Happy Thanksgiving!

by John Aldrich

At Adopt-A-Native-Elder we like to get a head start on the Thanksgiving holiday and hold our special event on the Sunday before the official day.

Last evening one hundred volunteers and assorted royalty gathered to share in a celebration to honor all of the people who have put in many dedicated hours over the past year on behalf of our Elders. All of the major events in the ANE calendar are over for the year following the successful rug show which ended 2 weeks ago. So it was time to relax and enjoy everyone's company one more time before the year is over.

Our Thanksgiving event is a potluck dinner organized by Virginia Aldrich. The suggestion was made some years ago that we should produce a cookbook of dishes brought by our many volunteers who are also talented cooks. The suggestion was never implemented but the thought behind it remains just as valid. In addition to turkey and ham, there was a cornucopia of other delights - and plenty to go around.

Prior to the meal there was ample time for visiting while we were being soothed by beautiful flute music played by Scott Bitter. C.J. made a presentation to Virginia and Rodger Williams offered a prayer. Linda wasn't able to be with us this year since she had hip replacement surgery a week ago. But Rodger reported that she was doing well and sorry that she couldn't be with us.

Following the meal C.J. reported on the results of the rug show, which were excellent. Eileen Quintana presented four finalists from the Shi Yazhi Princess/Ambassador event at the rug show. These girls presented themselves with great poise as they introduced themselves in Navajo and related what the ANE experience meant to them. These girls work beautifully as a team and had attended a pow wow at UVU following the rug show where they were able to collect donations on behalf of the program.

The evening concluded with some words about the Christmas stocking program by Joan Reid. As we look ahead now to our own Thanksgiving travels and dinners, we wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Keshmish.

Without further comment, here is a collection of photos from the evening:

ANE Volunteer Christmas Party

by John Aldrich

Yesterday we had our annual Christmas party for volunteers at the warehouse. This is always a fitting and enjoyable close to the year. We had a good turnout and enjoyed delicious potluck food and a variety of games. Linda also read letters of appreciation from a number of Elders. In the giveaway spirit, the prizes for the games were gift boxes to be sent to an Elder of choice. Gifts from the Elders were also distributed to those present.

When we return after the holidays, the warehouse, which has already seen a beautiful transformation this year, will have had new carpeting installed. We've had a great year and look forward to the next. And we wish all of you the best for the Holiday Season and the New Year.

Here is a collection of photos from yesterday's event presented without further comment:

Thanksgiving - ANE Style

by John Aldrich

This is Thanksgiving week here in the U.S., and ANE got a jump start on the event with our annual dinner to honor our volunteers. The event took place Sunday evening the 23rd in our newly rededicated warehouse space. All of the volunteers who have helped throughout the year are invited to partake in the evening of celebration of another successful year in service to our Elders.

We had an excellent turnout of about 90 people who brought an outstanding assortment of food. Our new Shi Yazhi princess, Delaina Becenti, greeted people at the door.

And as people settled in at the tables they were able to relive special moments that had occurred throughout the year.

Shawn enjoyed looking over Melyssa's book of photos and narrative about the Shoe Runs to the reservation for the Walk In Beauty Program.

Before we ate Linda honored Virginia Aldrich for her efforts in organizing this annual event.

Our new princess introduced herself with great poise.

And then introduced her family. They are from Green River, WY, and made the drive to Salt Lake to be part of this special event despite somewhat threatening weather.

Then, for the most keenly anticipated moment of the evening, it was time for Linda to announce which table got to head to the food line first.

It seemed as though the selection of dishes was better than ever this year.

Following the meal, C.J. presented the results of the recent rug show. Sales were at an historic high, and the weavers were able to take back much-needed resources to the reservation to help their families through the winter.

The Christmas Ornament Program alone took in more than $14,000 to assist Elders with firewood and food certificates. This was the first year that all of the ornaments were sold during the course of the show. Sandi Aloia headed this successful effort and even made up a few additional ornaments that were available for purchase at the dinner.

Alice Sikorsky was honored for directing the Christmas Stocking Program which will deliver 1300 stockings to school children on the reservation.

Eileen Quintana spoke about the Shi Yazhi pageant and how important it is for the young Navajo girls in an urban environment to learn about their culture.

Then her daughter Rosebud, who won the Grandma Idol contest for the youngest generation at the rug show, sang a song.

And not to be outdone, her son Alfredo also presented a song.

Harry James, leader of the Pow Wow at the rug show, completed the evening with a song.

He invited all the girls who had been in the Shi Yazhi pageant to come up and help him sing another traditional song.

Then each of these girls was sent out into the room to choose a biligaana to help sing another round of the song. With three strong vocalists like this, Harry might be able to retire.

Finally, after the entertainment was over, there was still time for everyone to sit, visit, and eat more.

Wherever you might be in the world take a moment to give thanks for all we have and how we can make 2015 even better.