What A Night

Last night was the Kansas City Irish Fest staff Christmas dinner and party. And oh, what a scene it was. A veritable army of white-coated waiters presented guests with platters of whole roast suckling pig, sage and onion stuffed wild turkey, Cornish game hen, pan seared wild Colorado cutthroat trout, apple-wood smoked ham, roasted root vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes, fresh broccoli florets in a Dubliner cheddar cheese sauce, fresh baked 9 grain bread, and more. A dessert bar featured a flowing chocolate fountain and individually made creme brulee portions, Irish bread pudding, and freshly baked gingerbread topped with Kerry Gold whipped cream. A string quartet played selections by O'Carolin while the board and staff sipped champagne and a special barrel of Imperial stout brewed by Boulevard just for the occasion. After speeches and toasts, formal-clad staffers danced the night away on the expansive oak floor under a blazing 9' diameter crystal chandelier before the midnight balloon drop. It was all-in-all a wonderful, magical evening and the perfect end to our best year ever.

At least I'm assuming it was all those things. Because I wasn't there. I was home, in bed for the second straight day with stomach flu. Here's your Christmas present: I'll spare you any further details of my malady. You're welcome. Suffice to say, it sucks. One thing I do about last night's festivities was that our die-hardest staffers, those who've been with us 5 years or more, came away with nice treats-a black staff windbreaker with a special KCIF logo embroidered on it and a lovely enameled pin declaring their 5 years of Irish Fest service to the world. And you'll get that same pin yourself if you're an Irish Fest volunteer of 5 years or more. There'll be another one at 10 years and so on. You'll get yours, if you're a member of that elite club, at Irish Fest 2011. Wear it proudly.

Perhaps one of the good people who were actually at the dinner last night can tell me how close my vision matches the reality of the event. Words can't express how bummed I was to have missed it.  In the mean time, if you'll excuse me I'm going to...well, never mind what I'm going to do. Merry Christmas.