by Dean Anthony Fabi (Noodt) Gui

 As I finalize plans to move back to Hong Kong next July, I couldn’t have picked a better time to fly up to the Bay Area during the Dec 6^th weekend for a final hurrah with the old Lusitano gang at the San Mateo Elk’s Lodge for the Annual Lusitano Christmas party! As Aunty Tila (Danenberg), Shirley Wong, Robert Roliz and I were pulling up to the venue at about 6:30pm, there was already a steady flow of early arrivals. They must have been anticipating Dorothy Oliveira’s chilicotes and galikoks because once again they were mouth-drooling sensations that were quickly devoured along with the other appetizers that were served! By 7:30pm almost all guests arrived, including Antonio Jorge da Silva, author of the illustrious Macanese pictorial “The Portuguese Community in Hong Kong”, and someone to whom I finally had the pleasure of introducing myself. I can’t wait for the California Macanese edition to get published! Santa Claus made his appearance with gifts for all the kids as usual, and so did the Elf.  I didn’t see what was going behind the scenes in the other room where all the kids and some adults disappeared with the Elf, but with all the people flocking in and out all night long, it must have been a ho, ho, ho of a time!

With the band playing in the background we all waited our turn for another delicious buffet:  salad, pasta, rice pilaf, vegetables, chicken, roast beef, salmon… oh my! And of course, to wash it all down, a superb selection of red and white house wine, sorbet and home-made genetes for dessert. Our usual photographer/videographer, Robert Roliz, was missing-in-action all this time as he was on a mission to pick up his 88-year old aunt from San Francisco who felt better last minute to join her children, grandkids, and great-grandkids at the party. Awwwwww…. Such a “gwa tsai” (good boy)! But have no fear; he came back in record time, with a plate of food waiting for him at his table. Jojo Xavier, Kaua Young, & Hunter Choi, however, proved worthy replacements as they zoomed around the room snapping away candid moments of another evening of cherished memories.

 One other thing I noticed missing this year was the lack of loyal patrons at the watering hole—or better known as… the bar! Maybe a handful of partiers visited that side of the room all night long. Hmmmmmm. The house wines must have been that good! The final piece de resistance was, of course, the raffle draw. Now, I never win anything at these, but it was a hoot hearing everyone’s unique ways of hollering as they heard their names called and ran up to claim their door prizes, which ranged from William of Sonoma chocolates to wines, CDs, dishware, and the grand prize of $100 cash for the 50/50 cash raffle participants! As the evening came to a close at about midnight, the dance floor was still strong with Macaenses wanting to boogey the night away. But like my very short trip, visiting from San Diego, all good things had to come to an end. Obrigado to Maria Roliz, the Lusitano Board, and all the volunteers for making this another successful, pleasurable, and unforgettable event, and for Melissa Xavier, Lusitano Bulletin Editor for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts with everyone.