We were not able to participate in this event due to absence from the area, but we understand from friends who supported this event that it was a HUGE success. Here are some of Clare Taylor's photos:
 

   Marcelyn and I attended this fabulous Christmas Party at La Posada Restaurant this afternoon. Besides the usual Christmas season festivities, one purpose for this party was to collect Christmas gifts for the local children. There was no entrance fee, but attendees were asked to bring wrapped Christmas gifts for distribution by the local churches. Our estimate is that about 50 people were in attendance, and all enjoyed the fantastic music of a seven member mariachi band. What a great performance on their part; they were very good at getting the attendees involved by singing and dancing with them. La Posada had extra waitstaff to take care of drink and food orders. The party was in a large room at the rear of La Posada -- could not have been a better venue for this kind of gathering.
The party was planned and executed by a recently formed group of expats under the name of Amigos de Boquete Comunidad (ABC). Joe Hart and his wife, Linda, along with numerous volunteers put together this festive gathering. Our hats off to Joe, Linda, and all of their elves.
Here are a few pictures from this event:

A panorama shot of some of the attendees.
 

The Christmas tree, prior to all of the gifts being received that were to be donated.
 

The Mariachi Band
 

Linda and Joe Hart, Dave and Erin Ross
 

Special guests at the table with Joe and Linda Hart.

   Marcelyn and I were participants in ARF's Thanksgiving Day event at the Animales Building. There was a LOT of VERY GOOD food, great conversations, visits with friends, etc. We estimate there were about 70 guests and maybe 15 worker-bees taking care of setting up, tending to the guests, etc. The background music was nice, and not so loud as to intrude into the conversations. The pecan pie was simply outstanding. Kudos to that chef! But I also do not want to take away from any of the other food items. I sampled all the food choices, and there was nothing to apologize for on that front.
An unexpected plus for us was that we finally got to meet Beth Abrahams (it is kind of a long story, don't ask).

Beth Abrahams
We also got to catch up with all of the latest travels and happenings of our friends who were at our table. Met a few new people, etc.
There simply was nothing that we could fault (not our goal anyway). This is the way things should be done, and ARF did it with all of their wonderful volunteers. If someone found fault with something yesterday, then I would chalk them off as being a token curmudgeon.  Thank you ARF! GREAT JOB!!!!

Thank you to all who helped make yesterday's Thanksgiving Day celebration such a huge success, and special thanks to N&N:

I will close with: we all have a lot to be thankful for.
 

   I think $55 for one person is a lot of money to spend on a dinner in Boquete.  I've never spent that much for an Indian dinner anywhere.

   I am glad I will be there early so I can buy some of the art available for cash and carry!!!