There is no SILG meeting today. Enjoy the holiday season and we’ll see you in the new year!

It’s always amazing to me to calculate all of the hundreds of volunteer hours and heartfelt devotion showered on our community by members of the various service organizations such as Soroptimists, Lions and Rotarians.

Once a year we congregate at the annual Rotary Christmas  luncheon. And even though most of us know each other in one capacity or another, it’s fantastic to feel the energy and razor-sharp focus of volunteerism in that collective group.

This year we came together at Hoke Center on the EOU campus for a great lunch and tons of wonderful fellowship. In years past we have simply stood and introduced ourselves, but this year we were allotted two minutes to discuss our Club’s accomplishments and contributions to our community.

Rather disappointing was the fact that there were only two of us Soroptimists present – myself and Patty Gooderham and Soroptimister Mike Gooderham. Patty and I mentally arm wrestled to see who would make our presentation, and I lost.

Naturally, I bragged about our 30^th Annual Festival of Trees and that fact that it was a record-breaker, and how we will support 16 local organizations and programs through our net proceeds. I bragged about the Raise the Paddle fundraiser, and the fact that we overshot our goal of $5,000 by another $11,000 so there would be more scholarships awarded.

John Howard of the Lions Club spoke of our two clubs’ long-time partnerships on Boots and Socks and Lions Coats.

Rotarian President Jeff Crews recognized  all of us for our  outstanding work on behalf of this community, and encouraged us all to work together and not wait until another year passes to get together. Maybe there’s a joint project out there calling all of us to join forces – what do you think?

We were entertained by the La Grande High School choir, and it made me very proud to give them our Club’s $100 check. They deserve it.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Submitted by Di Lyn Larsen-Hill

Proud La Grande Soroptimist  since 1983

Red Velvet Mexican Crinkle Cookies

Takes 15 minutes to prep, 45 minutes to make. Allow additional time for dough to chill for easier shaping. Makes 36-48.

1 cup powdered sugar

1 18.2 oz brownie mix of your choice

1 cup, plus 2 Tbs flour

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1/2 cup orange juice

2 Tsp orange zest (adjust to taste if fresh or dried)

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 Tsp ground cinnamon

Heat oven to 350. Place powdered sugar in shallow bowl. In large bowl stir together brownie mix, flour, egg, orange juice, orange zest, oil and cinnamon until dough forms.

Using 1 Tbs measure, scoop dough and roll into balls. Coat in powdered sugar. Place 1” apart on greased baking sheet. Bake 11-13 minutes. Let cool.

Submitted by Tressa

The SILG Community Grants Program has long supported the NEOAHEC “Girls in Science” program on the EOU Campus. Follow the link below to read a little about this year’s event held on October 22, and the inspiration offered to young girls who may one day be scientists themselves! Madi Seydel, SILG-Daughter, attended and had a great day of scientific discovery.

https://neoahec.netreturns.biz/Blog/Post.aspx?PostId=102eec66-5198-4bf7-9c20-deafad61deb9#.WFGBVrIrKUl

Last year SILG members helped with a local toy drive – we could use your help again! I’ll be setting toys up on tables Thursday at 8am at the Presbyterian Friendship Center for a couple hours.  Saturday we’ll be distributing toys from 9 – 12noon, same location. If anyone can help I would appreciate it. Questions? Tori, at 541-910-8674.

SILG Business Meeting & New Member Induction Today At Denny’s Banquet Room, 12noon. Attend for committee updates, Festival chat and to formally welcome our new members!

Thursday, Dec. 8th is our monthly SILG Business Meeting. We have a full agenda, committee updates, and inducting TWO new members, Brittany and Shayla. Due to an annual conflict, we’ll be relocating the Business Meeting to DENNYS Conference Room. Please plan to attend, welcome our new members, plus chat about how great Festival was!

Chair Shannon has confirmed there is not a Festival Meeting today. She will call a debrief meeting in the near future, probably after the holidays.

Invites go out today to the SILG membership for the holiday party on December 18th. Please check your email and RSVP before the 16th so we can have enough of everything on hand! Thank you!

Congrats to these members, for their December membership anniversaries!

Barb Crouch, 1975

Mary Lou Dean, 1977

Di Lyn Larsen-Hill, 1983

Brenda Bell, 1997