The First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association, District Anna Hurban of Chicago, hosted its fifteenth annual combined Senior Branch Christmas Party at the Orland Chateau in Orland Park, Illinois on Saturday, December 2, 2017 with a total of 368 senior branch members and guests in attendance, along with Rosemary Macko Wisnosky, Chicago Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic, National President Cynthia M. Maleski, National Secretary Denise Mackura, National Directors Joann Skvarek Banvich and Jeanette Palanca, Margaret Abildua, Indiana-Joliet District President, members of the recently merged Polish Women’s Alliance and members of the Joliet-Indiana District.
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!
District President, Lorraine Gibas opened the luncheon with a few opening remarks and then turned the podium over to National President, Cynthia Maleski, who spoke to the accomplishments of our organization during the past year as well as highlighting the accomplishments of our organization during the past 125 years. Cynthia then recognized District President Lorraine Gibas and Past District Presidents Mary Therese Tylus and Joseph Ledvora for their leadership, dedication and service to our society by presenting each of them with a token of appreciation on behalf of the Board of Directors and members of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association of the United States of America.
The District then sponsored its annual raffle of 105 prizes of all kinds and 54 gift cards to various entities in denominations of $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 gently used coats, hats, scarves, and gloves for homeless adults with severe mental illnesses at ACCESS Psychological Services, a Division of CTF Illinois located in South Holland, Illinois. 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 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 – Event Chair, Janice Mager — Raffle Prize Coordinator, Barbara Mugavero — Raffle Gift Card Coordinator, Jarmila Hlubocky — RSVP and Raffle Prize Distribution Coordinator and FCSLA Promo Items Co-Coordinator, Dr. Fay Hlubocky — FCSLA Promo Items Co-Coordinator, Gary Ledvora — Santa and Raffle Ticket Sales Coordinator, Barbara Schultz — Menu and Venue Coordinator for the Event, Rich and Irene Zittman — Seating Plan and Door Greeter Coordinators, Judy Tybor-Knizner and Branch S287 — Centerpiece Coordinators, Jeanette Palanca – Invitation Coordinator, Charitable Donation Coordinator and Event Photographer, Emily Minelli — Oplatky Sales Coordinator, and Mary Therese Tylus — Event Photographer. And last, but not least, a huge thank you to the entire District Board and Branch Officers and all 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 1, 2018 – same time, same place!
To view photos from this event, visit the Photo Gallery on the Chicago District Web site.
