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TORONTO -- The Toronto Sunrise Seniors celebrated Christmas with a catered banquet at the Karaffa Recreation Commons Area, Dec. 1.
President Barbara Pritts welcomed guests, including Mayor John Parker and his wife Tracey, Don Clarke and Jeff Foster. Shirley Rebich, along with Nancy and Terry Ramsey, were welcomed as guests.
Chaplain Gloria Boley gave the blessing for the meal and read a poem entitled "Heavenly Father."
The tables were adorned with red poinsettia placemats and each table featured a Christmas centerpiece. Ruth White, Tracey Wade and Diana Hooper were thanked for the table decorations.
Secretary Laura Sheets presented crocheted snowflakes to each family represented. An anonymous donor placed ornaments at each place setting, officials noted.
Following the meal, members recited the Pledge of Allegiance. December birthdays were recognized and several individuals were remembered under the health report. Participants were then presented with an unopened Christmas card.
During the ensuing game, cards were passed to the right or left as Vice President Sandi Radvansky read an unusual version of the "Night Before Christmas," which contained many added right or left words. When the story was finished, cards were opened. One person from each table won a prize. Winners included, Jerry Cornish, Ethyl Stevens, Joyce Gribben, Ramsey, Paul Sherwood, Dave Naukam and Bob Deku. Five themed gift baskets were featured. Louie Nelson won the manicure basket, Paulette Reed won the New Year's basket; Dorothy Pavelka won the grocery basket from Reisbecks; Boley won the Merry Christmas basket; and Marlene Garrett won the movie night basket.
Frank Marino won a Christmas sign, which was donated by Mayor Parker. Marino, Bill Edwards and Cornish won gas cards donated by Clarke Funeral Home.
The group thanked Foster Funeral Home and Clarke Funeral Home for the donations of calendars, pens and flashlights, as well as a financial award.
Winners of the table centerpieces included, Mary Edwards, Nancy Bodrog, Carol Rogers, Stevens, Bea Lytle, White, Brenda Fetty, Wade, Radvansky and Pritts. Beverly Anderson and Reed were the winners of the 50/50 drawing.
Members were reminded of the concert to benefit the Toronto Salvation Army at 4 p.m. Sunday at the First Methodist Church. The event will feature three different church choirs and many individual performers. A love offering will be collected to benefit the Salvation Army during the concert.
Following adjournment, many retired to the regular meeting room to take part in games of bingo. Winners included Marsha McConnell, Cornish, Radvansky, Mary Ann Landerfield, Marino, Bodrog, Don Pritts, Lucy Timko, Hank Sheets and Stevens.
The next meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Jan. 12. Any person living in Ohio who is 55 or older is welcomed to attend, officials said.