Cancer Resource Center in Alamogordo, New Mexico Holds Volunteer Christmas Party

December 12, 2016

Volunteers gathered at Carino's Restaurant for the Cancer Resource Center Christmas Party hosted by Center Chair Sue Baker. Sue gave a brief overview of clients served during this past year and everyone enjoyed some delicious Italian food. This is the third party I've attended this holiday season where they played the Chinese Auction game and it was FUN! Sue also gave us a Christmas Trivia Quiz and it was really hard. Doug Kerr won with 19 correct out of a possible 29 answers. He asked me to pick the prize and it was a complete adult coloring kit.

L to R: Sofia w/husband, Joy, Jerry, Rosi, Jean and Ruth

L to R: Jennifer with son Drew and Beckie doing last minute party prep

Perusing the menu while cute elf Alexi looks on

Our very capable and cute server

Our esteemed leader, Sue Baker

L to R: Rose, Jean, Ruth, Sue and Beckie

Everyone is concentrating on the Christmas Trivia Quiz

Sue, reading the answers to the Quiz

Recent Marine Camp graduate Joe and his favorite girl, Alexi

Sue and Drew bringing the Santa hat around for drawing numbers for the Chinese Auction

Jennifer got an all-purpose tool

Carla, unwrapping her Tri-Stand Flashlight-nifty!

Alexi got a collection of fruit syrups

Jean is motioning that she would really like to have the parrot

Sue made sure this young lady got the Christmas teddy bear

Rosi got a bag with a number of items in it

One of the items was this elf hat and Rosi thought Jerry should be wearing it

Rosi looks on as Jean inspects her gift, but what is it?

Jerry got a lovely crystal drum bowl

Delton got the "bird" parrot and a $20 Visa Card

Rosi looks on while Carla and Jean discuss the parrot that Delton got, but being a nice guy, he gave it to Jean

The auction items were quite varied and I think all in all everyone was pleased with what they got or traded for. Each guest received a gift bag of goodies including scrumptious tins of creme de Pirouline cream filled wafers. The parrot was an auction gift last year and was re-gifted. I believe it is being flown to Colorado to join a live Macaw at Jean's relatives.

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photography for the great photos.

This is all I have to say for now.

COPE Christmas Party in Alamogordo, New Mexico

Friday, December 9, 2016

Board members and employees of the Center Of Protective Environment (COPE) gathered for a dinner and Chinese Auction at Carino's Restaurant in Alamogordo, NM. This is one of the few times during the year that everyone gets to meet and converse with all the people in the organization and it is a great way to make new friends.

For those of you unaware, COPE is an organization formed to give assistance to spouses and children suffering abuse. COPE provides Emergency Shelter, Crisis Intervention, Legal and Medical Advocacy, Counseling and Support Groups, Children's Programs, Community Education, Information and Referral, Emergency Clothing and Household Items. They have a 24 Hour Crisis Hotline 575-437-2673 in Alamogordo and 866-350-2673 in Ruidoso.

Executive Director Kay Gomolak gave a brief overview of the year and we ate dinner and visited. Then we began the Chinese Auction game. In this version, an item can be stolen three times. Everyone seemed to have a grand time. I know the conversation at our table was most interesting.

COPE Attorney Michael Keedy and his beautiful wife, Susan

Kay Gomolak, Executive Director of COPE, table hopping and talking with Molly and Susan

Perry Lawson, Community Education and Outreach Director of COPE, and Judy Pingle, board member

Carla Kerr, board member of COPE and husband, Douglas

Kay Gomolak, Esteemed Executive Director of COPE

Former COPE attorney Molly Kicklighter

She can't decide which one to pick

Molly on the right and they are both obviously amused at something

Yvonne Sours, Cope board member inspects her package

What a beautiful cross. Hope she got to keep it.

Perry got a Crown Royal set (but not for long)

He is seriously contemplating his gift

Cute pose

Looks like Ingrid Fowler (newest COPE Board Member) got a RumChata package

Carla Kerr got a Scentsy candle, but not for long

Carla picked one for her husband, Doug and it is a frame filled with scratch offs

She got a lovely bottle of Cabernet Savignon with those magazines

Party attendees visiting

Carla, having lost another gift, contemplating which other to choose

Looks like Kay got the champagne

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photography for taking the great pictures. If he missed someone, we do apologize, but his stander-upper is not well so he just shot from where he sat.

This is all I have to say for now.

Alamogordo, New Mexico Red Hatters Celebrate Christmas at Grill 49

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Members of the New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter of the Red Hat Society traveled to Tularosa, New Mexico for a lovely Christmas luncheon and party at Grill 49. After lunch they played a version of Chinese Auction. Each one drew a number and when her number was called she could take a wrapped gift from under the tree or steal one from someone else. If one is stolen, that person can then go and pick another gift or steal from someone else and so on. It was a ton of FUN and the gifts were lovely. The food was perfection and the ambiance absolutely elegant.

Rosanna Heath posing for her close-up!

The Mountain Girls, Margie Purcella and Alice Evans

Trudy decorated this hat just for Christmas. Adorable!

Jan Jennings and our newest member, Bobbie Tanner in reverse colors celebrating her birthday month

Dorothy Smith and Trudy Reese enjoying lunch

L to R: Gail Swineford, Jean Courtier, Margaret Treis and Lu Mattson

Just a grab shot of Red Hatters eating and visiting

L to R: Dorothy Edwards, VQ Donna Williams and Donna's niece, visiting from Kansas

The Chinese Auction game has started and it looks like Trudy got a lifetime supply of post-it notes

Dorothy Edwards with a beautiful painting of a hawk painted by Red Hatter Lu Mattson

Margie got a beautiful Chinese silk tote bag

VQ Donna got a beautifully crocheted scarf, hat and gloves

Queen Ladybird aka Carla Kerr got an infinity scarf and a purse key chain

Someone took Margie's first gift so she got a purple hat, scarf and convention tee shirt

VQ Donna lost her first gift so she got a beautiful Christmas candle on a stand

Donna's sister, visiting, got a lighted base with cut glass figures

Alice got holiday tea towels

Bobbie got a Red Hat scarf and a little Red Hat fascinator

Jean got a credit card wallet and a leaded glass hanging

Donna's cousin Sandy, (a guest) got a Red Hat scarf and a lined box with a huge diamond in it (look closely)

Jan got a container of delicious New Mexico Pistachio nuts

Rosanna, looking mighty pleased, stole the scarf and diamond

Sandy got the last gift, a beautiful scarf and wine glass tags

If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend Grill 49 in Tularosa, New Mexico, just 13 miles from Alamogordo. The menu is continental and they have excellent chefs.

This is all I have to say for now.