2009 Holiday Gathering & Dance

My Annual Holiday Gathering and Dance is held every year and opened to any and all dancers who attend any of my weekly dance classes throughout the year. It's my way of thanking everyone for their supporting my classes during the year. This year I actually ran out of my baked goods for everyone. I baked 90 small loaves of bread, so if you were 91 through 115+ my apologies for not having enough for everyone.

John Smith, preparing for the 115+ guest who attended!

How anything got done in that kitchen I'll never knew.....but all ran smoothly and efficiently thanks to Barb & Lisa!

At least they were having a little fun.....because they sure did work all afternoon and evening to make it such a success.

Lisa and Barbara - The Elf Sisters

Gladys & Judy

On Tuesday, December 15, 2009 we held our annual Holiday Gathering and Dance. This year we decided to have a covered dish buffet for dinner and started early so we could all eat. We were once again blessed to have our two favorite sisters, Lisa (aka:Za's) and Barbara handle the buffet. It was absolutely beautiful and more food then we ever expected. Everyone was trading recipes and enjoying all the different types of dishes brought. Lisa and Barb worked from the time they got there at about 3:45 pm til the time we finished loading our cars at about 10:45 pm. We couldn't believe that when we went to the table to pick up our empty dishes before leaving, they were all WASHED and CLEAN.......We all send a BIG Thank You to Barb & Lisa. They were great, did a beautiful presentation and an awesome job.

Upon arriving, everyone received a small baked bread (zucchini & pineapple or pumpkin) and a green ticket and told to not lose it. They were then encouraged to check out the 'gift table' and be prepared. If your green ticket was picked, you could go to the table and take any gift you wanted. There were 53 to choose from. The presentation of the gifts was perfect, as always, Thanks to Phyllis and her helpers, Kathy, Joan & Mary Louise. Thank goodness they have an 'eye' for that. If it were left up to me.......well, just be glad it ISN'T left up to me.

Looks like they could be up to no good, doesn't it? But they weren't, they were just organizing and brainstorming.

Joan, Mary Louise, Kathy and Phyllis

Dwayne & Chrissy

Dinner started around 6:45 and from then on it was party time. We danced to our regular music as well as Christmas songs. We'd dance 4 or 5 then we'd draw 4 or 5 green tickets. Then we'd dance a few more and draw more tickets.

The 50/50 winner was Margie Abbott with a final amount of $174. What a great Christmas Present that made. She couldn't believe it and was thrilled with her winnings.


Yes, Virginia, that is Bob Brady dancing! Bless his heart he still remembers the original 5 line dances he learned FIFTEEN YEARS ago! I think this one was the Watermelon Crawl. It always surprises people who don't know him well. They always think he doesn't dance at all. Of course, he thinks he dances BETTER after a few classes of Merlot.

Aleta & Norm \

With over 115 people there, the floor was crowed almost every dance. But everyone seemed to enjoy the energy of that many people celebrating together.

There were folks there who haven't seen each other for quite some time so the fellowship was well worth the evening out.

Now these are my 'newbies' from Weston Senior Center. They are loads of fun and I enjoy them so much every Wednesday morning. The two ladies on the left started dancing with me 3 months ago. The two ladies on the right haven't danced or taken lessons with me yet; however, the next day when I went to the senior center for class, I was very happily surprised when they, along with three other 'non dancers' got up and danced for me. They had been practicing for weeks and my Christmas Gift from them was to have them spend time learning Swinging Thing. You know me, I cried when I realized what they had done. Best gift they could have given me......now they know I'll EXPECT them to join the class in January.

As yet another year comes to a close, I look back at the many places I've taught and visited this past year and the many people who have touched my life. How Lucky I Am.

I thank God for my many blessings:

My Husband

My Family

My Friends

My Dance Commuinty Family

Life is Good!

Merry Christmas and Happy Dancing