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Oopstock 33

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33 years in a row? The felst, aka Oopstock, aka, Rhinefest is almost past the age of possibly being the messiah. Seems unlikely, but representation these days is very surprising. It was a great iteration…though short for us.

Rhine and April had just returned from their stint in South America and out West (skipping the Stick!) one week ahead of the big party. They are crazy.

Of note. Puppets. And crazy neighbor charisma and talent.

Nick would not like this aspect of puppetry.

Puppets even play the bass.

Rhine and April were in rare form (along with “Other Gary”…I being the nice one these days. We do need some spares in case of emergency though.). It’s like they practiced or something.

I didn’t record the new ones…boo. But Romey already knew all the words.

We were in and out with Spool again using Boston as a base of operations. Raffles for the win this year…a far sight better than the pool full of kids.

Romey made us thrift. LOL. This is her ancient friend of Yore Otto. Otto of course did remember Romey. Because everyone does.

We did jazz at the Mad Monk Fish as has become the tradition.

Magic in Lichtervelde

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We’ve been to Lichtervelde for international rum events (more than one, even…plus a spa day), but who knew it was such an incredible place for a wedding? Thanks for inviting us Madou!

I believe this weather was imported from California…or maybe smuggled in. I am pretty sure it is not allowed.

Blue tiki for the win!

The scene was set under a familiar tree. Romey and I are telling everyone that our wedding was an inspiration for Matias and Finn since we also wrote our own vows and ran our own ceremony. It may not be true, but it’s a good story.

Here they come!

After the ceremony, there was lots of time for cocktails and fun.

Oh and trampolining too!

Ancestors.

Look familiar?

My very own wife looking all put together and fabulous.

We need some more pictures of noses…for sure.

The best wedding present you can give in 2026 is sheep. Sheep are in again.

Or is it kids?

No it’s sheep for sure.

A minor bathroom selfie interlude. Romey snuck me in. This is secret.

Behind the scenes…also secret.

Somebody let in a Scot with weapons. What were they thinking?! Madou’s mom keeps his brothers in line with physical force.

Then it was dinner time.

Or maybe it was actually bouncy castle time.

The brothers know too much. And they are willing to dish…but only in some west flemish dutch dialect. You’re lucky, madou, because we were planning to take notes.

Even mom was learning some stuff.

We tried to laugh at the right times.

Dancing…and dessert

Australians?!

Dancing again.

And then it was back to Brugges to recover.

We had a blast!

Summer Solstice 2026: A Musical Treat

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2026 presented us with a particularly fun iteration. The weather was balmy with only one slight rain delay. There was lots of music. The porch fest rocked on until 3:30am. Just really fun.

As we get older, the winter solstice has generally overtake the summer solstice in terms of audience participation. This summer was a welcome exception to the trend. I guess people were chomping at the bit since we skipped a year due to a death in the family in 2025. Thanks for joining us!

We’ve moved the party nexus close to the house, and it makes things swankier with Kitselman’s excellent patio in full swing.

Food is under Josie’s oak.

The garden is just ramping into production.

And off we go! The Charlottesville/NY contingent arrived early to get the party started. Early music!

And Leiden was the featured guest! Gonna keep him up…all night long!

Bubble?

John and Betty came as the ghost of wedding past.

Baby on the porch! Who knew that the dog gate doubled as a baby gate too?!

More early music on the patio.

It rained for a few minutes and we all temporarily raided the kitchen… but soon we were back outside where we belong.

At dusk, we lit the fire to turn the sun.

Woo hoo!!

This is my favorite picture of the party. Romey cooks a marshmellow.

Sure is a nice ritual.

Iulie obliterates a marshmellow.

Tunes around the fire followed. And after that, back to the porch for even more music into the wee hours. Special thanks to Gina, Allan James, the two Mikes, Emory, Chip, Linus, and all of the other musicians for a hella time.

Using a hay bale to block the heat…now that’s how to do it.

More fire pictures (thanks Dan).

Thanks to all who came.

3C Minus One Banana

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Caroline made a cake

Romey Turns 21,170

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That’s plenty of days.

Happy birthday Romey!

Eli decorated the cake

This calls for an experimental cocktail

Silvester (NYE in Germany)

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BOOM


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The “mayor” gets wild.

Winter Solstice 2025

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In the beginning there was eggnog.

Then there was fire.

Expand for best results..

Firefighting. Sir, this is not a restroom.

Music with Gina

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Linus plays the fiddle

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Music with Allan

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In the end there is scrounging.

2025 was a big iteration with over 100 guests who arrived in three waves. Lots of music in two shifts. An excellent way to turn the sun…together.

Leiden’s First Christmas

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Leiden says FAYA.

Since we will be in Germany for xmas, we had an early gathering with O.

Look how cute that baby is.

Ancient Mangs of Yore

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RHINE turns 60

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We have sent an emissary beyond the event horizon. What is over there? Can light escape? Can you bring your own booze?

More importantly in this particular instance, what do you bring to a surprise party with a critical mass of Claggetts?

Why a big box of bad behavior of course! That did make things really fun lickety-split like. The Liberal was the most requested beverage of the night…until we ran out of bourbon.

Romey surprised the bartender with a kilt made by an Italian designer. She is a McGraw.

So much love.

We even corrupted the young people with first martini’s. Careful AJ, it is a slippery slope to 60!

And yes there was both music.

And philosophy of mind late into the wee hours. We’re pretty sure we chose to do that. But maybe not.

It is nice to be an honorary Claggett, even if it takes a little bar tending and a big box of bad behavior.

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