Although life has been put on hold for large gatherings, clever people are still figuring out ways to hold celebrations. A bachelorette party and a Rotary Club fundraiser were both held virtually.
Hayley Hacker and Kyle Able were supposed to be married this weekend in a large wedding before the Covid-19 virus changed everything.
THE BACHELORETTE PARTY
My daughter, Shelby Pascoe, was asked to be the maid of honor for longtime friend Hayley Hacker’s wedding that was scheduled for May 24.
The shower, helping the bride shop for a wedding dress, looking for bridesmaid dresses, and planning a bachelorette party in Cabo all went on without a hitch.
Then two weeks before the friends were set to fly to Baja and stay at a house for the bachelorette party, Covid-19 restrictions hit. All flights were cancelled. Even though there was no way to reach the house in Mexico, the owners refused to refund the money.
Then the wedding was cancelled and rescheduled for August.
Still wanting to celebrate with a bachelorette party, the maid of honor emailed nine of the brides’ best friends and invited them to a virtual party on Zoom.
She found a sash labeled bride-to-be, and a crown for Haley to wear. She also packed a party kit with a bottle of tequila, limes, chips and guacamole and then left the kit on the bride’s doorstep.
Directions to participants asked them to add to a music playlist; use a favorite photo of themselves with Haley as a virtual background; and t have a shot glass ready and a choice of beverage for a celebratory shot. Margaritas were suggested in honor of the party that was supposed to be held in Cabo.
The friends all went on Zoom last month and played three games: charades, Never Have I Ever and Quiplash.
Never Have I Ever is a classic drinking game. A statement is made, such as “Never have I ever fallen asleep in the movies” Or “Never have I ever picked my nose in public.” All who have done so must take a drink, including the one who laid the claim.
Quiplash is a word game where participants fill in the blank with a customized prompt and participants vote on the answer they like best.
The party went into the wee hours—and although it wasn’t Cabo, by all accounts everyone had fun.
Best wishes to Haley Hacker, who graduated from Palisades High School and UCLA and is now attending the Anderson Business School, and her fiancé Kyle Able, who is from the Seattle area. Her parents are longtime Palisadians, Tom and Terri Hacker.
PALISADES ROTARY CLUB FUNDRAISER
Bob McGilpin sang at the Palisades Rotary virtual fundraiser that was held on Zoom.
About $4,000 was raised in a Zoom fundraiser attended by about 30 people on May 16.
The impetus behind the gathering was Trish Bowe, the incoming president of the Palisades Rotary Club. Current President John Wilson donated a bottle of wine for each participant. Cupcakes were purchased at K’s Bakery for dessert.
The wine, cupcakes and bingo cards were delivered to Rotary members’ doorsteps between 4 and 6 p.m.
Promptly at 6:30, Ron Atkins, a former Palisadian and son of Rotary member Perry Atkins, and his fiancée Danica gave a Zoom training.
“Welcome everyone, this is the first Zoom fundraiser we’ve ever had,” Bowe said. “This is a toast for all of you.”
Nashville’s Bob McGilpin sang songs, including his “Always Come a Running” and “China Doll.” The songwriter, producer and mentor to new talent joked, “This was my first Zoom concert. My first Zoom tour starts next month.”
The participants in the fundraiser were split into individual groups and each person discussed their best, worst and funniest experiences during the shutdown.
Vincent Bowe, Trish’s husband, said the best thing was the virtual classes he was able to take from FEMA and the FBI, the worst was “the ‘honey-do’ list. I’ve cleaned every drain in the house and reorganized 20 to 30 drawers.”
Retired Lutheran Pastor Dick Meyer spoke about his neighbors, who are classical violinists and held an impromptu concert on their lawn on Mother’s Day afternoon, with as many as 50 people social distancing and listening.
Carlos Rodrigues drew laughs when he said their dogs were hiding so they didn’t have to go on so many walks.
One of the most interesting observations came from Kevin and Nancy Niles, who said that because they keep the doors and windows open in their house, hummingbirds have been flying in. How do they get out? It seems that they pass out and the Niles just carry them back outside.
Then it was onto Bingo, which is an easy Zoom game once you have cards. The winners received wine donated by Pali Wines.
A huge thanks went out to Bowe for her ability to pull off the first ever Rotary Zoom fundraiser.