A newslet ter published by the
Summer 2014
crossroads
20 Jubilees! ...a lifetime of service to God
Inside:
Page 3: On Mission . . . page 3 Page 6: 20 Sisters celebrate . . . page 6
Dear friends: July has traditionally been a community month for the Sisters of Notre Dame as we gather from various ministry locations in 11 different states to connect for retreat, celebration of Jubilees and picnics, and plan together for our future. We are enriched and blessed when our families, Associates, former members and friends join us for these occasions. We’d like to share with you, our partners in mission, the excitement of our new ministry efforts in Texas. The story on page five tells how God called, through the Bishops of Lubbock and Corpus Christi Dioceses in Texas, and how sisters responded to that call. Six Sisters of Notre Dame from Toledo and Chardon will be engaged there in teaching, social justice work and caring for children and adults in emergency or homeless shelters. Mindful of our responsibility for good stewardship of our resources, we have made a major decision involving much change for our sisters. We will be selling our Provincial Center building and property and making plans to build a new residential setting for our elder sisters. The Sisters of Notre Dame Center will be located in Whitehouse, Ohio, on the Lial campus near Lial Catholic School and Lial Renewal Center. We will continue to share details with you as we make progress on building and fundraising for the project. As always we welcome your support and prayers as we pursue this new venture. The Toledo Province has had 90 years (1924-2014) of adventure, change, blessings and challenges. Our very recently published province history, Hearts as Wide as the World, tells our story. You might find it interesting to read. We are grateful you have been a part of our journey and look forward to your partnership in the future. In Notre Dame, Provincial Superior
About the cover:
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2014 Jubilee Photo Album! Top left: Candles on the altar at the Provinical Center Chapel representing each sister celebrating a Jubilee. Top right: Sr. Mary Virginia Wenninger celebrated 75 years as a Sister of Notre Dame (shown with Sr. Kerstin Maria Deubel). Bottom left: Musicians playing during the Jubilee Mass. Bottom right: Sr. Mary Jo Toll (AKA Sr. Mary Teresa) reflects on her 50 years in religious life. Read more on pages 6-7.
crossroads Vol. 25, No. 1, Summer 2014 CrossRoads is published quarterly by the Partnership for Mission Office of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Toledo, Ohio. Its purpose is to create a sense of shared mission among members, family and friends. The title CrossRoads refers to the crossing of paths of our congregation and our friends in the communities where we serve. The “cross” in CrossRoads has special significance in our congregation’s history. Editorial Board Denis Eble Sr. Mary Ralph Gerdeman George Mezinko Sr. Mary Rosellyn Theisen Sr. Jennifer Marie Zimmerman Editor Teri Bockstahler Contributors: Sr. Mary Jeanette Bihn Correspondence may be sent to: CrossRoads Sisters of Notre Dame 3837 Secor Road Toledo, OH 43623 Phone: 419-479-3093 email: tbockstahler@toledosnd.org Visit us on the web: www.toledosnd.org Our Mission Sisters of Notre Dame proclaim God’s goodness and provident care, united in: One heart One hope One mission . . . committed to global transformation.
Always on Mission . . .
and on the move!
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lways on mission. . . and on the move. Being open to going where the need is greatest requires movement, and the Sisters of Notre Dame have moved to new schools, parishes, ministries, communities and places in the USA since their beginnings. Now another kind of movement is ahead: creating a new living space in Whitehouse, Ohio, and leaving the building at Monroe Street and Secor Road in Toledo.
S
r. Mary Delores Gatliff, provincial superior explains, “When SNDs from our entire congregation met in Rome for the General Chapter meeting in 2010, one area the international congregation decided to focus on was stewardship. After our Toledo sisters examined our demographics and our current building and grounds, it became apparent that we have more space and property than we need.”
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large number of our Toledo province sisters live in residential homes close to their ministries, yet residential homes wouldn’t be the best arrangement for many of our elder sisters. As a result of collaborative health care efforts with other local women religious, Sisters who need skilled nursing care have been living at the Ursuline Center or the Sylvania Franciscan Rosary Care Center since 2010. Sisters needing skilled care in the future will continue to live with the Ursulines or Sylvania Franciscans at those centers.
