Masters golf tournament was perfect excuse for a party

Fore! They ll use any excuse for a party, but this one was certainly up to par. It was the annual Margaritas and the Masters party given by Steve and Linda Stanford and their son, Mike, in their home overlooking the 18th hole of the Belmont Country Club golf course. Nearly 60 friends and neighbors, mainly Belmont members, gathered just in time to watch the Saturday rounds of the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Ga. The party has become such a tradition that it has been dubbed the unofficial kick-off of the local golf season. Usually guests come dressed in their newest golf duds, but the chilly day, complete with snow flurries, enticed most to wait for better weather except Mrs. Stanford, who wore her sandals.

Guests viewed the Masters on television, but nobody spied David Taylor in the crowd of spectators, although he was there. Meanwhile, his wife, Cindy Taylor, was at the Stanfords party and won a contest for predicting the lowest score.

Also putting around the party were Gwen and Tom Thibert, Julie and Pat Lindsey, Tina and Rob Black, Sarge and Sue Purewal, and Lois and Jim Chandler, who just returned from Florida after hitting a wild boar on the way home. Also back from Florida were Gloria and Tony Shaw, who returned for Easter because their son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Michelle Shaw of Cincinnati, were home for the holiday.

Mike Stanford, left, and his parents, Linda and Steve Stanford, gave their annual Margaritas and the Masters party at their home overlooking the Belmont Country Club golf course.

Another lucky duck from this area went to the Masters Jim Murray, who was tickled pink because it was something he always wanted to do.

UNTIL the weather is better, how about supporting the Northern Lights Lodge s ninth annual All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Lodge in Maumee on West Wayne Street? Over the last eight years the event has raised more than $50,000 to benefit the Kidney Foundation. The cost is $5 for adults, $3 for children.

AND there s nothing like duplicate bridge and other card games to add sunshine to one s day. Bridge Hospice s annual Deal a Hand Fund-raiser is 1:30 to 5 p.m. April 29 at the Wood County Hospital in Bowling Green. And while you have fun, you will be supporting a good cause. The festive afternoon costs $15 and raffle tickets will be sold for $5 each or 6 for $25. There will also be a gourmet bake sale, homemade refreshments, and entertainment. A silent auction will include a Thomas Kinkaide limited edition print of Ellis Island, which is currently on display at the Bowling Green Country Club, and a vase, a modified formula of Labino glass created by James Michael Kahle. The vase is on display in the lobby of the Wood County Hospital. For information, call 866-352-1166 or 419-352-9808. All of the proceeds benefit the indigent patient fund.