A festive UMW gathering

It was a festive group!

The memorial table

Julie, Gretchen, and Donna, share holiday music

The Squeezebox Sisters offer holiday fun!

The celebration that is the UMW's annual Christmas gala took place this afternoon with forty-one members and guests in attendance. 

Devotions were presented by Hazel Smith, who read Luke 2:14 and from "The Twelve Good Deeds of Christmas."

Trudy Freeman was presented with a special recognition for her service as the Unit president.

A table of remembrance was in place to lift up the memories of Colleen Mackowic (Linda Kauffman's daughter) and Kim Tries.

In the business portion of the gathering:
+Carole Koval presented the slate of officers for 2017 - Belinda Alkula (president), Carol Gragg (vice-president), Linda Kauffman (secretary), and Bonita Ziegler (treasurer).
+The budget for 2017 was approved with over $12,000 being approved for missions.
+Emma Ludington will be married on December 22. The Unit will be providing a pre-ceremony reception that afternoon at 5:00 pm.

As is the custom at the December gathering we enjoyed highlight of the day's gathering was the music! 

+Julie Ludington continued the tradition begun by Donna Prince and Ruby Longbottom with an offering of "Silent Night."
+Donna Lewis and Gretchen Spiess, accompanied by Julie Ludington, shared "Still a Bach Christmas."
+Liz Goddard offered "Song of the Angels" from the cantata, "Angels of Christmas."
+The Squeezebox Sisters (made up by Cleo Guenther and three friends) provided a toe-tapping assortment of accordion tunes, starting off with "The Santa Claus Polka!"

Today's hostesses were Mary Costello, Janet Lonski, Ginny Mellgren, and Bonita Ziegler. The beautiful center pieces are part of a Nativity set painted by Bonita's mother.