PNHA Committees 

(August 2011)

ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY

The ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY COMMITTEE collects litter on Highway route 997 from Mont Alto to Duffield Road, a minimum of four times per year.  It is an excellent way to meet neighbors, have some fun and do a service for our community. 
 
Contact:    Tom & Fran Daley           352-4319        
ftdaley@comcast.net

 

BOWLING

The BOWLING COORDINATOR serves as a PNHA focal point for bowling activities within our community.  Provides guidance to interested PNHA residents with respect to the availability of Bowling Leagues, Tournaments, and other bowling events.
 Contact:    Ron Schlecht                    352-7242                    
rvschlecht@comcast.net

 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

The COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM was formed to benefit those in need in our surrounding communities.  The Program is totally self-sufficient.  It began with a few private donations and a yearly auction.  It is now funded by various activities such as flower sales, card parties and a yearly Totem Pole Playhouse performance that benefits a different designated organization such as the Ragged Edge Library, Good Shepherd Hospice and the Mont Alto Volunteer Fire Department.  The Programs initial mission was the Children's Aid Society.  Each child's birthday is celebrated with a cake and a mall certificate of $30.00. We also have pizza parties and ice cream socials for the children.  In addition we have, in the past, sent them on numerous excursions to the Baltimore Harbor and purchased a computer and printer for their education and enjoyment. 

In addition we support the Association for Retarded Citizens, area nursing homes, the Hoffman School for Youth and more recently have established a library for the Rural Development Head Start program in Chambersburg and provided them with various items needed for the well being of the children.   We also responded with a monetary donation when the World Trade Center tragedy occurred.   In addition a needle work group was established which provides handmade lap robes, baby blankets, sweaters, gloves, chemo caps and other items for cancer patients.   The Community Outreach Program has touched many lives and will continue to do so. 
 
Contact:    Mary Katzman     352-4809         magda33@comcast.net

 

DINNER WITH FRIENDS

The Dinner with Friends Group was recently established and is open to everyone.  The members use their interest in cooking and dining to help build new friendships in the PNHA community.  There are four dinner events per year and member couples rotate through one of four different responsibilities at each event.  Each member has the opportunity to participate in the four different roles from hosting a dinner group to preparing a dessert as they move from event to event throughout the year.  The dinner group membership rotates from event to event to maximize the ability to meet and dine with every member during the year.  The Group currently has about 30 member couples with an additional group of part-time substitute members.
 Contact   Tom Venturella, 352-4749                       
bonsai@comcast.net             

 

E-NEWS COORDINATOR

 
 Contact:          Sharon Norrie               352-9001

 

 

EXCURSIONS AND EVENTS

The EXCURSIONS AND EVENTS COMMITTEE consists of 5 or 6 individuals who serve for a two-year period.  At the beginning of each year, the committee decides which trips will be taken throughout the year then each member of the committee assumes responsibility for coordinating one of the trips with one other person assisting for that trip. The trips are usually for only one day, however, there have been a couple of overnight trips. Of course, it goes without saying, we try to plan trips that will be different, fun, and of interest to all. The only repetitive event we have is the Octoberfest Dinner Dance.   All trips are advertised in the PNHA Newsletter to encourage participation.  We also would like to encourage interested individuals to become members of the committee.
 Contact:    Sue Rollins                      352-3129                    
snjrollins@comcast.net

 

FIRST TUESDAY FOOD PICK-UP

 Contact:          Judy Turley               352-8044

 

FLY FISHING GROUP

 The Fly Fishing Group meets the first Monday of every month normally at 9:00 AM.  This group is for beginners through advanced fly fishermen.  Some of the members also enjoy other types of fishing.  For more information on this group, see the contacts below.
 Contact:          Dave Lipsius               352-2950

 

GARDEN CLUB

The GARDEN CLUB coordinates the allocation of plots to the various homeowners who are interested in raising vegetables during the summer months.  An article is printed in our Newsletter in the early Spring notifying the homeowners to contact us if they should desire a plot.  The gardening area, graciously provided by White Rock, is then measured and marked with names for each individual section.  At the end of the season, everything is cleared away and all debris is removed.

 There is no budget involved since all the gardeners supply their own tools and plants.  Water is supplied by White Rock since a faucet is already located on the property.
 
