Happy New Year! The Pan Rhodian Society of Hartford, Chapter 1, hope your holidays were merry and that 2009 brings you all joy, peace and prosperity. With the start of a new year we are eager to continue our plans for our Annual Fundraiser Silent Auction as well as supporting other charities and sponsoring social events throughout the year. We welcome all members - existing and new to come to our next monthly meeting in late January (date/place tbd), to find out how you can get involved. We are really trying to be “green” so please contact Barbara Sorosiak at bsorosiak@hotmail.com or 203-263-7240 to be added to our email contact list. However, if you do not have email, we will be more than happy to add you to the regular mailing list and our telephone contact list. We want everyone to be informed of all PRS events.

All Board Member positions are coming up for renewal on 2/2/09. Each position is a one-year term. For those that may be interested in a position and would like further details, please notify a current Board Member by this date. If any of the positions are contested or become vacant; elections will be held during the month of February at the General Assembly meeting.

Our Annual Benefit Fundraiser Silent Auction is fast approaching. It will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at the Villa Capri in Wallingford, CT. Invitations and Auction Acquisition forms have been sent out to everyone on our mailing list. If you have not received this information, tickets will be available for purchase on Sundays in the St. George Fellowship Hall through Sunday, February 22, 2009. Or, you may contact one of the Committee Members, Eleni Sciarra, 860-836-3487 for ticket purchases, reserving tables of 10 and auction acquisitions. We encourage all members to solicit for auction donations, giving personal donations for various goods and services and attending the event. Funds raised will benefit worthy causes with your contribution and assistance. PRS Membership dues are coming up for renewal. Many of you became paid member at last year’s membership drive luncheon held on 3/16/08, please consider renewing your membership for the 2009 calendar year. The cost of dues have not changed; depending on your status – family ($35.00), Couples/Singles ($25.00), and Seniors ($15.00). Monies received from Membership dues assist us in planning for social events throughout the year. Dues can be paid at our monthly General Assembly Meetings or by contacting our Treasurer, Rania Menoutis.

We would like to thank President, Polyvios Pavlidis and Treasurer, William Angelis from the Supreme Lodge who came to visit us on November 15-16, 2008 and attended our November General Assembly meeting. They were very pleased by what they saw and heard during the meeting as well as the hospitality our Greek Community showed them during their brief stay. They are confident the Mother Lodge is going to continue on a successful path, with everyone’s participation and involvement.