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By Amelia Tarallo
Hometown Weekly Staff
For the Westwood Woman’s Club, the annual holiday party is a good reminder of the importance of the holidays: time to spend with old friends and time to make new friends.
Decked out in their most festive holiday garb, the women of the Woman’s Club were ready to celebrate. The party began with a visit from the Westwood High School Spanish Club. Happy to share some Spanish carols, club members sang along with the high schoolers. As the high schoolers finished, members of the Woman’s Club ushered their guests out with a spirited rendition of “Feliz Navidad.”
Starting with appetizers, the guests chatted about their upcoming holiday plans and any news they received during Thanksgiving. For lunch, the club was treated to a variety of sandwiches. Some members grabbed roast beef, others ham, cheese, or seafood salad.
“I thought we would all be sick of turkey,” joked one of the members while others nodded in agreement.
After enjoying their sandwiches, Margaret Loughnane, the pianist for the party, resumed her spot in front of the ivories and began playing some familiar holiday tunes. Members of the club sang along to “O Holy Night.” As desserts were arranged, caroling books were distributed so that the party guests could sing along to “Jingle Bells.” By the end of the song, members were enjoying some desserts.
The carols were briefly interrupted for an announcement by one of the members. “I have a visitor from the North Pole to spread some holiday joy,” she said. Another member, dressed like a Christmas elf, came to the front of the room and, to everyone’s surprise, began to tap dance. Everyone was in awe at the skill. “Such rhythm!” shouted one of the members when she finished her dance.
Loughnane continued on with the club’s scheduled carols. Renditions of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” The First Noel,” “Hark the Angels Sing,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and “Joy to the World” could be heard around the Council on Aging building.
Guests were filled with joy and cheer by the end of the party. As they put on their coats and ventured outside, club members left ready for the upcoming holiday - and for a prosperous new year ahead.
