This is as close to peace on earth as we get around here. That's Shadow on the left and Hobo on the right. They are both male cats, but they really do love each other. They are taking a nap after a hard morning of Christmas decoration demolition.
I have several announcements to make about our December 15th meeting. First of all, we will be collecting items such as small toiletries, lap robes, and cardigan sweaters for the elderly folks at Westminster Manor. These little gifts will brighten the holidays for some of them who may have outlived their friends and family, or who left them up North when they came to Florida to retire. Then, there is FELT (filling empty little tummies) which is still collecting small food items that will not tip over a little child when it is inserted in his or backpack. We have done a wonderful job collecting books. Jane Evers says that each child will have a book to take home for the holiday break. I am sure she will be happy to have more books to repeat the handout again.
Our meeting should be especially joyful this time. We will be entertained by The Bowery Boys Barbershop Quartet. Dave and Carolyn Brown will lead us in singing some Christmas songs, and everyone is invited to bring something baked or created for a craft sale to benefit our scholarship fund raising.
Speaking of scholarships, the Scholarship Committee met this week and distributed the FREF Scholarship applications to the high schools. Elaine Brown, who just retired as chair, came to help us get started and saved the day. We hope that now we will be able to muddle through without her because of the preparation she offered us.
We decided to take a page from FREF's book and raffle off a hot item. (No, not that kind of hot. We will buy it.) We settled on a Kindle Fire. If you haven't read about it, I know you will be interested that it is similar to the IPad, just a little smaller and a lot cheaper -$199.00. It is a computer, an e-reader, does email, and plays games. It shows movies and t.v. shows too. If you are not a techie, it would be a great present for a loved one who is.
If you recall, in the past, members decided that they were tired of trying to raise money by selling each other their "white elephants" and decided to just ask everyone to donate to the scholarship fund. I think the suggested donation was $10 to $25. If you were feeling flush, of course, more was appreciated. It is always possible to donate in a friend's or a loved one's name also. After quite a struggle last year, we were able to finance four $1000 awards. We hope that a raffle will be fun and that it will raise money in addition to what is donated. We will be selling tickets for $10 each, or 3 for $25 beginning at our meeting next week.We will continue to sell them until March, so if you can't buy a ticket or three now, you may want to do it later. If you don't want to gamble, just donate as you usually do.
Here's an idea for the day after Christmas when everyone is feeling a little let down from all the holiday joy, and the Christmas tree is starting to wilt. How about attending a Kwanzaa celebration? It will be held at 6:00 P.M. at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 525 Martin Luther King Ave. East. Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, community, and culture. For more information, contact Robert Dunlap at 941-779-3598.
If your caller has not contacted you by Saturday, please call Mary Ann Jensen at 941-756-7603. Remember, if you make a reservation for yourself or for a guest and then do not attend, we will send you a bill for $11 ( $1 for the postage.) If you need to cancel call Mary Ann by Sunday.
Last year Marilyn Poole sent me a card with a lovely message.
"Faith in the human spirit brings peace to the heart...and this is the place where miracles begin. Wishing you and the world we live in the miracle of peace this holiday season."
Ellen
