History Club
The Lake Chapala Society History Club will meet Tuesday, November 18, 1:30 p.m. at the Lake Chapala Society. The meeting focus is “Hiroshima, a Study of the First Nuclear Bombing.”
The group will view videos of the bombing and then discuss the event, including the reasons for the use of the nuclear bomb, the aftermath and consequences of the bombing. The History Club is open to all members of the Lake Chapala Society.
Bilingual Toastmasters
The November theme of “appreciation,” and the related word “cooperation,” were skillfully presented as Table Topics by Dr. Beatriz Gallagher during the officers’ meeting of the Lake Chapala Bilingual Toastmasters. In addition, new programs were approved, as well as the mentoring of new members.
The group meets in an English Session on Monday, November 17, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Sala of the Lake Chapala Society. The side gate on Ramon Corona will be open. For more information in English, contact Guy Jobidon at (376) 766-5181. Marissa Urrutia is available for Spanish speakers at (33) 1600-5937.
Love in Action
Love in Action (LIA) invites the lakeside community to attend an Open House scheduled for Saturday, November 22, noon to 1:30 p.m. The event will give visitors an opportunity to see the housing unit that was recently refurbished under the sponsorship of Geoffrey Kaye. This is Kaye’s first community project since his retirement from the Animal Shelter.
Guests will also be able to tour the “Trauma Informed” school that has been developed for the children cared for by LIA. And members of Chapala Sunrise Rotary A.C. will be on hand to share details of a project they are putting together for the children’s home.
The Love in Action campus is located in Chapala, at Pedro Moreno 76. For further information contact Kari Romey at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 765-7409.
Baseball Games
The Lake Chapala Society is teaming up with popular Guadalajara restaurant Santo Coyote to provide transportation to Charros de Jalisco home baseball games.
The Charros are on a winning streak and the first group trip was a great success, organizers report. The bus will transport area residents to games on Sunday, November 30, and Sunday, December 7 and will leave from the La Floresta sculpture at 10 a.m.
Those who wish to attend must sign up at the LCS office in advance. At least ten people must sign up or the trip will be cancelled. The cost for transportation plus VIP seating at the games is 250 pesos for members and 275 pesos for non-members.
Pet Food Drive
This month’s drive to supply local animal shelters with food is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 20 at the Lakeside Friends of Animals (LFA) pet food store.
Members of the community can visit the shelter that day to select and pay for pet food and then see the volunteers to alert them to the donation for the shelter chosen. Pet food donations for any of the area shelters can be made at any time at the LFA pet food store. Customers need to notify the store clerk that the purchase is a donation to the group of the purchaser’s choice. The store will hold the purchase for pick up by the specified organization. Customers must contact the selected group to let them know a food donation is waiting at the pet food store.
Volunteers from Anita’s Animals are on site at each monthly pet food drive to assist customers. All purchases at the pet food store allow the Lakeside Friends of the Animals to support several local charitable organizations.
Birders
The Lake Chapala Birders observed a total of 117 species during October. A high point was the October 10 sighting of three female Dickcissels at La Cristina. This was just the second sighting of the species which migrates between the eastern United States and southern Mexico, usually with a stop-over at Lake Chapala. Five birders tallied a total of 52 sightings in the Rosa Amarilla loop on October 18. The final October outing took nine birders to the Jocotepec malecon park where the rising water allowed the group to spot more water birds including the Fulvous Whistling Duck, Orchard Oriole, and Hepatic Tanager.
While the groups October count was lower than average, the watchers noted that the migrant American Kestrels had arrived in force by mid-October and are now regularly spotted on wires along most roads around the lake. As the Kestrels were arriving, the barn swallows disappeared from overhead wires, presumably headed farther south for warmer climates.
The group will meet on Tuesday, November 18, 8:30 a.m. at the pumping station east of Santa Cruz and then walk the shore to record scrub birds and water birds. Later in the morning they will meet at Las Delicias for breakfast and to complete the morning’s bird sighting list.
The date for the group’s annual bird count for the Ajijic area will be Monday, December 15. Those who wish to participate should reserve that morning for the count, and then plan to attend the celebration dinner that evening. Another count has been scheduled for Wednesday, December 17 when those interested will travel to the far end of the lake.
For information about these activities or the Lake Chapala Birding Group, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call John or Rosemary Keeler at (376) 766-1801 or visit the website: chapalabirders.org.
Spay-ghetti Fundraiser
More cats and dogs owned by Jocotepec families of limited resources will be sterilized free thanks to proceeds from Operación Compasión’s “Spay-ghetti” dinner, to be held on Saturday, November 22, 5 to 8 p.m. at the Raquet Club.
The all-you-can-eat meal includes spaghetti with vegetarian or Bolognese sauce, Caesar salad, garlic bread, one glass of wine and dessert.
Tickets for the event are 200 pesos and available at the Raquet Club office, or by calling Dee Mistrick, (387) 761-0041 or Cheryl Kennedy, (376) 766-3306.
Stop Polio Now!
The 5th Annual Stop Polio Now Dinner hosted by the Rotary Club of Ajijic on November 8 raised a whopping 25,000 pesos from the 95 attendees. That amount will be matched and doubled by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to boost the Stop Polio Now! Foundation coffers by 75,000 pesos.
The highlight of the evening was the attendance of lakeside polio survivor Marianne Swanson, who told the audience of the difficulties she overcame following her bout with the disease.
Holiday Cards
Greeting cards created by the attendees of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) Children’s Art Program are now for sale at the society and at the upcoming Feria del Maestros del Arte on Saturday and Sunday, November 15 and 16.
