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| THE COLONY NEWS | FEBRUARY 2023 | 11 OUTREACH TO HISTORY By Rita Nastri, 951-698-8640 Social Hour Tuesday Night Social Hour Why are all those cars in the Clubhouse parking lot tonight? It's Tuesday at 5 pm. What's going on?! It's The Colony Social Hour, and I will bet some of you have never even heard of it. It started out as Monday Night Mead many years ago when Jim and Michelle Mitchell invited friends and neighbors to taste and sample the Mead that Jim had brewed at home. His son had started him on this fun adventure that created a whole new social event. Mead, or "honey wine," is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey. It is one of the oldest alcoholic beverages ever made, the beverage of the gods. Jim put a short history of it on a display board. Back then, Monday Night Mead was strictly a stand up, informal affair. Terry Thatcher made popcorn and people socialized. No one sat, they walked around and visited. "It was a relaxing and enjoyable experience with no pressure," reminisced Michelle Mitchell Kelly as she recalled those early days. And then, the word got out. More people came and started sitting at tables with their friends, socializing in a different way. The event was going strong when Jan and Scotty Methven moved to The Colony in 1998, when the fun social hour morphed to Tuesday afternoon due to a conflict of times and dates. As things happen, people began bringing food and their own wine or drink of choice. It was still a very basic event with no organization, yet it continued. The Social Committee took it over with Elizabeth Ashley and Augusta Fuller behind the bar working with elaborate potluck foods. Jan Methven, Jan Olcott, Lou Ann Campbell, Joyce Hansen and Gay Harter have helped as well. There is now a minimal charge per person that covers serving plates, etc., as well as a pizza night once a month. I have enjoyed the fun and comradeship of this weekly event and made many new friends when I first arrived. I have even hosted it at Christmas time, since the Lounge is one of the most sought-after venues for holiday parties. Colony residents have come and gone, but our Social Hour survives every Tuesday at 5 pm. Bring a hearty appetizer (some people are pretty creative) or dessert, BYOB and a few dollars for the kitty and enjoy. I hope to see you there soon. If you have enjoyed this article and those which have appeared on this page in the past, please consider joining the committee. We not only write articles, but scan pictures into our archives and interview Founding Residents. For more information, please call me. Joyce Hansen oversees the food, of course Jim & Michelle Mitchell