A local dinner group recently enjoyed a royal occasion with Princess Diana's footman, Chef Simon Shirley. Purchased at a recent WellStar event to support the WellStar Foundation, the dinner event was at Darlene and Terry Pendley's house on Aug. 20.

Chef Simon prepared hors d'oeuvres of ham and cheese feulittes, shrimp cocktail and sage sausage-stuffed mushrooms. The entree, lamb florentine with wild mushroom risotto, fresh asparagus and Pinot Noir demi-glace, followed the first course of lobster salad. Traditional English sherry trifle was served for dessert.

During the dessert course, Simon talked about his background and time as Princess Diana's footman. He also showed pictures of several ceremonies and parades where he was standing behind the Prince and Princess of Wales in their carriage.

Enjoying themselves royally were: Carolyn and Doug Chaffins, Diane and Bill Cooper, Felton Hagood, Linda McKinley, Joyce and Bob Mulliniks and the Pendleys.

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Hamilton's Restaurant at the Marietta Conference Center on Powder Springs Street was the scene of a recent bridal luncheon hosted by Anne Rutz of Marietta, to honor relatives and out-of-town visitors present for the wedding of her daughter, Christine Rutz, to Ryan Norstadt. Luncheon guests included the bride-to-be, her maid of honor Marianne Rutz, attendants Alice Edwards, Heather Guiendon, Ryan Reynolds and Whitney Rife.

Also present were guests from England, California, Wisconsin, Illinois, South Carolina and Louisiana, including Helene Norstadt, mother of the groom, Mary Neufeld and Rosemary Rutz, grandmothers of the bride, Sandra Lembke, the bride's godmother, Anne Schoenberg and Eva Striegal, aunts of the groom, Jean Neufeld, aunt of the bride, and several cousins and friends. Roses were given to guests for various superlatives, including Camille Schoenberg of London, honored for traveling the furthest, and Eileen Neufeld, honored as the youngest guest at the luncheon.

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The Alpha Kappa Chapter of Delta Kappa International Honorary Organization for Women Educators recently met at the beautiful home of Brenda Dillon in Acworth. Members are making preparations to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Alpha Kappa chapter in October. Lois B. Ferris of Kennesaw will be honored as a charter member who is still active in the chapter.

The next meeting of the chapter will be the second Thursday of September.

Sally Litchfield is a longtime Marietta resident. She formerly practiced law in Marietta and now stays home to raise her two children. Send Sally news at sallylit@ bellsouth.net. Call Sally at (770) 425-7122.