As the end of our Study Abroad program is approaching and we will soon have to say good-bye to new friends, John and Jill Smyth gave us an opportunity to enjoy an evening together with program staff, families and other friends. We were blessed with wonderful weather, delectable food, scrumptious desserts, unforgettable live entertainment, and some good stories and tricks.
Below: Cindy, John, Jim, and Nate Ritchie share a laugh at another of Troy's well-known stories.
Below right: Ryan, Nate Rogers, and Matt made sure to stay close to the desserts (we lost count of the number of trips they made to the dessert table)
Above: The party had many good moments: (1) Troy completing one of his jokes. (2) Part of the group enjoying the varied and delicious dishes prepared by Jill. (3) Susan remembering one of Troy's jokes. (4) and (6) Andy and John were true to their Irish roots. John gave us such a skillful and graceful demonstration of Irish dancing that it made us think 'Michael Flatley (of Riverdance), watch out!' (5) Graeme and Josephine discuss the Irish 'dancing;' Graeme couldn't wait to join them! (7) Desserts that, according to Matt, were the 'Best ever!' (8) Kelly just didn't get one of Troy's jokes.
Below: Among the most memorable moments of the gathering (other than the dancing above) were the entertainment skills of Chris Winter: his ability to mix a 50p coin, facial muscles, a shovel or spade, and incredible stories kept the audience in rapturous attention. The inset below right shows Chris demonstrating his abililty to move a 50p coin from his forehead to his mouth with using only facial muscles!
