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Oh, what’s a little thunder rumbling in the distance got to do with an outdoor party, Freeman Foundation style? Not a thing if you had asked the White Party attendees, most of whom sipped luscious white cocktails. Their stilettos and boaties dug halfway in the sand under their tables. Dancing and gossiping on the beach is hard business with shoes on, after all.
The quick-thinking Michelle Freeman, radiant in, well—spoiler alert—white, saw to her guests’ every need by providing a flip-flop table upon check-in at the Indian River Life Saving Station. Michelle nervously eyed the gloomy skies for about a millisecond before gal-pal and gracious party cochair Joan Vassos spun her away for a laugh and a toast to their smashing success. I don’t know what Michelle was nervous about—the party was on point. Romantic lanterns danced in the breeze, chic nautical touches lent style to every surface, and the sound of acoustic guitars filled the late-summer evening.
I caught up with longtime girlfriends Lois Stroud of Bayside and Sharon Gambill of Long Neck, who were absolutely smitten to be celebrating for the sake of the Freeman Stage. Stroud, looking refreshed with a stem of vino in hand, told me she had spent the previous night partying at Bayside to the sounds of a Jimmy Buffett tribute band. “I just love going to shows there,” she said. “We go all summer.” Gambill told me her and Stroud’s love for the stage brought them together as friends.
I gasped when I got a load of Peg Hertrich. With her lush hair coiled on top of her head, chunky gold jewelry aplenty and bronzed cheekbones, she looked like she hopped a plane straight from the Acropolis.
The goddess behind Seaford’s Square Peg, Hertrich was arm-in-arm with BFF Rosie Rose. Both are proud Red Dress Ambassadors for Nanticoke Health Services. Rose’s beau, Steve Rose, is president and CEO of Nanticoke.
“We both strongly believe in giving back and being out there and active,” Rosie Rose said. They gave major snaps to Michelle Freeman. “It’s really amazing how much the Freeman Foundation does down here. You wouldn’t believe it,” Hertrich said. Former Jersey Girl Rose said she feels right at home. “I just feel so lucky to be a part of this community down here in Southern Delaware,” she said.
