On Monday, December 3, 2007, the Annual Christmas Party erupted at Chantrell's with approximately 45 people attending. There were two items of business, as Suzette limped to the dais to pass her Presidential Gavel to Chuck Shade, followed by the awards given for this year's print competition in November. Chuck had laryngitis so his inaugural address was very, very short. The awards took somewhat longer as Nick, Suzette, and Sandra made repeated trips to accept their honors. (See separate article here for full details)

Trivialities like food, governance, and awards out of the way, it was on to the featured event -- the annual Chinese Gift Exchange. Gifts ran from the unmentionable to the consumable, with some very nice items along the way. Billy Bass reappeared from last year. A very soft fleecy throw was eagerly sought after,as was a Loan Collection book and a Santa Suit for Fido. This method of gift giving incites all to fantasies of greed, but grand strategies were fewer thanks to a minor change in the rules this year.

The event ended after 10:00 with most everybody in good humor. Now it's on to new business in the new year!!

Click HERE to see images from the 2007 Christmas Party.

Article and images by Eric Hatch