Apr. 22, 2001: Spring Picnic in Tucson
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As always, many contributed to the success of this picnic. Our thanks go to Maryte and Rimtis Tallat-Kelpsa for preparing the wonderful feast of kugelis, sausages, and sourkraut; to the many ladies that contributed cakes and cookies; to Dr. Violeta Juodakis for collecting signatures on NATO letters; to Aldona Gencius and Severina Vanagunas for selling lottery tickets; to Juozas Budinavicius and Danguole Balceris for running the lottery; to Don Adamavich for tending the bar; to Aldona Vaitkus for being the cashier; and to the many others who helped out. |
Getting ready. |
With a cold one. |
Self-service. |
Service. |
Nice bunch. |
Cousins. |
Ramada 15. |
Feb. 21, 2001: Hike to Picacho Peak
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To discuss this or future hikes please contact Gil or Cas at 623-933-0547 or [email protected]. |
Picacho wildflowers. |
Near the summit. |
View along the trail. |
At the summit. |
Using arms and legs. |
Critique at the end. |
Feb. 11, 2001: Lithuanian Independence Day Commemoration
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After the Mass everyone moved to the adjacent parish hall, where the commemoration continued. After a brief welcome by Rimantas Vaitkus, our m.c. Danguole Balceris took over the running of the program. The first half of the program began with the singing of The Star-Spangled Banner, the invocation by the pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton parish, Rev. Franklin L. Bartel, and a minute of silence to honor those who gave their lives for Lithuania's freedom. Then Juozas Budinavicius and Ruta Sweetsir read Lithuania's Declaration of Independence of February 16, 1918, and the Independence Re-establishment Act of March 11, 1990. Joana Ziuraitis read the proclamation by the governor of Arizona Jane Hull declaring February 16th as Lithuanian Day in Arizona. This was followed by Antonija Petrulis reading the Lithuanian-American Community's resolution concerning the invitation of Lithuania into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 2002. The resolution was unanimously accepted by all those present. At this point our guest speaker, Vytautas Vidugiris from California, was introduced and he described the changes that he observed in Lithuania during the past decade. The second half of the program consisted of six Lithuanian folk dances performed by Arizona's own dance group "Saule" ably directed by Dalia Motiejunas, and Lithuanian poetry beautifully recited by Aldona Gencius. The program ended with the Lithuanian National anthem. After the program everyone was treated to snacks, desserts, punch, and coffee, and a beautiful exhibit of traditional Lithuanian weaving and amber jewelry by Milda Kvedaras. A special thank you goes to Mary Gallagher for being our ambassador to Archbishop Paul Marcinkus and pastor Franklin Bartel as well as making all the arrangements for the church service and the hall. We are grateful to the ladies of our community for preparing and contributing the wonderful food: Carol Adamavich, Siga Eidukonis, dr. Violeta Juodakis, Dalia Motiejunas, Ruta Motiejunas, Antonija Petrulis, Maryte Tallat-Kelpsa, and Aldona Vaitkus. We are also grateful to Rasa, Severina Vanagunas, and Rimtis Tallat-Kelpsa for manning the donations desk. |
Milda's jewelry and weaving exhibit. |
Milda Kvedaras. |
Milda's dolls. |
Aldona Gencius. |
Arizona's "Saule" dancing. |
Arizona's "Saule" veteran group. |
Arizona's "Saule" youth group. |
Rev. Bartel and friends. |
Dec. 3, 2000: Christmas Tree Luncheon
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Our community is blessed with many who volunteered their energies and talents to make this event possible. Our special thanks goes to the following contributors: Mary Gallagher for getting us this wonderful hall and for starting the luncheon with a prayer; Ona Adomaitis for setting the Christmas Eve supper table display and a Christmas tree decorated with real straw ornaments; Dalia Motiejunas, Ruta Motiejunas, and Aldona Vaitkus for preparing the hot food; Aldona Katilius, Aldona Klemka, Rita Martinaitis, Gilanda Matonis, Audra Motiejunas, Antonija Petrulis, Maryte Tallat-Kelpsa, and Aldona Vaitkus for preparing the cold food and desserts; Audrone Bartys, Gilanda Matonis, and Antonija Petrulis for preparing and decorating the hall; Juozas Budinavicius for tending our bar; Aldona Katilius, Rita Martinaitis, Antonija Petrulis, Maryte Tallat-Kelpsa, and Aldona Vaitkus for tending the buffet; Ona Adomaitis, Elena Barcas, and Ilona Budinavicius for demonstrating the construction of straw ornaments; Don Adamavich for being our Santa Claus; and Danguole Balceris for being our master of ceremonies. |
Invocation. |
Buffet of goodies. |
Christmas Eve's dinner table. |
Service line. |
View of the hall. |
Christmas-tree straw ornament class. |
Checking for toys. |
One-on-one with Santa. |
Nov. 12, 2000: Concert
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For making this wonderful concert possible we are greatly indebted to Mrs. Rima Reklaitis, who not only made all the arrangements on very short notice, but also took Ausra and Olga into her home during their stay in Phoenix. |
Nov. 11, 2000: Hike in the White Tank Mountain Park
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We are very grateful to Gilanda and Casimir Matonis ([email protected]) for exploring and testing the trails in the White Tank Mountain Park, and for organizing and leading this memorable hiking expedition. |
Oct. 29, 2000: Fall Picnic in North Phoenix Mountain Park
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None of this would have been possible without the help of the many members of our community who brought delicious pastries, a variety of interesting items for the lottery, and recordings of Lithuanian music. Our special thanks goes to Dalia Motiejunas and Aldona Vaitkus for preparing the hot food; to Vytas Reklaitis for providing the cold drinks; to Ruta, Audra and Christopher Motiejunas for decorating the picnic site and tables; to Aldona Gencius and Veronica Paulionis for selling lottery tickets; to Juozas Budinavicius for running the lottery; and to Danguole Balceris for making everyone feel welcome. |
GALLERY OF PREVIOUS EVENTS |
PLEASE, if you see any errors or you have additional information on the subjects of this page, write to [email protected]. Thank you. |