The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

CHRISTMAS PARTY - 1988 Our Christmas parties are like good wine. They get better every year. The "bring your own door prize" idea provided a lot of fun, with everyone waiting to see which lucky bloke would get the almost-matching pair of golden candlesticks won by Hugh Johnston last year. None of us knew at that time that Millie, Hugh's wife, wouldn't hear of parting with the illuminants so when Dave Coles, son of Larry and Babs and wife of our own archivist, Laura, selected an ominously large gift from under the tree, a lot of knowing winks flashed around the room. Later I asked Laura for her reaction as to what followed and this is what she had to say. "When Dave unwrapped that incredulous Darwinesque statue of a monkey sitting on a bench examining a human skull and contemplating the meaning of life and the joys of evolution, I was goggle-eyed. I knew beyond a doubt that we were all witnesses to the "present of the year". Dave was visibly thrilled with this unique piece of art but, as expected, pooh poohed the notion of there being any resemblance between the ape's hairy features and his own substantial facial growth. I, in true archival fashion, have documented the acquisition fully - with the exception of the donor's name - no one will 'fess up. Befittingly, the statue will be displayed in a prominent alcove in our home. Unfortunately, it is located where only one person at a time can see it and then only from a sitting position. Alas like all prized trophies, it can only be in Dave's possession for a mere 12 months. Come next.............December,....to paraphrase General Douglas MacArthur's immortal words, 'It shall return!'" and that's something we can look forward to, Laura. For the entertaining evening enjoyed by all, we are indebted to the following:- Eric Lashbrook - liquid refreshments; Barbara Johnson and Florrie Mitchell - food; Joan Skipper - tree decorating; Della Charters and Gerry Leader - on piano; booking of room - no one. We would like to thank in particular, Laurene Jones and Laura Coles for the effort, thought and the time put in- to their very effective Christmas display. More thanks to all who contributed special baking both as party refreshments and the 'extra' for the Christmas Bureau. Yes, another party goes down in Society history as a successful event. THE MOVING FINGER WRITES Since my Grade 10 Art Class days - and now we are talking 47 years, I've seldom made an irrevocable mistake without a quote from teacher Edwin I. Lane ringing in my ears. The words of Omar Khayyam - "The Moving Finger writes; and having writ. Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line. Nor all your tears wash out a Word of it" - sprang vividly to mind with the publication of the November issue of History-onics. Our appeal for help with the Christmas Party gave the WRONG telephone number! To all those frustrated volunteers who tried unsucessfully to reach Eric Lashbrook at 922- 8371, my apologies. No cigar - I wasn't even close. Eric's been retired for some time now and with him, the business telephone number. But, for what it is worth, I'm getting a taste of my own back. Presently in circulation to Pacific Northwest area Council Members of the Gyro Club, is their newsletter with ^ telephone number and I've been busy fielding calls about a Vancouver Conference meant for a Mr. Bob Tulk up on Stevens Drive. I'm considering sending Mr. Tulk a copy of Omar's "Rubaiyat". Re the story on Dr. Stainsby. Popular local bus driver, Rick Stainsby corrects me on referring to him as Martin Frederick. It's Frederick first followed by Martin but, as Rick knows, he'll always be Martin to a few of us. Mrs. Stainsby rang up to request extra copies of the article and to say that we had everything right except that the log house where the family lived in the Yukon was situated at Mayo, not Keno as reported. Keno was were the silver mines were located. Thanks for setting the record straight, Doris.