Holiday Extravaganza 2011

Whew!! Another good party under our belts! On Thursday December 22nd we celebrated our 2nd annual Holiday Extravaganza!

We started with a tasty breakfast served by Santa's elves! We had blueberry and banana nut muffins (made by yours truly! AND they really were tasty, LOL) served with coffee, tea and hot chocolate.

We had a cookie & candy exchange:



We made treats for the dogs & cats at the local animal shelter (AWSOM):


We had a Christmas Tree photo booth:


And last, we celebrated the December birthdays with cake, coffee and music!


Thank you to each and every one of you who participated in our day of fun. Happy Holidays!! (And a special thank you to Pat Fogarty, Judy Griswinski & Verna Overpeck for helping with the photos for this blog post)

Travel Day -> Holiday Displays

The history of Christmas Lights:
The tradition of using small candles to light up the Christmas tree dates back to at least the middle of the XVIIth century. However, it took two centuries for the tradition to become widely established first in Germany and soon spreading to Eastern Europe.

Candles for the tree were glued with melted wax to a tree branch or attached by pins. Around 1890, candleholders were first used for Christmas candles. Between 1902 and 1914, small lanterns and glass balls to hold the candles started to be used.

In 1882, the first Christmas tree was lit by the use of electricity. Edward Johnson lighted up a Christmas tree in New York City with eighty small electric light bulb. It should be noted that Edward Johnson created the first string of electric Christmas lights that were then mass produced around 1890. By 1900, department stores started using the new Christmas lights for their Christmas displays.

Edward Johnson was one of Thomas Edison's muckers, an inventor who worked under the direction of Edison. Johnson became vice-president of Edison's electric company.

Turn on your speakers before following the links below!

1. Christmas Lights Gone Wild

2. Holiday Light Display Orlando, Florida: Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios

3. Fatima Shrine Christmas Lights Display

4. Menashe family Christmas lights featured on TLC special

5. Dovewood Christmas Lights

6. Christmas lights and scenes at Longwood Gardens: Slideshow

7. Weaver's 'Winter Wonderland' in Rohnert Park, Sonoma County

8. World's Best Holiday Lights: 10 Decorated Cities

9. 25 Christmas Light Displays from Around the Globe

10. 10 'Tacky Tour' Christmas Light Displays

Cub Scout Pack 83

We were honored to have had a special visit from Cub Scout 83! The boys sang Christmas carols and played the piano for us. They are so talented (and adorable!). They even served us cookies, 'bug' juice and handed out ornaments that they made themselves. We look forward to having them back again!






Thanks for coming Cubs, we enjoyed your company very much!

December Schedule

Thurs. December 1:
CLOSED

Tues. December 6:
9:15-12:00 One-on-One By Appointment Only

1:15-4:45 Open Lab

Weds. December 7:
9:15-12:00 Open Lab

2:00 Magic Moments – Meet in the Community Room

3:15-4:45 Open Lab

Thurs. December 8:
9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-4:00 Photography Challenge 2011 – For those of you that have been taking pictures throughout the year for a custom mouse pad, calendar, mug etc. now is the time to bring them to the computer room! Don’t forget, we are NOT making these ourselves; we are getting them professionally printed so there will be fees involved with this project.
Sign-up sheet on bulletin board.

4:00-5:00 Open Lab

Tues. December 13:
9:15-12:00 One-on-One By Appointment Only

1:15-4:45 Open Lab

Weds. December 14:
9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-2:15 T’s, Totes & Aprons! Sign-up sheet on bulletin board.

2:30-3:30 T’s, Totes & Aprons! Sign-up sheet on bulletin board.

3:45-4:45 Open Lab

Thurs. December 15:
9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-4:45 Open Lab

5:00 T.A. Christmas Party!


Tues. December 20:
9:15-12:00 One-on-One By Appointment Only

1:15-4:45 Open Lab


Weds. December 21:
9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-2:15 Travel Day – Christmas Light Displays! Sign-up sheet on bulletin board.

2:15-4:45 Open Lab

Thurs. December 22:
Holiday Extravaganza!! Details in the newsletter.

Tues. December 27:
9:15-12:00 One-on-One By Appointment Only

1:15-4:45 Open Lab

Weds. December 28:
9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-2:15 Advanced Class - Sign-up sheet on bulletin board.

2:15-4:45 Open Lab


Thurs. December 29:
9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-3:00 Open Lab

3:00-4:45 Literati Challenge – Sign-up sheet on bulletin board.