Centennial Year Church Events
January 20, 2005 - The Men's Club of SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church held its Annual 25 Week Club Dinner in the Church Hall on the evening of the Presidential Inauguration. The gathering represented the 25th anniversary of the Men's Club dinner. The event was open to all ticket members and their guests - parishoners and non-parishoners alike. Proceeds from the event were collected by the Men's Club and they, in turn, put these funds to good purpose on behalf of our Church. A hot buffet dinner, door prizes, and cash prizes were all part of the evening's festivities held from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. Below are scenes from the event. If you do not see yourself among the many photos below, be sure to make plans now to attend next year's dinner!
In photo above, the moon, hidden by clouds, rose over our Church before the dinner began. By evening's end, the sky was crystal clear and the temperature was considerably lower.
You may click on the photo above to view an enlargement.
In photo above left, Father David Garretson checks on ticket sales with members of the Men's Club before the dinner began. Left to right in the photo are Rev. David Garretson, Walter Shaluha, Joe Hartman, Gregory Marple, and Lou Silva. Photo above right shows Men's Club members working behind the scenes in the Church Hall kitchen. Shown left to right are Peter O'Neill, his uncle George Cerekwas, Mark Kruger, and Walter Sudnikovich. Below left, Men's Club member John Sitze handles the "50-50" raffle sales. Below right, Father David welcomed the gathering and then lead them in the Lord's Prayer before all sat down to eat. To Father David's left is Lou Silva and to Father David's right is Mark Kruger.
You may click on the two photos above and on the photo below right to view an enlarged image.
The Church Hall was filled to capacity as the photos immediately above and below show.
You may click on the two photos immediately above and the two photos immediately below to view enlarged images.
As the two photos above and the block of six photos below show, many donated gifts and prizes were in place before the dinner to be given away at its conclusion.
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Above left, guests at tables wait to have their table number called out by Men's Club member Lou Silva, above right. Men's Club member Mark Kruger assists Lou in the random drawing of table numbers for food service. Below right, guests line up to fill their plates.
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Photo above left shows (left to right) SS. Peter and Paul parishoners Dorothy Messeka, Lou Silva's daughter Kim, Marie Mendoker, and Harry and Janice Meade enjoying themselves at the gathering. In photo above right, Vera Dorn (right) and her sister-in-law share pleasantries.
You may click on the photo above left to view an enlarged image.
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Above left, George Cerekwas, in charge of liquid refreshment, hoists a can of Sunkist orange soda. Above right, George spent the entire night behind the scenes working in the kitchen and therefore ate his dinner on a "catch-as-catch-can" basis.
In the photo above we see two sheet cakes decorated to announce the 25th anniversary of the Men's Club dinner. In photo below left, Men's Club member Walter Sudnikovich lights the "2" and "5" candles in such a manner as to not disturb the cake. Below right, parishoner Leo Radionoff sports an appropriate and seldom seen shirt.
In photo above left, Men's Club member Lou Silva announces the prizes and calls out winning ticket numbers as the guests eat their dessert and check their ticket stubs. Above right, Lou is ably assisted by Rev. Garretson's daughter Fiona who spots the prize recipient in the audience and then, below left, makes her delivery. Below right, parishoner Raya Shaluha seems pleased with her winnings!
The condensation on the glass doors (photos above left and right) leading to the Church Hall tells the story - cold on the outside but warm on the inside - both temperature-wise and fellowship-wise! Everyone in attendance had a good time, good food, good fellowship, and some won prizes and gifts - a pleasant way to spend a Thursday evening!
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Copyright © 2005, Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, South River, NJ
