BEV WINS $100

• About 30 folks made their way to High Flyer's grill on the 3rd to break bread and join in seasonal merriment. A big thanks to Rhonda, Patty and Bill who organized and executed the fine event.
• Bill served as the  Master of Ceremonies (and bouncer) and kept telling us that "Patty knows!"
• Take a look at the photo album. Who wore the blue shoes and tie? Hint, it wasn't the same person.
• Dave was the last to arrive. Cora assured us that if she were driving they would have been on time.
• Would you cast Mark 3 as a grumpy old man? 
• We played heads or tails and Rick donated his $15 jackpot to the adopted family fund. The fund bag made the rounds and Lori was busy organizing the cash at the end of the evening. The Salvation Army bell ringing sheet also moved about the room.
• Did you hear Joe's eyeglasses ringing?
• Rhonda and Sherry were on their best behavior. Perhaps Santa has been whispering in their ears.
• Bill presented everyone with a carol/song puzzler that was truly a groaner. Candy canes went to the folks who got the most correct.
• "Name that Christmas tune" was the next game. There was a question about Fred possibly osculating with Heather. Oh my!
• Roger gladly took one for the team and admonished us that he doesn't need our stinkin' help.
• The final game of the evening was all about the first nativity. Did you know that a manger was a feed lot? Plenty of our assumptions about the nativity were declared bogus by Rev Bill. Sandy was glad her children weren't being exposed to the correct answers. Paul did win a fruitcake for having the most correct answers (2 out of 10, maybe).
• Everyone one was gifted with a scratch-off and Bev won $100 on hers. We hope the state can pay her.​
• Event photos can be accessed vial a link in the photo albums widget in the left column.

​DO YOUR RECOGNIZE THIS HIGH FLYER?

• Chris thanked everyone for their donations to help our adopted family. We contributed enough to get the two oldest children Kindle devices as well as fill the wish list for the rest of the family. The generosity of Rotarians is nothing short of outstanding.
• Lori is looking for names of potential Christmas flower recipients and delivery agents. They will be delivered next Friday, December 18th. 
• The sign-up sheet for the basketball tournament is making the rounds. The list for concession donations/help will be available soon. Joe indicates that a $60 contribution will get you a  sponsorship name on 1/2 the shirts. A $120 contribution covers all the shirts. Let him know if you want to participate. 
• Mark 2 gave instruction for the Salvation Army bell ringing taking place on the 12th (today). He took full responsibility for the weather.
• Rhonda reported that our share of the Cosmic Bingo proceeds amounted to $2281.72. Well done!
• When ordering from Amazon don't forget to sign up for the 'Smile' program with our club receiving .5% of the total purchase amount. You can link via our home  page (top right).

• Chris was our Prez, Dave was our Prez-Elect, you know what Lori and Cory were doing. (Their usual great job). Board members included:Paul,Rhonda, Rod, Rick, Erin, and Mark 1.
• The program was presented by John Pearson. (My guess is that it was a holiday music interlude).
• 26 members attend the previous week's meeting. (Was someone giving something away?)
• The previous week's program was sponsored by Virgil. He introduced Jerseyville school Super Ed Settles.
• Mark 2 made-up at Bethalto.
• Wood River's Pat Devaning was on hand to sell Columbian coffee.
• Erin was dressed in her "I don't have to go to court today" wardrobe.
• Allen had a chance to win the 50-50.
• We celebrated Chris' birthday.
• Lori had Christmas flowers scheduled for delivery on the 17th.
• Our last meeting at the Rec Center was scheduled for the 23rd. On January 6th we move to Julia's.
• Do you remember Rose Sebastian?  

DATELINE:RI

Here's a link to this month's district newsletter  http://bit.ly/1XQOesg

Parking fines aren't usually the stuff of holiday cheer. But a few cities around the country are turning them into an opportunity to promote giving, letting drivers cover part or all of their fines with food donations.Lexington, Ky., first adopted the program, called Food for Fines, during the 2014 holiday season. There, 10 cans will knock $15 off a person's parking ticket. Last year, the program took in more than 6,000 cans of donated food that went to a local food bank, and it's on track to beat that haul this season, according Gary Means, the executive director of the Lexington Parking Authority. Means says his city got the idea from programs at universities that let people pay for parking fees with food donations. Means says he's also heard of a donation program in Boston that let people donate toys during the holiday season to cover tickets.  To continue reading link here http://n.pr/1XQfba8

• Nearly 3 million Americans enrolled in college in the fall of 2009. Barely more than half of these students-52.9%-have graduated with a bachelor's or associate's degree in the six years since.-FiveThirtyEight.com
• Between March and September, more than $110 billion in auto loans went to U.S. borrowers with credit scores below 660, the cutoff for what's considered "good" credit. Subprime loans are now nearly the same level as they were in 2006.-The Wall Street Journal