The preparations included all the requisites of a first birthday party and were graciously spearheaded by hostesses Corinne Bender, Sharon Habben, and Ruth Mitick. Handmade invitations of coppery cardstock proclaimed, "Help us celebrate!  No gifts, please, your presence is the best gift."

The date was chosen--Tuesday, June 15, 2010; the time was 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to accommodate the well-wishers' busy schedules.  The location--Morrison Chamber Office, 221 W. Main Street--was decorated inside and out with colorful helium-filled balloons.  A light rain kept guests snug and dry inside, so the picnic tables, carefully arranged in Robert A. Millikan Park, went unused.

Unique, party favor fans displayed the smiling face of the guest-of-honor.  Bender designed them, and the staff at the City of Morrison laminated and trimmed them.  It was fun to hide behind the duplicate "masks."  Can you guess who was the real honoree among these clones?  It was Sylvester Robert Wood, of course, Morrison Community and Economic Development Manager, far right.  The impostures are Tim Long, Don Miller, and Robert Vaughn.  Today was Wood's first birthday party.

Left-to-right, guests Duane "Barney" Habben, Stan Mitick, and Sukie and Boon Sukboriboon sit with Wood.

A large group of fans attended the party before noon.  Other fans joined the celebration during the noon hour:  Nancy Anderson, Barb Bees, Michael Blean, Lynn Dykstra, Chad Haskell, Joy Tegeler, Gary Tresenriter, and Stephanie Vavra.

Blean sang an original song as a tribute to Wood's accomplishments in--and for--Morrison; it was composed by Sharon Habben.  Shown singing the "doo-dah" chorus are Tegeler, Haskell, Habben, Blean, and Tresenriter.

Sharon Habben's invitation stated, "A light lunch will be provided," but it was more than light, as often happens when wonderful cooks take the opportunity to entertain a group.  Tiny capers or sliced olives topped deviled eggs; there was a pasta salad, chips, and salsa.  Warm, cheese-topped ground-beef cocktail sandwiches joined cold turkey sandwiches and fried chicken wings.  Ruth Mitick illustrated two ways to enjoy her savory chipped beef, cheese, and onion dip: as a dip with "Scoops" tortillla chips or spread onto pumpernickel bread cubes.  The fruit group was represented with multi-fruit kabobs, strawberries glazed in white almond bark, and mandarin orange glazed bars.  A chocolate cake wished the guest of honor "Happy Birthday!"

Shown below, left-to-right, are party planners Corinne Bender, Ruth Mitick, and Sharon Habben with S. Robert Wood at  his first birthday party.

Habben included note cards with the invitations that will be "gifts" for Wood to enjoy in private.  "On the enclosed card please write what you appreciate about Robert.  Place card in envelope provided, seal, and bring with you to the party.  There will be a container there in which you may place them.  Thank you!"

Perhaps you would like to write one of your own to him.