Golden Wheat Chapter Christmas Party

Today was the annual Christmas Party for the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (AHSGR), Golden Wheat Chapter.

On the stage at the front of the auditorium are the raffle prizes...

And the door prizes...

Ella #2 Welcomes everyone and introduces Dan Snyder and his wife, who plays beautiful Christmas music for us, and suggests we come and go for snacks. She then offers the opening prayer.

Ella #1 Graces us with the Gospel reading in German and English

It was wonderful to see so many had joined us for this gathering.

We were honored to have Dan Snyder serenade us with Christmas songs, many sung in German. He finished with a beautiful rendition of "O Holy Night"...

Dennis called Karen to the front of the room under the guise of drawing door prize tickets, then began talking about someone being honored at the Kansas state convention revealing that the person honored was Karen!

A very pleasant surprise for Karen...

Then the drawing of tickets for door prizes began.

This was followed by Ella #2  Sharing of the origin of the song "Twelve Days of Christmas" and audience participation of "Twelve Days of Christmas" while sung by Dan Snyder. I didn't get pictures of these as I was helping Santa get ready...

We only had two young ones for Santa to bring presents for this year...

One was not so sure about the whole process...

But warmed up to Santa a bit when he needed his help to open his toy...

You're never too old to get your picture taken with Santa...

Or sit on his lap...

Last but not least was the drawing of tickets for raffle prizes.

Another wonderful Golden Wheat Christmas party!

Have a Very Merry Christmas

and

A Blessed New Year!!!

Golden Wheat Chapter Christmas Party

The Christmas meeting of the Golden Wheat Chapter of the AHSGR began with Karen P. giving us God's Blessing. Everyone was invited to help themselves to all the wonderful snacks, sweets and punch. She shared with us a message from the Ukraine about their recent loss of religious freedoms.

Karen C. explained the cotton wrapped tree that she learned about at Round Up along with traditions that went with it.

Members shared stories about family ornaments.

Ella #1 read the Christmas gospel to us in German and then in English. Ella #2 read to us about the Christmas pickle ornament.

Then the drawings began for the door prizes.

Then it was time for our entertainment, Judy Wiebe Mace on her harp.

Judy read an audience participation story to us with a couple of the youth strumming the harp when they heard their cue.

Then who should appear! Why Santa Clause of course!

With gifts for the children.

Dennis read to us about the Volga tradition of Bells Nichols, quite different than our modern Santa. The Grand Finale was the drawing for the prizes from the fund raiser.

Another Wonderful Christmas Party for the end of 2016 

and Hopes and Prayers for 2017!

Golden Wheat Christmas Party

Today was the Golden Wheat Chapter AHSGR Christmas party.

The registration table was set with the sign in sheet, tickets for door prizes and chances to win prizes with a donation to our fund raiser.

The tables started filling up with sweets and finger food. A wonderful variety to choose from.

Tables started filling with people too! What a nice crowd we had.

Ella read for us the Christmas story in German and in English.

The Christmas music we had planned on couldn't make it but Sondra brought us a nice surprise.

Her friend shared with us a fruit cake recipe much like the one that Sister Loyola prepared for us at each Christmas party.

Totally cracking Sondra up.

Ella (the younger) shared the story of how Jingle Bells came to be and passed around bells for us to jingle as she led us in song.

Dennis spoke about a Christmas past and asked others to share their memories.

Memories that tugged on heartstrings...

Memories of childhood traditions...

Memories that bring a smile.

Then Santa arrived!

...with his bag of gifts.

He called their names...

...as he pulled each gift...

...out of his bag.

Some were a little shy about having their picture taken.

Robert just didn't know who this guy was.

But they all had big smiles for Santa. The last present was for our President.

She was a bit surprised, but all in good fun.

One last story...

The last order of the day was to draw the winners for the fund raiser.

The party's over and what a wonderful time we all had. Wish you were there. Maybe next year?

May you have a Very Merry Christmas
and a 
Blessed New Year!