May Salad Supper

The addition of a salad supper as part of the May monthly meeting began in the late 1970's. Prior to 1978 the May meeting was just a regular business meeting which included the installation of officers. In 1978 a luncheon was added to the format of the May meeting which continued to include the installation of the new officers. In the June 1979 General Board minutes a suggestion to change the May luncheon to an evening covered dish dinner was recorded.

Sylvia Johnson was appointed to be the chairman of this first dinner scheduled for May 20, 1980. It was to include a salad bar, ham and cheese, and each member was to pay $3.00. Following the 6:00 P.M. dinner the regular meeting and installation of officers took place. The following year each member was asked to bring a salad and the charge was reduced to $1.50.

In 1982 this event became known as the May Salad Supper and all members were asked to bring a salad and there was no charge. Since that time the Salad Supper has been held each year with the same basic format. Members bring salads and the Executive Board supplies the rolls. The Hospitality Committee assists the May Salad Supper Committee with the beverages and arrangements.

Since 1983 invitations have been extended to guests who have supported our work and they are welcomed and recognized during the meeting. Special recognition of some members has been made during some of these meetings. In 1984 Martha Gessler and Rosemary Frail were recognized for their 20 years of service to the Religious Instruction Program. Starting in 2000 those members who had participated in the chapter for 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 years were recognized during this meeting. They were presented with a certificate and a rose. In 2005 a new tradition was started with the "Passing of the Gavel" from all the past presidents in attendance to the newly elected President. In 2006 Nancy Flanagan, our founder, was recognized as our first 50-Year Member and was presented with a Christ Child Society sun-catcher. The 2006 May Salad Supper also initiated the chapter's "50 Years of Celebration" theme with the unveiling of the anniversary logo and the presentation of the event plans for the anniversary year.