The evening started off with a very fine Potluck dinner, cooridinated by Laura Krentz, and contributed to by everyone.

Wayne Krefting got the entertainment part of the evening going with a few of his Woodland Puppets, dressed for Christmas.

Kurt and Kathy Hunter presented a few numbers from The Hunter Marionettes' variety show.

And then, because everyone could hardly wait, we held the traditional "White Elephant" game for which everyone had brought a "thing" of some kind, beautifully wrapped.

The anticipation and excitement began to grow as the dice rolled.

Mike Kefting was the first to shake a double and could choose any gift in the center.

But which?

But which?

But which?

Bu

The game proceeded rapidly.

In almost no time, the supply of gifts was depleted, and competition for the very last one was fierce.

Then came the period of examining what everyone else had won and unwrapped.

Of very special interest was a George Bush doll who could talk, sing, and boogie.

Most people were quiet pleased with the treasures they had gathered.

Some were downright astonished by their good fortune.

Now the game turns deadly. The dice begin to roll again...

Sure, you can try to conceal the white stuffed goose, coveted by many.

But you are discovered and have to turn it over to someone...

who loses it a moment later.

That's the way it went until the time ran out.

SpongeBob SquarePants and GW had a special relationship.

That's all we can say.

Then we launched into our own TCP version of "Puppet UP", an improv show that the Henson puppeteers had performed in Las Vegas, and was broadcast as a TV special.

Everyone latched onto a puppet from the Guild's collection.

We counted off into groups of four, and then each group had a few minutes to choose a scenario and work out a brief show.

This is Group One.

Group Two

Group Three

...and Group Four.

Best wishes for a great 2007!