee Wolf and Carl Lee, past Presidents Denise Dahlhausen and Hilda Sanchez with David Rigby, Stephanie Davis, Sherry Loos, Cathy King, Judie Johnsen, Surina Godfrey, Carmen Bubar, Liz Krummell Susan Hill, Paul Diego and Debbie Martin. be sent to Shirley Wild at spwild@verizon.net or by fax to 562-594-9468. Please include a contact phone number. end high-resolution jpeg photos, by attachment, to spwild@verizon.net and include group name and identification of individuals from left. Call Shirley at 562-594-9468 for more information.