Recordpub.com - Around Ravenna

April was a very busy month for me. The Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce had its annual Raven Awards Dinner. It was very successful, thanks to the many sponsors and participants.

The new Elks building is absolutely beautiful, and if you are interested in having an event there, just call 330-296-9583 and ask for Chuck Brode. It has great acoustics and is ready for bands or disc jockeys. It can be divided into a smaller area for small parties or it can accommodate more than 250 people. There is a chef on board or you can have it catered.

Roger and I have attended three events there already and everything was just great. We went to a 70th birthday party for Paul Marva. They had a live polka band and it was just fabulous. I danced with Paul once and it took me 30 minutes to catch my breath afterward. Paul danced all night without a stop. I never saw anyone of any age dance like that. He must have the constitution of a race horse! I only wish I had that much stamina at my young age of 60.

It's too bad Vic Vigluicci wasn't there. Vic always dances the polka with the ladies at the senior ball. Maybe he and Paul could have danced together. The only problem would be, who would lead?

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I helped the Elks Lodge for Mother's Day! I want to join, but I'm not sure they will have me, ever since I horned in on the Wednesday night card game. After attending Jack and Jeannie Ferguson's Grand Marshal's Dinner, I went to the other side of the club. I asked Willie Sweet where the card game was held. He showed me. There just happened to be one seat available. I sat down and got out my sandwich bag of pennies. As I dumped them on the table I said, "Everyone ante two cents. The threes, fives and one-eyed jacks are wild and if they show it costs a nickel."

I had this immediate uncomfortable feeling. They just glared at me (Roger included). I felt my life was in peril. Now I am worried that the same card players also vote on new members.

One thing about the Elks members is that they are very loyal to their organization. I was joking about getting tips for the Mother's Day breakfast. The one fellow told me that if anyone did leave tips, the money would go to the Cerebral Palsy fund.

There was a lot of effort that went into that breakfast, and more than 200 people came to it. I enjoyed every minute, waiting on the tables and talking to 1,000 of my closest friends. They invited me back for next year and said I could do pots and pans. I can't wait. If I had that much fun doing tables, imagine how much fun it will be doing pots and pans.

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The Ravenna Merchants are planning a big day on June 14. They are going to celebrate Flag Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be many vendors and sales. Becky Frawley and her group have planned for entertainment, food and excitement all day. Come downtown and have a great time.

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Frank Hairston is planning a free family movie night on the Portage County Courthouse lawn in Ravenna on the third Friday evening each month this summer: June 20, July 18 and Aug. 22. The Ravenna Parks and Recreation Department is going to help out by loaning the Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce its jumpy toys (or whatever they are called). We are hoping that the kids and adults will come out for a free family night of fun and games.

Frank is such a "do gooder." He has a way of calming everyone down and then revving them back up to make things happen. I told him I was going to give him some pompons so that he could "cheer" us on at our meetings. I just wish there were more "do gooders" out there like Frank Hairston.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

For Ravenna news, call Patsy at 330-296-6878.