Tis the Season for Gaiety, Gifts , and Get Togethers. So when I was emailed a few weeks ago about a Legion Pot Luck Christmas Party that my local Legion Branch was invited to in the town just down the highway, I decided that it was time that we started participating in the heraldry of the Festive Season.
I booked off work. I organized the roasting and seasoning of ribs. I planned the 'Bean Pot' casserole. I chose carefully the mode of transportation of food to venue-- keeping in mind the risk of tipping and juice leakage.
All went well. Lots of parking it seemed at the Legion Hall upon our arrival so we didn't have issues with carrying casseroles into the building. I did notice almost immediately while standing at the doorway , that there was very little activity in the kitchen and before I could comment I was greeted by an acquaintance that informed us that the evening supper was being catered to and there was no need for a potluck.
Knowing that plans often were changed on short notice we returned our food offerings to the back of the van and went back to the hall.
After paying for our meal ticket and sitting down at the table and not unlike a character from an episode of that long ago television show "Where are You Now?" , I slowly got an inkling of something strange in the air as a) the Bar was not opened and I had understood that Happy Hour was to be held from 5-6--- thus explaining our early arrival time; and b) I did not recognize anyone as Legion members per se sitting at the tables. These feelings of uncertainty were easily put aside due to the warmth and welcome of everyone in the room.
This warm holiday hospitality helped to glean over any question of date and locale even when I was a bit taken aback as it was announced that the membership fees were $25 this year as our Branch's fees are somewhat higher. That and the fact that this Branch was selling calendars for $15 was again a source of mild surprise as I hadn't realized that Legion Branches were selling calendars as a fund raiser.
It wasn't until the comments about auctioning off some cars were made that I realized that ' even if I knew where I was doesn't mean that that is where I thought I was'. In fact it finally occurred to me that I was pretty much in the right place at the wrong time as 'my' Legion Pot Luck supper had been held the evening before and I was in actuality attending the Saskatchewan Rustriders Antique Car Club's Christmas Party.
There hadn't been a change from Pot Luck to catering, there hadn't been a change in membership fees, and the Legion had not started selling 'car' calendars to raise money.
When I explained my error to the Master of Ceremonies I was assured that our presence was welcome and there was enough food for all .
So there we sat surrounded by a roomful of die hard car enthusiasts. We were entertained by lovely music of Guitar Playing and Country and Western Singing, Joke Telling, and Gift Exchange (which we were allowed to be part of in spite of not having brought any gifts ...if you don't count the two rapidly cooling casseroles in the van).
It was quite a lovely evening. The conversation around the tables consisted of discussions and debates of various exhaust systems, paint, carburetors, and engine specifications .
One of the most unusual and probably unique aspects of attending a Christmas party of car enthusiasts was the much anticipated Car Auction.
At the head table on display there were about 10 New Hot Wheel Classic Model Cars 'still in the package '. Midway through the evening of singing entertainment the action turned to an auction of these Classic Model Cars. Each car was duly taken around the table so that all potential buyers knew the make , model, year, and colour of each . There wasn't one miniature model that did not illicit knowledgeable comments about engine size, gear ratio, or muffler specifics.
An auctioneer was assigned and the bidding was ON!
Not one of those little classic model cars were sold for less than $20 and some even went for $40. My husband and I watched the auction with interest and amusement as the good natured jibes and 'one upmanship' bidding raised the value of each car to many many more times than its 'normal' worth at Wal Mart.
After the auction had been completed and the cars turned over to their new owners, I realized that all the proceeds of the sale were going to go towards the local Secret Santa Program for the underprivileged --just proving that the Hot Wheel cars weren't the only things that were Classy at this Christmas party.
It was all in all a happy accident that could have happened to anyone...as is proven by the guy that sat close to us as he had accidently attended the Legion Christmas Party held the previous night thinking that the Car Party was being held on that date.
