By Janet Lawless Christ
(*This was originally published as the Social Article for August 2015 issue of The DIVOT – Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club‘s monthly newsletter.)
Once upon a summertime in a not faraway (…or is that “fairway”?) land – just a few wee miles from where the surf meets the turf, there lived a tribe of the luckiest people on Earth.
In the center of this land stood a mystical playground with an enchanted clubhouse (…actually two clubhouses, but I digress), where all the people who lived in the land (…or technically who owned property within its confines) could come dilly dally amidst a host of enchanting activities AND just charge everything to their very own secret number!
The most fantastic and fascinating part of this playground was that each day a band of wizards magically appeared to devise and divine miracle plays where the people of the land could gather to whyle away the hours and remember once again that they are indeed the luckiest people on Earth. These wizards of mirth had lyrical names like Al, Shanon, Deryn, Juan and even a sorcerer named Freerksen – along with happy host of hard-working souls!
In the lazy hazy days of August one wonderful year they put on a bevy of events that were sure to please even the grumpiest of lucky folk. Activities like:
Thursday, August 6 at 4:30 – “Grillin’ and Chillin'” where Sorcerer Freerksen will wield his magical wands (…or spatulas) over open flames and teach the people how to transform beasts into feasts! Of course a finely flamed feast shall follow the Sorcerer’s magic show because in this land, food and the inevitable river of wine are at the core of the people’s existence!
Thursday, August 13 will welcome even the townsfolk’s beasts at a mind–numbingly funny and snappy “Yappy Hour” because alas the people love their ill-behaved pets — AND of course their happy hour too!
Friday, August 14 4:30 – 6:30 there will be a complimentary wine tasting when Grapevine Wines will appear to dazzle the crowds with an array of mesmerizing vintages.
Wednesday, August 19 11:30 – 1:00 will showcase the premiere performance of a new series named “More Than Lunch” starring Darlene Davies who will tell the tales of the “Haps and Mishaps of the Panama California Exposition”! It is sure to be a delightful diversion for some of the more evolved townspeople and their guests too! And to top it off a 3 course Panama-California Fusion luncheon will grace the ravenous crowd.
Thursday, August 20 5:00 – 7:00 will be the special gathering of the some of the brightest in the land named the “Bridgesters” who will gather ’round to stare at tiny square, flat objects in their hands, try to read each other’s minds and speak in clipped cryptic jargon that only they can decipher! These mighty minds will fortify themselves as they dine first then form small circles for play, guided by magicians named Scott and Jane Farr who will facilitate the mindful madness!
Thursday, August 27 at 6:00 to appease the less mindful of the species, a Single Malt Scotch tasting will ensue. Lorne Cousins of the Balvenic Brand – one of the most prestigious names in the world of whiskey will spin stories aplenty about the history of the Balvenic region and the whiskey-making process. While trying to remain coherent, participants will taste 4 (count ’em) 4 single malt Scotches paired with a blur of hors d’oeuvres!
So there is the tale of a place where dreams really do come true, where time is always planned (…by the wizards) to bring a smile and a warmth to one heart (…or is that the single malt whiskey?). The secret of the land and its enchanted playground is that showing up (…reservations are always appreciated and often necessary) is all you need to do – and you too shall live happily ever after!