WEIRTON - The Tri-State Marine Corps Club Auxiliary held its monthly meeting Jan. 9 at the Serbian-American Cultural Center with President Joan Spano presiding.
Chaplain Mary Ann Smith led devotions and offered the invocation.
Vice President Darlene Kemp led in opening ceremonies.
Carol Lyons read a thank-you note from Jerry L. Burney from Valley Haven Nursing Home in Wellsburg, for a card sent at Christmas. A thank-you was sent to the group from Stacy E. Brown, West Virginia Veterans Home administrator in Barboursville, for birthday cards the group sent residents in January. The auxiliary received a thank-you card from the Wellsburg Salvation Army for a gift of money.
Sunshine Chair Mary Ann Elliott reported on cards sent.
Kemp gave a report on Toys-for Tots, and Shirley Brecht gave a report on secret pals.
The group's adopted veteran for 2011, Gabe Arlia, was given a gift card for Vito's in Follansbee for his birthday. The adopted veteran for 2012 was chosen. Duke Horstemeyer of Weirton is a member of the Tri State Marine Corps Club. The auxiliary presented Horstemeyer with a leather wallet with the Marine emblem and an eagle, globe and anchor pewter keychain from Spano. He will receive cards and gifts throughout the year.
Horstemeyer attended Wheeling High School and was a U.S. Marine from 1954 to 1957. He married Sherlene Kelley in 1959. He was a Wheeling News-Register staff writer from 1960 to 1964 and worked in Weirton Steel Corp.'s Public Relations Department from 1964 to 1992. He is a member of the Weirton Kiwanis Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars 2716, Loyal Order of the Moose, The American Legion Post 10, Ohio Valley Coin Club, Weirton Steel 25-Year Club, Weirton Steel Management Club and American Library Association. He has been a member of the United Way, Red Cross, Junior Achievement Advisor and North Weirton Center Board.
Mary Ann Smith won the 50/50 drawing and donated the winnings back to the auxiliary.
All dues must be remitted to stay on the auxiliary's roster. Dues may be sent to: Maxine Ragan, RD 3, Box 576, Bruin Drive, Wellsburg, WV 26070.
Spano sent eight birthday cards to the residents of Barboursville Veterans Home for January. The auxiliary sent two phone cards to Michael Staley, a New Cumberland native who is stationed in Afghanistan.
The Auxiliary donated a gift of money to the Tri-State Young Marines Club and the Barboursville Veterans Home in January.
The auxiliary's next projects will be making Valentine and Easter cards for Veterans at the Barboursville home and various local nursing homes.
Officers for 2012-13 are President Joan Spano, Vice President Darlene Kemp, Second Vice President Elizabeth Shipe, Secretary Carol Lyons, Treasurer Maxine Ragan, Sunshine Chair Mary Ann Elliot, Chaplain Mary Ann Smith, Historian Mary Spano and Sergeant-at-Arms Leroy Bee.
An officers meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Feb. 4 at Spano's home.
The group held a "bag" lunch and also will do so at the February and March meetings.
The next meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Serbian-American Cultural Center.
