More Christmas Festivities

Hot on the heels of my Christmas singalong

with preschoolers was an event at . . . shall

we say the other end of the spectrum.  This

was the Christmas luncheon of the Ladies of

Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pinehurst.

The fine ladies below are the organizers, and

the two in the center, Ann and Camille, are

responsible for my having provided music

for Valentine and Christmas functions for

almost two decades.

It was a really nice banquet with a speaker

from Moore County's homegrown foundation,

MIRA.  The founder, Bob Bell, told how his

organization is the only one anywhere that

provides guide dogs to blind youth ages 11-17.

It was an impressive an inspirational presentation.

The scene was the Pinehurst Members Club.

There were no signs forbidding photos, so I

thought I'd share some of the beautiful

holiday decor with you.

The main upstairs banquet hall was where

our luncheon took place.

The stairways and everything else

were aglow and bedecked with greenery.

The spacious foyer had many nice displays,

including this manger scene (with no manger).

The yuletide carolers

The view from the main entrance

The grand tree that welcomes

guests at the entrance

A combination of patriotism, a

white Christmas, and traditional

electric train and carolers

Please don't tell these dear ladies I

would provide music at no charge.

They are so kind as to provide my lunch

and seat me with the event organizers,

who are always quite gracious to me.

I must show you my favorite Christmas

tie: Santa playing the piano.

Throughout the course of the affair I heard

much evidence of the tremendous good these

women do in our community.  And not just

at Christmas time.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year,

my good friends at Sacred Heart.

See you at Valentine's Day.