The Casablanca Christmas Party

Now Readers, did you really think with this freakishly warm winter weather (It snowed Monday and then was 78 on Saturday) that we would be closing the Casablanca so soon?!

This Seasonal soiree was hosted last Sunday for all of our Casablanca members, of the 40 of our friends turned out for a packed house!  Verses the formal setting of Thanksmass the newly founded "Christmas Party" was super casual and lots of fun!

(So.)

(Much.)

(Food!)

Scores, and scores of hors d'oeuvres and tasty treats overflowed the Casablanca kitchen, along with plenty of good friends and fun!

(Conrady in his homemade "Tacky Christmas Sweater")

(Friends Nic, Meg, Austin, Matt, Peter, & Seigen!)

(Jacob, Lizzy, Patricia, Alex, Kelcie,Wes, Cindy, & Andrew!)

I'm telling you the house was PACKED! But thanks to the ongoing addition Pontipee Hall 40 people in Casablanca feels like house 20 did in the old days!

After we had nibbled at everything but the dinner plates and electric wiring, the party gathered in the living room to listen as friend Kelcie gave an interpretative reading of "The Night Before Christmas."

(It is worth listening to all of the Seven minuets it takes to tell!)

Soon after the story ended, thus began what i'm sure is the biggest present swap the Casablanca has ever seen! nearly 30 players in all.  The following pictures are brought to you courtesy of Jake and Jeanette VanDonge!

(J.T. and Peter.)

 (James, Jennifer, Russ, Meg, J.T. & Christy!)

(Round and Round we went!)

(Opening)

(Stealing!)

(Snatching.)

It was all great fun! Some of the most interesting presents included a bag of kitty litter, a slightly used TV set, along with some great handmade gifts too! After the the swap as being rowdy wore off, friend and (Brand new member of the Casablanca, this night was his 3rd trip) J.T, reminded us what the season is all about.

Its so easy to forget what "Christmas" really is all about. Thank you J.T. for reminding us all!

(Friend Joy helms the piano! FINALLY someone who can actually play!)

 I figure Caroling is going to become a must at these Christmas gatherings, we passed out the books and Joy merrily played along as we sang the evening away.

(Wes, Kelcie, Emily, Matt, Cindy. Seigen, and Austin.)

(Alex and Lynn belting it out!)

(Mid-caroling, recently moved friend Joe called, so we sang to him!)

Readers is was all so wonderful, and so much love was in the room I very nearly cried tears of joy. Patricia and I are so blessed to have the wonderful friends we do, that go along with the crazy stunts we pull, and most of all are there to love and support us. Thanks guys, we love and cherish all of you, as well as all of you fabulous blog readers!
Well, you know 'us' theatre people... once we get started its hard to stop!

 So Joy, Austin, J.T., Seigen, Patricia and myself performed a few numbers from our current holiday show at the Wichita Theatre "Here's Love" or"Miricale on 34th Street"!

Encore! Encore!

And finally Here's Love!

This party was undoubtedly the star on the Casablanca holiday tree and a wonderful closing to the 1958/2012! It has been a memorable Social Season, with each party out doing the last. Our club is growing, and we have welcomed so many new members, council members and lifetime members this season. Our little club is gaining notoriety and we are loving every second of it! We are so glad we can share all of our fun times and stories with you here, and think all of your comments are swell. I hope you will keep tuning in for all of our upcoming 1959 fun and a whole new Social Season in March!

Wishing you all the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of Holidays!

-Mick-