Central to the meeting was the discussion on the upcoming Christmas party, scheduled for December 21. The committee deliberated on catering options, reflecting on past experiences and expressing dissatisfaction with previous food quality. One participant openly criticized a past caterer, calling their food “the worst” they had experienced. This prompted the group to explore new options, with a suggestion to engage the Culinary Institute at Miami Dade College for a potentially cost-effective and high-quality solution involving student chefs. The interactive idea of a pasta station was particularly well-received.

Budgeting for the Christmas party was a critical aspect of the discussion, with a proposed budget of $20 per person. The committee also approved a $400 allocation for a DJ, who had been positively received at a previous Halloween party. Members agreed on a menu featuring a beef roast with traditional sides, while expressing concern over certain dishes, such as turkey and pork, given the timing near Thanksgiving. The importance of managing meal reservations was emphasized to avoid mismatches between attendees and available food.

In addition to the food preparations, the committee confirmed the need for decorations, with a decision to purchase red and green tablecloths to fit the event’s festive theme. Some members expressed interest in dressing up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus, while the idea of involving all attendees in dressing up as Santa was left as optional. For party prizes, the committee leaned towards gift cards and possibly an air fryer, given their practicality and appeal.

Communication between the committee and the town’s leadership emerged as a concern during the meeting. A participant voiced frustration over the lack of direct dialogue with the town’s mayors, noting, “I’ve been here for eight years and man never sit down with any of the Committees to talk to us.” This highlighted a perceived disconnect that some members felt hindered their operations and event planning. The committee discussed the idea of standardizing meeting schedules to improve consistency and reduce confusion.

Looking toward other events, plans for a health fair on March 29 were confirmed, with a sponsorship package in place and a call for early distribution of promotional materials to boost attendance. The committee also discussed a proposed trip to see “Jersey Boys” at a local theater. Logistics such as transportation and the estimated number of attendees were also considered.

The meeting touched on recent successful events, including a Halloween party praised for its decorations and music, and a favorable reception of previous Bingo events. Adjustments to Bingo prizes were discussed, with a decision to lower gift card values from $100 to $50 to allow for more distribution, alongside the availability of air fryers as prizes.

Future events, such as a movie screening of “Wicked” on December 3 and participation in a local festival on November 23, were also on the agenda. The committee intended to use these opportunities to promote their activities, though some members raised practical concerns about the distribution of candy at the festival.

Lastly, educational lectures remained a priority, with upcoming sessions on epilepsy and osteoarthritis planned. The committee expressed continued support for these initiatives, recognizing their value to the community.