Howdy Mr. President ! ! ! ! ! YES, the Christmas Party was a success ! ! ! ! A roaring success ! ! ! ! Our Christmas On the Mountain was raised to a new level. You would have loved it. Having been a pastor, I understand that you could not be here, but Jeff Tomlian ('82) did a fine job as he expressed appreciation to the Mt. Carmel workers for laying a foundation in his life that he has passed on to his children, and last year his children witnessed to people in the country of Hungary. Matt Merrill, Debbie Cundiff's husband, is an actor school teacher, and he did a great job entertaining and being the emcee. There was a lot of laughter and good fun. David and Kathryn Bowden( '61) drove up from Kingsport, TN, set up their electronic keyboard and speakers and blessed our hearts with a fantastic program of carols. There were plenty of Amens, and Mr. Riley, our elementary teacher, was so blessed and lifted and told me that he had never heard better singing. David's rendition of, "Oh, Holy Night" is a classic that Jesus uses to bless many souls at Christmas time. All of us were lifted and blessed. The two people who made it all happen were Lori Detwiler ('86) and Kathy Hazle ('85). They spent a lot of time, energy and money buying, cooking and baking plus travel expenses. (Of course, we will reimburse them from our dwindling treasury, but we owe them a big expression of appreciation.) Those two made it happen. Leroy and Mary Detwiler helped them. On Saturday David and Mildred Warren ('58) gave valuable assistance in decorating the dining hall and transforming it into a Christmas atmosphere. Debbie Merrill ('82) gave good help on Saturday. Her mother Ruth Cundiff ('54) was at home sick with a terrible cold and could not help prepare, but did help clean up afterwards. Debbie's daddy was the errand boy doing the odd jobs. Our FSA gave enough so that we were able to give the same amount that we gave last year ($200 to the full time workers, $100 to the part time workers and $150 to the retirees.) On Saturday $1,140 came in the mail, but too late to be included in the gift. More has always come in even after Christmas; so when our workers come back from Christmas break, we will divide what comes in among them. This has always been a blessing which they have appreciated because most need money even more after Christmas. There was so much food left from our party that everyone took goodies home with them to enjoy later. We had a blessed, fun filled, happy, grateful people who departed the dining hall on Saturday. Bowdens, Hazles, and Merrills arrived home late to Kingsport, Bardstown and Versailles but happy to have contributed happiness to our Mt. Carmel Family. Everything worked out well. Praise the Lord for His goodness to us all through the greatest gift, His Son, the Christ of Christmas. Mr. President, we appreciate you and all your efforts to help our FSA and Mt. Carmel Family. May you and Lora, and family have a truly blessed Christmas. | 
