Family reunites, again, in Boca Grande
The vote was unanimous at the Chapin family get-together, Boca Grande is the best when it comes to entertaining. The family gathered at the Gasparilla Inn and Club recently to celebrate matriarch Patricia Hill’s 90-year birthday, and her son, Richard Welch’s, birthday of 60 years.
The family includes former GICIA director Creighton Sherman, who visited the island for the party after a long time away. Sherman was the first executive director of the organization, and held the position for 14 years.
After spending the “80/50” in the Bahamas, the family voted at the end of this year’s party where they would hold their “100/70” party.
“We are coming back to Boca Grande,” family member and islander Bruce Chapin said. “It is the best, bar none … and we’re are not just talking The Temp, The Pink, The Inn, or South Beach!”
Bruce said 32 family members were present at the party, including five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and several life-long friends of Patty (Patricia) Hill’s.
“Boca Grande was wonderful, as always,” Bruce said. “Creighton, not having been back in some time, was so pleased to see the island more than holding its own in character, beauty, and friendliness.”
An informal cookout was held at Chapin’s house on Revels Court the night before, with many local guests attending.
March 20, 2008 at 4:24 pm
It sure was a wonderful party - both the at the Inn and at the pre-party (a party in itself) the night before. There were so many cameras flashing and capturing great moments that we almost looked like paparazzi!!! The 80/50 party was tinged with the sadness of one family member, and it was wonderful, at this decade marker, to see that that difficult time was so lost in the mists of time that it was almsot forgotten.