1They said it couldn’t be done. “No way! The club members are just not up to it! They don’t have what it takes anymore!” But later in the evening of the Christmas Party, we proved them wrong. Boy, did we ever!
But more on that later. First, let’s just start out by saying that the this year’s Christmas Party was a rollicking(*) success! All 51 attendees had a great time.
This year’s party was at Bitoque, a Portuguese BYOB restaurant located on Notre Dame, a few blocks west of Atwater. The snow from the storm earlier that week was still being cleaned up. Notre Dame had been cleared, while parking on the side streets was still a snowy mess, but manageable. We began gathering at 6:30 pm, and mingled in the elegant high-ceiling room on the main floor. The waiters were quick to offer us ice buckets for our bottles of white wine, or even for our bottles of Perrier! We chatted and discussed some of the interesting art work on the walls. The mood was cheerful and lively.
Soon enough, we took our seats and placed our orders. There were four choices from our
group menu. Wondering how popular each dish among our group? Wonder no more. Here is what we ordered:
22 lamb shanks
17 Portuguese cod
7 chicken breasts
5 vegetarian paella
The reviews of the meals and the dessert were overwhelmingly favorable!
The evening went by quickly as we dined and conversed. After dessert, instead of trying to battle the high ambient noise level to give my traditional speech to everyone, I opted to visit each table and give a several quieter speeches.
During the planning for the dinner, I had spoken to Herman, the friendly owner of Bitoque, about the possibility of having some dancing after dinner. Now, bear in mind, dancing at a club party was something we had not succeeded in doing for several years. Whether it was because we did not have the right set-up for dancing or because the club members just weren’t dancers anymore was an ongoing topic of debate. Many believed the latter. But Herman assured me he could make it happen. I have to admit, even I had my doubts.
Some people began leaving shortly after dessert. It was now or never! As planned, the waiters cleared off and moved away the table at which I and nine others had been sitting. Meanwhile, Herman moved a professional-grade sound system into place, with large speakers on pedestals. I had fears of loud, blasting music chasing away the remaining party goers. 
But the music was of a groovy Motown vibe that was played at just the right volume — not too quiet, not too loud. Nobody could find it objectionable. Within moments, we had a crowded dance floor of club members shaking their Beaver Tails! As was certainly the case at parties during the first year of the BTNSC 37 years ago, Al Lawson, our founding president, was on the dance floor to lead the horde.
The party lasted until close to midnight. Not bad, considering what time we started. As always, Al was one of the last to leave the party!
Many thanks go out to Joanna C, our party organizer. She found the restaurant, made the reservation, designed the flyer, and collected all the advance payments. Thanks for making one of our best parties in years happen!
(*) Rollicking: adj., boisterously carefree, joyful, or high-spirited