If it's Kentucky Derby Day (and it was), then you can (almost) be sure members of the Dayton Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association will be having fun at the Annual Spring Banquet.  And so it was on May 3, 2008, when 25 chapter members converged on the NCR Country Club to enjoy:

• A chance to cheer on their favorite in the Kentucky Derby

• A beautifully displayed veggie tray

• Enjoyable conversation and like-minded camaraderie

• A delicious dinner followed by a tasty dessert, interspersed with scintillating table talk

• Sonia's final meeting of her presidency and her announcement of her departure from Dayton in the next couple months

• John Glaser's report on achievement of, and in some cases surpassing, the goals established in the Chapter's Strategic Plan

• More information about upcoming chapter events including, but not limited to, the Freshman Send-Off, the bus trip to Purdue, and the TV Football Parties

• News that Mike Anthony agreed to become our new president (again) 

• The satisfaction of receiving a free gift — an engraved cube containing blue Penn State notepaper

The Penn Staters  who gathered for the banquet were:  Mike and Mary Beth Anthony; Joe and Marvia Bradley; Bernie and Priscilla DeLong; Debbie Downes; Vic Folwarczny and Sandy Wallace; Bob and Janie Gehman; John and Joan Glaser; John and Trish Hannah; Jean Hubbard; Bob and Edie Kreider; Sonia Leach; Lou and Marguerite Sharp; Don and Anna Marie Tandy; and, Jim and Sally Valeri.

Jean Hubbard and Janie Gehman got better acquainted shortly after arriving for the banquet.  Janie discovered that Jean is an inveterate traveler.

We like to take candid photos of Penn Staters mingling and chatting before our social events.  See if you can identify all of the Nittany Nation faithful in this shot.

Here's yet another opportunity to excel by identifying each of the folks shown here.  Bob Kreider, Sonia Leach, Sandy Wallace, Debbie Downes, and Mike Anthony are easy to pick out.  But who is the gentleman in the gray jacket standing behind Mike?

For ten silver dollars and a box of Mars Bars, who's the lady wearing the blue blouse?

Here's more of that "enjoyable conversation and like-minded camaraderie" we spoke of earlier. Lou Sharp, Debbie Downes, Marguerite Sharp, Joe Bradley, Marvia Bradley, and Mary Beth Anthony are making the most of their opportunity. 

Outgoing president Sonia Leach is radiant in red as she greets Joe and Marvia Bradley, and Trish and John Hannah.

Past President John Glaser, the architect of our Chapter's Strategic Plan, gives his report covering each of the plan's metrics and how well we did in achieving established goals.  

Sonia Leach presents Edie Kreider with the President's Award of Excellence.  We can't think of anyone in the chapter more deserving of this recognition than Edie. As our chapter's treasurer she tracks our receivables and disbursements with the scrutiny and acumen of a CPA.  As our prime communicator, she helps edit and then distributes our newsletter; and, provides news updates via e-mail on an as required basis.  And as the hostess with the mostest, she and hubby Bob are gracious in opening their home for a variety of chapter functions throughout the year. Congratulations, Edie, for a well-deserved award.

The President's Award of Excellence, presented to Edie Kreider.

We're not exactly sure what precipitated the peals of laughter in evidence here, but obviously Sonia and Edie are enjoying themselves.

Sonia seems well-pleased with a gift presented by Debbie Downes on behalf of the chapter for her outstanding service as our president.

Our new chapter president and his first lady, Mary Beth and Mike Anthony pose for a picture shortly after his unanimous election.  Congratulations, Mike!