It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  With all the preparations, festivities and fun with family and friends, one must also be taking care of the usual every day living.  This suggests that it is a good idea to be organized.  The word itself conjures up images of “a place for everything and everything in its place.”

There was this scene at our annual Christmas Bazaar last Saturday,  with all the different vendors, crafts, rummage and bake sales all set up and running smoothly.  Margie Loesch was the most organized and expert director, which made for a wonderful day and a very successful bazaar.  She is one fine lady and we want to thank her for all the work she did to make it such a great event.  We also want to thank all the workers who came and spent the day. We took in $2,706.91, with $165.42 for expenses. It’s a beautiful thing!

What a jolly time we had on Monday when the always-welcome school children came and we fed them hot dogs, chips and lemonade.  After-ward they sang “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer.” We enjoy having them adding to our holiday spirits.

After they went back to school we had our pot luck lunch and then our guest speaker.   Kathy Compton with the Alamo Area Council of Governments gave a presentation on “A Matter of Balance - managing concerns about falls,” an award-winning program designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. Many older adults experience concerns about falling and restrict their activities. 

The program emphasizes practical strategies to manage falls. Tonie Rogers will teach a free class on things we can learn to do to help prevent falls at the BSC on Wednes-days from Feb. 6 through March 26. Those who should attend include anyone concerned about falls or interested in improving balance, flexibility and strength, and anyone who has fallen in the past and who has restricted activity because of falling concerns. To register, call Tonie at (830) 438-3111. This should be a high priority for us.

Next Monday will be our special Christmas lunch of ham, tamales and sides.  Jean Reaves and Betty Duncan will each play the piano so that we can make a joyful noise by singing Christmas carols. You can open your heart and let the spirit move you by singing either on or off key. It matters not, just sing because your happy and thankful for all the wonderous blessings we have.

Might you be interested in serving a term on the BSC board.  We have an opportunity for four new board members, so please see the nomination committee, whose members are Phil Gaston, Tonie Rogers and Glenna Croft.

Membership dues for 2008 are $15, payable beginning now. See Doris Haecker at the table she has set up.

And from an unknown author:

There’s more, much more, to Christmas

Than candlelight and cheer; It’s the spirit of sweet friendship

That brightens all the year.

It’s thoughtfulness and kindness,

It’s hope reborn again,

For peace, for understanding,

And for goodwill to men.