For Stanislaus Lodge #50, the Christmas Season got off to a good start on Sunday, Dec. 11th, at 3:00 in the afternoon. That's when we gathered for our annual Christmas party and potluck. What a great gathering it was, too! We had quite a crowd of people this year, more than we have had for many years.
Our Santa Claus this year was new, also. The one we've had for the last few years, Finn Madsen, very graciously stepped aside. This was to let the grandson of our recently deceased member Kenneth Headrick (who had played Santa for many years in the past) take that position.
Michael Headrick had his own Santa suit and beard and he thoroughly enjoyed his job. With his wife Jennifer playing Mrs. Claus, Santa got to pass out gifts to their own four children, as well as to 14 other children. Altogether, Santa gave gifts to 18 children this year, significantly more than last year! Kenneth Headrick's son Kenny and a number of other Headrick family members attended, also. I think it would have made Kenneth very happy to see them all there.
Committee #1 and some volunteers did the planning, buying, set-up and decoration of the tables to help provide a Christmas atmosphere. The small nutcrackers standing at attention on the tables between red silk poinsettias and gold balls and the large nutcrackers guarding the heaping dessert table helped to do just that.
Moreover, we have to thank our hosts, the Eagles, who every year leave a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, a throne-like chair for Santa, and many potted poinsettias in the hall from their own party the night before.
Of course, the food was wonderful! Committee members provided ham, yams, red cabbage, Rouladen, mashed potatoes, bread rolls, cabbage rolls, Stollen, and Glühwein. All sorts of other delectable dishes and desserts were brought by the rest of the attendees, so we had a delicious assortment of foods from which to choose.
As usual, we sang the old Christmas carols, some in German and some in English, after dinner, and we had a good time visiting with each other and with our guests. "Gemütlichkeit" prevailed and we had a very enjoyable afternoon.
In Freunfschaft, Liebe,and Treue,
Beth McCloud