Wow, what a busy weekend, I haven't had time to update my blog page.
Friday 12-11-2009
Well, we had a special luncheon at work with the Roanoke County Fire Department. It was held at our new station, Station #1 on Hershberger Road.
Each year, the employees of both the field operations and staff, jointly toss our own donation into a hat and we have social services give us the names of about 4 very needy children. We then have Beth Dalton, the glue of our Office( Beth if you are listening, thank you so much), use the money to purchase gifts for these children. We then pick a date and have the children come to a fire station. We cook a huge lunch, Santa came and gave them their presents and it will tear your heart out to see these kids get blown away by the event and spirit of Christmas. The Chief of or Department, Rick Burch plays the role of Santa, and I have got to tell you, it is a hoot. He gets to carrying on, dancing and singing, and giving multiple excuses about Rudolph and his short comings. It is just a great time and then Santa leaves on a fire truck. It is quite touching to see the smile on these kids faces.
On Friday Night, I had a stated meeting at the Kazim Temple(Shriners), and we had 10 new nobles join our Oasis. As a Provost Guard member, Several members of our unit offered the security of our Temple and worked the door. During the meeting, a lady off of the street just opens the door to the meeting room and asks for $20.00. She was of the appearance of a homeless individual and had to be escorted from the building. The Building is located in Downtown Roanoke, VA.
Saturday Dec. 12, 2009 was the day of the Provost Guard's Christmas dinner. Since I was the Captain of the Shrine Unit, I was responsible for making this event come together and fly. We had originally reserved a room at Corned Beef & Company in Downtown Roanoke for our party, however, in an effort to keep expenses down and just make the event more simple, we chose to have it ot the Kazim Temple, in the Arab room, and have it catered.
Well that sounded great, but finding a caterer during the Christmas party season for a group of about 30 people was quite hard to find, so I twisted my mom's arm, Sue Huffman, and she agreed to help. Mom works as head of Dietary for Friendship Retirement Community and has done quite a bit of catering on the side throughout the years, but would just as soon not do it anymore because, well, its just tough sometimes.
The Party was awesome though, We had a great time. We had 29 people attend. 2 of which were in Grand Line for the Grand Lodge of Virgina, Freemasonry. John Chambliss, Deputy Grand Master and Paul Sleeper, Grand Sr. Deacon. We also have Kerry Campbell, Grand Jr. Warden as a member of our Provost Guard Unit, however he was on vacation in Charleston SC.
We had 3 members of the Kazim Divan and 1 Sweetheart. We call the widows of our dear passed brothers sweethearts.
This particular dinner was my last function as the Captain of the Provost Guard Unit. I was finishing 2 years as Captain and it was both sad and a relief at the same time. Art Pendleton became the new Captain for the year 2010. I finished my 2 terms as the 34th Captain of the Kazim Provost Guard Unit since it started in 1947. It was an honor to serve.
Sunday Dec. 13th, 2009. Well, today was another interesting day. Paula and I, in conjunction with my mom & dad, Roger & Sue Huffman, have been providing our church, Community Advent Christian Church(Old Mountain Rd.), with a reception after the children's Christmas Play each Christmas season for many years, and this year was no different.
We put together a spread of cakes, nachos with cheese dip, mini corn dogs, ham biscuits, finger sandwiches of tuna & Pimento Cheese, Christmas Punch, etc... We had 183 people attend the play and the reception afterwards.
We decorated with blue tablecloths and snowmen. I think it was a success. The play was great. Mason, my youngest, was in the play and he sung his heart out. did a fantastic job. I left just before the play finished to get the food and stuff ready for the rush of hungry folks and the tiny kids were waiting outside of the sanctuary door. They typically dress to a nativity scene theme and come in for the last song of the play. This is pretty much yearly. Well this year, before they could even get into the sanctuary, the lamb pooped and had to be changed. I thought that was just a little bit funny, in a way. Guess you had to be there.
Yes , a busy weekend, but it was full of family, friends, and the sounds of Christmas. I sure am tired, but it was quite worth it!
The weather was bad Sunday Morning, a little ice, but warmer now. By the way, Who Dat? Them Saints done won again. 13 - 0. Looks like a Saints Superbowl. I'm lovin'it!! Go New Orleans Saints. Who Dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?
Gary D. Huffman
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