Medina Sunrise Rotarians, with their families and friends, were welcomed to Medina Creative Housing's Life Skills Lodge by Dianne DePasquale-Hagerty for their annual Christmas social. The lodge is surrounded by mature trees and overlooks a small frozen lake and was elegantly decorated for the holiday season.  We enjoyed a banquet of fine food, fellowship, a comical gift exchange, Christmas cookies, soft saxophone music by Dylan Kubilus and his piano accompanist, and a visit from Santa Clause himself, all arranged by our gracious hostess and fellow Rotarian, Paula Hoshko-Knizner.

 

 

"'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house ..." intoned Dr. Mike Carlson, a veteran of reading stories to children from his days as Highland Schools Superintendent.  The children gathered closely around him as he sat in a comfortable rocking chair by the Christmas Tree in front of a cozy fireplace and read the classic Christmas poem by Clement Clarke Moore, a favorite of children all over the world.  Beside him, Dr. Mike's able assistant, Dominic Trakasc, held up a large story book of the much loved children's tale for all to see. Santa Claus entered right on cue to a chorus of sleigh bells and thundering applause, much to the delight of the children.  Having listened to their wishes and giving hugs and gifts to them all, Santa departed, in preparation for his busiest night of the year.

"But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

'MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!'"