This spring has been a busy time for our District 15. On March 29 District 15 hosted the annual No Tap Bowling Tournament at Center Lanes in Aliquippa, PA. The winners: men’s actua–Bud Miller (760); men’s handicap–Andy Oleyar (829); women’s actual–Patty Shuster (651); women’s handicap–Sarah Lebanik (668).

     GCU National Director, Mike Karaffa and fellow District 3 member Ed Bero each bowled a 300 game. (Mike bowled a 300 game at last year’s event, too.) Women’s high game honors went to Sarah Lebanik with a 262. „Boobie prizes“ went to husband and wife (golfers) John and Elizabeth Harbist–each with the worst score of the day for their respective genders! (But we had a lot of fun!)
     The Annual Free Throw Contest for adults and children was held at the newly renovated Ambridge High School on Saturday, April 5. The adult women were our most competitive group, and after a three way tie Laura Seech pulled ahead of the pack to win her division!
     Johnny Harbist, a junior at Moon Area High School and member of Lodge 10, will represent the District at the Free Throw Shooting Contest during GCU Family Fun Week on Saturday, July 26.

     Athletic competitions continued into May when District 15 sent two teams of women bowlers and one team of men bowlers to the National Bowling Tournament in Cleveland the weekend of May 16-18. The competition was fierce again this year. Everyone enjoyed the tournament, fraternalism and opportunities to visit with fellow GCU members from across the country. Athletic Director Paul Lebanik and his wife Sarah rushed back to Beaver County on Sunday to join other district members who volunteered at the 43rd Annual Ambridge Nationality Days. Members of St. Mary’s Byzantine Church in Ambridge and Lodge 972 spent many months–countless hours–making their famous pirohi which they sold during Nationality Days. It was very hard work, but our GCU and our pirohi were well represented at this event!
     Across town at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, several District 15 members participated in the annual Pittsburgh Folk Festival. As members of Slavjane Folk Ensemble, Johnny and Katy Harbist (Lodge 10) and Louisa, Alex, and Nathaniel Hersh (Lodge 10) presented songs and dances of the Carpatho-Rusyns of eastern Europe. District 15 Secretary and Slavjane Parent Association President Kathy Kapaldo joined District 15 members John Harbist, GCU Membership Director; JoAnn Hersh and yours truly in the Slavjane food booth, selling food and sharing our culture with countless visitors to the festival. GCU members from District 1 were also on hand to volunteer their talents and time as historians, choir members, musicians, and dancers at the Pittsburgh Folk Festival again this year.

     Looking ahead: District 15 Delegates to the National Convention, mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 4. National President George Juba will conduct a Pre-Convention Meeting at Seven Oaks Country Club that evening at 7:30 pm. This meeting is mandatory for all delegates to the convention.
     Lodge 109 will host the District 15 second quarterly meeting on Sunday, June 8 at St. John the Baptist Byzantine Church in Lyndora. The meeting will follow Lodge 109’s annual Flag Day Celebration and Luncheon. All District 15 members are encouraged to attend. If you plan to attend the luncheon, please contact Mary Batyko at 412-262-4249 so that enough refreshments are available.
     Plans for the District 15 Fashion Show „Belles and Bows“ are in full-swing. Chairwoman Mary Batyko and her committee are planning a lovely afternoon for the ladies at Seven Oaks. In addition to a fabulous Seven Oaks lunch and fashions from Talbots of Sewickley, there will be fund raisers, Chinese auction, and bake sale. Letters requesting donations for the Chinese Auction will be sent in June. We would very much appreciate any donation and encourage each District and Lodge to come up with a creative and unique contribution to our Chinese Auction. Proceeds benefit the District 15 Senior Awards. Save the date: Saturday, October 25, 2008.