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Volume 5 Issue 3

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The History of the December Meeting

by Gordon Jackson

The Capital Mineral Club was started January 14, 1961, but it wasn’t until December 8, 1966 that we had our first Christmas party. After some discussion at the October and November meetings of having a joint business meeting / Christmas party with the Conway Club or possibly going to the Abbott House, Kettle & Crane or Franklin Pierce here in Concord (the Club would provide $7.00 towards a restaurant meal for each member) it was decided to stay in house and use the Ward hall. After the regular meeting, a Christmas tree (three chances for 25 cents) was raffled, an exchange of gifts (mineral specimen of $0.50 - $1.00 value) and a lunch of salads, rolls, pickles, olives, potato chips, punch, cake & coffee was enjoyed by 53 people. Jercidine Bahhon won the $4.25 Christmas tree with the Club taking in $5.00 from the raffle.

It was not until November 1968 that a second Christmas party was discussed and whether to have a pot luck supper or go out to eat. The latter was decided and when December 14, 1968 arrived, members met at 6:30 PM for the regular program and then left at 8:30 PM to eat at the Abbott House in Concord. The attendance at the meeting was 32 people.

During 1969, the Club provided funds towards a pot luck supper with members proposed to contributed $0.50 each toward the meal since it was felt a non profit organization could not provide meals to its members. However, a check with the IRS found it was permissible and the Club has been providing the turkey ever since. Our first turkey was cooked by Vera Fogg.. Forty-nine members attended the meeting and again raffled the Christmas tree.

The potluck, turkey banquet continued with little fanfare until December 14, 1974. The 40 members attending the festivities were entertained by 10 members of the "Concord Coachman Chorus" introduced by Stan Young, also an active barber shopper. The swap, with a suggested $2.00 gift, was held and singing continued at the end of the meeting. Chairmen Amy Eldridge and Alice Sims, as well as all the helpers were thanked.

Chairmen, Vera Fogg and Alice Sims, again brought back the barber shoppers and added a magic act for the 55 attendees. The gathering took place on December 13, 1975 at 6:30 PM in the YMCA Walker room.

For the December 13, 1976 gathering, Chairman Joanne Caswell suggested a gift swap of $2 to 3 dollars value and provided a magic act by Mike Zozak of Worcester, Mass. The Club also added a grand prize to the swap and again the evening was brought to a close with singing carols.

At our thirteenth Christmas gathering in December 1979, Chairman Kathy Dallaire had Kim Young lead the group in a Christmas carol sing.

At the 1981 gathering Tom Lalish chaired and a gift of $5.00 or less was suggested. The event was held at the senior center on Main Street, Concord.

The December 11, 1982 meeting was held at the Salvation Army building at 6:30pm with Pam Spain as chairmen. The 22 members were entertained by a juggler for entertainment and Santa appeared with a moustache on top of his nose.

The next December gathering was also held at the Salvation Army with Tom Lalish doing an after dinner program. Dave Kelso supplied the ham, which possibly was the first supplied by the Club.

(Continued on page 4)