Contact:    Ed Schroyer                352-2041         ams022448@yahoo.com

 

 

HARMONY SINGERS

The PENN NATIONAL HARMONY SINGERS, all Penn National residents, first began meeting in 1997 for a time of singing and fellowship.  Soon thereafter they were invited to sing at area Senior Residences, for the Community Outreach Committee and for several community functions throughout the Chambersburg area.  The group is approximately 40 singers strong, plus resident pianists, a guitarist and the director and two alternate directors.  Rehearsals are held on alternate Tuesdays.  Membership is open to all Penn National residents.  If you would like to join, an audition is neither required nor expected.
 Contact:    Carla Christiansen                       352-8377        
pacarla@comcast.net

 

 HIKING CLUB

The HIKING CLUB is open to anyone.  Our name is sort of misleading because what we actually do is saunter/amble/meander/walk and otherwise peregrinate along a planned route.  We do all this on trails in the woods most of the year, but during hunting season we do historical walks in the nearby communities.........which meets with the approval of our participants.  We meet at 8:30am on the second Thursday of each month at the pavilion and car-pool to wherever we plan to saunter, etc.  There are no dues, membership lists or other administrative issues.  We have had as few as six and as many as sixty on these excursions and we seldom know in advance who or how many will be with us.  We place a notice in the Newsletter to state the date (and rain date), location, distance and route conditions for each month, then see what happens on the designated date.
 Contact:    Phyllis Willette    352-4607        
pswillette@embarqmail.com

 

HOLIDAY DINNER/DANCE

The HOLIDAY DINNER/DANCE COMMITTEE organizes the annual Holiday Dinner and Dance for PNHA members.  The event is held once per year near the Christmas holidays and is subsidized by the PNHA.  The committee is comprised of two groups, one focusing on reservations and one on decorations.
 Contact:     Tom Druzgal, 352-8513              
druzgal@comcast.net

                

 

LADIES LUNCHEONS

The LADIES LUNCHEON COMMITTEE organizes luncheons at area restaurants during the year.  These are predominantly social get-togethers that offer a forum in which the ladies of our community get to know each other better.  At Christmas the committee accepts donations to be given to a local charity.
 
Contact:    Helen Keane             352-2697       tabbycat@chilitech.net

 

MENS LUNCHEON

The MEN’S LUNCHEON COMMITTEE provides a forum for men of the Penn National community to informally get together to socialize, make new friends, and meet new men moving into the community.  From time to time, guest speakers that have a topic that is determined to be of interest to the members are invited to speak at a luncheon.  Luncheons are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month except for June, July, August, and December when no meetings are held.  The luncheon committee takes the responsibility for funding all activities undertaken by the group; no funds are required from the PNHA.  A notice for each luncheon is printed in the PNHA Monthly Newsletter.  All men living in Penn National are invited to attend.
 Contact:    John Pilla, 352-4460                                 
jhpilla@embarqmail.com

                 Wally Nelson, 352-7988                             wallyn7050@comcast.net

 

MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES

Contact:     352-9380         dsweitzer@mac.com

 

NEEDLEWORK INTEREST

The Needlework Interest group is open to anyone interested in hand stitching from the beginner to the more experienced.  They meet monthly and work on a designated project or a personal piece of handiwork.  There is also the opportunity to learn different types of stitching from other participants.
 Contact:    Jean Schlecht                   352-7242        
jmschlecht2@comcast.net

 

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

The NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH COMMITTEE is a committee of one with a few Block Captains.  The function of the committee is to keep in communication with local law enforcement and the Franklin County Crime Solvers regarding crime problems in our area.  We are very fortunate that such incidents are minimal.  Alerts are issued periodically in our newsletter, usually around Halloween.  Other articles are written for the newsletter as events occur.
 Contact:    (We’re looking for volunteers.)

 

NEW NEIGHBOR WELCOME

The NEW NEIGHBOR WELCOME COMMITTEE is responsible for visiting new folks who have purchased/built homes at PN within the past month.  Our packet contains a letter of introduction to our community, local cultural activities (Community of the Arts publication), current PNHA Newsletter + an application for membership in PNHA, a SNaP brochure, and info about the Mont Alto Fire and Ambulance and the Fayetteville Ambulance Service.  It also contains the most recent copy of Living in the Valley (published yearly by the Public Opinion) and the Welcome Guide to Waynesboro (published yearly by the Record Herald). Our team consists of a Chairman and four folks who deliver the materials in each geographic area of our neighborhood.
 Contact:   (We’re looking for volunteers.)

 

PENN NEEDLES QUILTERS

The PENN NEEDLE QUILTERS meet at the New Guilford Brethren in Christ Church on Mont Alto Road the 3rd Tuesday of every month except July and August.  The group is made up of both the experienced and the beginner.  We're a low-keyed group (after all, most of us are retired) but enjoy learning from each other and having the occasional guest teacher lead our group in a workshop.  We also travel to many of the fabric shops in the area--including Maryland and Virginia--once a month to keep our closets stocked.  Also, there are several "mini groups" who meet at other times during the month to work on specific projects.  Our membership currently is approximately 45 and seems to be growing steadily.  Residing in Penn National is the only requirement.  Come join us.
 Contact:    Doralice Barthel                    352-4198   

 

PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB

The Photography Club is a new group in PN for camera bugs.  The focus of the club will be digital photography, but film, cameras, lenses, lighting, and how to make memorable photos are all topics to be explored.  If interested in joining this group and helping to get it established, give Gary Dickinson a call.
 Contact:    Gary Dickinson                301-873-7468        
pennphotoclub@comcast.net

