Turning 50 can be fun — just ask Fran Biddle, who was surprised on her birthday. The story was that Gay Giddens, Ginger Collier and Kelie Crowe were taking Fran to the Swan House in Atlanta on her birthday, Dec. 20. Little did Fran know when she arrived at Kelie’s Marietta home to pick her up that 80 girlfriends would be there to celebrate her day at a surprise birthday luncheon.

Each lady wore black, and created a funny ornament for her birthday Christmas tree that was painted black. Fran was also presented with a decorated potty seat that was her birthday throne. The ladies enjoyed mimosas while waiting for the birthday girl to arrive.

Fran’s daughters Amanda Pendley, Hailey Biddle and Betsy Biddle attended along with other guests including Karen Callaway, Martha Dodd, Mary Margaret Doyle, Sis Eastland, Laurie Gazaway, Dena Harding, Eleanor Knox, Susan Matthews, Julianne McClure, Lee Nichols, Lee Ann Rapp, Catherine Sanders, Mary Ansley Southerland, Trapp Tischner, Anna Wolfe and Melissa Worley.

***Rehearsals are under way for Polk Street Players’ February show, “Coming Apart,” a delightful romantic comedy by Fred Carmichael and directed by Barbara Rudy. A couple, both successful writers, opens the play with the simultaneous declaration “I want a divorce!” Neither does, actually. Hilarity ensues as they try to continue living together in divided space and the wife writes a book that parallels the situation. The cast includes the talented Lorie Dunn, Lane Teilhaber, Rene’ Voige and Greg Fitzgerald.

Performances are Feb. 3 and 4, 10 and 11, 16 to 18 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 12 at 2:30 p.m. at the Stellar Cellar at St. James’ Episcopal Church at 161 Church St. near the Marietta Square. Tickets are $12.50 to $20. Saturday dinner shows are Feb. 4 and 11. For reservations, call the box office at (770) 218-9669.

***Fashion spotlight of the week: In fancy pewter dress she was among the shining stars at this holiday party — Victoria Aronow of Marietta.

Sally Litchfield is a longtime Marietta resident. She formerly practiced law in Marietta and now stays home to raise her two children. Send Sally news at sallylit@bellsouth.net. Call Sally at (770) 425-8106.