March 24, Friday, Day 169

Today was the start of decorating the Punta Gorda RV Park clubhouse for the two parties tomorrow. The clubhouse has a well equipped kitchen and commercial grade BBQs outside, but we wanted to ascertain that all was in working order and put our heads together to devise a game plan.

Stacia had prepared a lot of decorations including pictures of John for the tables and a slideshow to run on a continuous loop throughout both parties. Dan had put together a menu for the family gathering in the afternoon consisting of brats and potluck dishes supplied by family members. The community party (6-8PM) was to be cake, coffee and punch. We expected over 100 guests plus family; sheet cakes were $120! My job was music; I set up a Louis Armstrong station on Pandora then hauled our Sony Wave music system from the camper to the venue, Voila, period music!

Tomorrow morning gives us enough time to get it all together. Today’s team got things done! What a great family this is; John and Shirley have a wonderful legacy in their offspring. Everyone gets along, pitches in and helps one another. Amazing!

Three more of Dan’s clan, Christoph, who had to leave his wife and very young baby at home in Colorado and Oliver and his wife, Devin joined the party at the rental house. It has a screened in pool, so they had fun.