Romance At The Ranch 2009

Trip over love, you can get up.  Fall in love and you fall forever.  ~Unknown

Dinner Dancing At Old Ranch 2009 (Page Two)

Valentine's Day or Saint Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14 by many people throughout the world. In the West, it is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers, or offering confectionery. The holiday is named after two among the numerous Early Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.

The day is most closely associated with the mutual exchange of love notes in the form of "valentines". Modern Valentine symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards.

The sending of Valentines was a fashion in nineteenth-century Great Britain, and, in 1847, Esther Howland developed a successful business in her Worcester, Massachusetts home with hand-made Valentine cards based on British models. The popularity of Valentine cards in 19th century America was a harbinger of the future commercialization of holidays in the United States.

At Old Ranch we dine on Valentine's Day evening and then off to the golf course the very next day for a Sweetheart's Tournament

Dinner Is Not Dinner At Old Ranch... It Is An Adventure In Delicacies


Arrival was met with rose petals everywhere....

Did you know? The rose has always been valued for its beauty and has a long history of symbolism. The ancient Greeks and Romans identified the rose with their goddesses of love referred to as Aphrodite and Venus. In Rome a wild rose would be placed on the door of a room where secret or confidential matters were discussed. The phrase sub rosa, or "under the rose", means to keep a secret — derived from this ancient Roman practice.

Valentines' Day Dining 2009
The table settings were wonderful... Red everywhere!

Did you know? Utensils are arranged in the order and the way a person will use them. Usually in Western culture, that means that the forks, bread plate, spreader, and napkin are to the left, while knives, spoons, drinkware, cups, and saucers are to the right, although the left-right order is reversed in a minority of countries.

Valentines' Day Dining 2009
Romantic little devils, USMC Gunnery Sergeant Pete Chartier and Lisa Chartier

The menu
The kitchen was busy this evening!

Valentines' Day Dining 2009
Service with a smile

Valentines' Day Dining 2009
Mitch orders drinks...

Valentines' Day Dining 2009
All is going super under the watchful eyes of the club management! 
Rick Williams (General Manager) and Lynne McDaniel (Catering Director)

Valentines' Day Dining 2009
Surprise!

Valentines' Day Dining 2009
A little Latin beat for your dining pleasure

Valentines' Day Dining 2009
Hank and Shirley Barto join the members for dinner

Valentines' Day Dining 2009
Sous Chef David visits the tables... Probably talking hot sauce with Mitch and Pete

Valentines' Day Dining 2009
We had many late arrivals as every table was full by 7:30

Valentines' Day Dining 2009
Catching up on the latest

Valentines' Day Dining 2009
Everybody had a great time

Valentines' Day Dining 2009
Lynne does some last minute checks as people continue to arrive...
96 members and guests this evening

Valentines' Day Dining 2009

Valentines' Day Dining 2009
Luisa and Mitch

Valentines' Day Dining 2009
Patrick always says "No problem unless Paul orders from the book"

Valentines' Day Dining 2009
Warm cozy atmosphere

Valentines' Day Dining 2009
A late arrival

Valentines' Day Dining 2009
Tummies are full and ready for the Tournament tomorrow!

Valentine's Day