President Eileen Foster opened the meeting by welcoming the 30 ladies in attendance. We welcomed first-timer Teresa Chisholm to our group. Prior to the business meeting, everyone enjoyed 15 minutes of snacks and conversation. Snacks were provided by Aimee Kopiwoda, Judy Greene, Dorothy Kociba, and Carol Osier. Connie Latuszek and Dorothy Kociba set up the refreshment table.
Happy April birthday to Sue Gibson (04/08), Maria Quereizaeta (04/10), Chris Sharp (04/20), Eileen Foster (04/23), Mary Stutelberg (04/23), Joyce Cushman (04/28), Fran Davis (04/30), and Jan Morrone (04/30).
Copies of the minutes of our March meeting were placed on all the tables for everyone to read. The minutes were previously posted to our parish website and to our FaceBook page. Secretary Elaine White announced again her resignation effective June 2024 ending six years in that role. Elaine asked everyone to consider volunteering to be the next secretary and becoming a member of the Ladies of Blessed Sacrament board. It’s a volunteer job so no need to commit for years. Try it out to see if this position would work for you. We’ll have an election in November for the secretary position. In November 2025 we’ll vote for a new president and in November 2026 we’ll vote for a new treasurer. The board decided that LBS would benefit from new ideas from additional people.
Judy Kawiecki than introduced our guest speaker Beth DeVries, founder and director of Phoenix Community Farm (PCF). The mission of PCF is to meet the basic need for fresh, healthy produce. PCF grows and shares produce on their one acre farm located at 919 Smith Rd, the site of Windover High School. This non-profit was formed in 2019 and operates with three paid positions and lots of volunteers. Phoenix Community Farm produced and donated over 29,000 pounds of produce in 2023. They also educate the public about growing, harvesting, preparing, and preserving vegetables. For further information and/or to volunteer, please go to their website at phoenixcommunityfarm.com or call 989-875-9451. Judy Kawiecki then presented our speaker a check from LBS and also various gardening tools that were donated by the ladies.
Ramona Lalka then gave an update on our Tuesday, May 7th annual spring potluck lunch. All are welcome, bring a friend. More volunteers are still needed for our annual rummage sale to be held June 2nd through June 8th. Items can be dropped off on Sunday and Monday, Tuesday is reserved for sorting and pricing, Sale days are Wednesday and Thursday. Friday is half price and bag day. Please come and volunteer for any length of time. Lunch for all workers will be served each day.
Treasurer Tana Zemanek reported our current balance is $9377.95 as of the end of March. Anne Boyd then led us in a closing prayer and a bonding exercise where each person was asked to give their greatest strength. Please join us at our Spring Lunch on Tuesday, May 7th.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine White, Secretary