How will you spend your retirement years? Traveling? Learning new recipes? Nancy Witmer knew her husband’s plan for retirement: focus on his hobby. Ken Witmer is an aficionado of all things with four wheels and an engine, whether that engine—runs or not. For his retirement party, Nancy surprised Ken with an intimate party centered on his greatest passions: family and cars.
To help organize the bash, Nancy went to Lori Hemphill of The Perfect Plan. They created a hot rod theme with touches of the 1950s. Think Grease. Think T-Birds, poodle skirts, rusty store signs, and glass Coke bottles. The duo hosted the event at a farm owned by Ken’s niece, Nancy Nissly, and her husband, Mike. Lori and Nancy transformed the Nisslys’ renovated barn into a highway back in time. Black and white checkered flags hung from the wooden beams, robin’s egg blue Corvettes were centered at each table, vintage hubcaps rested against Coca-Cola crates, and sunflowers popped out of old glass bottles. If you are reminiscing about cruising to the drive-in while Frank Sinatra croons through the radio, you get it.
Since Ken is a devoted family man, Nancy and Lori took every opportunity to fill the event with personal details. Many of the decorations and props were handmade or taken out of Ken’s garage. Throughout the party, multiple guests shared stories, both sentimental and comical, about their memories with Ken. A nephew performed a guitar solo dedicated to his uncle. Ken’s grandchildren, who like to call him “Mr. Fix It,” handed him broken toys just for the pleasure of watching him repair them. Even the buffet was prepared by Nissly, a professional caterer. She served sophisticated homemade dishes, like grilled steak and lobster tail, alongside comfort food classics. Just like a ‘50s-style malt shop, a sundae bar where guests could dish out their favorite flavors and toppings stole the spotlight.
But what is a hot rod party without a highway or a car itself? Through the barn doors, a black tarp dotted with yellow lines led guests to the shining centerpiece: a 1955 Chevy Bel Air. This glossy, aqua showstopper, owned by Ken’s nephew, epitomized the personality of Ken’s celebration. Or, this may have been Ken’s hint for his surprise gift. Like we said, Nancy understood her husband’s plan for retirement—repair and enjoy the cars he has always admired. So she bought him a project. At the end of the evening, Nancy presented Ken with a 1955 Corvette that may have otherwise been stationed at the junk yard. Her husband was stunned and astounded by the classic beauty. Nancy had hoped that Ken could spend several years of his cherished retirement repairing and polishing the fixer-upper. However, Ken had a different plan, and he went to work on the car that evening. By 3 a.m, the engine was running and the exterior was sparkling. Now, he is looking onto his future behind the wheel of his personal treasure.
Vendors:
Planning: Lori Hemphill, The Perfect Plan, Lancaster, www.theperfectplanbylh.com
Catering:
Nancy Nissly, Nanalyn’s Full-Filling Feasts, Lancaster, 717-468-9943, nanalynsfullfillingfeasts@gmail.com
