Denise turns... well, let's just say it's a big number

Some of us got together at the legendary Candle Club last night to celebrate Denise's birthday. The Candle Club is one of the few remaining "night clubs" that requires members to pay dues to belong. And to become a member you must have two current members recommend you. It's a throwback to the 70s in every way.

The birthday girl had her some fun.


The ever-creative Jaime (and new hubby Carter) made a bunch of pipe-cleaner figures of Denise using photos of her for the head and body.

Here's another one. To see all of them, go here: http://366images.blogspot.com/

Carter and Jaime with the big band on stage getting ready to play us some swingin' music.

Dick and Bonnie.

Molly and Mike. They're new Candle Club members and were our hosts for the evening.

Dick and Dale.

Katie Grover and Denise, with a good view of this funky venue in the background. It was packed from corner to corner last night.

Carter hamming it up.


Dale and me. I'm not sure why Dale is grimacing except that he is not a fan of the Candle Club because of all the cigarette smoke. Must admit, it's not a strong selling point.

Piano proteges

One of the highlights of our weekend was watching Jaden and Josie perform at their piano recital. They were both amazing... so talented, poised and joyful with their music.

The artists with mom Rachelle, Dad Bret and brother Luke.

Josie and her teacher. She was rocking that dress, which she got last year from Rachelle's mother. It was the first time she'd worn it.

Josie and Jaden with Dale.

Dale was telling Jaden that the music he was playing for his recital was a piece that Dale taught Bret when he was a boy.

Jaden preparing to play.

Isn't he adorable?

And speaking of adorable.

Josie at the piano.

Done performing.

Dale videotaped the performances so the kids could watch themselves afterwards.

Precious!


Then it was lunch afterwards at Il Vicino on a gorgeous fall day.

More halloween

Photos from Halloween night with the grandkids.

Luke was dressed as Raphael, Josie as Cleopatra and Jaden as a Bakugan characters. Barney dressed up as a feisty schnauzer.

Jaden.

Bret and Cleo.

Making their trick-or-treating strategies.


Josie and Jaden

Heading out.

Halloween 2009

Halloween night was spent at a party held at the College Hill house of Janet Rine, a former classmate of mine from Great Bend who now owns Cafe Moderne in Old Town. Janet and her husband do Halloween BIG. They spend a lot of money and a lot of time decorating their house inside and out, including setting up a real organ that Janet's husband plays himself as hundreds of trick-or-treaters line up at their front steps.

The scene outside their house, which is two blocks west of Broadview, Wichita's big Halloween street.


One of their trick or treaters.

Outside their home.


Part of the lawn decor.

More lawn decor.


This is outside a house on Broadview. The scene of lavishly decorated yards and literally thousands of trick-or-treaters roaming the streets in and around must be experienced. This has been going on in Wichita for years and although the Eagle has written about it several times, I had no idea it was this huge of a deal. Next year, we're hoping to take Dale's grandkids to see it. Above, the "pumpkinheads" who live at this house actually put on a little play, repeated throughout the night.


Another display.

Teen in costume.

Another display.

More yard decor.


A house on Broadview.


A haunted pirate ship built in someone's front yard on Broadview.



Later, we went to Oeno wine bar, which had a costume contest.


The guy holding the missile got second place as North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il.

First place went to Jeannie and her master, Capt. Nelson.


Dale and me.

Photos from a wedding

Some shots of the wedding Friday night of Jaime Oppenheimer and Carter Green at the Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine. Jaime had a beautiful fall day for her wedding. Everything was just perfect.



Jaime coming down the aisle on her brother's arm.


Carter and his SEVEN (!) groomsmen. You can see six here, but one of them is standing directly behind Carter.

Denise Neil's daughter, Alexis, was one of the flower girls. She did a great job.

The bridesmaids. Jaime's sister Laura is far left, standing next to Denise. The two women on the right are friends of Jaime's.

A detail shot. Jaime and Carter incorporated both Jewish and Christian elements into the ceremony, including the traditional smashing of a glass as those watching yelled "Mazeltov!"


Jaime and Carter wrote their own vows. She is saying hers here. Both were touching and heartfelt.

Jaime and Carter Green.

Jaime and Carter's wedding

Jaime Oppenheimer and Carter Green got hitched Friday night at the Bartlett Arboretum. It was a picture perfect wedding, with a few funny glitches that made it all the more special.

Scenes from a weekend

Dale and I had a busy weekend, starting with the Final Friday art gallery crawl.


Our first stop was at Watermark Books, where our friend Callie Seaton had a show of her new paintings. Her husband David was there, too.

This is one of Callie's new paintings. Her work was among the best we saw Friday night.

It was a dark and stormy night.

A horse drawn carriage in Old Town.

We went to the downtown Chili Cookoff Saturday afternoon.

People watching and dog watching.

Chili fixin's.

Chili art.

City councilman Jeff Longwell stirring the mayor's chili.


The mayor holding court.


County commissioner Tim Norton and his grand-daughter.

The beginning of my "What Not to Wear" gallery, starring all men.


This rarely works.





And Dale, double-fisting it with both chili and ice cream.