Amy Freeland

Christian County Democrats celebrate holidays on positive note

On December 3, 2022, Christian County Democrats (along with many Greene County Democrats) celebrated the holiday season and recent political wins.

Entertainment

The legendary Cattywampus Band started us out with positive notes of traditional and original songs, with Tom Parker on banjo and vocals, and Kent Franks, Danny Lockmiller, and Mark Crabtree on guitar and vocals.

Lucas Kunce, Guest speaker

Our new Christian County Democratic Central Committee Chair, Bob Rubino, introduced guest speaker, Lucas Kunce, recent candidate for U.S. Senate. Kunce gave a passionate speech about the importance of working-class Americans and our role as Democrats in supporting them. And when folks question the resourcefulness of the American people, Democrats should remind them of what we have done for working class people in the past—healthcare reform, raising the minimum wage, universal paid sick days, addressing student debt, progressive taxation, public education, and energy and environmental reform. And we are not done yet!

Litton Award goes to…

For the last 26 years we have given the Litton Award to someone in our area who has gone above and beyond in supporting the Democratic Party in our county. Marge and Mike Bramer, who won this award last year, explained the significance of this award, and presented the 2022 award to Robin Rader. Rader has worked as Treasurer for the Democrat Club of Christian County as well as being a member of the Central Committee for several years. She has chaired our holiday party in recent years and is always open to helping out when and where she can.

Live Auction

The live auction was a hit with lots of donated goodies to purchase—baskets of food and many other treats, two of Violet Roller’s legendary pecan pies, a Missouri Department of Conversation print, and Rader’s (and her mother’s) popular peanut brittle. Thanks to all Committee members who donated items to the auction! Since the holiday party is also a fundraiser for the Central Committee, the auction brings in money for future Democrat candidates!

Thanks also to the sponsors of the party AND, of course, all those folks in our area attending this year!

29th Holiday Party welcomes in the Season

On Saturday night Dec. 4, 2021, Christian County Democrats, joined by many Greene County Democrat friends, celebrated the season and cheered on our Democratic values.

Guest speaker Scott Sifton rallied the audience by reiterating our common values, especially those supporting workers by advocating for unions, affordable health care, education, and equitable pay. Sifton is running for Roy Blunt’s seat in the U.S. Senate, but he also stressed the importance of Missouri Senate and House of Representatives races and urged us to continue our support for candidates running as Democrats next year. (We were pleased to have Amy Freeland, running for 140th District Representative, in our audience.)

Every year since 1996 the Christian County Democratic Central Committee (CCDCC) has selected someone to receive the Litton Award named in memory of Jerry Litton, Democratic U.S. Representative from Missouri who died in 1976 after winning the primary for U.S. Senate. The Litton Award honors someone in our area who has gone above and beyond in supporting our county’s Democratic Party. This year’s recipients are Marge and Mike Bramer. Both are members of CCDCC and have worked in numerous capacities to champion Democratic values. While receiving the award, Marge recalled that her political activities began with the JFK presidential campaign.

The Cattywampus Band again provided our holiday music—giving first-time attendees and returning ones some classic tunes to ring in the new year. A highlight of the evening was our live auction of pies, baskets, and sundries. The auction was highly successful in raising funds for the CCDCC. The Patriotic basket of goodies, the pecan pie, and the peanut brittle attracted some of the highest bids. Huge thanks to all who donated to the auction, and deep appreciation and thanks to this year’s party sponsors. We all hope for a successful new year, one marked by lots of Democrats winning elections!