Holiday Celebration

Our Holiday Celebration began with Frank Rippl playing the piano. President Peter welcomed members and guests.  John McFadden gave the invocation. He talked about how this year we don't have the Christmas culture wars.  Instead people are accommodating many displays of the various cultures.  Do we tell people Happy Holidays or to have a Merry Christmas?  Etiquette looks past words and instead focuses on good intentions.  Christmas is a hopeful gift.    Scriptures say that "Light shines in darkness and the darkness has not overcome it". 
 
Lunch consisted of seared turkey medallions topped with cranberry-apple sauce and served with spaghetti squash and garlic mashed potatoes or quinoa stuffed portabella mushrooms.  

After lunch, Tony Gonzalez talked about how the Fox Valley Symphony is in its 47th season and have 60-80 musicians who perform 5 concerts in the Symphony Series at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center .  In addition, smaller groups perform around the community. Today, 4 members of the Symphony's string quartet played holiday favorites such as The First Noel, Let it Snow, Silver Bells, Frosty the Snowman, White Christmas, The Christmas Song, Come All Ye Faithful, Joy to the World and Silent Night.

Thanks to the Family of Rotary Committee for arranging this program:  Tony Gonzalez (Chair), Ruth Ann Heeter, Nancy Heykes, Nancy Johnshoy and Eric Oelhafen.  Also thanks to Frank Rippl for playing the piano, Fox Valley Symphony's string quartet, the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel and staff for the wonderful lunch and service they provide us every Tuesday and everyone who made a donation to COTS.