Suffolk News-Herald

Not me. Far from it, but would you believe a book club? Hard to believe, but true unless from 1903 to 2003 doesn’t make 100. I’m lousy at math but it does it for me. Book club? The Sans Souci, of which I am a member courtesy of a dear fiend who is of the top brass in said club.

To celebrate this important number (100) there was no definite theme except to have the members look much like members of the 1903 club. That is, in dress.

Hats! Hats! Hats! And let’s not forget gloves. I saw big hats, small hats, fancy hats, plain hats – get the picture? I saw hats. Looking around I found the standard outfit (there being so many) was a red top, long black skirt and a black floppy hat. Must not forget the white gloves. Our 1903 gals managed to look pretty good. Our 2003 gals managed to look just as swell.

To this 100-year-old club came two other book clubs to help the Sans Souci celebrate this major event. But you don’t celebrate such a time without entertainment. Did you think just the hats and gloves would be the answer? My no! Let me give Lake Prince a pat on the back. The room to celebrate 100 years was delightful. Had a calmness to it just waiting for someone to make the kind of noise for head shaking and foot tapping. We got it by way of a pianist and a flutist. Just hold on and I’ll tell you about them.

I digress. I lived in New York for many years – my husband’s practice was there. We went into the city often to enjoy the music and performers at the clubs and hotels. The two women performers for this occasion equaled those I saw and heard in New York. They were great. How can anyone make low, soft, sad and happy sounds come from a flute? She did! I lean toward piano and she was magnificent. She went back a week to Valentine’s Day and &uot;My Funny Valentine&uot; was never played better. Program had popular songs and a few classics. Foot stomping was left to &uot;Stars and Stripes Forever.&uot; &uot;God Bless America&uot; closed the program.

Forgot the menu: Each brought a favorite to be fussed over – all excellent. The God Bless brought the affair to a close. Hats and gloves now put away. Hopefully not for another 100 years. Who’ll write about it? I know I won’t be around, so be looking for someone to do it.

Florence Arena is a resident of Hillcrest Retirement Center and a regular columnist for the News-Herald.