It is all part of the Saskatchewan Small Town Experience that people can just show up at a group function and are welcomed as long lost neighbours and friends.
I am going to another Legion Christmas party next Sunday...or at least I think I am.
I booked off work. I organized the roasting and seasoning of ribs. I planned the 'Bean Pot' casserole. I chose carefully the mode of transportation of food to venue-- keeping in mind the risk of tipping and juice leakage.
All went well. Lots of parking it seemed at the Legion Hall upon our arrival so we didn't have issues with carrying casseroles into the building. I did notice almost immediately while standing at the doorway , that there was very little activity in the kitchen and before I could comment I was greeted by an acquaintance that informed us that the evening supper was being catered to and there was no need for a potluck.
Knowing that plans often were changed on short notice we returned our food offerings to the back of the van and went back to the hall.
After paying for our meal ticket and sitting down at the table and not unlike a character from an episode of that long ago television show "Where are You Now?" , I slowly got an inkling of something strange in the air as a) the Bar was not opened and I had understood that Happy Hour was to be held from 5-6--- thus explaining our early arrival time; and b) I did not recognize anyone as Legion members per se sitting at the tables. These feelings of uncertainty were easily put aside due to the warmth and welcome of everyone in the room.
This warm holiday hospitality helped to glean over any question of date and locale even when I was a bit taken aback as it was announced that the membership fees were $25 this year as our Branch's fees are somewhat higher. That and the fact that this Branch was selling calendars for $15 was again a source of mild surprise as I hadn't realized that Legion Branches were selling calendars as a fund raiser.
It wasn't until the comments about auctioning off some cars were made that I realized that ' even if I knew where I was doesn't mean that that is where I thought I was'. In fact it finally occurred to me that I was pretty much in the right place at the wrong time as 'my' Legion Pot Luck supper had been held the evening before and I was in actuality attending the Saskatchewan Rustriders Antique Car Club's Christmas Party.
There hadn't been a change from Pot Luck to catering, there hadn't been a change in membership fees, and the Legion had not started selling 'car' calendars to raise money.
When I explained my error to the Master of Ceremonies I was assured that our presence was welcome and there was enough food for all .
So there we sat surrounded by a roomful of die hard car enthusiasts. We were entertained by lovely music of Guitar Playing and Country and Western Singing, Joke Telling, and Gift Exchange (which we were allowed to be part of in spite of not having brought any gifts ...if you don't count the two rapidly cooling casseroles in the van).
It was quite a lovely evening. The conversation around the tables consisted of discussions and debates of various exhaust systems, paint, carburetors, and engine specifications .
One of the most unusual and probably unique aspects of attending a Christmas party of car enthusiasts was the much anticipated Car Auction.
At the head table on display there were about 10 New Hot Wheel Classic Model Cars 'still in the package '. Midway through the evening of singing entertainment the action turned to an auction of these Classic Model Cars. Each car was duly taken around the table so that all potential buyers knew the make , model, year, and colour of each . There wasn't one miniature model that did not illicit knowledgeable comments about engine size, gear ratio, or muffler specifics.
An auctioneer was assigned and the bidding was ON!
Not one of those little classic model cars were sold for less than $20 and some even went for $40. My husband and I watched the auction with interest and amusement as the good natured jibes and 'one upmanship' bidding raised the value of each car to many many more times than its 'normal' worth at Wal Mart.
After the auction had been completed and the cars turned over to their new owners, I realized that all the proceeds of the sale were going to go towards the local Secret Santa Program for the underprivileged --just proving that the Hot Wheel cars weren't the only things that were Classy at this Christmas party.
It was all in all a happy accident that could have happened to anyone...as is proven by the guy that sat close to us as he had accidently attended the Legion Christmas Party held the previous night thinking that the Car Party was being held on that date.
It is all part of the Saskatchewan Small Town Experience that people can just show up at a group function and are welcomed as long lost neighbours and friends.
I am going to another Legion Christmas party next Sunday...or at least I think I am.
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