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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us December 8, 2005 Paul Arapof of Linda Vista Care Center puts his heart into “Jingle Bells” Wednesday night at the Rotary Club of Ashland’s annual Christmas dinner at the Windmill Inn. Rotarian Susan Saladoff walked around with the microphone, letting attendees sing their favorite Christmas tunes. Photos by M. Kim Lewis | For the Tidings Rotary spreads holiday cheer Annual Christmas dinner includes tasty desserts, a visit from Santa By M. Kim Lewis For the Tidings For nearly 20 years, the Rotary Club of Ashland has hosted a free Christmas dinner early in December at Windmill Inn. It is a special night, with Christmas trees trimmed, a catered meal, candy and that warm family feel. All come dressed in their holiday best and neither walkers, wheelchairs, or age restricts their joy in attending. The annual dinner honors the elderly at assisted care facilities, shut-ins and foster care homes from all over Ashland. The buses and vans arrive promptly for the 6 p.m. sit-down dinner and dessert, followed by music, this year by the Rotary Band and singers, plus the Rogue Valley Peace Choir. Rotary board member and organizer Marshall Malden said of the more than 150 in attendance, “This is a big year. We just decided to pull out all the stops — why not?” When Ruth Kauff, living in foster care in Ashland, looked up from the poinsettia-filled table she shared with the elderly as well as Rotarians and spouses, she nodded to her half-piece of chocolate mousse pie and declared, “This is too good. I can’t finish it.” Natale Hemphill, part of Santa’s helpers and greeters, attended for Ashland High School’s interact club. She said of the night, “It is wonderful for everyone to come together over food and song and reach out to the elderly. It feels really good.” Rick Eppenstiner of the Rotary Club appears after dinner as Santa Claus, handing out chocolates from Bear Creek. Paul, a wheelchair ridden long-term resident of Linda Vista Care Center wearing his own Santa cap, “belted out on microphone along with others in the room, ‘Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way ...’” To top off the night, Santa appeared, handing out specially wrapped chocolate candy from Bear Creek to each participant, proclaiming, “Ho, ho, ho and another ho. ... Merry Christmas!” DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Deep Muscle Stimulator Ceramic Piggy Banks FREE Entertainment Guide Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Backpacks Generic Viagra Vegas Travel Guide Search Engine Optimization Sportsbook Absinthe Supply Student Loans Hotel & Airline Reservations African Safari Hammocks Helzberg Diamonds Online Casinos Community Bonus Casino King of Spirits ink cartridges Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Mailing Lists Click Here Advertisement .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams