The History
Wow, is it that time of the year again? A history page on Yuletide MadnessŪ, did you say? Gosh, it sounded like such a good idea when it was first suggested. It seems that quite a few folks think we've got a real good story to tell. We think so too; we just never thought considered trying to put it in writing. We also never realized how tough it would be trying to put into words the last thirteen years. You try to do it. You see; it's not that easy. That's why we'll call this little section a "work in progress" and that makes perfect sense; because Yuletide MadnessŪ is, as well, a work in progress.
Many years ago (before B2B, B2C and yes, even before you had an email address) in a quiet little section of College Park, Maryland, Yuletide MadnessŪ was born of modest means and humble intentions. Four young housemates and a dozen more friends set their design on hosting a nice warm gathering to honor their friends and to celebrate the spirit of the Holiday Season and all that was right in the world. There were no rooms at the Inn (at least none that they could afford) nor any stables nearby to accommodate their party, so they decided to hold the party in their own house. As you may well guess, the party was a big success; a joyful time was had by all.
As the months passed and autumn cozily settled in, the gang began to reminisce about the previous year's Holiday Party. "We should do that Christmas Party thing again. As a matter of fact, we should make it a yearly event". They all agreed. A committee was formed to plan a second gathering. A unanimous decision was made that each year the hosts would make a sizable donation to underwrite the affair. "What can we call this party? We need a name for it", they thought. Now some of this gets a little furry, but somehow we started thinking about Yuletide Carols and Yuletide Greetings. Yuletide had a real warm and appropriate ring to it. They also remember how wild and fun the party had been the previous year. "That party was Madness", one exclaimed. "How about Yuletide MadnessŪ" another suggested. That's the perfect name they all agreed. Unbeknownst to the early host, the legacy had just been born. They now had "billing" and the means (money) but they needed a place to hold this newly name affair. They searched high and wide for just the right venue but finally found the Adelphi Old Mill. On a quaint little setting down on the river, historic old corn-mill with a fireplace to boot. On those beautiful idyllic Yuletide evenings, walking down to the Mill, the smell of snow and burning leaves in the air and friendly smoke billowing from the Mill's chimney, you often felt like you were walking right into the middle of a Norman Rockwell painting. This was how the Holidays were supposed to be, you thought! As you entered the Mill through the large wooden door and into a warmly lit room filled with your best friends, you really felt like you were "Home for the Holidays". You were as comfortable at Yuletide MadnessŪ as you were snuggling on a couch with some popcorn watching "It's a Wonderful Life".
Yuletide MadnessŪ enjoyed four wonderful years at the Adelphi Old Mill until we unfortunately outgrew it. The price was right at the Adelphi Old Mill but not worth the price of everyone having to drive to Yuletide. We needed to make the venue more central to all our friends, old and new. So we made the big decision to move the party to downtown DC. It took a year at the Washington Marriott and a year at the Grand Hyatt before we made the National Press Club our home. We've been here for seven years, and this is our eighth.
