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The first story I wrote for this web site was written in December 2006, and it was about our Holiday Formal Dinner at the Zinc. In that story, I reminisced about the dinner that Vivian and I attended the year before in 2005. That dinner was also held at the Zinc. Both of these stories mentioned the fact that a river barge cruise had been scheduled for the event. It seems that for the past several years, each time this event was planned, we were rained out. Well, that was not the case this year. This time the weather was beautiful, the attendance was ready to rock and roll, and two river barges were required to handle the crowd. It seems like everyone wanted to get in on the action, and those who did were not disappointed. The holiday lights along the river banks were all lit up, and the atmosphere was indeed festive.

There were only a few of us who did not make the ride. Vivian and I were two of those who missed the boat (It seems that I have missed the boat a lot during my lifetime!) Anyway, we promised ourselves that would not happen again.

(Note to readers: If anyone has some good shots of the group on the two riverboat barges, send them to me via email --->> Jim Ray <<--- for inclusion in this article, thanks)

So how does the rest of the Zinc Holiday story go . . . Let's check it out . . . While everyone is getting seated in the dining area, let's take a look at the menu and see what Randy has prepared for us.

I think we are going to be well satisfied by the time we push ourselves away from the table.


Bailli Bill Salomon: Ok, gang, all are seated and we have a "really" big treat for you. . .	. . . We have the Christmas carolers from Reagan High School ready to perform for your enjoyment . . .	. . . and indeed they did. They sang from the loft, from the stairs, and out among the tables. They were terrific -- a very enjoyable performance.	Here we have Fred & Sandi Goldner; Chevalier Ladd & Barbara Little; VC Gastronomique John & Janace Wade	Rhoda & Chevalier Michael Newell, Vice Chargé de Missions Gary & Vivian Barnes. Standing is Dame Vivian Ray	Chevalier Allen & VC Gastronomique Denise Valiant from Austin; Chargée de Presse Hon. Judy Salomon; Becky Schmitt; Chevalier Steve Goldberg

Bailli Provincial Joel & Vice Chargée de Missions Hon. Carol Klein; VC Gastronomique Denise Valiant	Becky & Stephen Schmitt (outside); Chevalier Steve & Carmen Goldberg (center)	Chevalier Sean & Dame Sylvia Martinez; Chevalier Joseph & Dame Carolyn Hoelscher	Chevalier Dennis Martinez & Kolleen Guy; Chevalier Wilmer & Dame Elaine Carroll	Mike & Tanji Patton: Dianne Schick; VC Culinaire Randy & Diane Matthews; Vice Echanson Hon Daniel Jacob	Officier Chef Rôtisseur Steve & Charlotte Martin

Dennis & Melissa Shelly; Daniel & Soonalyn Jacob; Walter Tramontin & Mari Vickery; Bailli Bill and Judy Salomon	Chevalier Robert Alger & Martha Mahaffey; Chevalier Blake & Erin Kopplin	Helen Bundrick; Monsieur Jason.... & Megan Fisher; Rhoda Newell	Vice Chargé de Presse Hon. Robert & Dame Shirley Schmerbeck; Vice Echanson Larry and Dame Becky Cohen	Dame Vivian Ray; Vincent Jr. & Vivian Parziale; Maître Rôtisseur Vincent Parziale; Chevalier Mike Davis & Sheri Miska	Jim and Vivian Ray; Elaine and Wilmer Carroll

Bailli Bill Salomon presents Bronze Star to VC Chancelier Argentier Van Clark	Bill Salomon, Van Clark and Dame Cheryl Clark	Mark and Catherine Milbourn. Hey there Chargé de Presse, you forgot to take our picture. Here we are. . . get with it!!	The waitstaff gets recognized	Bill: Randy after we get this photo taken, give me back my plate. You have about eight of these already!!	Oh my goodness, are we are about to get flashed??

Bill, this is your new photo for the "Officers Page". Woo, looking suave and debonair. Also lean and mean!	Here we have five new inductees from our Silo Dinner on March the 9th. Part of their story and photos are in the most recent copy of the Gastronome Magazine. If you have not read the story, you Chaine members can check it out when you get home. Or, you can see them all in their glory on this web site under "Recent Events," "Silo Induction" in March 2008.
	We have Dennis Martinez, Sean Martinez, Sylvia Martinez, Blake Kopplin, and Steve Goldberg. Check out their bio's under "Member Recognition".

Ok, what else is going on here . . .

Chevalier Wilmer and Dame Elaine Carroll	2008-shot Wilmer and I get a shot together each Holiday Dinner when he wears his kilt	This is the 2007 Holiday Dinner at Las Canarias Restaurant, Omni La Mansion	Chevalier Joe Hoelscher and wife Carolyn	Here are our Austin guests. Allen and Denise have asked to be put on our Bailliage mailing list.

Ok, as I look back on these photos, I think the photographer has missed a few folks and messed up some others. It's about time to either fire that guy or give him a raise! Let's see if I can give recognition to those who might have been missed . . . Hopefully, there are no others that I have overlooked.


Chevalier Paul and Dame Glenda Beyer. Sorry guys you must have been in the bathroom when I came around. We'll get you twice at the next dinner. For those of you who do not know Paul and Glenda, they are the Alaska Inside Passage Kayaking experts. So if anyone out there is heading "North-to-Alaska" take them along. They are for hire!!		VC Gastronomique Hon. Wayne Bundrick. We got a photo of your wife Wayne, but we missed you. Helen, I guess, drank you under the table, and I forgot to look there.	No dinner photo available for guests Liz and Pat Murray, so I pulled this one up from a Becker Vineyards shot back in Early 07. This was when Martha Mahaffey (left) and Anne Pack (right) were doing their body guard duties for the Murrays!! Yep, these are some tough ladies!!	Mike Patton, all we got in this photo is a good shot of your left eyeball. Come back to the next dinner and we'll get a shot of the right eyeball, and we'll throw the nose in for free. Tanji, you are looking lovely tonight.

Well, that does it for another Holiday Season and another year. Let's all thank our fellow Chaine members -- the Officers, the Professional, and the Non Professional ranks who have contributed their time and efforts in making sure 2008 was a good year for our Bailliage. We have had formal events (such as this one) and informal events. Here is a quick nutshell version of how our year went . . . 2008 started in January with the San Antonio Bailliage hosting the Chaine USA Annual Meeting. In February, a romantic Valentine dinner at Luce Risstorant E Enoteca; In March the Super Regional Young Sommelier Competition & Southwest Young Chef Competition in Houston; Our Silo Induction Dinner was in March; In April, a dine-around in Soleil Bistro & Wine Bar; In May we joined our Societe Mondial du Vin friends from around the nation in Las Vegas; . . . then Boston Massachusetts in June for the Grand Chapître to join all of our Chaine friends from around the Nation and to see Joel Klein get elevated to Bailli Provincial Southwest In September, off to Alaska and what a beautiful trip that was; Columbus Day in October saw us at "Little Italy; and also October saw us in New Orleans for our Southwest Regional Assemblage. Our Societe Mondial du Vin picnic was in November; and that brings us to the last event of the year, our Holiday Formal at Zinc's . . . That's it guys and gals . . . Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009!

			A note for our guests: I think our Bailli, Bill Salomon has a few openings for membership in our Bailliage. If anyone is interested in joining the San Antonio Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, check with your sponsor for this dinner. He or she will be able to answer any question you may have. There are some restrictions and qualifications on membership -- you must enjoy eating fine food and drinking fine wine!!