We had a great turnout to this year's Christmas dinner. The Old Forge in Te Aroha was a fantastic venue, and everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. Thanks again to Alice for organising.

 

Robert welcomed everyone and gave thanks for good food, fellowship and service. He then thanked everyone who had helped sell raffle tickets. This was drawn at 8pm Tuesday 7th down by the Christmas tree, winners are:

A reminder that Christmas trees are being sold for those who have put their names down to help. 

 

Robert was thrilled to announce that with Inner Wheel selling Christmas puddings this year they had the honour of selling the most in District 9930! Well done ladies. 

 

 

 

St Nicholas celebrated on this day

 

1827 William Arnott was born in Scotland, famous for Arnott's Biscuits. He and his brother David emigrated to Australia in 1948 as a result of the conviction of his father who had been transported to Australia in 1838, his mother and four younger siblings had already followed. He immediately started a bakery, but it wasn't till 1865 that he opened William Arnott's Steam Biscuit Factory.

 

1865 The 13th amendment to the US Constitution was ratified abolishing slavery (except as punishment for a crime) it came into effect December 18. With the ratification four million African Americans—almost a third of the population of the South—became permanently free and slavery was abolished in the United States. President Abraham Lincoln started the Emancipation Proclamation January 1st 1863 but it took nearly three years for him to get sufficient Democrats to switch their votes to get the 2/3 majority required. The Constitution does not require presidential signatures on amendments, but Lincoln added his, making it the only constitutional amendment to be later ratified that was signed by a president.

 

1877 Thomas Edison invented the phonograph, the first machine that could record sound and play it back. On the first audio recording Edison recited, “Mary had a little lamb. Its fleece was white as snow."

 

A reminder that the Matamata Club has advised that all patrons are to be vaccinated and must show a Vaccine Pass after December 3rd  to be allowed on the premises.