“R
ight-sizing our properties and residences is also a goal of our SNDlUSA effort, so when all four USA provinces come together in 2020, we won’t be burdening the future sisters with an abundance of property and
Toledo Provincial Center, Toledo OH the associated expenses. They can stay on mission,” Sr. Mary Delores added.
Why Whitehouse, Ohio?
T
he Sisters of Notre Dame Lial campus in Whitehouse, consists of 94 wooded acres and has been the
Why a new residence? “We need to provide barrier free, up-to-date and cost efficient (green) living facilities for our senior sisters. The current provincial center is too large for our present needs and is expensive to maintain.” Sr. Mary Delores Gatliff Provincial Superior
site of Lial Catholic School since 1972, and the Lial Renewal Center. “The Lial campus is an ideal place to relocate and to create a barrier-free, energyefficient home. We already own the property, and the setting is naturally beautiful. Sisters could also minister at Lial Catholic School or at Lial
The Sisters of Notre Dame . . .
have a rich history of service, leadership and ministry to those living in the margins of our society. • The SNDs established the Toledo Province in 1924 • Presently we have 193 sisters with a median age of 70 • Senior Sisters keep active and continue to serve and volunteer into their 80s & 90’s
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continued from page 3
efficient than maintaining the current property and will save significant dollars in the long run. The 103 sq. ft. Provincial Center (PC) is also much more space than is needed.
Toledo SNDs are 64 years old and younger, we are in a healthy position to make this decision now rather than waiting until moving is a necessity,” Sr. Mary Delores concluded.
B
T
O
T
“W
Renewal Center. “We hope to create an intergenerational campus with the present ministries on the property and the new housing for the sisters,” said Sr. Mary Delores. ased on the ages of our younger sisters we estimate needing a building like this for 40 years,” Sr. Mary Delores continued.
hrough thoughtful planning the sisters have learned that building a new center is financially more cost
he portion of the Toledo property where Notre Dame Academy and Maria Early Learning Center are located will remain the same.
e have learned that other religious congregations are going through a similar process throughout the USA. Because so many
Our right-sizing plan: The Sisters of Notre Dame Center •42 private rooms •A chapel for 175 •Energy-efficient “greenhouse model” senior living homes •A connected central area enhancing community living •Provision for ministry & hospitality among Lial Catholic School students, neighbors, retreat groups & guests
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nterested in learning more? Contact Sara Bingham in the Development Office (419-479-3093) for more specifics about the “United in One Heart” campaign to build the Sisters of Notre Dame Center and support ongoing ministries.
“United in One Heart” Campaign goal: $5 million $3 million $1 million $1 million
Proposed Sisters of Notre Dame Center, Whitehouse OH
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n October 29, 2014, a Blessing of the building site and Campaign Kick-off on the Lial campus at which the Sisters will be joined by friends, Lial students, neighbors and supporters will take place.
To go toward construction of the Sisters of Notre Dame Center To support the ongoing mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame To Endow the ministries and care of the Toledo Sisters
w
Slaton
Corpus Christi
w
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t the summer 2013 Toledo Province Assembly, Sr. Mary Delores Gatliff invited the sisters to think outside the box and submit ideas for new ministries in new places in light of the Church of the future. After hearing suggestions of new ministries with Hispanic persons, and after discussion with the Toledo provincial council, Sr. Delores sent letters to Texas to which four Bishops responded with an invitation. Sr. Delores soon spoke of the Texas initiative with the SNDlUSA provincials, who liked the idea and decided the Texas ministry could be the first SNDlUSA effort. The provincials invited all USA sisters to consider this new SNDlUSA missionary work in Texas. Today, new ministries in the Dioceses of Corpus Christi and Lubbock, Texas, are moving forward with SNDs from the Toledo and Chardon provinces. Sr. Kerstin Maria Deubel will serve at The Ark, an Emergency Shelter for children in Corpus Christi. Corpus Christi is also where Sr. Magdalen Westrick will be in ministry at the Mother Teresa Homeless Shelter. Sr. Pamela Marie Buganski will serve in the southern area of the Corpus Christi Diocese at the South Texas Human Rights Center and at
New ministries take Sisters to the Southwest
Detention Centers and prisons. She will also engage in immigration and social justice work in collaboration with the diocesan Catholic Charities office. Sr. Pamela Marie talked with local sources about the immigration situation in Texas Sr. Mary Loretta Pastva, Sr. Patricia Marie Keefe and Sr. and was told, Mary Brenda Haynes pose with the welcome sign that St. “People just keep Joseph school staff created to welcome them! coming. There is no place for them to go. No shelter. Sr. Mary Loretta Pastva from Chardon No place to bathe, use the bathroom will assist seminarians in perfecting or place to rest themselves and their their English skills and will also serve little ones.” in other outreach programs in the city In the Lubbock Diocese the scarcity of Lubbock. of new leadership for the schools inspired Sr. Mary Brenda Haynes to accept the Principal role at St. Joseph School, Slaton TX. The school has 42 children, some with special needs. Sr. Patricia Marie Keefe will also be at St. Joseph as a Teacher’s aide and Religion teacher in Grades K-2. All St. Joseph students receive tuition aid from the diocese.
Sr. Patricia Marie said, “The closer we got to Slaton we saw lots of cattle, ranches, horses and even a cowboy or two rounding up cattle! As we reached Slaton, we saw fields of newly sprouted green leaves of cotton plants....and one field of sunflowers as far as you could see.” Read more about Texas ministries on page 10.
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Sisters celebrating Ju
75th Jubilee!
Sr. Mary Virginia Wenninger (AKA Sr. Mary Virginita).
65th Jubilee! Sr. Mary Joetta Sneider and Sr. Mary
Damian Meng.
60th Jubilee! (from left front) Sr. Mary Andrenita Grimesey, Sr. JoAnn Maria Torti (AKA Sr. M. Joseph
Therese), Sr. Mary Joan Furlong (AKA Sr. M. Joan Frances). (Back row) Sr. Mary Roseria Helmkamp, Sr. Mary Elisbeth Ruffing and Sr. Mary Michaelyn Hempfling.
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ubilees! 2014
50th Jubilee! (from left) Sr. Mary Sartor (AKA Sr. M. Delmar), Sr. Mary Helaine Ehrman, Sr. Mary Jo Toll (AKA Sr. M. Teresa), Sr. Mary Stephan Kreinbrink, Sr. Elizabeth Maria Garcia (AKA Sr. M. Emanuel), Sr. Mary Krista Benda, Sr. Mary Francein Herold, Sr. Betty Jeanne Marie Kramer (AKA Sr. M. Rita). 40th Jubilee!
Sr. Judith Mary Frederick and Sr. Linda Marie White (AKA Sr. Jane Marie).
25th Jubilee! Sr. Mary Lizette Hoevel
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Partnership for Mission Dear Friends: I am thrilled to be with the Sisters of Notre Dame as the new Partnerhsip for MissionDirector, helping the SNDs advance their mission in the years to come. It is my hope to meet many of you very soon. As you might be aware, many of our sisters work in service to diocesan parishes and schools. In this section of CrossRoads, we feature Sisters Mary Margaret Foos and Mary Lucy Suter who are volunteer tutors and also serve in the library at Queen of Apostles School in Toledo. Although they are not financially compensated, they make a difference in the lives of the children at Queen of Apostles. Thank you for your support which provides for such ministries and that of many other Sisters of Notre Dame.
Sara Bingham Partnership for Mission Director From left: Sr. Mary Lucy Suter and Sr. Mary Margaret Foos in the library at Queen of Apostles School in Toledo.