 

 PICNIC COMMITTEE

The PICNIC COMMITTEE is responsible for providing a family picnic for PNHA members.  While it used to be held in the golf club pavilion, our increased membership has necessitated a move to the Am Vets in Chambersburg.  For the past couple years it has been held on the Saturday following Labor Day.  Also for several years, the residents of a particular street have taken the responsibility of planning this event and each street has done it for two years in a row.  Picnic attendees enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, beer, wine, soda, and Antietam Dairy ice cream at a very low cost as the PNHA treasury subsidizes this event.  Members may bring visiting guests for a slightly higher charge.
  Contact: PN Lions Club.

  Contact:    James Barger                  352-3712        dubljbar@hotmail.com

 

PN WOODWORKERS

The PN Woodworkers is an active group meeting in woodworking shops throughout our community.  The members have made many wooden toys which were donated to the Maranatha Food Pantry Christmas Party.  All types of wooden projects are produced.
  Contact:    Lew Thomas                    352-7228        
LewThomas@comcast.net

 

READING GROUPS AT PENN NATIONAL

Reading groups are very active throughout Penn National.  Each group governs itself in choosing the books the members read and also the date and time they meet. Generally, the group meets monthly at the home of one of the members who serves as hostess for that month, while another member serves as moderator for the discussion of the chosen book. 

There are several reading groups who publish their monthly selections in the PNHA NEWSLETTER.  The groups are:  Literary Ladies, Book Buddies,  Page Turners,  Easy Readers,  S.T.A.R.,  Just the Facts, and  Between The Lines.

 If you are interested in joining a reading group or even starting a new group and would like additional information, please contact Karen Wyzewski, 352-4251 or Verna Reedy, 352 3153.  Everyone is welcome.
  Contact:    Verna Reedy                     352-3153         vwreedy@embarqmail.com

or the hostess for the month.

 

RV OWNER’S GROUP

This group is composed of people interested in RV activities.  The primary goal is to meet fellow RVer’s for camaraderie, discussion of previous trips of interest and possibly establish future group trips.
  Contact:    Jack Arrison                     352-7402        
dartmangt@yahoo.com

 

SNaP

 Contact:    Donna Crissman               352-6212

 

 

TENNIS

The PENN NATIONAL TENNIS CLUB is made up of players of intermediate to more advanced ability who meet two or three times weekly from April through October to play mixed doubles or foursomes of guys or girls.  NOTE: This is recreational tennis; good interactive play with enjoyment as the object, not cutthroat competition.  Membership is required, for a fee determined by and payable at the Pro-shop.  A $4 “pay-per-play” is an option if you cannot play regularly and is payable prior to play at the Pro-shop.  A nominal fee of 25 cents is collected at the courts per session of play to cover the purchase of balls by the club president.
  Contact:    Rose Bellows,                   401-0327        
jerry6558@comcast.net

                  Micki D’arco                     352-3240        mckyjercomcast.net

 

WEB SITE COMMITTEE

The WEB SITE COMMITTEE has the responsibility for establishing and maintaining the PNHA web site.  The purpose of this site is to communicate items of interest to and from members of PNHA.  These items include a copy of the PNHA newsletter that is prepared monthly by the Publications Director.  Also included are Computer aides, a message board used for short messages submitted by PNHA members, and other items that are thought to be of interest to the members.  The committee consists of a Webmaster and an assistant Webmaster.

Web master

Contact:    Bob Tokar                        352-8000         rtokar02@comcast.net

Assistant
Contact:     Steve Mulewich               357-8233        smulewich@comcast.net

 

WHITE ROCK LIAISON COMMITTEE

The WHITE ROCK LIAISON COMMITTEE has responsibility for establishing and maintaining communications and information with White Rock, Inc.  The purpose of this committee is to periodically be in communication with White Rock keeping the PNHA and Executive Board informed regarding these communications.  The committee consists of the Executive Board member who serves as the White Rock Liaison.
  Contact:   
Arthur H. Kuehn              352-3290          ahkuehn@pa.net

 

 YARD SALE COMMITTEE

The YARD SALE COMMITTEE is tasked with advertising and promoting the annual Penn National Yard Sale which is held each year on the weekend after Mothers Day.  The sale is open to all residents of Penn National at no fee, and is held rain or shine from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM Friday and Saturday.  Local participation and attendance has been great.

We advertise in 4 local papers.  We have a Penn National sign, with sale dates, displayed at the corner of RT 997 and Fairway Drive East a week prior to the sale and also place yard sale signs throughout the neighborhood the day before the sale starts.  Participants are free to place their own signs as long as they remove them after the sale ends on Saturday.  We are given a working budget of approximately $150.
 
Contact:    Helen Keane              352-2697