Church Events
October 21, 2006 - The Men's Club of SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church held a celebratory dinner in the Church Hall to mark the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the founding of this service organization that - along with other such organizations - is an integral source of social and financial support to our parish. The dinner started at 4:00 p.m. and it was attended by members of the Men's Club and their wives. Your reporter was an honorary member of the Men's Club for the late afternoon event and the following photoreport was filed in that capacity.
Above left - the tables were decorated with a Fall seasonal motif and menus were placed on each table. The Men's Club is always seeking new members and, if you are not a member, the detailed menu - give or take one or two last minute changes - (above right) shows the delicious meal that you missed. Below, we see Nina (left) and Lilly of Nina's Catering. They were responsible for both food service and preparation.
Speaking as we were of food, fruit was part of the pre-dinner appetizer and cake topped off the meal (below left and right, respectively).
Above - Rev. David Garretson, Rector of SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, met with Peter O'Neill and his wife before the festivities began. The following nine photos randomly show the guests seated at table before the start of the meal.
Above right - Men's Club member, Lou Silva, makes last minute notes before addressing those assembled as his wife Nadya looks on. Lou took over the Master of Ceremonies duties on behalf of Men's Club President, Mark Kruger. Below right, Fr. David greeted the diners with opening remarks before the beginning of the meal, noting that the ranking senior members of the Men's Club were to him like the grandfathers whom he had never had the opportunity to know.
Above left - Fr. David leads the assembly in the Lord's Prayer. Above right - the food is blessed. Below left - everyone in the Church Hall sings the Many Years! Mnogaya Lyeta!
Above right and in the two photos below - good fellowship was shared by all.
Above left - current Church President (Starosta), James Kornafel (standing), chats with guests. Above right - past Church President (Starosta), Michael Burak (left), chats with Paul Boshko (center) and Steve Senko.
Above right, Lou Silva flips a few buttons to provide background music for the occasion. Below left and right - Fr. David and Lou, respectively, check with the caterers in the kitchen that all is going according to plan.
Above left - Men's Club member, Lou Silva, offers opening remarks as Matushka Shari Garretson listens. Above right - another view of Lou addressing the gathering.
Let's face it - no one came to the celebration just for the speeches! The anticipated dinner was a big draw. Food was aplenty and the food (above and below) was plenty good!
Above right - Men's Club members Lou Silva and Jay Pelleriti (left and right, respectively) flank Matushka Shari Garretson as the meal begins. Below right, Men's Club member, Paul Boshko - camera in hand - worked the room by photographing guests at the round dinner tables.
Below - it's good to know the cooks and it's good to be nice to the cooks! Lou knew what he was doing. Nina and Lilly reciprocated in turn by providing the guests with an abundant and delicious meal. Many Years! Mnogaya Lyeta! to the members of the Men's Club and their spouses for their dedication and support of SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in South River, New Jersey, for the last generation and a half!
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Copyright © 2006, Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, South River, NJ
