As the 2009 comes to an end, we can look back and be very proud of the past years progress. We have made great strides and our accomplishments are something in which we all can be proud. Visit our website for a complete list of accomplishments in 2009.

December started with a decorating crew which consisted of Caroline Shackelford, Barbara Mimskimin, Linda Kaye Hunter, Jo Bassin, Michelle Peterson, and Hannah Hoover. We spent a day decorating the lodge for the holidays. All of our hard work paid off! The lodge never looked so festive. We finished the day wrapping the remaining gifts for the children’s Christmas party.

The Children’s Christmas party was filled with excitement! The children eagerly awaited Santa’s arrival via the Fairfax City fire and rescue truck. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Elf Terry were met by 25 very excited girls and boys. All of the children enjoyed breakfast with our festive guests. Breakfast was prepared by our wonderful men and consisted of sausage gravy and biscuits, scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, cereal, and various drinks. We wish to thank Mark Smith, Ernie Phillips, Bill Hill and Joe Craun for preparing breakfast for the children. The children eagerly waited for their turn with Santa. They received their early Christmas gift and whispered their Christmas wish lists for Santa’s consideration. Once the gifts were handed out, the children waited for the Fairfax City Fire Department to arrive for the presentation of the Tommy Moose (see article related to this subject on the webpage).

After all was cleaned up after the children’s party, it was time to prepare for the adult Christmas party. Excitement filled the air for all of our members, as this was the first time in a long time, that we had a band. We hosted The East Vegas Band for an evening filled with fun for all (see photo’s posted on the website). Dinner was prepared by Tom Pavlik and Dan Sullivan with menu and assistance provided by our in-house chef Richard Cohen. Dinner consisted of Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Roast Beef, Roasted Red Potatoes, Asparagus, Broccoli, Salad, Rolls, and Desserts. We wish to thank our clean up crew Nancy Petty, Randy Knight, Tom Hoover (AKA, the Hoove), Wendy Barboza, Jeff Elliott, and Hannah Hoover. We also wish to thank our wonderful bartender Brenda Davis for serving up liquid courage for the dancer’s of the evening (again, see the website for photos). We had many door prizes for those in attendance. Barbara Mimskimin decorated holiday wreaths for gifts. Hannah Hoover made live centerpieces for gifts. Denise donated a wonderful basket which had a homemade moose pillow with blankets and lots of other goodies. I would also like to thank Linda Kaye Hunter and Mary Amsden for selling and distributing tickets for all the prizes. I tell you, I haven’t seen our members having so much fun in a long time. It is the giving of others that really makes the joy of the season shine for so many!

On another note, I wish to thank our board members for their support in my absence. Due to health and other unrelated personal issues, I was unable to attend meetings for two months. You know the strength of your board when others step up and events get planned and go on as scheduled. A special thanks to our Junior Regent Linda Kaye Hunter. She stepped up and manned the Senior Regent position and everyone and everything stayed right on task. Kudos Linda for filling in, working with both boards and making everything run smoothly. We as a group could not have succeeded, without your ready, willing and able attitude to get things done. It is examples such as these that truly make a lodge a success. As a friend, I do appreciate everything you have done.

I would also like to add, that our recorder Mary Amsden had neck surgery. She is recovering well and we wish her a very speedy recovery. And in her absence, I would like to thank Ginny McClung for stepping up and filling in for her. We have the best board in the world!

Please remember to keep your food and clothing donations coming in. With cold weather upon us, it is of utmost importance that we support our community and those in need.

Now that 2009 has come to an end, I would like to wish everyone a safe, healthy, and prosperous 2010. Keep visiting the website for up coming events and the next Friday Night Dinner.

Fraternally,
Hannah Hoover
Senior Regent