TORONTO — The Toronto Sunrise Seniors opened its Halloween meeting on Oct. 24 with President Barbara Pritts welcoming members and guests Patty and Tom Deptula and Stew Moore.

Co-Chaplain Gloria Boley provided the blessing prior. Attendees snacked on hors d’oeuvres while perusing the entries for the group’s Halloween contest in which items were made using canned or boxed foods.

Members enjoyed a pizza party, thanking the kitchen committee which consisted of Bonnie Wilson, Dave Devore, Ethel Stevens, Dave Trudick, Brenda Fetty and Mary Ann Landerfield.

Don Pritts sold tickets for the 50/50 drawing.

Following dinner, the meeting opened with the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Karen Martin read the minutes from the Oct. 10 meeting and conducted the roll call of officers.

Lynn Miller gave the financial report. Social Secretary Landerfield pointed out events of interest to seniors that are available at local nursing homes.

Pritts announced those who will be serving on the November kitchen committee include Tracey Wade, Diana Hooper, Ruth White and Lori Gorney. The Nov. 14 meeting will feature the group’s annual Thanksgiving dinner. There will not be a second meeting during the month, it was noted.

Sandi Radvansky reminded those in attendance of the upcoming bus trip to Oglebay on Dec. 2. As of the meeting date, there were 41 participants signed up to attend, with seats still available. Money is due by the Nov. 14 meeting.

Wilson was recognized as the member of the month and presented with a gift certificate to a local grocery. She recalled singing with a barbershop quartet as a fond memory she shared with the group. “Toronto was booming, business was good and friends were abundant,” she said.

Members voted on their favorite Halloween creation made from boxes and canned goods. Hank and Laura Sheets were awarded gift certificates for their monster which featured glowing eyes. All of the food items collected will be donated to the Helping Hands Food Pantry.

The activity for the evening was an M&M game, was won by Moore.

Pritts told a scary Halloween story, while members passed around flashlights inside a darkened room. The flashlights were awarded as gifts to winners of the game, with one lucky winner, Wilson, receiving a gift certificate.

Pritts reminded everyone to recall their own youthful pranks as they approached the Halloween season.

She reminded those attending the November meeting to bring in a toy for the Toys for Toronto program.

The winner of the 50/50 drawing was Donna Farmer.

Following announcements, brag time and the joke of the evening, the meeting was adjourned.

Laura Sheets called bingo numbers.

Winners included: Hank Sheets, Mary Murphy, Jackie Porter, Bob Deku, Pritts, Patti Losey, Marsha McConnell and Lucy Timko.

Anyone 55 years of age or older and who resides in Ohio is welcome to join the group.