The First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association, District Anna Hurban of Chicago, hosted its twelfth annual combined Senior Branch Christmas Party at the Orland Chateau in Orland Park, Illinois on Saturday, December 5, 2015 with a total of 340 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. Dan Brandt, the Chicago Police Chaplain, gave the blessing before the meal. Once again the District 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!
National President, Cynthia Maleski, National Directors Jeanette Palanca and JoAnn Skvarek Banvich along with the Indiana/Joliet District President, Margaret Abildua were also in attendance.
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, the 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 the surrounding Chicago area. District President, Lorraine Gibas 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, coordinator of the event, the raffle prize shopper and centerpiece coordinator Helen Bendik-Grygus, gift card purchaser Barbara Mugavero, Gary Ledvora – “Santa”, gift runner coordinator Jarmila Hlubocky, raffle ticket sales coordinator Marge Krugley, Oplatky sales coordinator Emily Minelli, and photographers Jeanette Palanca and Mary Therese Tylus. And last, but not least, thank you to the entire District Board and Branch Officers and their elves 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 3, 2016 – same time, same place! To view photos from this event, visit the Photo Gallery on the Chicago District Web site.
