Travelers compare notes at party
Classic western music, cowboy hats, bandanas, balloons and fiesta items greeted guests when Joe and Dolly Michalczyk hosted a "Trains and Canyons of the Southwest" photo party at Anna Maria's Restaurant in Dunmore.
Reunited to enjoy a buffet dinner, capped by dessert, which featured an Up, Up and Away Cake decorated with hot-air balloons and trains, travelers shared memories of train excursions, visiting the Grand Canyon and the International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque.
Shellie DeSantis, Esther Hanstein, Brenda and John Hatton, Christa Lucke and Carol Stange reminisced about hot-air balloon rides. Christa also shared photos and stories of her small-plane tour over the Grand Canyon with fellow adventurers Geraldine Doria and Mary and Heinz Schwarz.
The art colonies of Sedona and Santa Fe were highlights for aspiring artist Dolly. The stairway in the Chapel of Loretto and the magnificent Chapel of the Holy Cross, built into the red cliffs of Sedona, charmed Elaine Gallagher, Dolly reports.
Best album awards went to Brenda Hatton and Carmella Sames. Jean Puhl, Carol Stange and Alice Witkoski albums also were recognized. Carol's still of the historic Chapel of the Holy Cross garnered a best photo award. Colorful hot-air balloon photos and another of a lizard won recognition for Jean and Wayne Puhl. George Wagner won for best photo of the Grand Canyon. Kevin Cicci's photo of the Grand Canyon Railway was the best train photo. Giant rodeo cowboys on stilts captured the best human interest prize for Carmella Sames.
Brenda and John delighted all with surprise group photos at the Grand Canyon Railway. Mark Michalczyk's "America the Beautiful" DVD of trip highlights entertained all.
Also joining in on the festivities were Frank and Pat Cicci, Marie Loftus, Kathleen Mellody, Maura Michalczyk, Alfred Sames and Albina Seckary. Missed were Sid DeSantis, Geri Doria, Johann Evely, Pat Kasper, Nadine Mahon, Paula and Henry Roever, Mary and Heinz Schwarz.
Oppenheim honors
Jane Oppenheim will receive Amos Lodge 136 of B'nai B'rith's 61st annual Americanism Award at a testimonial dinner Sunday, May 19, at the Scranton Jewish Community Center. The award is given annually to an outstanding person for his or her lifetime of community service.
Jane has been involved with and extended her support to numerous community and educational organizations and continues to serve on area and national boards. She has been the recipient of many awards and honors.
Her "lifelong commitment to education, her stalwart belief in civic responsibility, and her dedication to Reform Judaism, locally, nationally, and worldwide, reflect the centuries' old values of B'nai B'rith: defense of human rights and staunch anti-discrimination efforts throughout the world," the organization says in a biography of Jane sent with the award announcement.
As is tradition, Jane was selected by past winners and representatives of several community organizations, including the United Way of Lackawanna County, the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, the Scranton Area Foundation, the Lions Club, Kiwanis and Amos Lodge.
Tickets may be purchased or a congratulatory greeting may be placed in the program book by calling Richard Bishop at 346-8414 or 905-0177 or Ed Monsky at 343-1197.
High notes
Tim Kelly was installed as president when Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty conducted the swearing-in ceremony for the Irish American Men's Association of Lackawanna County at the Minooka Pub on Birney Avenue. Alan Schoen is vice president; Ted Zwiebel, secretary; Leo Higgins, treasurer and chairman of the board; and Bob Coyne, Dennis Gavin and John Monahan, board members.