Rick Larrimore The "Ultimate" Tribute to Rod Stewart

The panorama of small round tables neatly set with white tablecloths, wine goblets over cranberry colored napkins, and bowls of snacks (see photo) was an enticing prelude to the entertainment in store for us on this Tuesday night -- a night of merriment arranged and put in place by Skip and Pauline. Our clubhouse was transformed into a cabaret setting, and it became alive with singing and dancing and laughter.

Rick Larrimore (in his outrageous wardrobe) impersonating Rod Stewart was the perfect entertainer for us, and I think we were the perfect receptive audience for him and his buffoonery. Maybe he expected he would be entertaining a group of old fogies, but boy was he suprised when he found that we sure don't party "old."

Skip had deliberately seated many of our single ladies near the front knowing that Rick would play to them teasingly, and this he did throughout the evening with the crowd's laughing approval. He targeted Joan Roy numerous times trying to "seduce her" with his charms, but this beguiling lady repeatedly resisted his overtures. He did slip her his room key, which she is keeping "just in case." This was truly one of the highlights of our evening. Thank you Joan for being such a good sport.

His raspy Rod Stewart voice never faltered during his two hours of singing of 33 songs. He mostly did Rod's songs such as Some Guys Have All the Luck and Have I Told You Lately, sandwiched around a group of those old faithful American classics that are all good for dancing. He invited the crowd to sing along with him on some songs, and to dance in the aisles anytime we were moved to do so. And we were so moved often. At one time absolutely everyone was up dancing. He sang with Frank Tino, and his raspy and Frank's baritone blended nicely. Their rendition of The Way You Look Tonight was great.

Then there was Norman Swanson and his wacky hairdo cavorting around with the plastic guitar Rick tossed to him periodically. The warm night invited the opening of outside doors, which the ladies used to advantage by dancing in a conga line out one and back in another. When Rick handed Phyllis Duggan the mic, he was not prepared for what came forth from this gifted singer. Amazing! and he was totally astonished.

The music crescendoed as the evening drew to an end with Rick standing up on the fireplace hearth and everyone around him singing Maggie May. And what an ovation he got! I think Rick does a better Rod Stewart than Rod Stewart does.

Skip and Pauline received many emails after the party with comments such as "It was fabulous." "Thanks for making VSR a great place to live." "So fun!" "I came home all aglow." "You made an enjoyable night just perfect." "Thank Pauline for me also. Her touch was obvious in the clubhouse setup." "Awesome." "What a great time last night - and you and Pauline made it happen."

OUR NIGHT OF MERRIMENT WITH RICK LARRIMORE