Posted by Colin on February 19, 2002 at 11:15:06:
In Reply to: Runaway's 20th Anniversary Celebration posted by Sunrise on February 18, 2002 at 04:01:26:
In the early 70s, Flo Gibson and her husband owned Runaway and were gracious enough to invite our family to visit. Each year the group grew as each of my mother's four children reached the age of sociability. Friends, then lovers came and stayed at Runaway with our family. With us, the Haas family of Washington came to stay each year and the two clans filled Runaway.
We were a small part, as well, of the enormous Chicago and Washington contingents--the Blocks, the de Frises, the Haas', the Howingtons, the Colemans, the MacFarlanes and on and on.
William "the Bull" Bullard and Donny would sing once a week. Doreen took over management of the place and would amaze us with her grace and power on the dance floor!
Over all reigned Miss Rika, cooking the fish I caught with Brooks Sweeting, and baking the most fabulous coconut pie for my birthday, which conveniently falls in the middle of spring vaction!
Each year everything just got better. Then after 1985 I missed almost 20 years years at Runaway somewhere along the way. When I returned with my wife (who kept looking around for old girlfriends...) Miss Rika was still there and still fabulous. And Runaway was in better shape than ever.
Our first dinner back at Runaway, Rika cooked some fish for me, and, to my everlasting delight, out came one of her pies!
At the end of the meal, Carol came up and told us Rika would pay for our meal. But those weren't tears glistening in my eyes as I looked across the swimming pool out at the gibbuous moon hanging by a thread above the Atlantic.
No sirree. My wife can tell you, I just had something in my eyes...
Did you know, my mother almost bought the place before Carol and Roger? Never mind. Then this would a different story.
My best to all at Runaway! A very, very happy 20th birthday!!
Colin
: Congratulations to Runaway Hill on their 20th Anniversary of their opening! On hand to greet hundreds of guests last evening were Carol and Roger and their partners Glenroy, Rica and Pork,and Maxine and William. It was truly a "spirit of Harbour Island" party with wonderful food, music, and a beautiful setting on a perfect night. Carol and Rog and staff deserve great credit for their tireless efforts to make Runaway one of the premier places to stay on Harbour Island.