Our December 18 Christmas Program included a great variety of entertainment.  President Imy led us in honoring our Embassy Suites dining staff.  Sharon Pica and Bob Deao introduced various Rotary members who informed us about Hanukkah, Christmas and other seasonal traditions from other cultures.  Our Hanukkah representatives (Dan and Saul) directed our attention to our table places where we found our very own personal dreidels to spin, and even instructions as to how to play.  In Sweden, there is St. Lucia’s Day, the festival of lights (which takes place on December 13).  A young lady representing St. Lucia wore a candelabra on her head.   As we approached Christmas, we learned, inter alia, about  Irish (Pat Barnes), Scottish (Dave Freeman), English (Richard Dulake), Australian (Matt Weaver), New Zealand (Brad Miller), Mexican (Al Martinez) and Italian (Tony Parille) customs.  There were also explanations of holiday customs in China (Sho Tay), and Korea (a costumed Imy Dulake and friend).  Al Laghab (himself a Persian Christian) satirized the current regime of Iran (according to which the Judeao-Christian prayer for “peace on earth” acquires a very different meaning).  Two young ladies performed a series of Irish dances in which the arms are held rigidly at the side while toes tapped and legs kicked to Irish music.  Then, representing Hollywood, Tom Crosby, and his costumed “babes” (four adult ladies and two teenage girls) performed an energetic Christmas tap dance.  The routine was arranged by renowned choreographer Ricci Lugo.  Finally it was time for Santa Claus (played by Pat Dolphin) to make an appearance as children filed in and sat at his feet.  There was a table of presents for families we had adopted.  We left with our stomachs full of roast turkey, our minds filled with cultural treasures, and our spirits elevated for the year’s crowning event to be celebrated a week later with our respective families.