ARONOS CLUB CHRISTMAS PARTY

Talented kids and Christmas Cheer was the fare at the Sonora Aronos Club Christmas party. I, a stranger, was met with a gathering of friendly faces, ballroom dancing, food and music by Summerville High School’s Jazz @ 8 under the direction of Jim Wells, music teacher.

At every table, people were eating or had finished eating and were enjoying conversation with friends. Eden and Barbara Ligsay made me feel right at home and described their Ballroom Dancing Club: “We’re just like a family.”  It reminded me of the familial spirit of square dancing clubs I’ve belonged to-before my husband died.

One of the first things I looked for, “Is it a wooden floor?”  It was. Dancers all know a wooden floor is the best for dancing. The group is composed of all ages.

The tree is a treat since I have no room for one in my house. I’m glad to enjoy someone else’s.

Before the music started, I met Ashley, a bright, smart 15 year old member of Jazz@ 8 Choir. I was seated next to her mother.

Most of the kids were chowing down before they began the entertainment.

Ashley and her mother introduced me to Adam, The Elf. He is a student friend and supporter. He doesn’t sing with the choir.There is something special about potlucks and home-made Christmas desserts. Everyone likes to bring what they do best. Yum.

It was time for Jazz 8 to strut their stuff. Five sopranos, four altos……and six base singers.

Director Jim Wells, a smidge of his back to the camera on the right, is very laid back and humorous. Most of the music is cappella. They are a swing “band” when they have recorded music to accompany them. The group performed some very interesting variations on Christmas Carols, roundelays and mixed medleys. And, a Johann Sebastian Bach number that Old Johann would not recognize.

While many dancers got up and enjoyed dancing to the music,

,

,

…an equal number just sat an enjoyed the entertainment.

They sang a Penataonix arrangement of Mary Did You Know. I’ve heard it done as a solo and it gives me the chills of emotion every time I hear it.

The listeners enjoyed the program as much as the dancers, Ashley’s mom and me. My favorite tune was a Michael Jackson number called the Smooth Criminal, oh my, just before Christmas?

As for the Aronos Club, I saw one in San Francisco years ago and I knew it was a Women’s Club. But there was no history on either the Sonora or San Francisco Club on-line that I could find. I just remembered that the San Francisco Club only allowed women. If anyone knows the history of these Women’s Clubs, let me know. I’m curious.

EVERYONE LOVES A BIRD HOUSE

I don’t know why, but everyone seems to love a bird house. They can be varied and interesting to be sure. In fact in my neck of the woods, Larry Bird had a real estate office in the shape of  giant bird house. I wish I had taken a picture of it at the time. It was torn down to make way for a highway widening several years ago.

Here at Cherokee Landing, birds are very lucky. They have many choices, like this square hole for a bigger bird. I saw a small bird with babies in one like this, only smaller with a round hole.

Since this is a campground, a bird house painted to look like a log cabin fits the scene. A medium sized hole allows just about any bird.

Along with the camping theme,  a travel trailer fits right in.

This one is a “false front’ for a knothole in the back providing  shelter for a small bird.

Not all birdhouses were meant to be occupied. They are more often used as yard or patio decorations. I run into them in gift shops all the time. They are fun and interesting. I own a couple myself and enjoy them.

And, I enjoy photographing them.

It’s a stay-in rainy day at Cherokee Landing, and I have a renewed interest in bird houses since my carpenter son has begun building them for friends from his scrap pile. He’s sold a few as well. Kind of a fun hobby. A rest day after a day of chores yesterday, laundry and maintenance fix-ups on the Bronco and Motorhome.

Always do your best,

Never let it rest,

Until the best is better,

And the better best.

Some ditty that came floating into my mind from the past. Better get back to my book.