United Senior Citizens
The United Senior Citizens met on Dec. 13 at the Fredonia Beaver Club with 136 members present.
Members met at 11 a.m. for cheese and pepperoni tray, fruit tray, veggie tray and crackers and punch, enjoyed by all.
President Charles St. George introduced new members Marian Conti, Irene Coon, Jan Fields, Sara Gorczynski, Peggy Pokoj, Pat Smith and Del Woloszyn.
He then introduced guests, which were John Binko, Allen Jones, Jackie Paddock, Lois Ann Pryor, Dick Stoffer, Audrey Woloszyn and Bob and John Zielinski.
All sang, "Silent Night." The president then led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the Invocation given by Norma St. George.
Lunch was catered by the Beavertail Catering Service. The menu included baked ham, scalloped potatoes, buttered corn, mixed tossed salad, dessert and coffee.
After lunch, the 50/50 drawing was held. The winners were Barb Centner, Linda Cobb, Leola Coniglio, Marion Conti, Roberta Dewey, Eleanor Dietzen, Mary Gangi, Rita Lombardo, Gen Ludemon, Sam Sasso, Sara Sedota, Louis Siragusa, Russell Trump and Robert Wilson.
The meeting began with thanking the December calling committee. They were Darlene Calarco, Dorothy Hilliker, Ann Kaminski, Mary Lewandowski and Josephine Wierczynski.
The March calling committee will be the officers.
"Happy Birthday" was sung to December birthday members. They were Darlene Calarco, Lucille Rizzo, Geraldine Mock, Sara Gorczynski, Delores Swank and Peggy Pokoj.
The president entertained all with his stories.
The treasurer's report was given and accepted.
The next meeting will be on March 14, 2011. Bingo followed, hosted by Mayme Joy and Mary Gangi.
Brocton-Portland Senior Citizens
The Brocton-Portland Seniors met Monday at the Nickel Plate Restaurant for their annual Christmas party. Members enjoyed a choice of prime rib or lasagna luncheon.
There were 52 members in attendance, including two new members: Marshall McDonald and Ruth Neal.
President Tom DeJoe opened the meeting with the pledge to the flag. Alberta Blakely said the opening prayer and a moment of silence was observed for the sick and deceased members.
The secretary's report was read with a motion to accept by Art Donovan and seconded by Pat Zanghi.
The treasurer's report was read and accepted by Kate Cranston and seconded by Pat Smith.
Treasurer Rita Stonefoot announced the 2011 dues can be paid at any time now. A Christmas poem was read by President-elect Robin Carr. The new officers were installed by Chaplain Alberta Blakely.
A gas gift card was presented to the outgoing officers by DeJoe.
Door prizes, 2011 calendars with the history pictures of Brocton were won by Lorraine Creplinski, Pat Smith, Harold Bevoltz, Rosie Giambra, Ruth Neal, Charlie Reading, Lena Elliott, June Woollett and Mary Presto.
The attendance prizes went to Beulah Williams and Dorothy Reading.
Maggie Rogers was the only one with a birthday in December. Phyllis and Harold Bevoltz celebrated their 54-year anniversary in December.
DeJoe announced an officer's board meeting will be a tureen luncheon, Jan. 31 at noon at the American Legion in Brocton. Members are reminded to bring a dish and their own table service. The committee will be Erika Abram, Kathy and Herbie Albrecht, Joan Bertrando and Phyllis and Harold Bevoltz.
Collins Center Seniors
COLLINS - A coach from Niagara Scenic Tours filled with a group of passengers from the Collins Center Seniors departed Gabels' parking lot at 7 a.m. Dec. 14. for a trip to New York City. Schools were closed and roads were snow covered from the 8 inches of fresh snow. The snow and wind accompanied the coach for more than half of the way to their destination.
Enjoying the sights and excitement of the Big Apple was not the only purpose for the trip. Marilyn, one of the members, mentioned that Macy's donates $1 to Make A Wish Foundation for every letter that is deposited in Santa's mailbox in their stores. The week before the trip (just for fun) the group leaders asked Jeannie and the other waitresses at Olympia Restaurant in Gowanda if they would like to write letters to Santa. Within two days, the waitresses had collected 243 letters from their customers, families and friends. Sue at Goode's Restaurant also collected several letters for the cause. With the letters written by members, family and friends, travel coordinators Bridget and Irene deposited 402 letters in Santa's mailbox at Macy's. Thanks are extended to all who contributed to the cause.
While in New York City, the group visited and shopped in Chinatown and had dinner in Little Italy on the first night. The second day the group enjoyed the Christmas Spectacular Show at Radio City Music Hall in front Mezzanine seats. Following the show a guide joined the group on their coach for a "Highlights Tour of the Big Apple." The guide was well-informed and passionate about the city. Some of the tour sites visited on and off the coach were: Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Time Square, Wall Street, Fifth Avenue, Trump Tower, Greenwich Village and Ground Zero and more. Thursday morning the group left their hotel in Newark, N.J., and headed to the city for one last visit. They were dropped off at Macy's to shop and have lunch. Macy's covers an entire city block and has nine floors, its size was overwhelming to say the least. The last activity scheduled for the group was a three-hour cruise to see New York highlights from the Hudson. Passengers viewed sites such as the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the World Financial Center by boat. It was a fun and memorable experience for all.
The travel coordinators extend thanks to all who have traveled with the Collins Center Seniors and helped to make their first year unforgettable.
