Senior Cheer Club holds annual Christmas party in Beech Creek

BEECH CREEK -- Senior Cheer Club met on Dec. 7, for their annual Christmas party. There were 24 members along with a guest, Brittany Barner from Millheim, attending. The luncheon and party were held at the Friendship Community Center in Beech Creek. Cheer Club President Larry Butler welcomed all those who came.

Butler offered the table grace before the noon meal that saw the club members bring a dish or dessert to share while Janie Confer roasted the turkeys for the celebratory meal.

After everyone had plenty to each for lunch, Butler called the meeting to order and all stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and The Lord's Prayer. Bible devotions were read by Judy Cain, taken from Matthew 2, verses 1-12.

Club Secretary Jane Confer read the November minutes and Butler provided the treasurer's report, both of which were approved. Each member paid their $2 monthly dues which will be added to the treasury balance. The dues are collected each month to help cover the cost of the building rental for the year as well as to purchase the plates and silverware needed for each of the meals.

Members sang Happy Birthday to those who were celebrating during the month of December:

Roberta Muthler, Peggy Gilbert, Tami Van Horn and Mary Haagen. Since Cheer Club does not meet during the months of January and February, they also sang Happy Birthday to those members who have birthdays then, too. Sandy Sherman, Susan Irwin and Bonnie Auman have January birthdays and Joann Neal will celebrate her birthday in February.

Under the item of new business, it was agreed that Larry should make the annual hall rental payment to Pam Hevner, President of the Friendship Community Center, for use of the building for meetings during 2024.

There were lots of poems and readings that were shared this month.

Larry read the Legend of the Poinsettia. Ann Williams read a poem about how we should shout out Merry Christmas (to honor Christ) instead of saying Happy Holidays. Judy Cain shared a Christmas Poem for World Peace and also a poem that was about the night before Jesus came.

Tami Van Horn read the poem, My First Christmas in Heaven, in memory of her mother, Lucy Miller. Lucy passed away on Dec. 10, 2021, and is enjoying her second Christmas in heaven this year. Lucy was a faithful Cheer Club member for many years, and although club members miss her, they know that she's singing with the angels now.

Janie Confer read her newly penned poem entitled "Christmas" that she just wrote while preparing the turkeys and gravy for the luncheon. Janie certainly has been blessed with the talent of creating beautifully written poems.

Some concerns and illnesses were shared. Members learned that club member Sue Gibson has suffered a broken shoulder recently and Larry was sporting a very black and blue forearm that he hurt.

Mary Hanley shared an incident that happened to her son, Jeff, recently. Jeff had been in the woods cutting a tree down for firewood when the tree snapped off and came down on Jeff's leg, causing a compound fracture. Thankfully, Jeff's father, Gerry, was there with him and was able to cut the tree off of Jeff and get him to the hospital where he underwent surgery to put a rod in his leg that runs from his knee to his ankle. Jeff is using a walker now, but will have many weeks of recovery time.

The door prize was brought by Brenda Etters and was won by Jane Confer.

Club members were encouraged to pose for photos, but many declined.

Everyone enjoyed games and a gift exchange before a special surprise was sprung on club member Deb Young. Deb had just recently moved into the Merryvale Apartment complex. Club members brought some housewarming gifts to help her get settled into her new apartment. Deb was certainly surprised and was very appreciative, too.

The next Senior Cheer Club meeting will be held in March, and everyone age 55 and older is invited to join.