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Remember when newspapers contained society pages featuring local parties?

Delectable food served on silver trays, photos of the host and hostess wearing posh outfits, a list naming distinguished guests.
How I ate up that glitz and glitter.

Today, despite being smacked in the you-know-what by the economy, Greensburgers still love a good party.

Last year, I attended several fun soirees. But the bash winning the Best Wingding of 2009 pushed entertaining to a new level by stressing lyrics and harmony.

Given by Danny Crump, facilities engineer of North State Flexibles, and Lundee Amos, a certified Healing Touch practitioner and certified Laughter Club leader, the party I’m honoring took place at Amos’s spacious home from 4 to 10 p.m. Dec. 13.

Large ball lights embellished trees in the front yard. Candles glowed as guests came bearing potluck delicacies of every description.

The hostess wore holiday attire – a sweat shirt, festively decorated with four dancing reindeer, complemented by a lit-up red necklace and dangling Christmas tree earrings. Her feet were covered by huge Rudolph the Red-Nose-Reindeer slippers, and she hugged everyone. Amos loves reindeer, and hugs.

Crump, dressed conservatively in blue jeans and a Polo shirt, smiled, welcoming one and all.

The house, charmingly decorated in a Christmas motif, featured reindeer in every room. Remember? Amos loves reindeer. The dining table groaned with a magnificent display of appetizing morsels, everything from hummus to figgy pudding.

Soon, nearly 100 guests filled the house, some bearing gifts in addition to food and wine.

Conversation and laughter were soon joined by sounds of music.

Every guest flocked into one of three rooms, the Folk Room, the Singing Room, or the Bluegrass Room, expecting to be entertained by some of the finest sopranos south of the New York Met and some of the liveliest pickers and grinners east of Nashville.

Amos and Crump have been entertaining friends, family, colleagues (present and former), hiking buddies, fellow contra dancers, and others they meet and admire at their music jams for more than 10 years. The idea was first suggested to them in 1997 by a friend, Walt Denny, “a former minister, now an itinerant musician,” who sings at Beaufort restaurants and other venues during the summer.

Each year, the list of entertainers grows; the guest list also grows.

Ed Sullivan, singing and playing a guitar in the Folk Room, said, “I’m trying to prove I can be mediocre on two instruments.” In the Choir Room, Vance Archer, a retired engineer, led a group singing. Among those hitting every note were Charlotte Hamlin, noted storyteller, and perky Augusta Johnson, who enjoys playing a harmonica and singing with the choir at West Market Street United Methodist Church.

The Bluegrass room downstairs featured many noted musicians who belong to the High Lonesome Strings Bluegrass Association.

Pammy Davis, a dobro player and vocalist entertains with the Steel Magnolias, and so does Linda Thore.

John Santa not only makes music, he also writes it. “Blessings of the Strings” is his latest book and CD.

Rick Perdue, originally from Greensboro, plays banjo, fiddle, and for five straight years has been named dulcimer playing champion of Sparta.

Steve Block sings with the Country Gentlemen.

And that’s only a small sample of the talent present.

Guests, considering the music and the amiable hospitality great gifts, look forward to the next jam.

Crump and Amos are happy their parties give pleasure to others. Crump also commented that they are particularly pleased with two talented young people, Bennett Sullivan, who plays banjo, and Rhiannon Giddens, with the Carolina Chocolate Drops. For years both have participated in the jams. Now their careers are blossoming.

Well, that’s it, folks — Greensboro’s Best Party pick for 2009. Now what would be an appropriate prize? How about a reindeer statuette?

Contact Sandra Redding at sanredd@earthlink.net