FUN FACTS
'Tis the Season
To test your knowledge of Christmas trivia! Your THCC Communications Team is taking a little break for the holidays and will publish the next issue of the Hill Country Spotlight on January 14. We hope you have a very happy holiday and a wonderful beginning to 2009.

1. In Frosty the Snowman, who brought Frosty back to life?
2. Who lost $8,000 in It's a Wonderful Life?
3. In How the Grinch Stole Christmas, what biological shortcoming made the Grinch so mean?
4. Who tells you she's in town by tap, tap, tappin' at your windowpane?
5. What is the biggest selling Christmas single of all time?
6. What was Scrooge's first name?
7. Where was I when I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus?
8. What was the name of Rudolph's dogsled driving friend?
9. Who said "God Bless Us, Every One!"?
10. What carol contains the line "O tidings of comfort and joy"?
11. In The Night Before Christmas I sprang from my bed to see what?
12. Name the three reindeer whose names begin with a "D"?
13. In the song "Grandma Got Run over by a Reindeer" what did Grandma go to get?
14. What was the first gift my true love sent on the sixth day of Christmas?
15. In what city did Miracle on 34th Street take place?

To see the answers to these questions and 91 other questions you can use to stump family and friends, click here.

Member Spotlight

Ellen Forsythe, CMP
Our Volunteer Leader of the Month
By Melissa Brady, Chair, MPI THCC Public Relations Committee

Like many meeting planners, Ellen Forsythe, CMP, Director of Education and Meetings for the Texas Veterinary Medical Association and The MPI Volunteer of the Month for November, started out in the front office, with TVMA in July of 1986, as a receptionist and exhibits coordinator.

“What I discovered at that time was that my predecessors didn't put much thought into the trade show. I took the trade show and doubled its size in a matter of a few years through an intense marketing plan.” she began, “ It was also apparent that there were deep pockets that had not been tapped for sponsorship.”

“I stepped into the meeting planner position in 1996 managing an annual conference of over 3,000 attendees, including exhibitors my first year. In 2003, we partnered with 4 other surrounding states making our annual conference a regional conference, Southwest Veterinary Symposium (SWVS). SWVS has a staff of 4 people in the Dallas area. I now manage about 10 meetings of various sizes a year for TVMA,” she said.

Click here to read more about Ellen.

Raffle Proceeds to Build New Playground for Sammy’s House in Austin
 
Sammy’s House - THCC’s 2008-2009 charity in Austin - is a non-profit organization that provides services for children who are medically fragile and/or developmentally delayed. Sammy’s House operates a child development center, a respite care program and a therapy equipment loaning program. Their high quality care is loving and nurturing, set in an inclusive environment where children can safely grow and learn to the best of their abilities.

To raise funds for this wonderful cause, THCC is organizing the Housing Helping Sammy’s House raffle. For Fifty Dollars ($50), you can have a chance to help YOURSELF and YOUR LIFESTYLE to a makeover WHILE helping makeover Sammy’s House. All net proceeds raised from this raffle will benefit a new playground and the hiring of much needed additional teachers and staff for the school. Please read the rules and regulations for further details about this Raffle.

$3,000+ Retail Value Raffle Prize Package Includes:
• Her Hair Makeover and Pampering Day at a Local Austin Salon (donated by Milk + Honey Spa and Milk + Honey Salon)
• His Hair Makeover and Pampering Day at a Local Austin Salon
• Professional Makeup Consultation & Cosmetic Makeover (donated by Rochelle Rae Cosmetics)
• Consultation by a Professional Interior Decorator
• 8 hours of a Professional Personal Concierge (donated by Priorities Concierge)
• Consultation by a Professional Closet Organizer / Fashion Consultant (donated by Well Styled)
• 3-part Consultation by a Professional Financial Advisor (donation pending)
• Two visits from a Professional Home Cleaning Service Provider
• Dry Cleaning Services for a Month
• Professional catered and planned dinner party at winner’s home for up to 6 guests to show off the “NEW & IMPROVED” Winner (donated by Red Velvet Events, Inc.)
• Professional Childcare Services during the dinner party
• May include additional prizes as generous sponsors are confirmed

For more information about Sammy’s House, visit www.sammyshouse.org. Watch your email for more details about purchasing raffle tickets online or purchase one at the next THCC event you attend. Tickets will be on sale from January 5 until February 28, 2009, and a maximum of 300 tickets will be sold.