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MEMBER NEWS
From the Desk
Of The National First Vice President
Patricia Del Busse,
First Vice President / Membership Service
It was my privilege as the President of the FSGP to serve as Mistress of
Ceremonies for the Annual Fraternalist of the Year banquet for the Fraternal
Societies of Greater Pittsburgh (FSGP). The event was held at the Sheraton,
Station Square at the end of March. It was a very nice evening honoring
Richard Toth, the National Vice President/Secretary for the William Penn Association.
Several Members of our organization joined in the celebration.
At our monthly FSGP meetings, our speakers are individuals discussing
ethnic traditions. In March, Robert Tierney of the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh
was kind enough to share Irish traditions; his talk was very entertaining and interesting.
Nest 123, Erie held a Monte Carlo night and I was able to attend and support
the Nest. The Nest did a great job and had quite a few ways to entertain
those of us who attended. Even though I wasn’t feeling the greatest, I was able
to have a good time and even won a couple prizes! It was also nice to see several
of the younger Members helping at the event.
Easter weekend was spent in Connecticut. Nest 36 had our annual Good
Friday cleanup. Several of us spent most of the day cleaning, reorganizing, rearranging
and working; much was accomplished. On Easter Sunday, I shared
in two delicious holiday meals at the homes of Falcon Members. We enjoyed
blessed food, spiritus, pleasant company and a lovely day.
Members of the Legion of Honor Commandery (with the exception of District
XII Representative, Joseph Rybaltowski-hope you’re feeling fine!) came
into Pittsburgh for a meeting. Friday night was spent socializing and discussing
many Falcon issues. Saturday morning, the Members and a few travel companions
came over to the office. After a quick visit, the meeting began. It was a
very productive day with each Member being very engaged and involved. (A
more detailed report will follow.)
Earlier that morning, we heard the horrible news of the plane crash in
Poland. As is reported in this issue, the PFA sponsored a mass the following
Sunday in Memory of those who perished. I had the honor of carrying the American
flag next to President Kuzma carrying the Polish flag as we led the procession
into the church. This was a lovely mass with the choir, symbols, violins and
horns. A very sad occasion but done beautifully. On Tuesday, I joined other Fal-
Bowling photos courtesy of Jersy Huk. Several bowlers performing the rota.
con Members as the City Council of Pittsburgh issued a proclamation in Memory
of the individuals who lost their lives in the plane crash.
The 72nd National Bowling Tournament was held in New Jersey, what a
great time! My bowling leaves much to be desired but I had fun! While there,
much business was taken care of. One of the highlights of the tournament occurred
Saturday evening when quite a few of us performed our National drill,
the Rota. It was wonderful to see so many of the bowlers on the floor. There
was quite a wide age range and several Nests were impressively represented.
Wonder what would happen at other National adult events?
On my way home, I stopped in Harrisburg to attend a Pennsylvania Fraternal
Congress (PFC) meeting and dinner. The ladies at the Verhonay Home of
the William Penn Association served us a home cooked, delicious meal. Fol-
lowing dinner,
a meeting was
held. The
meeting was a
very productive,interesting
meeting
discussing
several issues
that affect all
Fraternals.
Tuesday afternoon,
the
Members of
the PA House
of Representatives
joined
us for lunch. It
was enjoyable
Druh John and Druhna Trish at the Capitol Building in Harrisburg.
to meet and
chat with
many of our lawmakers. Many are impressed with what we do and several
thanked us. National Secretary/Treasurer John Kuzmirek was there for the
luncheon as well. Working with Officers and Members of other societies is very
beneficial to all of us. We are all in this together.
May is going to be another busy month for the PFA. Members of the independent
Gorecki Committee will visit our office in a couple weeks to select the
recipients of the Gorecki grants. This year, eight young women and two young
men have applied for the grants. Good luck to all of them; each applicant is impressive!
The Open House will be held the 14th of May. We are looking forward to
showcasing our new offices. The Heritage Collection will also be displayed.
Please stop by, have a quick bite and say hello. Since the Board of Directors
Meeting will be held the following day, all the Board Members will be at the
Opening.
The following weekend, bowlers from the PFA, PNA, PWA and PRCUA will
visit Pittsburgh for the 1st Annual Inter Polonia Bowling Tournament. This
should be another great time! If you haven’t sent in your application, please do
so. Thank you very much to those of you who have sponsored a lane.
Our Second Annual FORE the Charitable Foundation Golf Outing will be
held July 9 at the same course as last year, Scenic Valley in Finleyville. Watch
upcoming Sokol Polski issues for more information.
Requests for funds are sent quite frequently and we do understand that
there is only so much available assistance. Please know that we appreciate all
that you do and realize that not all may be able to support every event. Thank
you very much for all the help that has been given.
Letters have gone to Members of Nests that are being dissolved. My hope
is that the transferred Members will be welcomed into the Nests that they
choose.
Weather is wonderful! Take advantage of this time of year and get outside,
get moving! Plant some flowers in your yard, turn over the soil for the garden,
take a walk, ride a bike,
play a round of golf,
shoot some hoops, kick
a soccer ball, let’s all go
fly a kite! Then enter all
your activity on your
page of the Presidents
Challenge.
If you have any questions,
please contact me
at 1-800-535-2071 or vptrish@polishfalcons.org.
Czolem,
Druhna Trish
Nest 946 team with the Executive Committee team.
SOKÓŁ POLSKI—POLISH FALCON MAY 2010 PAGE 6