Smoke Signals™ Online - It was politics 101 at Ridgerunners in October

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It was politics 101 at Ridgerunners in October

Group celebrates Wanda Hans' 102nd birthday

By Alice Eachus

Bill Crane, veteran political commentator, gave Ridgerunners an inside peek at how elections are won or lost.

Talk about dancin' a jazzy soft-shoe to keep the crowd entertained!

KayDell Knarr, one half of the Ridgerunners' lead team this year, sneaked anxious peeks over her shoulder at program chair Janet Robertson during the October Ridgerunners' meeting. As the meeting was called to order, Janet was precariously perched in the doorway of the Clubhouse searching for any sign of the month's featured speaker.

Bill Crane, WXIA election commentator and founding partner of the marketing and media relations firm Hudson Crane, Inc., was late for the Ridgerunners'meeting. Not just a few minutes late, but quarters and quarters of an hour late.

KayDell juggled the agenda like a real pro so nobody really knew there was a glitch in the making, until she just had to blurt out, "Bill is late because he was taking his 15-month-old daughter to day care when she threw up on him and he had to go home to change his clothes!"
All the mommies and grandmas in the Ridgerunners' audience swooned in unison and Bill instantly became a darling man to treasure. Bill Crane has to be the ultimate Renaissance man - toting and doting dad, as well as a businessman extraordinaire. What a guy!

Yes, Your Vote Does Count! was the topic of Bill's presentation.

With decades of back room political wheeling and dealing on his resume, Bill Crane was well equipped to give Ridgerunners an inside look at what the whole crazy red/blue election frenzy is all about. And, whatever happened to the Hillary Clinton/Rudy Giuliani match-up anyway? Bill gave some good answers to that $64,000 question!

Wanda Hans had reason to celebrate at the October Ridgerunners' meeting--she turned a young 102 years old!

All "lei-ed out," Carol Powichroski, Kay Bridges, Judy Wiggins and Carol Mastroianni are the newest members of Ridgerunners.

KayDell Knarr, Ridgerunners' co-president, serves up a little pre-lunch cheer to Birthday Girl WAnda Hans and Annette Filbich.

Explaining how terrorism, vested interests, timing and hoopla all play into elections, Bill painted a vivid picture of what might happen come November 4. He also sketched a scenario of future presidential elections should the country be divided into four regions rather than 50 states in an effort to balance electoral influence.

Of course, that means Iowa would have to give up its caucus, a tough political battle right there!

With accusations that the media is too involved with calling the shots this year, Bill left Ridgerunners with the adage, "We try not to tell you what to think, but give you something to think about."

On to the partying! There was a very special celebration at this fine fall meeting - Ridgerunners' Wanda Hans celebrated her 102nd birthday. Still active, fun and cute as a button, Wanda blew out her candles with a mighty puff. Wanda has seen dozens of presidents come and go, but nobody thought to ask who was her favorite!

Susie Almy and Chris Young, co-vice presidents, had the fun job of introducing new Ridgerunners members, as well as digging deep in the welcome basket to draw for door prize winners. This year, new members are clearly identified by colorful Hawaiian leis draped around their pretty necks. Hard to miss this ID, but easy to encourage a friendly hello.

Following the meeting, a scrumptious luncheon buffet was enjoyed by members, including champagne punch to toast Birthday Girl Wanda and the next president of the United States, whoever that might be.

Monika Kelly, daughter of famed circus clown Emmett Kelly, Sr., will be the featured speaker at the November 11 meeting of Ridgerunners. Mark your calendar-10 a.m. at the Clubhouse.

Drawing upon her years of rubbing rubber noses with circus folks, Monika will lift the Big Top flap and let us in on the secrets of Cotton Candy, Clowns and Me.

Coveted invitations to the annual Ridgerunners' holiday luncheon decorated Alpha Boxes of late. This Christmas Celebration, to be held at the fabulous Tate House on Tuesday, December 2 at 11 a.m., will not only give reason to sing Fa-la-la, but will teach us how to match good food with good wine.

Gordon Harnesberger, Certified Specialist of Wine, will take us on a sipping tour of fine libations. The cost is $25 per person for this holiday happening.

Remember, you have to be a dues-paying member of Ridgerunners to attend this afternoon delight. But, that's easy enough to do. Just place your check for $15, payable to Ridgerunners, in the Ridgerunners' Alpha Box at the post office. Or simply join up at the November meeting. You'll then be on the A-List!

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