IN HONOR OF: Zachary Barry James Morris Tommaso & Antonia Cervi Chuck & Angela Meagher Agnes Floro Jim & Lana Aldrich Vickie Ketcham William Ketcham Tina Tank John A. Donofrio
Deacon & Mrs. Herman J. Hulderman Rev. Daniel J. Ring
Sr. M. Brenda Haynes Donald & Barbara Haynes
Sr. M. Joan Furlong Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. Bugner
Sr. Joanne Mary Frania Dan & Mary Monak
Sr. M. Bryan Gabel Barbara L. Schmidt
Sr. Julia Marie Hutchison Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. Bugner
Sr. M. Charleen Hug Clarice Hug
Sr. M. Joetta Sneider Very Rev. Ronald J. LeJeune
Sr. M. Agnes Rose Tscherne Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. Bugner
Sr. M. Elisbeth Ruffing Daniel & Mary Krysztofiak
Jane Werner Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Brooker
Sr. M. Beatrice Ann Furlong Herbert & Rita Hoffman Denny & Sue Jolliff
Sr. Elaine Marie Clement Very Rev. Ronald J. LeJeune
Sr. M. Betty Jeanne Kramer Lois M. Moll
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Sr. M. Elayne Bockey Margaret Rizor
Sr. M. Francein Herold Rev. Michael Ricker Sr. M. Frances Theresa Dorsey Katie Gildenmeister Sr. M. Immaculee Heinl Frank & Becky Malagon
Sr. M. Krista Benda Kathryn M. Shortridge Sr. M. Louisa Heinl Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. Bugner Sr. M. Magdaleva Camp Frank Campanile Sr. Marie Denise Hoffman, OSU Sr. M. Michaelyn Hempfling Marion Fraser James & Susan Hencin Sr. M. Michel Schmitt Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Ulm
Sr. M. Mona Kromer Evelyn C. Zeller Sr. Marcia Marie Destatte Betty L. Myers Sr. Mary Jo Toll Rev. Daniel J. Ring Sr. Regina Marie Fisher Rev. Edward J. Schleter Anniversary Eugene & Cecelia Babione Genevieve Nielson NDA Graduates Peggy Ann Wilds Sisters of Notre Dame Ann T. Alexander Mr. & Mrs. John E. Potthoff
IN MEMORY OF: Rudi Arnold Dorothy A. Arnold Tim Bockrath Mr. & Mrs. Barry Steineman Joanne L. Bosch Raymond F. Bosch Marie C. Bosco Dominick Bosco Cindy Bosio David J. Bosio Dorothy Rose Brudzinski Dave & Mary Ann Young Everett & Eleanor Buettner Virginia A. Will Frank & Mary Bugner Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. Bugner Kenneth A. Camp Rich & Marilyn Krock Cathy Mellon Maureen Renault-Krock Mr. & Mrs. Daniel J. Young Walden “Bud” Damschroder Mary A. Damschroder Joseph A. Deitering Bob & Marsha Mueller Sandra Dennis Kathryn Current Lucille Dillon Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Brickzin Renee Seran Mr. & Mrs. John T. St. Martin Barbara Driscoll Carol Fleitz Robert L. Ellerbrock Harold & Doris Ellerbrock Donald L. Smith Gertrude P. Fischer Arthur L. Fischer Julie Marie Fischer Stanley M. Fischer Ken Foos Dave & Mary Ann Young
Henrietta “Babe” Gabel Barbara L. Schmidt Donald Gabriel Rose Mary Gabriel Margaret “Peg” Geise Dona Combs Thomas M. Gregory Lawrence W. & Kathy Gregory, DDS Cletus & Della Hickey Mary Jo Knippen Camilla Huysman Don Huysman Kathy Johnson Diane M. Phillips Beatrice Kaverman Virginia A. Will Tillie Ketcham Mr. & Mrs. William M. Ketcham Bill & Anna Knippen Mary Jo Knippen Marion, Kathryn, Don & Fran Krupp James & Mary Yingling Janice D. & Kevin A. Kundert Kenneth C. Kundert Maxine “Wilson” Link Alfred M. Schmit Carolyn Wilson Masten Frank Campanile Marilyn Wilson Otte Michael E. Wilson J. Charles Macias Mr. & Mrs. Stephen J. Brown Mr. & Mrs. Chester A. Chwalik Ophelia Durso Eugene M. Frankart Peg Gehring Cynthia S. Geroski Phil & Judy Helterbrand Jackie Helterbrand Irene M. Hunter Karen King-Hipsher & Family Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Kinn Tom & Carrie Kramb Walter E. & Virginia A. Kramb
