AS 2024 EBBS AWAY & 2025 PEEKS AROUND THE CALENDAR
SAN MATEO ROTARIANS GATHER TO CELEBRATE...
WITH FLYING ELVES!!!
A Most Festive Evening!
San Mateo Rotarians capped off their Centennial Year with quite a holiday bash at the San Mateo Elks Lodge on December 17th. Highlights included White Elephant Gifts, two special miniature elves who had been staying in two Rotarian households but arrived at the party & were promptly subjected to much enthusiastic tossing-around, two Elf-Wannabes who wreaked havoc wherever they wandered, and a packed crowd of festive & jovial Rotarians & their Guests. A good time was had by all, except perhaps by the flying elves!
Many thanks to Cheryl Angeles, Liz Mayta, Ray Iverson, Barb Evers, and Rosemary Azem (Rosemary donated the wine!) for all the planning that went into hosting such a successful holiday celebration. They went above & beyond to deliver a great holiday party. As did the two Elf Wannabes (Past Presidents Chris Eckert & Rod Linhares) who were definitely in their element all evening long!
Never did catch the names of these two honored guests who had been enjoying the hospitality of Bernie Mellott & Peter Webb. The Elves had lots of adventures in their host homes, but none could quite match meeting highly competitive & slightly inebriated Rotarians who flung them exuberantly around the bar in a hearty game of Musical Elves. You had to be there for the full effect! Check out the video below.
In the midst of all the venue madness of the past several months, President Joan proclaimed, "I just want a Holiday Cocktail Party this year because I'm going to need a cocktail by the time we find a new venue!" President Joan has valiantly organized our visits to four different venues & has now sent out the selection ballot. This picture indicates she got her wish & is in a celebratory mood!
White Elephant Gift Exchange items greeted Rotarians as they arrived at the Elks Club. The display indicated Rotarians had been busy procuring just the right White Elephant Gift to share with a fellow Rotarian. Thanks to the efforts of Barb Evers and her elf helpers, the gifts were distributed throughout the room at the conclusion of the event. Everyone walked out the door with a smile...and a White Elephant!
Nancy Stanton deftly managed not only to coordinate her festive red outfit but also to select a cocktail to match. Looks as though she's thoroughly enjoying the celebratory
concoction. Perhaps it's the perfect holiday drink - a Christmas Cosmopolitan?
The Wanna Be Elves and Joy Morriss posed for a holiday portrait. Somehow Joy managed to keep both elves on their best behavior for the photo shoot. As the evening progressed, though, their elfin antics became much more mischievous!
Dave Issell, Mike Peterson & Jeff Lowenstein found a spot in the crowded bar scene to share a jovial conversation. Not sure of the topic - perhaps sharing what they hope Santa puts in his sleigh for them?
Kudos to Bernie Mellott, Peter Webb, and their families for hosting the two elves over the past few weeks and for taking photos of the elves enjoying holiday activities. Turned out it was a contest & Bernie won for the best elf photos. Peter came in a close second. Both look quite pleased with themselves! The elves do, too!
Elf Wannabe Chris and Party Organizer Extraordinaire Barb shared gift distribution responsibilities as the evening came to an end. They managed to get a present to everyone and there were still some left over! Do you suppose those are visions of sugar plums dancing in Barb's head?
The cast & ankle belonging to this individual were MIA at the Holiday Cocktail Party. Past President Bruce Bean texted after the event that he had managed to break a bone in his ankle while playing a fierce game of Raquetball with Jim Wagstaffe. Bruce will be on crutches for the next six weeks but hopes for a speedy recovery!
We're dark over the Holidays. San Mateo Rotary meetings will resume for lunch on Thursday, January 9th. Stay tuned to find out from President Joan which venue will prevail in the vote! That's where we'll be!
