6 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER January 2022
Solo Sisters
By CANDY FERGUSON
Ending the year on a high note
Those of us who write about our organizations for the Villager have to submit our articles on the 10th of the month in order to appear in the following month ’ s issue . Thus , when Solo Sisters has its usual meeting on the fourth Thursday , say in December , if I want to write about it , the article is submitted by Jan . 10 and you read about it in February . By then , it is old news !
Listen to this : Solo Sisters celebrated the end of 2021 with a Holiday Party held at Charbonneau Country Club last night — not last month ( at least based on when I ’ m writing this article ). The country club was already beautifully decorated for the holidays , but our Planning Committee really outdid itself by adding beautiful centerpieces to the dinner rounds and other décor on the buffet and any available surface we could find in the fireplace room . Traditionally , the five members of the committee are each tasked with decorating a dinner round . For someone who is artistically challenged , like me , it is a yearly task that is approached with dread . But each year I get through it and mine may not be the prettiest table in the room , but it is red and cheerful and it screams “ Happy Holidays .” With the lights turned down , candles lit and a fire blazing in the fireplace , the room looked fantastic .
For the second time in a row ( no party in 2020 ) we had our dinner catered by the Olive Garden and they outdid themselves . The food was fresh , hot and plentiful and many of us went home with “ to go ” bags along with an extra slice of apple pie from , where else , Costco . Following a raucous gift exchange , everyone went home with smiles on their faces and holiday cheer in their hearts .
COURTESY PHOTOS
TOP : Members of the Planning Committee for Solo Sisters gather in front of the fireplace . The members are : Shirley Wilkinson , Candy Ferguson , Robyn Andrus , Mary Costa and Deanna Morgan . RIGHT : Robyn and Deanna oversee the buffet set up by The Olive Garden . BOTTOM RIGHT : Deanna Morgan and Robyn Andrus check out the room décor for the Solo Sisters holiday party .
2021 was a year of growth for Solo Sisters . We gained 20 new members bringing our total membership to 62 women . It is wonderful to see our new members investing themselves in our organization . One of them , Mary Costa , has joined the Planning Committee as treasurer and 14 of them attended last night ’ s dinner . We miss seeing our unvaccinated friends and if this pandemic ever ends and we get the all clear from Salem , we will welcome them back to our functions with open arms ! In 2022 we hope to put on some new events , daytime and evening , and we hope to bring back popular outings , like our Safari lunches . Until then , everyone , Solo Sister or not , have a great holiday and a healthy and happy new year !