ENUMCLAW, Wash. - The men of Lodge 738 outdid themselves as they hosted Mothers' Day dinner with some 70 Lodge and family members in attendance.
The head chef for the affair was Deryl Sleigh, husband of Dorothy (who supervised). Deryl was ably assisted by pastry chef Gary Dime, who was aided by wife Barbara, and salad chef Curt Vogel, who was helped out by wife Kathy. Bill Just and his wife Fran decorated the hall and tables with a colorful array of springtime flowers.
What a gala affair! The buffet, both delicious and abundant, included klobase, ham, chicken, sauerkraut, a tossed salad and fruit salad. Scrumptious chocolate cake and berry pie topped off the meal.
Most of the women in the Lodge also belong to Catholic Women's Union #79. In honoring their Mother of the Year, the Catholic Women recognized Denise Cole, wife of Dave and granddaughter of the late Anna Lokovsek Faulk. Denise and Dave are raising three lovely children. She is active in her church, singing and playing both flute and guitar. The Coles also run a mini-farm of 10 alpacas, with two more on the way. Denise was presented with a lovely wisteria plant for her garden.
The small children in attendance, totaling an even dozen, were read a story by Dorothy Sleigh, "When God Created Mothers." The youngsters then gave their version of what mother means to them: love, marvelous, housekeeper, caring, nice, a cook, amazing, no meanness, a good friend.
Denise, accompanying herself on the guitar, entertained with an appropriate song about mothers. She then called up some of the children and grandchildren to sing a tribute to Grandma Lokovsek, a song they all wrote entitled "Grandma's Attic Bed."
Many thanks are extended to Bill Just and Larry Petrowski who provided music for dancing and listening. Besides the waltzes and polkas, old and young joined together in the "Chicken Dance."
Ann Sleigh, the oldest mother in attendance, was presented an orchid corsage by Mary Bratovich. She admits to being 92 years young. Other mothers presented with flowers for their participation and hard work in Lodge 738 included Annette Johnson, Fran Potocnik, Sylvia Manowski, Mary Christeniancy, Francis Potocnik, Mary Bratovich and Dorothy Sleigh.
The highlight of the afternoon was the arrival of Mateja Hudovernik and Vlasta Debeljak from Slovenia. These young ladies are here on an educational program with the Washington State Department of Social Services sponsored through the University of Ljubljana. Members of the Lodges are making them feel at home during part of their stay in the United States. They will be attending classes in Seattle and working with children in Eastern Washington. Later this summer the girls will be returning home.
It was a wonderful Mothers' Day for all who attended. Many thanks to those who made it happen! Special thanks to Sylvia Manowski and her son Max who ran a hilarious auction at our April meeting which generated funds for this Mothers' Day fete. A picnic is planned for later in the summer on Aug. 10.
A photo captioned "Decisions, Decisions, Decisions With over 70 hungry guests in attendance at the Lodge 738 Mother's Day celebration, it's a good thing the Lodge men had an abundant spread to offer. It's safe to say that no one went home disappointed." accompanied the article.
