Club President Kathy Dial presents the Woodworker of the Year award to Dave Popejoy.
Lorraine Wilson
More than 110 woodworkers gathered in the clubhouse ballroom on Dec. 11 to celebrate the annual Christmas party, marking a festive highlight of the year. The evening was filled with camaraderie, delicious food, and thoughtful recognition of the contributions made by club members throughout the year.
The ballroom was decorated with two photo backdrops to capture the joyous moments, including a chance to take snapshots with none other than Kris Kringle, played by Bob Hestes. Adding a touch of personalized charm, each attendee found a handmade pen at their place setting, a generous gift from master pen maker Loren Christensen. Each table was also set with colorful holiday swatches of fabric provided by Teresa McGill.
A video montage created by Mary Ornberg played throughout the evening, set to a nostalgic soundtrack of music from the 1950s to the 1980s. The video featured pictures from past events, classes, and various groups, creating a heartfelt and nostalgic atmosphere that complemented the festive spirit.
Dinner was a buffet featuring roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans, followed by a choice of chocolate or vanilla cake. As the woodworkers dined, the room buzzed with lively conversations, laughter, and the joy of reconnecting with fellow woodworkers.
Kathy Dial, club president, held an informational meeting during the evening, highlighting the woodshop’s impressive achievements over the past year. Lorraine Wilson conducted both the November and annual monitor drawing, with Mark Boles winning November and with John Richards taking home the annual grand prize.
A special time of the evening was the recognition of outstanding contributors to the woodshop. A beautiful plaque was presented to Frank Hunter in honor of his selfless dedication and unwavering support for the woodshop community. Cal Mullins, Joni Matthiessen, and Lori Coffman were awarded the prestigious Founders Award for their continued efforts to enhance the club’s activities and spirit. The coveted Woodworker of the Year award went to Dave Popejoy for his continuous contributions, including equipment maintenance, supply management, and training on equipment.
Acknowledgments were extended to others for their dedication and hard work. Scott Lebsack, Bob Duda, and Mike Riewe received special thanks for providing thorough safety training for new members. Top monitors were also recognized, with Joni Matthiessen leading the list with 57 shifts, followed by Steve Russell, Frank Hunter, Lorraine Wilson, and Teresa McGill. Notable mentions went to Greg Kohn and Alan Ajimura whose innovative improvements such as new shelves, side tables, and enhanced duct work all increased the functionality and efficiency of the woodshop.
The evening’s highlight was undoubtedly the raffle. Everyone received 50 tickets for the chance to win one of 33 raffle prizes. The prizes included handcrafted items such as chess side tables, charcuterie boards, serving trays, and creative samba boards. Gift certificates from the Wildhorse Pro Shop and Grill added to the excitement.
The annual Christmas party was a resounding success, offering woodworkers a chance to celebrate their shared passion in a “dust-free” environment. It was an evening of joy, gratitude, and community spirit, perfectly closing out another productive year for the club.