The Movie Group recently had their picture taken with everyone wearing red as the theme for the month of February was a love movie called As Good As It Gets. Left to right: Di and Don Weeks, Sue and Jerry White, Jan and Dave Ruedlin, Lucy and Clarence Parker and Averill and Jim Swenson
Sue White
About six years ago, Di and Don Weeks, Sue and Jerry White, Jan and Dave Ruedlin along with Averill and Jim Swenson were socializing at the home of Clarence and Lucy Parker. Clarence commented on the Midwest accent of the Whites (they are from Wisconsin), and told them they sounded just like the actors in the movie Fargo. With that the Parkers suggested that they rent the movie and ask all of us to watch it in their home along with dinner.
That evening after dinner, Clarence donned a heavy winter coat with a hood and walked into the family room to introduce the movie to the group. After a few laughs, the movie started and we all listened for that Midwest accent. It was such a hit we decided we needed to get together and watch a movie once a month. So thanks to the Parkers, that evening started our Movie Night Group.
So how does Movie Night work? The hosts pick the movie and share a theme about the movie ahead of time. They may ask the group to dress like the theme, such as a baseball movie. Each movie night begins with dinner prepared by the hosts. The hosts may serve something that is eaten in the movie, such as hot dogs. The group always knows halfway through the movie dessert will be served. Different cuisines have been served such as Indian, Amish, French and American.
Examples of some of the movies shown these last six years were Father of the Bride, A League of Their Own, New in Town, It Happened One Night and Weekend at Bernie’s.
The creative juices of the hosts really show up, especially when they have props for the movie. Since the attendees do not know the name of the movie until it starts (they are guessing during dinner) what they will be watching.
Members of the group preview several movies before deciding what they want to show the group. They have found that light comedies are their favorites and movies that are easy to hear all the words.
The group has watched about 30 movies together in the last six years and plan on continuing the movie night tradition for many years to come.