It was a time to put aside business, let their hair down and have a good time. The annual Christmas Party of the St. Mary’s County Chapter 969 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) is always a hit with the members and this year was no exception.
Held annually at their regular meeting venue, Olde Breton Inn in Leonardtown, the room was transformed into a Winter Wonderland of holiday decorations, even though the weather outside was no so frightening and indeed balmy.
Joey Hoopengardner and his wife Pauline and their granddaughter entertained with holiday music, including a sing-along of Christmas standards. The regular 50/50 raffle was spread out among 18 $25 winners and there were four special prizes as well.
And then Santa appeared to hand out gift certificates to Chick-fil-A and assist in giving every attendee a chance to grab from a bag of prizes with number of gift items and certificates donated by many area businesses.
And as usual the bountiful buffet put on by Eddie and Patsy Bailey and the staff of Olde Breton Inn was a highlight. It included fried oysters, stuffed ham, turkey and beef and all the trimmings including apple and pumpkin pie. At the conclusion Club President Joe Luskas presented Patsy Bailey with a present as a token of appreciation from the club.
State Senator Roy Dyson (D: 29th) who is a NARFE member attended the party.
NARFE is a national organization that fights for the rights and benefits of federal employees and retirees. They were recently honored by the Hill newspaper for their lobbying effectiveness during the recent budget deliberations in which existing federal employee and retiree benefits were preserved.
