Music the theme for Rotarians

Debbie Dudley, right, program chairman for the Kilgore Rotary Club, presents a book to Cherisa York and Colin York for entertaining the Kilgore Rotary Club with Christmas music. Cherisa York is the wife of Rotary president Sammy York, and the couple are the parents of Colin, a senior at Texas A&M University. Kilgore Rotary Club members heard the sounds of the season Wednesday as Cherisa York and Colin York presented Christmas music as the program.

Cherisa York is the wife of Rotary president Sammy D. York, and the couple are the proud parents of Colin, a senior at Texas A&M University. Mrs. York is a noted musician and singer in the East Texas area, and her talents have allowed her to perform in Longview and Tyler as well as Kilgore. She graduated from Baylor University where she studied organ and has been involved in church-related music for nearly 16 years. Currently, she is in the First Presbyterian Church Choir, accompanies the Pine Tree Choir and substitutes at various churches in the East Texas area.

Colin is an aerospace engineering major at Texas A&M but also has some vocal training in his background. He sang with his high school choir in Kingwood and qualified for All-Region Choir and sang in his church choir.

The pair performed delightful Christmas songs such as "White Christmas," "The Christmas Song," and "Baby, It's Cold Outside," among other songs. They also took the talent level down a notch when they asked the club members to divide by tables and join them in singing "The Twelve Days of Christmas."

Cherisa York played the piano and sang, while Colin accompanied his mother on a number of songs as well as performed solos. The entire performance was much appreciated by the club members in attendance.

In other Rotary news, the club is preparing for the Mid- Year Review in January. This is an annual gathering of clubs to discuss how the first half of the year has gone and to make plans for the final six months.

Last weekend, the club hosted the Kid's Shop in the Fellowship Hall of the First Presbyterian Church. Nearly 50 children came from Kilgore and the surrounding area to select Christmas gifts for their parents. Headed by Pam DeCeault, this was a very worthwhile project that all of the Rotarians and children enjoyed.

Those who helped with the project include Sammy York, Cherisa York, Barrett York, Pam DeCeault, Debbie Dudley, K Castles, David Castles, Jerry Camp, Ruth Anne Camp, Greg Collins, Paul Bolt, Linda Clayton, Megan McKenry and Richard Rorschach.

The club will not have a meeting on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve. The next Kilgore Rotary Club meeting will be Jan. 7, 2009.

The Kilgore Rotary Club meets in the ballroom of the Meadowbrook Country Club. Guests are always welcome.