Delmarva Mini-Reunion
October 26-28, 2012
Held in the Salisbury, MD
In spite of the Mini having to be cut short by the arrival of Hurricane Sandy, the Delmarva Mini-Reunion of the Culver Class of '62 was a roaring success. (To save you the trouble of Googling it, "Delmarva" is the name of a large peninsula on the East Coast of the United States, occupied by most of the state of Delaware and portions of the states of Maryland and Virginia. The word is a portmanteau formed from the names of these states: Delaware + Maryland + Virginia = Delmarva.)
Our most excellent hosts for this Mini were Phil and Carol Wright. The "lucky thirteen" attendees included:
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Put your cursor over each image, and you should see a "flyout" with the person's name.
Regrettably, Mitch Fry (originally a co-host) had a major scheduling conflict come up (the hurricane didn't help either) and was unable to join us. Also unable to join us was Doug Neumann; he had checked his bag and was ready to board his flight to Salisbury when Phil contacted him about the approaching storm. Since Doug absolutely needed to be back in the Midwest for a Monday night event, he most unfortunately felt compelled to cancel.
For the weekend, Phil arranged an amazingly low "corporate" rate at the Hampton Inn & Conference Center in Salisbury. This became our Headquarters Hotel. As we checked in, each of us was given a magnificent welcome basket that Carol created. The small pumpkin with "Culver Class of '62" hand painted on it was most impressive.
Friday Evening
A Welcoming Dinner at the Wright's Home
The Mini began at Phil and Carol's gorgeous home in Hebron (about 8 miles from Salisbury) with drinks and delicious appetizers, followed by a sumptuous dinner with classic regional entrees and side dishes plus the official dessert of the state of Maryland: Smith Island Cake. In addition to the Culver clan, the dinner guests included a couple of friends of Phil and Carol, plus Phil's daughter Stacy.
Brad Laycock, Tish Smith, Phil Wright, Howie Bridges, John Davis
Magarida Williamson, Carol Wright, Judy Calhoun, Diane Smith
(Back to camera, near lower center of the picture: Phil's daughter, Stacy)
Saturday Morning
The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art
Phil picked us up at our Headquarters hotel in a large van and took us all to the Ward Museum of Waterfowl Art where he had arranged for our own personal tour guide. The Museum features the world's largest and finest public collection of decorative and antique decoys. It was named in honor of Stephen and Lemuel Ward, whose vision and artistry in carving decoys pioneered the transition of the decoy from a working tool to an expressive wildfowl sculpture. The exhibits were absolutely fascinating and most impressive in their detail and artistry.
Here are three examples of the incredible carvings we saw at the Museum.
Taken in front of the The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art
Put your cursor over a person, and you will see a "flyout" with the person's name.
Missing from the picture: Tish Smith (Brad's wife)
Saturday Lunch and Afternoon
On Smith Island
After the tour of the museum, Phil used the van to transport us to the town of Crissfield, MD where we boarded Captain Larry's Bay Eagle boat for a 45-minute trip across the Chesapeake Bay to Smith Island.
Put your cursor on the person to see a 'flyout' of the person's name.
On the way over, it seems we spent quite of bit of time taking pictures of classmates taking pictures of classmates. Huh???
Rick taking a picture of John
John taking a picture of Rick
Rick taking a picture of Ken
We first visited Tylerton, where we had an authentic crab cake sandwich and more Smith Island Cake for lunch at the Drum Point Market followed by a self-guided walk around the town of about 55 people.
Map of the Island
Our lunch place
Next Captain Larry took us to the town of Ewell for a quick visit before heading back to Crissfield.
Saturday Evening
Our Restaurant for Dinner
The evening started with a social hour in the conference room at Phil's business: Vernon Powell Shoe store in Salisbury, conveniently located close to our Headquarters Hotel. Several of us took advantage of the generous 20% discount that Phil provided to all attendees.
After the social hour, everyone re-loaded into the van, and Phil transported us across state lines into Delaware to the town of Seaford for a spectacular dinner at the Bon Appetit Restaurant. Any restaurant that serves its butter in the shape of a flower has to be excellent ...
... and it was!
For better or worse, we spent more time gorging on the sumptuous 5-course meal that Phil had arranged than taking pictures (plus the light level was rather low). But here is a picture of one of our tables.
Phil Wright (barely visible), Carol Wright, Penn Williamson, Margarida Williamson,
John Davis, a friend of the Wright's (mostly hidden), Judy Calhoun
Sunday Brunch & Farewell
Bob Evans Restaurant, Salisbury
As Hurricane Sandy approached, we decided we all needed to head to other places. However, before we all headed in our respective needed directions, we gathered at the Bob Evans restaurant next to our hotel for a fond farewell ... and more kudos to the Wrights for the fantastic Mini they had arranged.
Howard Bridges, Phil Wright, Rick Carpenter, John Davis
Everyone did make it home OK in spite of the storm. However, John Davis' return to California was quite an adventure. It included losing all electrical power at his Monday night hotel, five different flight reservations, plus a one-way rental car from Baltimore to Washington-Dulles airport.
Salisbury City Park