December 15, 2009
Today’s Program: The Pitchforks directed by David Lawhead
The St. Petersburg High Choral Department maintains a busy concert schedule at school and in the community. They played at Disney’s Epcot Center on December 13th for the Candlelight Processional. On December 17th the chorus will present their Winter Concert at the St. Petersburg High auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public.
Today’s featured guests, The Pitchforks, rehearse twice a week after school, and select sophomore, juniors, and seniors. St. Petersburg High has a long tradition of quality choral singing, and is proud of that heritage and appreciates the opportunity to be a part of this fine tradition in our community.
Thank you for your continued support of St. Petersburg High School and education in our community. Relax; enjoy the songs of the season.
What’s Happening
Program Next Week
On December 22, 2009, Mr. Tom Reese, environmental lawyer, will speak on “Save the Panther”. Please mark your calendar.
Christmas Gift Wrapping Assembly
Spearheaded by Bobbie Gilgosch, Kiwanians and members of First United Methodist Church met on Friday, December 11, to assemble and wrap Christmas presents at the church. Saturday, December 12, those presents were presented at the church for kids sponsored by the YWCA Homeless Shelter. A big Kiwanis Thank You to all members who helped in this most heart-warming venture; and thanks to Kathy Condon and Ron Scoggins for all their organizational efforts.
Mission Possible
Your mission, should you choose to accept it is: ring a bell for one hour at the Northeast Shopping Center on Wednesday, December 16, 2009, for the Salvation Army. Check with J.C. Russell to sign up.
Thank You
Dear Mr. Stuart and fellow Kiwanis Club members:
My husband, Lee, and I would like to send you all a note of thanks and deep appreciation for the generous check we received for our new daughter, Madison Grace. It is such a special gift, and we are so touched by your thoughtfulness. Dad said it’s tradition to set up a savings account in the child’s honor. So, that is exactly what we plan to do. I will be sure to tell her one day that the account was started by all her grandfather’s wonderful friends in the Kiwanis Club.
Throughout the past 34 years of my life, I have seen many different ways people express their “love and appreciation” for my dad. However, his fellow Kiwanis Club members emptying their wallets at his expense, is by far the most fabulous way! When I asked Dad about it, he says you were all simply just putting the screws to him ... hee hee…Duh! I must also point out the fact that when my husband found out your generous giving meant that my dad had to write out a check for almost $300.00, he was thrilled beyond words because he too, “loves and appreciates” my dad like all of you do! Needless to say, it is a Merry Christmas for us all indeed!
Thank you all again so much for this most wonderful gift. And a big “Thank You” to my dad ….. The greatest father in the world and the greatest man I have ever known! I love you so much.
God Bless you all and Merry Christmas!
Sincerely, Martha Anne Mevill (daughter of Click Slocumb)
Van Gogh, Warhol, Matisse, Neimann
You can paint like those guys at the YWCA Home Shelter on Saturday, January 16, 2010, 429 6th Ave S, St Petersburg. Pat Biscotti informed us that if your paint skills have not advanced past elementary finger painting, we still need supervisors to organize the Key Club and Circle K volunteers. Check with Pat Biscotti to volunteer.
Last Week at Kiwanis
Kiwanian of the Day, Seymour Gordon, introduced Rabbi Jacob Luski, spiritual leader of Congregation B’nai Israel of St. Petersburg. Rabbi Luski explained the Hanukkah Light Story and the origins of Hanukkah.
To begin, we learned that Hanukkah is actually a minor holiday for Jewish people, but since Hanukkah falls during the Christmas season, it receives more notice. Hanukkah spans eight days, this year starting at sundown on December 11 and ending December 18. The Menorah, the symbol of Hanukkah is a candelabra set of eight candles and a ninth one to light the eight. Each day that passes, a candle is lighted. In Western civilization, gifts are given during the eight day period.
In Israel, Hanukkah is celebrated as a military success and a salute to the ideal of human dignity and the martyrs who resisted tyranny. In Hebrew, Hanukkah means dedication and promotes the “Power of Spirit”, according to Rabbi Luski.
The following is a condensed explanation of the reason for the Hanukkah celebration among the Jewish faith:
Hanukkah marks the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the forces of Antiochus IV and commemorates the "miracle of the container of oil". According to the Talmud, at the re-dedication following the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Empire, there was only enough consecrated olive oil to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, which was the length of time it took to press, prepare, and consecrate fresh olive oil.
Guests and Visitors
We had 54 members and 3 guests: Rabbi Jacob Luski, guest of Seymour Gordon; Brian Darrow, guest of Tom Nelson; Raffi Darrow, guest of Tom Nelson.
This Week’s Quiz
- What song has the distinction of being the only number one hit to fall completely off the chart after hitting #1 the week of Christmas 1949?
- Where did the Christmas tree originate?
- When was the first Christmas tree placed in Rockefeller Center?
- Where did the White House Christmas tree come from this year (2009)?
- Where was the first Lighted Christmas Boat Parade?
Last Week’s Quiz
- Maine is nicknamed the “The Pine Tree State”.
- Mother Teresa was born in Albania.
- In the movie “Thelma and Louise” the lead actresses were Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis.
- The President before James Buchanan was Franklin Pierce.
- President William Henry Harrison served the shortest period in office. He developed pneumonia after bad weather at his inauguration ceremony; he served only 31 days, twelve hours, and 30 minutes. Vice-President John Tyler became President following Harrison’s death.
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