Jellicle Ball 2018 opening address

[A mature orange mancat with white paws walks to a dais raised a little higher than the beach. He is unaccustomed to public speaking and is rather nervous, but he knows the importance of the Jellicle Ball and is eager to do a good job. ]

Good evening, kitties and guests. I'm pleased to see so many old friends and so many new friends. Welcome to the 2018 Jellicle Ball. I am honored to be your Master of Ceremonies this year.

Let's offer a round of applause and thanks to our hosts: King Chanarong , Princess Malee, and the local residents who have so graciously offered the use of thier home for our gathering.. The beach here is wonderful, and the caves are fascinating! And I'd like to offer a special thanks to White Foot, the heroic pilot who was so instrumental in rescuing victims of the earthquake and tsunami.

As you know the purpose of the Jellicle Ball is to allow us to remember those members of the Community who have departed for the Rainbow Bridge before we were ready for them to go. We know that they still keep an eye on us from the Bridge, and they sometimes show themselves to us, but it is on this night that we come together to remember them, and to share our memories of them, and to comfort each other as feel their loss.

In a few moment Daisy-chan will honor us with the first Calling of Names. Those who wich to share their memories of those who passed may do so when the first reading is complete. If any names are missing, please announce them and they will be added to the list. Once everybody has had a chance to share their memories, Daisy-chan will read the final Calling of Names. Those names missed in the first calling will be read in the second calling.

Between the first calling and the final, you may sit and listen to tributes, you can visit the buffet for goodies, you can dance to the wonderful live music of Hercule Lenoir's orchestra.

Around midnight kitty time (which bears no relation to midnight human time) we will sing Cat Angel and, if Bast blesses us, we will catch a glimpse of the Rainbow Bridge and will see many of our dear departed friends and family.

I now yield the dais to Miss Daisy-chan.