He rubbed shoulders with Washington's power elite, and his "Thursday lunches" at Independence, casual gatherings of leaders from all walks, were legendary.

According to Nicks, they first met at a casual after-school gathering in 1966.

Hostesses of more casual but still fairly dressy gatherings fancy leather mules in gold or silver with low wedge heels.

By chance, the fourth annual Dixie Fried festival, a casual gathering of Memphis-area musicians, was that night.

What started as a casual gathering of friends 14 years ago is now a New Year's Day party that draws 150 people.

Six dozen onion soup crocks await a casual gathering of 76 people.

Even casual gatherings involved planning and preparation.

Even at casual gatherings, friends say standard Washington shoptalk often gives way to Mr. Deutch's latest scientific interest.

Some casual gathering of senior officers on Starbase 96?

And when energetic advocates get together, even casual gatherings can be freighted with subtext.