Track Town, USA: Things have been happening at a feverish pace here in Eugene. We arrived yesterday afternoon and Dave rushed-off to a track & field meeting while I straightened-up, started laundry and a grocery list.
At 5:30p, he came back to fetch me and we put on our party clothes to join the new University President, Michael Gottfredson, and his wife, Karol, for cocktails at their home. The University of Oregon has a gorgeous, huge old home - The McMorran House, built in 1925 - in the hills just above campus for the President's residence. The grounds are spectacular - filled with blooming flowers even this late in October. The home has huge carved arches, hardwood floors and numerous fireplaces throughout. Truly a lovely home - and would you believe in all our years involved with the University of Oregon, tonight was the first time either of us had been inside the residence!
You will have to believe me, because I certainly wasn't going to whip-out my camera.
The cocktail party, welcoming the University Trustees, was the first official gathering the Gottfredson's had hosted in the home. University catering provided lovely appetizers and drinks for the Trustees and spouses and everyone caught-up with each other since their last quarterly meeting. A great night! (Here is a link to photos of McMorran House taken by the Eugene Register-Guard during a renovation in 2009.)
Today, I dropped Dave at his all-day meeting before 8a and spent the day shopping and baking. Big Tailgate Saturday! The University is honoring local Olympic track & field athletes at half-time during the football game and Kathy, Woody, Mary, Steve, Dave and I are hosting the athletes before the game with a Big Breakfast Tailgate Party! 40+ people are attending. Rain is predicted.
You all know I love me some runners!
I could have bought a bunch of baked pastries at Costco, but you all know I baked (from scratch) instead. Cranberry-Walnut muffins, Lemon Olive Oil Rosemary Cake, and Pumpkin Bread are on the menu. We are serving breakfast "scrambles" and, since The Ducks are playing the Colorado Buffalos, bison meatballs will be served.
That's right - Buffalo Balls.
In a spicy BBQ sauce.
So I spent much of my day at Costco - and a huge supermarket - gathering ingredients and baking, baking, baking.
After fetching DT from his meetings, we joined his fellow Trustees for dinner at the Eugene Country Club - another place we have never visited. The dinner tonight was to honor Lorry Lokey as the newest Trustee Emeriti. Mr. Lokey believes education is everything. He has given millions to the University of Oregon. He doesn't care if you give ten dollars or ten million dollars to education. He just wants you to give. Lokey gave a great speech tonight. He is 85 years old, and spoke about heading off to The World War, how the GI bill helped him through Stanford, and how the first few years of his elementary education were fundamental to his life-long love of learning. I love this man and love that he has given so much to the University of Oregon.
Until my next update, I remain, your educated correspondent.
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