Photos by:

Jan Cady

“Toyland” Holiday Ball a Grand Success!

By Karen Clarke

Our Annual Holiday Ball was held December 6, 2008, at the Fort Snelling Officers’ Club.  The Officers’ Club is a very cozy place when filled with friends - 96 ULLRs and Guests attended the dinner and dance.  A fabulous meal of sliced London Broil or Chicken Rustica was topped off with a colorful ice cream dessert. 

The event co-chairs, Mary Ellen Haggerty and Ali Kalish, worked hard to produce a festive atmosphere for our Toyland Ball.  They found canisters styled as “Nutcrackers” which they filled with bottles of wine.  The canisters served as centerpieces as well as prizes.  They also bought and sprinkled special chocolates on each table for guests to enjoy whenever they felt like eating chocolate. 

This year our theme was“Toyland Holiday Ball”, and it was wonderful to see all those toys arrive.  We stuffed 5 large 55-gal bags with toys, and had checks and cash totaling $120 to donate to the “Toys for Tots” campaign.  I was made aware that this season has been somewhat skimpy regarding donations in general, so ULLRs, you did yourself proud!  Thank you for your kind donations. 

We danced to the Changing Times Band well into the evening while the snow sprinkled outside the windows reminding us that we are truly living in a winter wonderland and are blessed to have our ULLR Family and Friends to share our first ULLR “Toyland” Holiday Ball.