The 2018 NTNOA Annual Holiday Party at the Spirit Grille kicked off to a great start with club members and their guests arriving nice and early, all keen to find themselves primo real estate to enjoy the evenings entertainment. The restaurant looked very festive, as did many of attendees who were decked out in their seasons finest outfits, and the weather was mild for December, so, we even had a few riders turn out in their finest black leather, good for them, as it's been way too cold the past few years for a good bike turnout.

I was happy to act as the sober straight sidekick to a very slightly tipsy Dennis, assisting with the door prizes, which had been generously donated by Eurosport, Boris Loera, Richard Asprey, and a few other kind people. In fact, we had so many T-shirts donated that we quickly realized it was going to take us all night to call numbers and give them out, so, we had quite the jolly time lobbing them out into the crowd willy-nilly, which gave our pitching arms a good workout, nearly knocking out a few party goers, and I managed to knock over quite few drinks over, but, it was all a really good laugh....so sorry about the spilled beers! Almost everyone in the place was a winner this year.

The year end 50/50 or "fiddy-fiddy" as Randy Bauer calls it, was a huge success, people could not wait to buy tickets, I don't think there was a club member who did not buy multiple tickets. Thanks to all at Randy's table, who pitched in and broke up the tickets for me whilst I ran around selling them, which was a really fun excuse to visit with everyone. The prize money of over $470 was the largest one to date, congratulations to the lucky winner  James Simonelli.

A big thanks to Cathy Ramsey, who did an excellent job at the door, taking the entry fee AND selling lots of tickets for the 2019 raffle bike, an utterly gorgeous Norton. This was the first year that there was a cover charge for the party, and I think everyone will agree that this is such an excellent night out for just $10 per person, a great meal, deserts, and wonderful company, it truly is a treat getting to visit with other club members who came from far and wide across Texas. What really sticks in my mind from the party is our members and guests kind generosity in wanting to contribute to a brilliant night out and to the clubs coffers by participating.

Last, but not least, the management and staff at Spirit Grille did us proud for another year, with great grub and service, thanks gals and guys!