Cards can be ordered online at the LCS website: www.lakechaplasociety.com. The purchase of these cards benefits children in the art programs, and their families.
Freethinkers
John de Waal will present a book report on “The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas” during the Wednesday, November 19, 4 p.m. meeting of the Lakeside Freethinkers. The book was written by 42 atheist celebrities, comedians, scientists and writers who give their funny and serious tips for enjoying the winter holiday season. John Stokdijk will report on a new book, “Waking Up: a Guide to Spirituality Without Religion,” by Sam Harris.
Members may also bring up other matters. Attendees usually have dinner following the meeting and presentations. For additional information, including the meeting’s location, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">.
This group defines freethinkers as those who identify themselves as atheists, agnostics, secular humanists or skeptics. They reject belief in the supernatural and rely on science and reason to guide their lives.
Little Chapel
The interdenominational congregation of the Little Chapel by the Lake begins its activities by joining the members of Christ Church for refreshments at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, November 16.
Rev. Gene Raymer will deliver the message, “Don’t Forget,” during the 11:15 a.m. worship service. After the service, members continue their fellowship over lunch at Min Wah in Ajijic.
The midweek free movie on Wednesday, November 19 is “The Hiding Place,” the story of Corrie ten Boom, who helped save hundreds of Jewish lives during the Holocaust. The weekly movie event is open to the public. Free refreshments will be served.
The Little Chapel is on the mountain side of the Carretera just east of the Chula Vista golf course.
Christ Church
“Talents,” based on Matthew 25:14-30, will be Deacon Rob Wells’ message during the 9:30 a.m. service on Sunday, November 16 at Christ Church Lakeside, held at the Little Chapel by the Lake. Fr. Danny Borkowski will preside. The congregation shares a joint coffee fellowship with the Little Chapel from about 10:35 to 11:10 a.m.
The Tuesday, 10 a.m. Bible study in the fellowship hall is currently studying the Gospel of Luke under the direction of Wells.
Christ Church and the Little Chapel are jointly sponsoring a December 7 Christmas posada in San Juan Tecomatlan. See Wells to donate for the event.
Lakeside Presbyterian
“Live Up to Who You Are!” based on Philippians 3:1-16 is the topic of the Rev. Sidney DeWaal’s sermon on Sunday, November 16, 10 a.m. DeWaal fills the pulpit while Pastor Ross Arnold and wife Carolyn conclude a three-week lecture tour.
Says DeWaal: “People in the grip of divinely given life are eager to get a stronger hold of it: a life-long process, in which Jesus encourages and enables us. Humans appear determined to make life a failure. However, God sends his divine representative to change apparent losers into winners! Those for whom the past is past, are granted power to run the victory lap Jesus has already run for them, and now helps them complete. Each believer runs a personal race, you need not compete. Simply celebrate what you have already accomplished, and build on it!”
Following the service, the congregation meets in the garden for refreshments and fellowship. Lakeside Presbyterian Church is in Riberas del Pilar, mountainside on the Carretera, beside S&S Auto. Watch for the sign “You have family at Lakeside!”
St. Andrew’s Anglican
Fr. Winston Welty’s sermon for the Sunday, November 16, 10 a.m. service at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church is titled “Substance Abuse.” The theme insists that Jesus’ story of seemingly harsh judgment actually tells of overwhelming grace.
The children’s bilingual Sunday School begins at 9:45 a.m. A coffee hour is held in the garden following worship.
The feeding program supported by St. Andrew’s welcomes non-perishable items: beans, rice, lentils, pasta, salt and cooking oil. Donations can be left in the baskets by the church doors.
A luncheon and fashion show at St. Andrew’s are scheduled for Friday, November 21, 1 p.m. The featured clothing has been donated to Regalorama and will be auctioned at the event. Tickets at 150 pesos are available at the church.
St. Andrew’s is at Calle San Lucas 19, a block south of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar.
Unitarian Universalist
During the Sunday, November 16, 10:30 a.m. service of the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, the group will hold the annual Emersonian service honoring the arts. The many talented artists within the fellowship will be showcased as they perform or bring samples of their work to share. Frank Howell will be the service coordinator. A coffee hour will follow the service.
The Fellowship meets at Plaza de la Ribera, Rio Bravo 10A. For information call: (376) 766-1458 or visit www.uuflc.org.
Open Circle
Gaetane Montreuil will share insights into the values and beliefs learned from the metaphors in children’s stories during the 10:30 a.m. program at Open Circle on Sunday, November 16, held in the rear patio of the Lake Chapala Society.
She will share from “Leelo to the Zoo,” a tome in her series of 20 books for young people that follow a little angel boy who frequently visits his best friend. The boys share earthly adventures and learn about life, loyalty and friendship.
Montreuil was born in Quebec, where she operated a private kindergarten and owned an interior design business. Her four children and five grandchildren were instrumental in the creation of Leelo.
Open Circle attendees gather at 10 a.m. for a social time with coffee and tea.
San Andres English
“Christ’s family, the Church, holds a festival on Sunday, November 16, in honor of its Head,” says Rev. Basil G. Royston, D. Min. “This week we observe Christ, the head of his Household, and bring to Him the talents of a good wife, devoted sons, and faithful servants.”
The congregation continues ancient custom as, during each 9 a.m. Mass in November, prayers are offered to all who have died. At the close of the Mass on September, November 16, the sacrament of the sick will be offered.
The English Mass sponsors a monthly food drive for La Villa Infantil. The children will visit and take part in the Mass on the first day of Advent, Sunday, November 30.