March 19, 2008
Newsletter
Spring Dinner/Dance
This year’s spring dinner/dance will be held on April 19th at the Trillium Banquet Hall 6415 State Street, Saginaw. Come enjoy a performance by Eriks Lenss playing the cello and Jordan Broder on violin. J. Skabardis and J. Sturis will provide dance music.
The event will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a cocktail hour. The performance will begin at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner and music for dancing. The buffet-style dinner will include two meat selections, fish, potatoes, rice, salad, vegetables, and dessert. Tables may be reserved for groups of eight. Other seats are available upon arrival on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is $40.00 per person at the door, or $35 if paid in advance by April 11th. In either case, pre-registration by April 11th is required.
To register, you may call Skaidrite Gibietis 989-793-667, 2744 Reppuhn Drive, Saginaw, MI 48603, Rita Martinsons 989-792-9716, 3746 Chilton Drive, Saginaw, MI 48603, or Janis Skabardis 989-777-1607, 3630 E. Curtis Road, Birch Run, MI 48415. Make checks payable to “Latvian Club of Saginaw”.
Donations
The Latvian Club of Saginaw has received the following contributions.
Donations to the club’s general fund: R. & D. Barthel $50.00, L. Spacs $10.00, and G. Turks $10.00.
Donations for ALA: I. Z. Kupsis $30.00
Donation for scholarships in Latvia: W. and I. Weir $50.00
For Occupation Museum: P. Mikelens $100.00
The Latvian Club of Saginaw extends sincere appreciation to all who contributed.
Remainder
A reminder to those members who have not yet paid their 2008 annual dues: your prompt payment is appreciated. (Please send your $10.00 membership fee to Rita Martinsons.)
Summary of the Annual Meeting
Fifteen members participated in the meeting. The annual meeting opened with a moment of silence in remembrance of the passing of club members Biruta Vistins and Arvids Ernstsons.
Olgerts Skostins was elected as the meeting facilitator. Gaida Paeglis and Rita Skostins served as vote counters.
The 2007 meeting notes were read and approved.
President D. Martinsons’ 2007 report:
- In addition to the annual meeting, four board meetings were held, and four newsletters were mailed.
- The following events have taken place:
video showing,
spring dinner/ dance,
pig roast,
November 18th remembrance,
and the Christmas bazaar. - All events were well attended.
Many thank you letters have been received from organizations and people who have received club support in the past. One letter was sent by Ligita Abolins from Madona, Latvia. She received financial assistance in 2001 from the club through ALA’s “Drosais Tilts” organization. The family home had burned down on Christmas, but now the family is back on its feet. Thank you letters have also been sent by both of our scholarship recipients. They express a lot of gratitude for the financial support.
The club’s board works well together, along with club members. Everyone, especially the women’s auxiliary, work hard to make our events a success. We need to say a big thank you to everyone. Club activities will continue as long as everyone lends a hand.
Treasurer I. Harwell read the 2007 financial report and the projected budget for 2008. Both were accepted, without changes.
The board invites all members to support the Vitols scholarship fund. The cost of the scholarships has increased due to inflation in Latvia and the decreased value of the US dollar. The cost to support our two students has risen to $6,000.00 per year. Despite the increased cost, continued support was approved by club members.
The meeting was completed in a timely fashion and afterwards members enjoyed continuing discussions and refreshments.
Polos and T-shirts
Some club members have shown interest in purchasing more of the Latvian shirts the club sold as a fundraiser a few years ago. For the club to place an order, we need a total of at least 12 T-shirts or 12 polo shirts. If you are interested in purchasing a shirt (or shirts), pleases contact Linda Paeglis 989-793-2535 or Dainis Martinsons 989-792-9716. Orders, including size and style, will be taken until April 20th. Orders will be filled only if the 12 shirt minimum is reached.
Summary of letters from the Vitols fund scholarship recipients
Rita Martinsons,
Dainis Româns,
Liene Linde,
Dainis Martinsons
(In Riga on August 27, 2007)
Hello Saginaw!
Greetings to all of you in the new year! I hope you are able to achieve all you set out to do and most importantly – continued good health!
Thank you for the Christmas card. My Christmas break, which was spent with my family, went by quickly. I especially enjoy the scent of “piparkukas” (gingerbread cookies) baking and the peaceful light given off by the Christmas tree. The only thing missing was snow, but that fell after the new year began.
The new school session began. This time was easier compared to others in the past, because I only had to complete one out of three exams. I had a grade of eight in economics, but in my other two courses (hydro-engineering and soil science) I had an automatic pass since I did so well in the previous semester. However, upperclassmen tell me that these get more difficult in the future, so I am gathering my strength for even more hard work ahead. I am so happy that I have chosen this sphere of specialty and I want to learn everything I can here in Jelgava. I can study with joy and enthusiasm. And it is all because of you. Thank you so very, very much to the Latvian Club of Saginaw!
Wishing you success,
Liene Linde
Hello!
It was not long ago that I wrote to you in December with nervous excitement about the start of the upcoming session. But now the semester and session have ended. I can breathe a sigh of relief now that I have completed that for the first time at the university. I worked very hard, attending all the lectures and doing my best quality work. I know nothing good can be accomplished with a half-hearted effort. All of this effort paid off during the sessions.
I successfully passed all my exams. I earned a grade of eight in computer programming; I earned a grade of nine in computer networking, English, automation theory, and mathematics. In systems operations and algebra, I earned a grade of ten. My grade point average for the first semester was nine. I am very eager and excited about the second semester. I have a clear picture of my goals. I want to obtain a well-rounded and quality education in the computer field, earning good grades and later climb the career ladder to become a highly educated professional. The Latvian Club of Saginaw is the wind beneath my wings. You are helping me ride the rough waves in the ocean of life. I am unbelievably lucky that such support has smiled upon me. Thanks to you! I hope I am not disappointing you!
With sincere thanks and wishing you all the best,
Dainis Româns
Upcoming Events
The annual pig roast will be held on September 13th, 2008.
Look for more information in the next newsletter.
Saginaw Latvian Club Board