After sundown on the Sabbath of Dec. 10, 2011, the Fort Wayne congregation held their annual winter social. This year’s theme was “A Cowboy Roundup,” and it featured a “campfire” sing-along, western games, a costume contest and a cowboy trivia contest.

The prize for the best men’s cowboy attire went to Karl Hermann, the best women’s costume to Barb Hancock, the best boy’s western costume went to James Morales and the best girl’s costume prize was won by Myka Hermann. 

The tables were decorated with gingham table covers, bandanas and a boot filled with a bandana and samples of prizes given out for the activities. The meal consisted of western dishes prepared with a prize in mind. Penny Pereira won the best western dish prize with her Rattlesnake Bean Dip.

The activities began as a group sang western songs around a faux campfire.

The evening continued with a cattle drive of seven stations. Seven teams of four to six people/families moved from station to complete the activities. The seven stations were:

Quick draw family feud—a Bible scripture game

Corn hole game (bean bag toss)

Pin the tail on the pony

Hat toss where coins were tossed in hats with a point value.

Fire sing along

Card game of war

Cactus toss where each tried to loop the cactus with a lariat.

Teams turned in their group name for a drawing of a grand prize which was won by Jerry Dickey. The prize was a stallion clock.

The participation and curiosity of children was quite apparent as the little ones were enamored over the electrical “fire pit.” The four-foot cactus used in the cactus toss had large needles. Children would slow touch them and on finding them flexible, would look up with amazement on their faces. Children are precious, as God says.

Everyone left feeling they had a good time, and all look forward to next year’s social, whatever that may be.

Many thanks to Barb Hancock and the social committee for all their work, and especially to Dalpha Meier for providing the fabulous western theme decorations.