CHRISTMAS PARTY AND CHILDREN’S BENEFIT

That's right!  Seventy years ago, on December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment of the Constitution became effective.  This amendment repealed the 18th Amendment that instituted that dreaded curse upon the land – prohibition.  Also, this year, after 70 years the state legislature relaxed another set of restrictions dating from that time – direct shipping of wine.  If the holiday season is not reason enough, we have another reason to party!  Yes son and daughter, let me tell you about those hard, dry days long ago!!!

The groaning board of magnificent seafood, meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables set by the Portofino is spectacular; the wines are excellent; and the price is "The Value of the Season."   Truly a season to be joyous!  There is no better way to enjoy the company of your old friends and meet your new friends, new and old, than enjoying this festive event.  The cost is $40.00 per person for a member and first guest, and $45.00 per person for additional guests.  (Casey, don't let me forget the Champagne Toast!) Please make your reservations before December 3rd by mailing a check made out to the KOV to:  Master Exchequer Joe Alt, 8201 Tis Well Drive, Alexandria, VA 22306.

Since this event is such a sensational value we ask that each participant offer an appropriately wrapped gift (approximately $15.00 in value) for a child (age and sex marked on the gift).  These gifts will be shared between the Christmas Fund of Christ Church in Alexandria and a Church in Anacostia.  Feel the spirit of the season!  Come and join us!  But don't forget your gift.  If you don't come, the Grinch will get you!

A short business meeting will be held at 6:45 p.m. to present the budget and vote on officers.  All are welcome, but remember only members can vote.

WIDOWS, ORPHANS, AND DOGS PARTY

We have just the ticket for the cold blasts of January.  Don’t fight it, enjoy it in rural, rustic, Reston, Virginia.  What?  Rural? Rustic?  The Town Center?  All those high tech high rises?  Ah, but tucked away in the city is a great park with a cabin that is perfect for a rustic retreat in the middle of our urban universe.  New York’s Central Park has the Tavern on the Green.  Reston’s park has something else.
Set in the woods, the rustic log cabin of the Fairfax Hunt Club is a great place to relax in front of roaring fires, enjoy good wines, food, and friends while listening to some of your favorite tunes on CD.  Haapala, do not bring your operas!

What about the Widows, Orphans, and Dogs?  The Widows and Orphans are fine wines left over from our formal dinners that are ready to drink, but we have only one or two bottles, not sufficient for another dinner.  The Dogs are what you bring.  Each couple, or individual, is required to bring one:  that bottle of wine in the cellar you do not care to open because you may not like it; or that wine in the shop you have been hesitant to try.  In addition, thanks to Supreme Knight Murchie we will have wines that were submitted for Virginia wine competitions years ago.  Some may be good, some not, but it will be interesting to see how they have aged.

Also, all are requested to bring a dish (other than their sweetie). Heavy hors d’ovueres or other for everyone to enjoy and a few of their favorite tunes on CD. We have the place, a great place, and some fine wines, you provide food, some wine and, above all, yourselves for all to enjoy.  The cost is  $30 per person.  Guests are invited at the same price (in reasonable quantity) – but remind them they also must bring food and wine. This the NFL bye weekend before the Super Bowl so there are no games to miss.

Directions From the Dulles Toll Road:

1. Take Hunter Mill Road (674) North to Baron Cameron (Route 606).
2. Go left (west) on Baron Cameron to the first left on Lake Fairfax Drive.
3. Drive about one-half mile, going almost to Lake Fairfax Park.
4. A rustic building is on the right (through a country fence).
5. 1321 Lake Fairfax Drive
   

Directions From the Leesburg Pike:

1. Go west on Baron Cameron (Route 606) past Hunter Mill to a left on Lake Fairfax Drive.
2. Drive about one-half mile, going almost to Lake Fairfax Park.
3. A rustic building is on the right (through a country fence).
4. 1321 Lake Fairfax Drive
   

OTHER NEWS

THOMAS JEFFERSON HARVEST DINNER:  Spectacular!  Chef Melisa Close certainly knew the techniques of preparing excellent foods to go with wines.  And, what wines they were!  Although I was concerned that some of the European wines may over the Barboursville wines, the concern was misplaced.  It is clear the Barboursville wines are prepared in a European style to go with fine foods.  As I have been suggesting to our California friends for some time, if you want European wines, come to Virginia.

VIP TOUR OF MONTICELLO AND GARDENS : It was tough getting up after the wonderful Jefferson Dinner, but the Monticello tour was well worth the effort.  The special treatment showed through and we clearly received a far more detailed tour than one ordinarily receives.  Note:  If you were on the tour but have not paid, please send a check to: Master Exchequer Joe Alt, 8201 Tis Well Drive, Alexandria, VA 22306.

UPCOMING ARBOR: You may have noticed that we received excellent coverage in this issue of The Arbor. To insure good coverage of our events in the upcoming issue, I plan to submit articles and photos early – by the end of December.  If you have any articles or photos to submit, please let me know as soon as possible.