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Each year in December, the chapter has a Chrismas party. In 2009, it was held
on Saturday, December 5, at the home of Bill & Henry (again; thank you very much!). It
was very well
attended and included a seemingly unlimited range of potluck dishes. Each attendee brings
one unwrapped toy suitable for a young child, so the chapter can donate them to a local
charity that helps to ensure that no child will need to celebrate Christmas
without receiving one toy at least. Also in accordance with tradition, there was a White
Elephant drawing: each participant drew a number at random; and when his number was drawn,
he chose one wrapped gift (from the many placed under the Christmas tree) brought by someone else
for use in this drawing; and in a new feature this year, co-host Henry played drums as each
participant approached the Christmas tree, dancing a jig of his choosing. After he unwraps
his chosen gift and shows it to all, he has the option of exchanging it for the gift
that any prior participant had drawn. The photos below show some of the often amusing prizes
and sometimes even more amusing results of insisting that someone else surrender what he had
gotten earlier in the drawing, in exchange for the one drawn by the latest participant.
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At the party, Keith opens the gift that he chose from under the Christmas tree,
while (left to right) Michael and co-host/drum-player Henry look on.
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Francisco opens the box that he has chosen, under close observation of the
process by (left to right) Michael, Henry, and Keith (and Rico, almost hidden
in the background).
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Jim examines the gift found in the box he chose, to see whether it is worth keeping.
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Observing the process carefully is an important part of the process if one is to be
prepared to decide whether what one gets should be kept or exchanged with the
gift that someone has gotten earlier in the process. Left to right, are Ted, Michael,
and Rico, all of whom appear to be fully aware of that.
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Rob (above) appears to be contemplating what must be awaiting him in the box
that he has chosen, as he marches by Henry as Henry plays his drums.
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Tom admires the fine newspapers used to wrap
the gift in this shoe box. Wait until Tom discovers
the priceless treasure in the box he has chosen!
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John seems to be taking that "Moment of Truth"
a bit too literally since his gift has not been fully
opened and it may be just hiding in "Moment of
Truth" packaging.
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The smaller the package the more careful the
evaluation. Norbert is famous for the care with
which he make interior design decisions!
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