The weather was unsettled. Ominous clouds appeared, disappeared, and then reappeared, battling the sun for control of the sky. The air was humid, laden with an enervating moisture content that rendered all manner of creatures listless and dysfunctional.
That is, all creatures except those Penn State students and alums headed for the Kreider residence at 2858 College Hill Court in Beavercreek. The event? Our annual Freshman Send-off and Summer Picnic! Yes, the excitement level was high as friends gathered to speculate about our beloved Lions' upcoming football fortunes, eat covered dish goodies, quaff refreshing beverages, and witness the award of our two Carl Stravinski Scholarships.
A great, big heartfelt THANKS go to Bob and Edie Kreider, our genial host and hostess for coordinating activities and again opening their home to us.
So whether you were there or not, dear reader, please scroll down the page to check out the pictures and accompanying text.
Say "Hi" to Debbie Downes, a newcomer to our group. Debbie is a dietitian at the Wright Patterson AFB Hospital. Hmmm . . . where in the world is Debbie's band-aid?
Also say "Hi" to Katie Schiller, another newcomer. Katie is a 2002 graduate of Penn State and works at Paychex, Inc.
If you needed evidence of the high excitement level, you need look no further than the three alumni pictured here — John Glaser, Mike Anthony, and Ken Hershberger. Don't these guys just exude a scintillating aura of mirthful emotion? Ken seems particularly proud of his graduation year. Hey, Ken, is that 1965? Or 2001?
Anna-Marie and Don Tandy are regular attendees at our summertime get-together. Anna-Marie and Janie Gehman discussed the joys of acquiring a new puppy. The Tandy's recently became the new owners of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (photo not available).
We caught Jim Valeri in a surprise snapshot as he signed the guest book. Jim and Bob Gehman worried at length whether Chad Henne, from West Lawn, PA, and one of the most highly sought high school quarterbacks in the country, would opt for Penn State or go elsewhere. Art Feliciangeli is in the background slaking his thirst with an MGD.
A hungry "Little Joe" Pascale is concerned about getting his fair share of the goodies on the table. Did he pass on the shrimp? .
Laura Rich and Debbie Downes get acquainted.
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Master Chef Bob Kreider sizzles burgers, brats, and dogs on the grille. Bob did yeoman duty all evening long as he kept up a steady supply of perfectly cooked meat.
Randy Gallas also has a taste for MGD. Later in the evening Randy apologized for pouring some of his brew into the red hummingbird feeder.
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Jenna Gallas says she's ready for, and looking forward to, her sophomore year at the Altoona Campus. She's majoring in aerospace engineering and carrying a 3.15 GPA. Way to go, Jenna!
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Chapter President Vic Folwarczny is shown here presenting an award certificate to Chris Weed for one of our Carl Stravinski Scholarships. Our other scholarship winner, Steve Kreider, was out-of-town and unable to attend. Each scholarship is for $1,100.
Recognition was also accorded to Jenna, as the only other PSU student at the Send-off and Picnic. You can see the joy on her face as she receives one of our chapter's coveted paper holder cubes. Vic is intense as he painstakingly describes the functional utility and aesthetic attractiveness of the cube. Chris seems amused.
Our summertime festivities always encourage family attendance. Shown here are Susan and Chris Solo and their youngsters, Molly and Mikey.
Looks like the maternal instincts are running strong, as Edie Kreider lovingly cradles Molly Solo in her arms. We snapped this picture about one second too late — one second before Miss Molly was looking adoringly at Edie.
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