People, Places & Events

Rotary members enjoy
Christmas music by Avanti
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
GUN BARREL CITY–The Avanti singers have been busy bringing the sounds of Christmas to lake area clubs, and Dec. 19, it was the Rotary Club of Cedar Creek Lake’s turn.
Members were treated to a melodious version of “Jingle Bells” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”
The audience also participated in a sing-a-long that included several classic carols, such as “Silent Night,” originally written to be played on a guitar.
The Avanti Singers was formed in 1993 by Jean Robinson and Hula Beets.
Robinson is the current director of the Avanti Singers.
In other business, members:
• were reminded of the holiday meeting changes. There will be no Rotary luncheons during the holidays. The next meeting is set for noon Friday, Jan. 9.
• were urged to help find candidates for a July trip to Japan.
Applications for young people, between 15-19 years old, are due in February.
The youth must provide their own air fare and $300. There is no other cost, as they will stay in the homes of Rotarians. For information call Barbara Turner at (903) 498-4636.


Monitor Photo/Barbara Gartman
Jean Robinson directs the Avanti Singers in a lively rendition of “Jingle Bells”
at the Friday Rotary Club of Cedar Creek Lake luncheon at Vetoni’s Italian Restaurant.

Boar’s Head Festival slated
Special to The Monitor
ATHENS–St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Athens will present its annual Boar’s Head Festival at 4 p.m. Sunday (today).
The pageant of Christmas music and festivities is followed by a complete dinner in the parish hall.
The church is located at 2101 E. College St., just ¼ mile off U.S. Highway 175 on the east side of town.
Admission is free and a free-will offering will be accepted.
The Boar’s Head legend arose from a story that a scholar was studying a book of Aristotle while walking through the forest on his way to Christmas Mass.
Suddenly; he was confronted by an angry wild boar.
Having no other weapon, he rammed his metal-bound philosophy book down the throat of the charging animal and ended the danger.
That night the boar’s head, finely dressed and garnished, was borne in procession to the dining room, accompanied by carolers singing.
The Boar’s Head may be the oldest continuing festival of the Christmas season.
First observed 675 years ago at Queen’s College in Oxford, England, the tradition continues in Athens and all are welcomed to the celebration.
For more information or to reserve a place at dinner, please call (903) 675-1639.

Women’s Club donates
to Athens Crisis Center


Monitor Photo/Barbara Gartman
The Cedar Creek Lake Women’s Club members donate gifts and supplies to the
Crisis Center in Athens at the club’s Dec. 16 meeting. Pictured are (from left)
projects chairman JoAnn Kaikkonen, club president Barbara Caudell and Crisis
Center staff members Teresa Bluhm and Donna Johnson.