Quarterly Meeting. On Wednesday, April 9, 2008 , GCU Lodge 288 hosted the District 1 quarterly meeting at the Ascension Church auditorium in Clairton. To begin the meeting, guest speaker Sister Thomas Joseph led the group in an opening prayer. Following roll call, the Minutes, Treasurer’s report and Auditor’s report were read and approved.
Under Old/Unfinished Business, several officers gave reports on the following: Junior National bowling tournament, basketball free-throw contest, Guys & Dolls no-tap, pirohi class, 164 Entertainment and 158 Enjoy books were sold netting a $966 profit (Lodge 52 was the biggest seller of 100 books), meeting with President Juba, pledges from lodges, and the budget for 2008.
National Secretary-Treasurer, Judy Gula, spoke on the upcoming national convention. The Credentials Committee met on April 7; delegates should have received their acceptance letter as well as the initial newsletter regarding information on the Convention. There will be buses available for transportation to the Convention; however, plans have not yet been finalized.
Under New Business, correspondence from the Sisters of St. Basil thanking District 1 for its $500 donation was read. Upcoming social and athletic events were discussed: District 1 college scholarship applications, the adult/junior no-tap at Club Lanes on April 20, District 1 Flag Day ceremony at St. Gregory’s on June 8, the pre-convention meeting at St. John Chrysostom on June 9, bowler appreciation night at Wheeling Downs on June 14, the GCU National Convention at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore from June 29 – July 3, Family Fun Week at Seven Oaks from July 23-27, the annual District golf tournament at Seven Oaks on August 10, the Half Century bowling tournament at Club Lanes on August 22, a Mad Dash in the fall (information will be forthcoming), and Light-Up Night Gateway Clipper Dinner cruise on November 21.
The guest speaker at this meeting was Sister Thomas Joseph from Kane Care. Sister Thomas was a very entertaining speaker. She spoke first on the history of Kane and how she became employed there. She then explained what the District 1 donation would be used for: a park outside of the hospital for the patients to use. An electric swing has been purchased for those on wheelchairs to use. Park benches and greenery have also been added to make it an inviting setting for residents and visitors.
The meeting concluded with the Ascension church pastor, Fr. Ivan Mina, leading the closing prayer. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, July 15 at St. John Chrysostom, Greenfield and will be hosted by Lodge 255.
Thank you to Lodge 288 for the delicious buffet. An added surprise was the exquisite Byzantine cross cookie that everyone in attendance received at their place setting.