If You're Ever Invited To A Party At Albritton's - Say Yes!

One of the holiday songs we hear this time of year is “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow.” The evening of the Manasota Christmas party the theme song could have been “Let It Rain, Let It Rain, Let It Rain.” Everyone in Florida knows how much we need any rain we can get, so when it rained all day Friday and into the evening, it was hard to complain about the rain, even if it wasn’t very convenient timing. Hats off to my party sidekick and designated driver, Billy Butterfield, FCLC, who didn’t let the daunting I-4 rush hour traffic and rainy conditions keep us from getting to a great Manasota party at Albritton’s Nursery in Sarasota.

Robert Albritton’s, FCHP, home and nursery share the same location, so you felt like you had the best of both worlds. The party was under a covered packing/loading area.
Robert’s crew had enclosed the area with 3 walls of plastic to protect us from rain and wind. This spot looks over the pool and entertainment area of Robert’s house with the nursery further in the background.

It was an ideal location for the party, especially with all the beautiful holiday decorations Robert and his family had in every area, from the front parking area to the pool to the centerpieces on the tables. A large Christmas tree stood at the rear of the party pavilion where everyone placed the gifts they had brought for the chapter Toys For Tots collection.

Chapter President T. Jay Higgins and Ralph Garrison, past president of the chapter welcomed everyone and made sure we could find the tables of appetizers (including shrimp cocktails and fresh-shucked oysters) as well as the bar.

As the evening went on, Robert and his crew brought out professional size chafing dishes filled with fresh green beans, big, fat baked potates and layers and layers of prime rib which had been in an alto-sham (slow cooker) since 4:30 am. Here's where I have to confess that I'm a semi-vegetarian. I don't eat beef or pork, but everyone else around said this was the best prime rib they have ever had! All the food was such high quality and professionally presented I thought at first the chapter had this party catered. I soon realized Robert Albritton, FCHP, is not only a successful nurseryman, but also has great talent and the right "tools" when it comes to cooking and entertainment. I'm definitely keeping an ear open for the next party at Albritton's!

We found FNGLA President Elect Carolan Mahr and her husband, Dennis, already mixing when we arrived. Carolan had been at the Great Southern Tree Conference in Gainesville earlier in the day, so she had an even longer drive in the rain than we did. As it turned out, I talked to 4 different people who had come direct from GSTC to the chapter party. That takes commitment – or inside info on what a great spread Robert was going to be serving at this party!

If you’re ever at a meeting and have a chance to sit near Dennis Mahr (he currently calls himself Mr. Carolan) I would strongly advise it. Dennis will keep you entertained with his life stories – all true, maybe a little stretched, and very funny. This time we heard about his teenage days of being the store “manager” of the local ice cream store in his small Texas hometown. We learned how he dealt with bullies, first dates and tornadoes using the power of his position in the world of retail ice cream. I never knew so much could be done with 31 flavors of ice cream!