麻豆传媒AV

A 70th birthday surprise party was held for Mel Deagnon at Zion Lutheran Church Feb. 1. Have you ever planned a surprise party? If not, let me tell you how to do it and what obstacles you might incur.

First of all you have to keep it a secret. Now, how easy is that? You start in November to plan so you can get your invitations out with your Christmas cards. OK, if you send out your cards Dec. 15, with a reply card for the end of January, it's not such a good thing. Some people reply early and then you think, "The party's Feb. 1, are they going to remember?" So you have to remember to keep a list of names for people you invited so if need be you can call and confirm they are coming.

OK that's fine. Then the person you are planning the party for decides - yes, Mel - he's going to throw his own party. His party will be Feb. 22 in the Maymont Hall. He proceeds to tell everyone about his party while I have to tell everyone to go along with it. Guess what? We're still going to have a party Feb. 22 in Maymont as I don't know who he's asked. Meanwhile I have invited close to 100 people but what if I forgot someone who he invited and they show up in Maymont to party? I tried to remember everyone but If I forgot you, I'm sorry; come to this one It will be just as much fun as the one Feb. 1.

Several time you just about slip, like when you're talking to the kids and you almost let the cat out of the bag and say, see you next week. Or when you meet up with friends and hope they don't slip - which no one did. Thank you.

Through the months, I'd picked up decorations, ordered cake, balloons and did what needed to be done, organized someone to cater the event and plan the menu. I was able to keep things at work so I didn't have to worry about taking things home and hiding them.

Time to decorate, Friday afternoon, I take time off work and meet some friends to help out. A doctor's appointment - not - sounds good as usually you're at the doctor's office for an hour or two anyway. We decorate and we're set for the party.

How to get Mel to this party? Well, since Mel plays music, I ask a friend if he would ask him to play at the church Saturday night as someone he knows is having a anniversary and they would like them to play. As they are doing speeches, etc., they'd like the musicians there at 5:30 p.m. The musicians can also bring their wives and supper will be provided.

You hope everyone else remembers to be there at 5 p.m.so they are settled in before the birthday boy arrives.

The day is here and we arrive at the church. I go in with the guitar and Mel goes out to get the rest of his stuff, comes back in and our grandson Geo approaches him and wishes him Happy Birthday. Then Mel enters the church and everyone sings Happy Birthday and we all have a wonderful time.

1944 was a good year. What happened that year? 20th Century-Fox releases Lifeboat, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Mrs. Thomas F. Sullivan, with actress Marlene Deitrich, serves servicemen coffee at the Hollywood Canteen.

Feb. 21, the day Mel was born, Second World War Devil's Island convicts fight to free France in the film, Passage to Marseilles, starring Humphrey Bogart, Michelle Morgan, Claude Rains, Philip Dorn, Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre. Directed by Michael Curtiz, the movie is released by Warner Brothers.

Leslie Brooks, Gene Kelly and Rita Hayworth star in the Columbia Pictures film Cover Girl. In April, Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians top the music charts. Barry Fitzgerald and Bing Crosby star in Going My Way. In June, D-Day - the invasion of France begins. Roller skating to band music is a popular American pastime. Marlene Dietrich stars in Kismet. In September, Pauline Betz celebrates with runner-up Margaret Osborne after winning her third consecutive U.S. tennis title. In October, the St. Louis Cardinals become 1944 World Series Champions. Tom Drake, Margaret O'Brien and Judy Garland star in Meet Me In St. Louis.

And ending out the year, Mickey Rooney, age 24, and Elizabeth Taylor, age 12, star in National Velvet.

Good luck with your party; just remember try not to plan to far in advance.

Mark on your calendar Feb. 15 Valentine's Day in Maymont at the Maymont Seniors' Centre - a potluck and jam session, door prizes, chance to win a beautiful cubic zirconium ring and maybe even a 50/50 draw. Bring your sweethearts and, especially for those of you who forget Feb. 14, celebrate Feb. 15. Doors open 5:30 p.m. See you there.