To be honest, I hadn't intended to produce a Bulletin this week - however one thing led to another...
So while I'm at it may I wish everybody a Happy and Safe Christmas break, and very Best Wishes for 2021 - Bruce Collier
Christmas Lunch Meeting
Pleasant conversazione; a delicious lunch with baked ham, roast vegetables and condiments; Christmas crackers with party hats and corny jokes; an original poetry reading; and traditional Christmas Carols accompanied by the Salvation Army Band ensemble (who else remembers past Christmases when the Sallie Army Band traversed the neighbourhood on the back of a truck?). The proceeds of the (Christmas themed) Sergeants session were passed to the Petridish staff as a "tip" in recognition of their efforts in accommodating us so cheerfully since our move in June.
John Drummond recites his mixed-up tale of Santa, the Elves, Rudolph, Sir Edmund Hillary, P.M. Jacinda, the South Pole and Covid-19! Waiting in the wings are members of the Salvation Army Band ensemble who led our carol singing.
Is Santa Claus a Rotarian?
There has long been suspicion that Santa Claus is a Rotarian.
Therefore efforts were put by PDG Chris Offer (District 5040 - Rotary Club of Ladner, BC Canada) to discover the truth!
So, Santa needs a Rotary club if he is a Rotarian. Chris checked the International Directory and then the RI web site for Where Clubs Meet. Sure enough, he found a possible club. The Rotary Club of North Pole is in District 5010, Alaska, located near Fairbanks. This is a smidgen baffling since everyone knows the real North Pole is in Canada 🇨🇦 . Santa may prefer to be in the warmer south of Alaska rather than the north. He could also be a member of an E-club but Chris doubts that as he clearly likes Rotary lunches.
Next Santa would need a classification. There are several possibilities, Toys-Export, Reindeer- Teamster, Counsellor Pre-Adolescent Behaviour, Toys-Manufacturing or Elf Management.
All valid classifications. There is no indication of a Rotary pin on his jacket but it could be concealed under all that fur trim. If Santa is a Rotarian, he plainly is a 100% attender and has never missed a Rotary lunch.
The real evidence is, does he act like a Rotarian? Does he put “Service Above Self?”
The answer is unequivocally yes. Santa is dedicated to improving the lives of children. He is committed to bringing happiness to children around the world no matter what race, religion, creed or ethnic group they are from. He distributes tens of thousands of books to children to increase literacy and he gives gifts of toys that stimulate young minds to achieve their full potential. He volunteers as a mentor, spending countless hours at shopping malls listening to children’s secret wishes. Santa without question works to realize the Object of Rotary.
The only conclusion that has been reached is, “Yes, Santa Claus is a Rotarian!"
I just hope he does a make up at my club this year! 🎅🎄
Several Club Members have reported donating items to a food bank, either during the local can drive or at a supermarket collection. To quote one individual " My family donated a bag of non-perishable food items in last Monday’s community food drive. Pleased to do so annually and we hope it helps."
The Hospice trailer raffle organised by Rotary Dunedin South was a timely opportunity for our club members to take part in a charity collection or fundraiser, and seven of us did.
A packet of inexpensive Christmas Cards with "Seasons Greetings", popped in letter boxes of immediate neighbours (many unknown personally) helped spread holiday cheer for one of our members.
Don't forget to let me know at brucec3210@gmail.com if you complete any of the challenge tasks, so that I can keep our club progress updated.
Thursday Lunch meetings have finished for the year.
First meeting of 2021 will be held at Petridish on Thursday 28 January.
However a "Welcome Back" family Barbeque will be held on Sunday 24 January (weather permitting). More details will appear in the Bulletin of 17 January
Q. What do elves do after school?
A. Their gnome work.
Q. What comes at the end of Christmas?
A. The letter “S”!
Q. What do angry mice send to each other in December?
A. Cross mouse cards!
Q. What kind of ball doesn’t bounce?
A. A snow ball.
Q. What is the wettest kind of animal in Santa’s workshop?
A. Rain-deer
Q. Where does Santa go when Christmas is over?
A. To a ho-ho-ho-tel
Q. What do reindeer hang on their Christmas trees?
A. Horn-aments.
Q. What kind of Christmas carols do you sing to fruit?
A. “Have Yourself a Berry Little Christmas”
Q. Did you hear about the kid who was scared of Santa?
A. He was Claus-trophobic.
Q. What’s the best Christmas present?
A. A broken drum – you just can’t beat it.
Q. What do snowmen like to do at the weekend?
A. Just chill out.
Q. What should you sing at a snowman’s birthday party?
A. Freeze a jolly good fellow.
Chocolate Mint Truffles
Ingredients
1 x 200g Chocolate Mint Slice Biscuits
1/3rd Cup Condensed Milk
Optional: Finely Dessicated Coconut, Melted Chocolate, Milk, Dark or White
Instructions
Blitz the biscuits in the food processor until they resemble coarse crumbs
Add the 1/3rd Cup Condensed milk and blitz again. Place in fridge and allow mixture to firm-up
Prepare a small bowl with ÂĽ cup of coconut and a large plate for the prepared truffles
Begin to roll the truffles, taking a teaspoon sized amount and rolling well until it forms a solid even ball, then roll gently in the coconut, set on the plate and repeat.
Pop in the fridge or freezer for 30 minutes until firm to the touch.
If coating in melted chocolate, prepare the melted chocolate, then dip the truffles in carefully using a spoon then drain off the bulk of the chocolate and set it down on a tray covered in baking paper and allow to cool at room temp.
Can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge or cupboard until ready to share, best served at room temperature.
John Drummond recites his mixed-up tale of Santa, the Elves, Rudolph, Sir Edmund Hillary, P.M. Jacinda, the South Pole and Covid-19! Waiting in the wings are members of the Salvation Army Band ensemble who led our carol singing.
Several Club Members have reported donating items to a food bank, either during the local can drive or at a supermarket collection. To quote one individual " My family donated a bag of non-perishable food items in last Monday’s community food drive. Pleased to do so annually and we hope it helps."
Thursday Lunch meetings have finished for the year.