The First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association, District Anna Hurban of Chicago, hosted its eleventh annual combined Senior Branch Christmas Party at the Orland Chateau in Orland Park, Illinois, on Saturday, December 6, 2014, with a total of 360 senior branch members and guests in attendance. District members and their guests enjoyed many great conversations while catching up on the years’ events before and during the luncheon. Fr. Emil Hoffman, CM, a visiting priest from Slovakia and helping out at St. Simon Slovak Parish in Chicago during the holidays, gave the blessing before the meal. This year the new Chairperson for the event, Barb Schultz, added some new twists to the menu and everyone feasted on a flavorful family style meal, which included the traditional Slovak roasted pork, smoked Polish sausage with sauerkraut, oven baked chicken with dressing, buttered parsley potatoes, vegetable melody and beef barley soup. Everything was deliciously prepared and scrumptious!
Both our National President, Cynthia Maleski, and National Secretary, Sue Ann Seich, were in attendance, along with Fr. Emil Hoffman, CM, a Vincentian priest from the Congregation of the Mission of St. Vincent DePaul, Slovakia Province.
Later in the program, the District sponsored its annual raffle of many, many prizes and gift cards to various entities in denominations of $5, $10, $15, $20 and $25. With a surprise visit from Santa, District Junior Members who were in attendance acted as prize runners to help distribute the gifts to the raffle winners who shouted “Kapusta, Koláčiky, Bingo” or another favorite Slovak word upon hearing their winning number. The wonderful event, started by Marge Krugley has been a favorite now for the entire District and surrounding areas. District President, Mary Therese Tylus stated, “Once again, everyone had a wonderful time renewing old friendships, making new ones and reminding everyone of the wonderful FCSLA products and upcoming District events! Truly the room was electrified with folks meeting and greeting one another, renewing old friendships and acquaintances and forging new ones.”
A special thank you goes out to Barb Schultz, chairperson of the event, the raffle prize shoppers Lorraine Gibas, Carol Rosenthal and Helen Bendik-Grygus, gift card purchaser Barbara Mugavero, Fay Hlubocky – “Santa”, gift runner coordinator Jarmila Hlubocky, raffle ticket sales coordinator Marge Krugley, and photographer Jeanette Palanca. A huge thank you to the co-chairs for the beautiful centerpieces, Sherry Ebenau and Jori Knizner-Gillen and their crew: Emily, Emma and Patti Minelli , Mary Fish, Judy Tybor-Knizner and Joyce Kelly who worked hard throughout the year creating them. And last, but not least, thank you to the entire District Board and Branch Officers for working so hard in making it such another memorable event for our members and their guests.
So mark your calendar for next year’s party on Saturday, December 5, 2015 – same time, same place!
To view photos from this event, visit the Photo Gallery on the Chicago District Web site.
