Mark Salmanson’s 50th

(Community Matters) An intimate group of friends gathered at Mark Salmanson’s to welcome his 6th decade.

Mark w/ the extraordinary glutten-free cake baked by the Freedman’s daughter, Jessica Binder

Mark’s been a very close friend for nearly 20 years.   He’s chaired everything in the Jewish community – from the Jewish Community Center to his current congregation, Temple Beth Shalom.  I love him like  a brother, even if he has recruited me into a lot of work over the years!

Cathy Scholl, Helen Salmanson (mom) & Sandi Aitken (dream gf)

Three main women in Mark’s life.

Irwin Salmanson (dad), Rabbi Freedman, Jay Kirtley & John Pflueger

and certainly three main men

Lori Freedman, Jay, Mark & Lisa Kirtley

I hadn’t met Lori Freedman before, she’s the wife of Rabbi Freedman.  What a dynamite woman.  Loved sitting next to her during the Eddie Bernal catered dinner – yum.  Jay & Lisa long time, closest friends of Mark’s.  They are saving a late 1800s victorian in Flatonia – amazing how much sweat they’ve poured into the project.

foreground:  John Pflueger, Christina Bulman & Shari Pflueger; background: Kara & Irwin Salmanson

First time I’d met John & Shari – also enjoyable dinner companions and great mixed-faith marriage.  Christina a longtime friend/work colleague who I’ve also known and adored.  Mark’s baby sister Kara – out without the 8 and 10-yo boys for a night.  Irwin (b/k/a Wink) an old friend and mentor.

me & Steven (me learning to tweet)    photo: Sandi