Thom & Tammi Lonsway Arlen & Sue Lowery Mr. & Mrs. Patrick E. Magers Debbie Miller Elaine Palladino Richard Perse & Jane Bihn James & Beth Reed Mark & Amy Reinhart & Family Matthew M. Matell Audrey J. BerningMatell Gerald Matuszynski Carol Fleitz Robert McGaffey Sandra A. McGaffey Mary Frances McGrane John F. McGrane Shirley A. Montague Joey L. Lengel Richard D. Myers Betty L. Myers Lucille Neuhaus Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Current Andrew L. Niese Dave & Mary Hoffer Tony & Kathy Klausing John & Rose Lymanstall Dan & Judy Niese Bob & Louise Rieman Dick & Tina Rieman Tim Tieman Andrew Orosz George Orosz Constance Orosz Wagoner Elizabeth “Bette” J. Richards Bob & Marsha Mueller Betty L. Rose Jerry & Carolyn Brickner Bob & Marsha Mueller Bill Row Mary Ellen Row Floyd “Whitey” Rumschlag Mr. & Mrs. Esteban Mejia Rick Schippel Joseph M. Faggionato
Arthur J. Schropp Donald J. Schropp Dean E. Stehle Dr. & Mrs. Jeffrey B. Dobyns Lois Jean Traunero Robert Traunero Lucille Van Oss Dave & Jeanie Alt John Wachowiak Carol Fleitz Florence Wiezbenski Annette W. Vogel Janet Wilhelm Roger Wilhelm Jane Wilkins Bob & Marsha Mueller Jerry Will Virginia A. Will Richard A. Wyczlek David C. Brick
Thank you!
Honorariums and memorials are listed for donations to the Sisters of Notre Dame received from April 1, 2014, through June 30, 2014. Please notify the CrossRoads office at 419-479-3093 should you find an error of omission or spelling.
In Sympathy
Donna Newmeyersister of Sr. Mary Susanna Weaver Andy Oroszbrother of Sr. Mary Francel Orosz
Richard & Mary C. Young Crocheted Afghan LLC
Ramona Kromersister of Sr. Mary Mona Kromer
Sr. M. Baleda Betzler Larry B. Betzler
George Schaferbrother of Sr. Bernadette Mary Schafer and deceased Sr. Mary Eleonore Schafer
Sr. M. Canisia Gradel Daniel & Pamela Marion Sr. M. Clarone Lucius Peggy Ann Wilds Sr. M. Gregory Weltin Robert L. & Joanne Koehl Sr. M. Janese Gradel Daniel & Pamela Marion Sr. M. Lewellin Selz Donald & Barbara Haynes Sr. M. Margaret Betzler Larry B. Betzler Sr. M. Merle Wolf Ned & Nancy Coghlin Fischer Sr. Margaret Marie Wagner Mr. & Mrs. Charles W. Bender Sr. Theresa Mary Hickey Mary Jo Knippen
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New ministry in Falfurrias, TX getting underway Sr. Pamela Marie Buganski is living in Falfurrias, TX, 100 miles southwest of Corpus Christi and 70 miles north of the Mexican border. Falfurrias is located in Brooks County, which is one of five poorest counties in the U.S. The population is about 2,500. Many have read about Falfurrias or have seen television stories because this is a place where many migrants are dying. To avoid a road checkpoint 15 miles south of Falfurrias, the migrants walk around it through difficult terrain and many die of thirst, illness, injury, exhaustion or just get lost in the desert. Sr. Pamela Marie recently began work at the South Texas Human Rights Center. In her first three days she reported, “We received two phone calls from family members of border crossers who have not been heard from and are feared lost or dead. We take information on these individuals and the families want us to look for them. “Later we received notification that a body was found on a ranch, along with a request for a team to recover that body and follow protocol to attempt to identify the deceased; three college students from Ithica College in New York showed up to interview volunteers for a film project for a class; a French journalist did a story with a volunteer regarding water stations in the desert; a rancher showed up to pick up more gallons of water to refill existing water stations; and a local woman came to find out how she can volunteer. The stories go on and on,” according to Sr. Pamela Marie.
