Christmas Party 2025

We have deemed our 2025 Christmas Party a success!!

We moved the party location to have members from different areas get a chance to attend, and the plan didn’t disappoint; we had over 80 members and guests present. We had members Buzz Green from Arkansas, Tony and Mary Ann Crowder from Illinois, Bill Page, George, and Kim Unruh from Kansas, Scott and Paula Brower from Oklahoma, and some guests from Louisiana, along with our local Texas crowd. We appreciate Jeff Meyers for arranging the Pre-Party run. Thirteen Cherokee members, including Jeff, departed from the Hampton Inn at 8:07 am and met up with Jeff’s ‘Third Saturday Breakfast’ group, which he hosts. Our Cherokee members met with the NTNOA at Tio Tony’s restaurant and graciously joined in on a wonderful gesture from the NTNOA group to bless the restaurant server who regularly helps them, with a wonderful monetary Christmas gift. Members then returned and got to the Waxahachie Civic Center for our Christmas Celebration. As always, we are blessed to have members bring items for our Christmas party door prizes, our National Road Run silent auction, and the always wonderful and delicious desserts.

Congratulations to Jim Howser on his recent retirement!!  He has absolutely stepped up in the Chapter and is volunteering as the volunteer coordinator for Fandango, along with continuing with welcoming the vendors at the Vendor gate during Fandango and now early vendor registration during Fandango. He brought the schedule  board and was receiving volunteers for Fandango’s admissions, merchandising, and anything else needing  volunteers. Jim will welcome your call to volunteer any time you have available for our largest event of the year!  Thank you, Jim!! 

We had Midge Neuman honor us with her presence this year, and it was so nice to bring many t-shirts as gifts in memory of our late Honorary Member, Jon Neuman. It was very nice to see Midge, and hope many of you got a chance to get a t-shirt. 

During the event, we had Membership Director, Lecil, renewing and receiving new members, we had Talon on the microphone and sound, and AJ on the video and photography. We got to enjoy the nice Christmas photos AJ took of everyone! 

President Victor took the opportunity to recognize Mr. Mike Bell, and we all joined in celebrating him as the   Cherokee Chapter’s newest Honorary Member. Mr. Bell was recognized for his many qualities, along with his positive attitude and willingness to always be of assistance to those who need it. We are lucky to have such a nice and fun member. Congratulations to you, Mr. Mike Bell! 

Thanks to everyone who supports our Scholarship Project by obtaining your opportunity tickets for the Annual Quilt that started along with Fandango in 2019. I appreciate Mark Fink going around at the party offering the  tickets to everyone.  Congratulations to the 2025 winner of the 1st prize, “UNITED”, JoAnn Enk!  This is the 2nd year of multiple items in the raffle, 2024 was the quilt and a custom Fandango engraved knife. 2025 was a very nice woman’s leather jacket won by Bryan Ballard, and a beautiful custom knife won by Kim Unruh. 

This year, we also welcomed the youngest member. We have the youth membership program of AMCA, which was put in practice within Cherokee with Derek Auckland being the first member at 15 years of age, and now we have Thomas Wayne King.  Thomas is 10 years old and is working with his daddy, Josh King, getting a mini chopper together for him and a 77 Sportster for his future use. LET’S START THEM YOUNG!! Thanks to everyone in attendance for collaborating to have, once again, a great Cherokee Christmas!!-Rosie Sterling

*A huge “Thank You” to Rosie Sterling, A J Bengoa, and Randy Neal for sharing the 

article and pictures about the 2025 Cherokee Christmas Party. The venue and 

decorations were beautiful, the food delicious, and the opportunity to visit with 

Cherokee Chapter members was priceless.  Rosie’s talent for planning another top-notch event was experienced and enjoyed by all in attendance.

Photo credit: AJ Bengoa