(Enlarge) Bruce and Amy Barnett enjoy a hot time in a cold place — the North Pole.

Bridal showers are always such celebratory events, and the one for bride-to-be Amanda Bates by hostess Sharon Smith, with the help of spouse Paul, on a recent Sunday afternoon was especially festive. The Smiths' impressive residence, always beautifully landscaped, glowed with summer beauty. Crape myrtles lined the driveway, and manicured and mulched flower beds were radiant with brilliant blooms. Sharon, always a perfectionist, had prepared the perfect setting for the party.

She had set up a "bride's chair" arrangement in front of the drawing room fireplace -- a large, high-backed chair, throne-like in appearance, with carved mahogany arms to which white balloons were tied, and around which incoming gifts were piled in a colorful array.

As guests assembled and lighthearted conversation filled the air, cool libations were served in crystal glasses, along with nibbles. Paul and helper Carlos Quinones did the bartending, then retired to the library, where the two golf aficionados spent the afternoon watching their favorite game on TV, emerging only occasionally to replenish drinks for the ladies.

Family pet Murphy, a friendly little dog with a fluffy vanilla coat that loves a party, was on her best behavior as she mingled among the crowd.

We were happy to chat once again with members of prospective groom Devin Parks's family, whom we had not seen since the engagement party last August at the home of Amanda's parents, Margo and Ken Bates. Devin's mother, Cynthia Parks, his grandmothers -- Hazel Price and Martha Williams -- and his aunt, Carol Carrico, were all on hand.

Amanda introduced her maid of honor, Lucia Treasure, best friend since the eighth grade at Friends School. Liz Trotter came with her daughter, Katie, who will be a bridesmaid.

Last to arrive, Rose Marie Bowles came from Oxford, Md., to join the party.

After lunch, Amanda opened her packages and passed them around the room for everyone to admire. Among the many treasures were silver and china serving pieces, a hand mixer, a stainless steel salad spinner, salad bowls, monogrammed linens and bright-colored pottery.

In accordance with wedding tradition, Sue Diedrich, with an assist from Katie, designed a beautiful ribbon bouquet from the multi-colored ribbons, which Amanda will carry to the rehearsal dinner.

September and the cool fall season, when we will be considering new wardrobe additions, are only a few weeks away. For the scoop on the latest trends, mark your calendar for a fashion show luncheon Sept. 27 at noon in the lobby of the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.

Indefatigable Joy Munster is chairing the event to benefit the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Fashions will be provided by the upscale shop Vassari and modeled by prominent "mystery models" (names to be announced).

If there was a prize for the ultimate in summer vacations, Bruce and Amy Barnett, who have just returned from the North Pole, would surely be the winners.

We received an e-mail with a delightful picture of the adventuresome couple standing at the top of the world in front of a red banner emblazoned with the words "North Pole -- 90° N."

Surrounded by frozen Arctic wastes and fellow adventurers bundled against the elements, Bruce sports a Santa suit, complete with curly beard; Amy wears a parka and a red, fur-trimmed elf's hat.

The pair flew from New York to Helsinki, Finland, on July 4, met the remainder of their group and flew to Murmansk, Russia, on July 7. There they boarded the world's largest icebreaker, a Russian nuclear-powered ship. In the winter it is used as a regular ice breaker for commerce along the Siberian coast. This was only its second trip to the North Pole with "tourists."

They saw polar bears, walrus, seals and thousands of birds. The ice at the North Pole was 6 to 10 feet thick. On the return from the North Pole to Murmansk they spent several days visiting some of the islands in Franz Joseph Land, where they saw icebergs, glaciers and the remains of polar expeditions from long ago.

They came back July 21 to hot and humid Baltimore.

Our condolences to Dr. Gary Pushkin, Kathy Abbott, their children, Arianna and Jeremy and family on the death of Gary's father, Julian Pushkin. A man of many talents, Mr. Pushkin was an accomplished professional pianist, a chemist, a businessman, a club owner, and, in later years, an insurance executive and owner of an actuarial firm.

user comments (0)