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She has also attended a conference in Mexico City with 50-60 other professionals and officials from Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Mexico, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. “The conference had medical examiners, government officials, criminologists, forensic and cultural anthropologists, leaders of NGOs, directors of data banks, and human Sr. Pamela Marie and Sr. Kerstin Maria at a rights leaders attending. Each water station in the desert near Falfurrias, TX. of the states has or is in the process of forming a data bank for the missing and unidentified deceased. The goal is to establish protocols and to form an alliance to share data; this group has made tremendous progress,” she added.
Sr. Pam standing at the border at mile marker one. Her left foot is in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico and her right foot is in El Paso, Texas.
In the News SND Toledo Province history now available on Amazon! Interested in learning more about history of the Toledo Sisters of Notre Dame? If so, you can now purchase “Hearts as Wide as the World: History of the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame of Coesfeld, Germany Mary Immaculate Province, Toledo, Ohio.” Volumes I and II are both available on Amazon.com.
began writing the story. “Hearts as Wide as the World” is the story of sisters who have lived the charism of incarnating the love of our good and provident God throughout northwest Ohio, to other states in the USA, and to missions around the world. The project began many years ago when Sr. Mary Herman Corey began researching the Toledo Province history. Several years later Sr. Diane Marie Pfahler and Sr. Mary Patricia Fitz worked on further research and
New Development Director named
Bingham
Most recently Sr. Marilyn Ann Angel and Sr. Mary Charleen Hug spent additional time writing, gathering photos and preparing the work for the publishing company. “Since the books cover 90 years, pulling this book together was quite a process. Thankfully we had many sisters involved over many years to make this a reality,” said Sr. Mary Charleen.
Sara Bingham joined the Toledo Province as Development Director on June 28, 2014. She will direct all fundraising efforts including the annual campaign, planned giving and the capital campaign for the new Sisters of Notre Dame Center on the Lial campus.
Sr. Mary Magdaleva Award Fifteen students graduated from Immaculate Conception School in Bellevue, Ohio, in May. The recipient of the 2014 Sr. Magdaleva (Camp) Christian Service Award was Ashley Light. According to the Immaculate Conception Parish news, “Sr. Mary Magdaleva volunteered her time at Immaculate Conception School for many years. She was kind, caring, compassionate and always ready to help wherever she was needed. The award is presented to the 8th grade student who best exemplifies those same qualities.”
Bakery on Monroe Street, Toledo, during June 2014.
Sr. Mary Regeen Ulrich Art Exhibition Artwork by Sr. Mary Regeen Ulrich, SND, was on display at Eston’s
Sr. Mary Regeen taught in Toledo Diocesan Schools for more than 20 years, including work as an art instructor for five years at Lial Catholic School. She has also been an art enrichment volunteer at Aurora House and Claver House, and at other community outreach programs for many years. Sr. Mary Regeen accepts commission work.
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Non-profit org. U.S. Postage PAID Toledo, OHIO Permit 741
Sisters of Notre Dame Toledo Province
3837 Secor Road Toledo, OH 43623
Sisters of Notre Dame
D O FO
Toledo Province
FamilyFest 2014 N U F October 5 F RIEN DS
11 am - 5 pm
FamilyFest Raffle tickets -
Purchase tickets online at www.toledosnd.org. Raffle ticket information is on the homepage.
BIG Raffle Prizes First Prize Second Prize Third Prize Fourth Prize
$5,000 $2,000 $1,000 $ 500
!
Barbecue Chicken or Rib Dinners Eat in - serving from 11:00-4:30 Carry Out - open from 11:00-5:00 (price of meals range from $10-$14) Baked Goods, Local Crafters, Bouncing Fun for Kids,Games & Raffles Bingo from Noon-5:00
Drawing at 5 p.m., October 5th. Winner need not be present!