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Community Projects: Naturalization Receptions
Every year, hundreds of people from many lands become new citizens here in Lancaster. To welcome them in style, the Sertoma Club of Lancaster has hosted over 125 luncheon receptions for more than 4,000 new citizens and their families.
Lancaster's top ranking dignitaries join in the celebration as we honor those who have struggled to find freedom's shore. It is a great opportunity to meet people of many cultures and be reminded of both the privileges and responsibilities we share in America.
NATURALIZATION DAY LUNCHEON HISTORY
NATURALIZE - "To grant full citizenship to one of foreign birth".
For many years, Lancaster County has held recognition ceremonies for newly naturalized citizens at the Lancaster County Courthouse. Toward the end of WW 2, it was suggested by the Hon. Richard A. Snyder, who would later become a Pa. State Senator, that additional recognition should be given to the individuals who had immigrated to this country and desired to become naturalized citizens. A luncheon to honor their achievement, following the morning courthouse ceremony, was recommended.
The local Lancaster American Legion Post #34, and their related Auxiliary Unit #419, agreed to accept the responsibility to sponsor a free-of-charge luncheon for the new citizens, and allow their family members and friends to accompany them for a nominal fee to cover their luncheon cost.
To the best of our knowledge a Legion Auxiliary member, Mrs. Mary G. "Tootie" Mayer, with several volunteers to assist her, agreed to accept the responsibility for the luncheon arrangements. It was determined that the downtown Lancaster Hotel Brunswick would be an ideal location for this event - following the courthouse ceremony, it was just a short walk to the hotel and could accommodate numerous persons in its spacious second floor dining facility.
Naturalization ceremonies at that time were held in April and September. Our records indicate that the first Naturalization Day Luncheon was held in September of 1945. Mrs. Barbara K. Valavanes, a teacher of English at McCaskey High School, recalls attending her first luncheon in the Spring of 1946. Shortly thereafter, she began inviting some of her students of Greek descent to accompany her to the luncheon ceremonies as part of their education, and this practice continued for many years with students from many countries. Spring of 2006 marked her 60th year of luncheon participation.
Another dedicated volunteer was Mr. Gerald A. Bowman. "Gerry" became the Master of Ceremonies (Toastmaster) and served in that capacity from 1966 until his "retirement" in 1989.
For each luncheon, Lancaster government officials (Mayor, County Commissioners, courthouse representatives, officiating Judges, etc.) were invited to participate in the luncheon ceremonies. Local church clergy (of alternating faiths) and local noted speakers also attended.
During the rebuilding of Lancaster Square in the early 60's, the old Hotel Brunswick was closed and demolished. This required moving the luncheon ceremonies to local motels, a practice that continued for many years.
As the luncheons gained in popularity, various local civic and fraternal organizations were invited to send representatives to these events. The list grew to include delegates from:
Lancaster American Legion Post #34
Lancaster American Legion Auxiliary Unit #419
V.F.W. Auxiliary Unit #5956 (Manheim)
V.F.W. Auxiliary Unit #7294 (Millersville - Manor)
Daughters of Penelope tonian Chapter 196
Lancaster County Committee - Colonial Dames of America
Donegal Chapter, D.A.R.
PA Society Sons of the Revolution
Lancaster Women's Republican Club
Women's Democratic Club of Lancaster City & County
Pilot Club
Sertoma Club of Lancaster
In 1984, the expanding American Legion Post built a new clubhouse, including a dining area, at 1388 Arcadia Road. (Close to the new Route 30 bypass.) Their officers were adamant that their new facility should be utilized for the luncheons - otherwise they would discontinue their sponsorship.
After review, the Luncheon Committee determined that the new building would be of inadequate capacity, and former Mayor Thomas A. Monaghan recommended that the Sertoma Club of Lancaster be approached for consideration of adopting this as another of their sponsorship programs.
At that time, Ellis C. Kimmich was the newly-elected Club President, and Russell W. "Bill" Gory was chair of the Freedom and American Way committee. After a meeting with Mr. Monaghan, "Tootie" Mayer and Gerald Bowman, and with Board approval, the Sertoma Club of Lancaster agreed to become the sponsor for the Naturalization Day Luncheon.
The first luncheon under Sertoma sponsorship - #79 - was held on Friday, October 12,1984 at the Landis Valley Motor Inn. The original amount budgeted by the Club for each luncheon was $500.
During the Club's early involvement, "Patrons" were listed in each luncheon program - for $1 per name. Individual contributors were also listed, these donations partially offsetting the cost of the new citizen dinners. A minimal honorarium was provided for the Speaker. Program printing costs, table and room decorations, postage and stationery were among the expenses detailed. Occasionally, some of these were donated. Freedom documents were given to the new citizens, along with small American flags provided by then County Commissioner James E. Huber, and other small gifts furnished by organization representatives.
By 1989, Luncheon attendance had increased to a high of 463.
Sadly, in 1991, "Tootie" Mayer passed on. Fortunately her niece, Mrs. Jodi A. Grimm, wife of Rory L Grimm, had assisted her for many years and was willing to accept the duties required. She has continued this responsibility since that time.
It had been the custom of the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization to supply the local Prothonotary's office with the names, addresses and telephone numbers of citizen applicants. This information was then forwarded to "Tootie" Mayer so that invitations and reservation requests could be mailed to them.
The Luncheon program was dealt a severe blow in 1992 when Congress, in its wisdom, decreed that the Privacy of Information Act would no longer allow this practice. However, the Philadelphia District Office of Immigration and Naturalization agreed to distribute Luncheon invitation and reservation forms to scheduled applicants from within the Lancaster County area when they appeared in Philadelphia for their reviews. This procedure, with somewhat limited success, continues today.
Several years ago, for security reasons, the recently expanded Courthouse began to limit the number of persons allowed within the building at any one time. This resulted in a reduction of new citizens being recognized at any single ceremony, and made it necessary to expand the number of annual ceremonies. Accordingly, the Courthouse ceremonies and related luncheons were increased to three in 2002, to four in 2005, and to five in 2006. It is expected this practice will continue during the coming years.
The Sertoma Club of Lancaster is believed to be the only service organization in the entire country to provide a Luncheon program to honor newly-naturalized citizens. >From the time the Club became a sponsor, more than 3,500 new citizens - men, women and children - have attended these luncheons.
In recognition of their long and devoted service, the Sertoma Club of Lancaster presented their "Service To Mankind" award to Mary G. Mayer and Gerald A. Bowman in 1987, and in 1994 to Jodi A. Grimm.
Both adopted daughters of Jodi A. and Rory L. Grimm have become naturalized citizens - Bryany in 1987 and Brenee in 2000.
OF SPECIAL NOTE: According to Lancaster Library records, the ceremony used nationwide for the naturalization of new citizens was written by the late renowned Lancaster attorney F. Lyman Windolph.
One local florist - Petal Company of Lancaster - has donated the new citizen corsages and head table centerpiece for each ceremony since 1991.
CONTRIBUTORS:
Russell W. "Bill" Gory
Christopher W. Geib
Jodi A.Grimm
Barbara K. Valavanes
June 2007
ADDENDUM
They say "It takes a village..." - This program would not be successful without the financial support of the Sertoma Club of Lancaster, the continued concerted efforts of Jodi and Rory Grimm, Chris Geib, the "Sertoma Singers" and other dedicated Sertoma Club members and their supporters.
THANK YOU ALL!
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