2017 Christmas Party (J. Sirkin)
HVRA held its annual Christmas Party on December 15th at the Hobby Airport Hilton Doubletree Hotel. Although the planned start time of 6:30 was delayed by Friday evening rush hour, Bill Werzner began his opening remarks to a group of 46 members, their families and guests just after 7PM. Bill was at the first meeting in November 1978 and he took this opportunity to introduce one of the three original HVRA founders, Frank Cooper, and an original member, Victor Garcia. Frank joined Bill at the podium and reflected on the early days of HVRA and then brought everyone back to the present by reporting on the loss of his wife earlier this year and his very severe property losses from Hurricane Harvey. In total, it appeared that about six other members, at this event, were also affected by the storm and its associated flooding.
After the buffet dinner, Bill opened the auction of items donated by the attendees. We wish to thank everyone who brought an auction item and to those purchasers gifting HVRA over $300 to help defray the cost of the Christmas Party. In addition to the auction income, we thank Vintage Sounds, Bill Werzner, Tom Taylor and the HVRA board members for their generous, personal cash donations allowing us to offer the buffet dinner at a cost below the Hilton’s contract price.