With the ambiance set, they made sure other guests donned neon necklaces and bracelets before the honoree arrived, and that the lights were turned out to allow their accessories, as well as the glow of floating candles, placed around the room to set the scene for the moment of the surprise. Round tables and white linens were topped with tiered crystal vases, fiber optic sprays and blue LED lamps, iridescent marbles floating clusters of pink, blue and pearl white balloons and crystal cylinders filled with submerged white blossoms and floating candles. They had joined Cheryl early that morning to spend the day transforming the venue with celebratory decorations. Joy Skelton, Barbara Samuels, Sara and Bill Wright and Anne Chartrand Mary and Bob Still Lindsey Selph of Bay Minette, Ala. Playing key roles in helping to pull of the surprise were Rachel and Gerry Shockley local family members Tina and John Bowlin, and Erica Hunsperger Laura and Lanny McAndrew of Greensboro, Ga. ![]() Massey had been at the location early, as had about a dozen of Cheryl’s local friends, who had pitched in to support the party’s planning and implementation. Gwen Massey, of A Social Event Caterers in Montgomery’s Mulberry District, prepared the early evening hors d’oeuvres, as well as the dinner buffet of selections that were enjoyed later to include a Greek salad, chicken and vegetable kabobs and rice pilaf. Those with a sweet tooth enjoyed slices of a red velvet, chocolate-covered sheet cake, decorated for the occasion. They had a great time greeting each other and socializing over wines and cocktails, southern specials from a tea and lemonade table, and appetizers that included spinach dip, assorted crudites and cheeses, and a variety of fruits. They joined neighbors, former co-workers and other local friends who had come together to enjoy a celebration of Carter’s 80th birthday and to kick-off the party well before the guest of honor arrived. a sister-in-law Bonnie Farrell of Longwood, Fla Emily Vickery of Pensacola, Fla. , and Holly Carter Hildebrand of Tampa, Fla. his brother and sister-in-law Larry and Patsy Carter of Tallassee, Ala., and their daughters Meredith Carter of Atlanta, Ga. They included his daughter Julie Carey and her husband, Jim Carey, and his daughter Amy Reid, and her daughter Erin Reid, all of Winston-Salem, N.C.Īlso traveling to embrace him during the celebration were his sister Billie Carol Bandstra, and niece and nephew Jill and Mark Bandstra, all of Bradenton, Fla. ![]() The gathering itself, was of course, something special, but it had been planned with many more elements to surprise him, including the arrival of several family members and friends who came from out-of-town. A couple of days later, he admitted it was only the second time that his wife had been able to pull off a surprise for him in their He was taken aback, however, and forced to throw his arms up with glee as more than 85 people yelled, “Surprise” as he walked into the venue. When they entered the former chapel and home of Montgomery’s Little Theatre on Goldthwaite Street, he was expecting the evening to be just like so many others he has attended with Leadership Montgomery’s Executive Director, and his wife of over 30 years. He had never been to The Sanctuary before, and thought nothing of it as he saw several orange cones with her name on them reserving a parking place. ![]() Clinton Carter hopped in the car with his wife, Cheryl, Saturday evening, thinking they were on their way to an event hosted for Emerge Montgomery, a young professionals affiliate of Leadership Montgomery.
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