|
Page
2
The
Golden Jubilee History of the
Orchard Lake Schools
Founder's Day Party (1953-2002)
EARLY
HISTORY: 1953-1954
The 1953 event was called "Founder's Memorial Dinner,"
sponsored by the Detroit District Alumni Association. The
program for that year included a Solemn Mass at 10:00 a.m.
at St. Albertus Church, celebrated by Msgr. A. Zadala, pastor
of Assumption Parish, in the presence of alumnus, Most Rev.
Alexander Zaleski, auxiliary bishop of Detroit. Msgr. Edward
Szumal, Rector, preached the sermon. A luncheon was served
at 11:30 a.m. in St. Albertus auditorium. This was followed
by a laying of a wreath at 12:30 p.m. at the grave of Fr.
Dabrowski in Mt. Elliott Cemetery in Detroit.
The activities then moved to Orchard Lake, where golfers came
at 12:30 p.m. to register to play golf at Glen Oaks Golf Club.
Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres were served in the Campus Auditorium
from 3:00 p.m., a steak dinner was served at 7:30 p.m. in
the campus Dining Hall and entertainment began at 8:30 p.m.
in the Campus Auditorium. Robert J. Slavsky, an honorary alumnus
and later one of the top ticket sellers, together with the
kitchen staff, prepared the dinner which was served in three
dining halls. Fr. Charles Coughlin of radio fame at the Shrine
of the Little Flower in Royal Oak was the main speaker, his
first public speaking appearance after discontinuing his radio
addresses. Volunteer ladies, under the chairmanship of Angie
Popielarz, served the dinner.
In 1954 the name was simplified to Founder's Dinner. There
were no ceremonies in Detroit. That year and all subsequent
years the Mass was offered in the old Campus Chapel (now the
Galeria) at noon and later in the new Shrine-Chapel of Our
Lady of Orchard Lake. The prize was a Lincoln Capri.
General Chairmen
and Committee Structure
Of the sixteen General Chairmen, Leo Obloy served a record
six years (1970-1975). Walter Rozycki, Edward Arcy, Sr., and
Michael Lapinski served for five years each. Frank Padzieski
served four years, and Frank Richards, Joseph Daiek, Leo Peterson,
Steve Ziemba, Jr., Chris Peterson (son of Leo), John (son
of Robert, Sr.,) and Barbara Slavsky, and Tom and Cathy Koterba
served for three years. Jerome Zielinski, Nelson Mulligan,
Edwin Lukas, and Robert Slavsky, Sr., each served for one
year.
Each party had a General Chairman selected by the Co-Chairmen
at a private meeting.
Stephen Ziemba, Sr., was the first Co-Chairman in l953. Many
of the General Chairmen served as Co-Chairmen either before
or after serving as General Chairmen. Other Co-Chairmen included:
John Ciemniak, Leo Figiel, Stephen Kowalski, Sig Krug, Alex
Miller, Stan Poniatowski, Fran Sehn, John Slavsky, Sr., and
Roy Zurkowski.
Vice-Chairmen were introduced in 1979 and included:
Gerald Gorcyca, Richard Gamalski, Bud Hrisko, Gregory Obloy,
John Paczos, Cass Rozycki, Fr. Ted Blaszczyk, Jerry Danielski,
Chesley Odom, Msgr. Ted Ozog, John Woch, Paul and Jan Odrobina,
Robert Slavsky, Jr., Robert Shoemaker, Robert and Helen Cavanaugh,
Sylvia Okolovitch, Tony and Kathy Reynolds, and Mark and Terry
Megge.
The size of the General Committee, whose main purpose was
to sell tickets to the Party, varied greatly through the years.
From the original 2lin1953, it grew to 62 in 1954, reduced
to 44 in 1955, and again grew to 72 in 1956. It continued
to grow each year, sometimes exceeding 300. In recent years
it has ranged from 90 to 110.
In the 1960s the concept of "Teams," each with
its own captain and name, was introduced to add a spirit of
competition among the teams. Plaques were awarded to the
top ticket-selling teams and ticket sellers at the annual
Victory Dinner.
In the past 50 years the General Committee has included 818
different individuals.
For many years the Party operated with 12 basic Committees:
Tickets, General Arrangements, Reception and Registration,
Public Relations, Mass Arrangements, Commissary, Refreshments,
Gifts Presentation, Decorations, Design and Printing, Guest
Accommodations, and Golf, Fishing, and Swimming. Lately Committees
include: Commissary, Parking, Golf, Vegas Room, and Entertainment.
Continue,
page 3
|
|
|
