It was not really the week before Christmas; it just felt like it.
More lights by the armful were springing up on eaves and plantings each evening. The favorite this year seems to be the light showers in the trees and on trailers thrown up by a little plugged in canister. Is this the end for light strings and shaky ladders? We’ll wait and see.
RVs, thought to be inanimate, miraculously sprouted all sorts of garlands, bows, banners and, of course, winking, blinking and no, not nodding, lighting displays. They transformed themselves into a friendlier version of those road huggers, happily filling their lots with Christmas cheer. It always amazes that this magic month changes not only the attitude of people of goodwill, but also the day-to-day objects in our Florida snowbirds’ lives. Hooray, for happier days.
(Courtesy of Ian Marwick)
Speaking of Happy Days, this has been an exciting week starting at the monthly Monday morning business meeting/coffee hour. Free coffee and Hole In One donuts always bring out the crowd. Being the first this year, it was a little longer than usual with old and new business filling the agenda, but we all survived. Whoopee, the best part was reviewing the upcoming weekend activities — our first annual Christmas craft sale was coming Saturday morning and would be open to the public, and the arrival that evening of both Santa and the park Christmas party.
As a new adventure, the craft sale was deemed a success. No parking problems occurred, no fender benders (with only one close call), and no complaints about Happy Days hospitality. It also was a commercial success for our crafters and the hot dog crew of chef Boy R Roger, Roger and Helen Yerdon, Toni Fisher, and Ian and Bridget Marwick. Next year, our experiences will build a larger venue for crafters. Thanks to all our new friends in Zephyrhills that stopped in and supported us. Hip, Hip, Hooray!
(Courtesy of Debbie Lee)
What can be said about the annual Christmas party? It again was a huge success not only for the Christmas message, the tomfoolery and the food, but another chance to socialize. Our emcee for the night, Bill Wellivere, had things mostly under control. Brenda Knaack read the story of Christmas to lead the evening off on the right track. Santa and Mrs. Claus suffered on this sweltering night, but made a visit anyway, in a red convertible? Rudolph got lost. However, as most party nights, it quickly slipped away with the presentation of “The Night Before Christmas” by two former presidents, Linda Jenkins and Phil Knaack. The old adage that politicians sometimes make better comedians than administrators was proven by these two. Modesty restricts, but if you were there you know, and if you were not, you should have been.
Oh well, that was the end of the week before the week before Christmas. Is that caroling in the distance? Hey, the official week before is now starting. Wait up, we are coming.
By Ian Marwick (the happy scribe)
Published December 23, 2015
