It's the most wonderful time of the year.
With cachers just 'gelling'
And everyone telling you be of good cheer.
It's the most wonderful time of the year.
It's the hap-happiest season of all.
Food and toys were collected and all felt connected
When geofriends called.
It's the hap-happiest season of all.
Geo-parties for hosting,
Hope you saw the posting,
Cause Nan planned a really fun day.
There were sweaters so ugly,
But they were still snuggly,
And raffle gifts given away.
It's the most wonderful time of the year.
The event smiles were showing
And hearts were all glowing
with geofriends near.
It's the most wonderful time of the year!
(Parody of original song "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," written by G. Wyle and E Pola, 1963.)
The SLAGA-land Christmas Bash Event (GCAFWP9), hosted by nan-d1955, was held Saturday, December 9, 2023 in Arnold, MO., and was a smashing success! There was a tremendous turn out of nearly 75 geocachers, with a few muggles scattered here and there. Attendees brought charitable donations, enjoyed delicious food, had fun conversation, laughed at some pretty ugly sweaters, and crossed their fingers for raffle prizes.
The generous number of donations collected for the Circle of Concern Pantry and Birthday Club this year exceeded last year's totals. A total of 230 non-perishable food items and 20 toiletries were donated to the food pantry. Besides pantry needs, a whopping 135 toys were also donated this year to the Circle's Birthday Club, which provides birthday gifts to all the children (through age 12 years) of the pantry clientele. Those donating at the event received raffle tickets for later drawings.
Some delicious bar-b-que was consumed during the event as folks chatted about caching adventures and upcoming Cachemas theories, and gawked at ugly sweaters on folks as they walked by. Eighteen geocachers dressed in ugly Christmas sweaters gathered up front for all to vote on their choice of the ugliest. After a tie-breaker for third place, the winners were announced.
1st - fishin'buds in the middle ($25 QT gift cart)
2nd - MrsSpongy on the right ($15 Subway gift card)
3rd -TerriBikes+ on the left (gift basket)
Such a well-run event deserves the praise of the CO nan-d1955 and her little elves too. TerriBikes+ took charge of overseeing the many pantry and birthday club donations, collected at her decorated 'sleigh.' (Good thing she's a pro at Tetris.) Cindy Layman had the fun(ny) job of running the Ugly Sweater contest. John Elfrank, as always, did a tremendous job of the raffle drawings. MrsSpongy helped out where needed in several capacities. And "Muggle Mike" donated raffle gifts, which were appreciated by all the drawing winners.
It really was a MOST WONDERFUL TIME!
