The clock is ticking down to Florida SNPJ Days
January 31, 2012 - Jeannette Humphrey, Lodge 603
SAMSULA, Fla. — The clock is ticking, and Florida SNPJ Days are almost upon us here at SNPJ Lodge 603 in Samsula. Our annual Florida SNPJ Days/Samsula Polka Festival is scheduled March 2-4.
We plan to open the Lodge 603 Hall at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 2, when music for the evening will feature Ron Luznar and the Polka Pals until 8 p.m. You’ll want to arrive with a good appetite so you can enjoy a meal or two from our kitchen. Along with a full menu each day, the Lodge 603 cooks will prepare Slovenian klobase and sauerkraut, pierogies, cabbage rolls and apple strudel. This year, a sandwich plate will be offered for $6. Additional a la cart items will be available for purchase, along with coffee. The cooks are planning a meal or two which will include Samsula salad as well. The bar will be open all three days. Friday admission is $5 at the door.
On Saturday, March 3, the Lodge hall will open at noon and the music will continue until 9 p.m. Marc Bouchard and his orchestra will be entertaining. Marc will play a few extra sets this year for your enjoyment. You’ll want to come and eat a meal or sandwich plate on arrival, and then sit back and enjoy the music. Admission is $10 at the gate on Saturday.
Jam sessions are planned throughout the day, and you won’t want to miss a minute of our celebration. After all, Lodge 603 is celebrating its 85th year as a chartered SNPJ Lodge.
On Sunday, March 4, the Lodge hall will open at noon and the fun will continue until 6 p.m. Music will start somewhere in the neighborhood of 1 p.m. and run to 6 p.m. Marc Bouchard and his orchestra will again be performing Sunday afternoon. We have special entertainment throughout the weekend featuring the musical talents of Tony Klepec and Bob Turcola. Ted Perkovich will be bringing several musicians with him from the Palm Coast to fill in when the bands are on breaks. If you have a button box or other musical instrument and would like to join in, there’s always a place for you. Admission is $8 at the gate on Sunday.
Lodge 603 Vice President Pauline Lockwood is serving as Florida SNPJ Days chairperson this year, and she has organized a terrific weekend. We’re looking forward to a visit from Miss SNPJ 2012 Danielle Brand from Lodge 6 in Sygan, Pa., as well as greeting SNPJ National Secretary Karen Pintar who will be representing the SNPJ National Board and Home Office in Imperial, Pa.
Our Lodge hall had a terrific turnout of local cooks for the SNPJ Lodge 603 venison cook-off held Jan. 28. The hall filled quickly and the food line stretched out the door; it seems everyone loves venison.
The winners of the cook-off contest were: appetizers – Debbie and Clay Benedict for their venison nuggets, Trace Wolfe and Scotty Johns for their venison wraps, and Cinda Young for her venison balls; entrées – Bill Benedict for his fried venison steak, David Hall for his venison and sauce, and Alice Benedict for her burgundy venison; soups and stews – Scotty Johns and Trace Wolfe for their venison stew, Kim Conaway and Lee Evans for venison stew, and Dalton Benedict and Wade Pell for venison chili.
The evening continued with several deer games. The adults enjoyed pinning the tail on the deer as much as the children did. The children found deer hoof prints that were hidden throughout the hall. Wade Pell took home the prize for finding the most hooves. It was another fun time at the Lodge 603 Hall.
Ruth Benedict is chairing the annual apple strudel bake at our Lodge hall in preparation for Florida SNPJ Days. She plans to start at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18. If you can come and lend a hand or two, it will be appreciated.
Lodge 603 Secretary Mary Ann Reichel spent nine days at Bert Fish Medical Center in New Smyrna Beach and was released Jan. 27 to be cared for at home by her husband John. She is improving each day. Lodge 603 members are reminded to send their local Lodge dues of $6 for the 2012 year to Secretary Reichel at 437 North Samsula Dr., New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
Be sure to start practicing with your smiles that are always welcome at our Lodge hall. We’ll see you soon!