The First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association, District Anna Hurban of Chicago, hosted its thirteenth annual combined Senior Branch Christmas Party at the Orland Chateau in Orland Park, Illinois on Saturday, December 3, 2016. A total of 326 senior branch members and guests were in attendance along with National Directors Joann Skvarek Banvich and Jeanette Palanca.
District members and their guests enjoyed many great conversations while catching up on the years’ events before and during the luncheon. The Branch members and their guests 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!
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 donated by individuals, the District and Chicago Branches. 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. This year the District solicited from its members and guests in attendance donations to ACCESS Psychlogical Services, a Division of CTF Illinois in Tinley Park, of coats, scarves and warm clothes for homeless adults with severe mental illness. The wonderful event, started by Marge Krugley (S180) has been a favorite now for the entire District and the surrounding Chicago area.
District President, Lorraine Gibas opened the event after lunch with welcoming remarks, recognizing the 90th Anniversary of the Chicago District which was celebrated earlier in October and requested that all past District Officers stand to be recognized for their contribution to the District and their efforts in making it what it is today. District President, Lorraine Gibas remarked that, “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 the Senior Branch Christmas Party Committee: Lorraine Gibas, Chair, Rosemary Mlinarich, Raffle Prize Coordinator, Barbara Mugavero, Raffle Gift Card Coordinator, Jarmila Hlubocky, Raffle Prize Distribution Coordinator, Gary Ledvora (Santa), Barbara Schultz, Invitations, RSVP and Menu Coordination for the Event, Rich and Irene Zittman, Seating Plan and Door Greeter Coordinators, Caro Rosenthal, Raffle Ticket Sales Coordinator, Jessilyn Gibas and Stephanie Kaiser, Centerpiece Coordinators, Marge Krugley, Promotional Gift Coordinator, Jeanette Palanca Charitable Donation Coordinator and Event Photographer, Oplatky Sales Coordinator Emily Minelli, and Mary Therese Tylus, Event Photographer. And last, but not least, a huge 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 2, 2017 – same time, same place!
To view photos from this event, visit the Photo Gallery on the Chicago District Web site.
