A new home!! At last Washington Council had a new home, and the ladies were most welcome. Thus, after almost sixty-five years, plans were finally underway for the establishment of a Ladies' Auxiliary. Grand Knight Joseph J. O'Malley appointed Mrs. Philomena Spigone, known more affectionately to all as Minnie, as organizational chairlady. A snowy March evening in 1962 did not deter the interest and enthusiasm of the ladies who ventured out for that first meeting. It was official: Washington Council would soon have a Ladies' Auxiliary, once the preliminaries had been taken care of. (Although previous attempts to organize such a group had been unsuccessful, the ladies, nevertheless, had willingly and generously assisted and supported the Council through the years.)
After several organizational meetings, to chart the course and purpose of the club, it was decided that the object of the Ladies' Auxiliary would be "...to aid Washington Council #224, Knights of Columbus, financially and otherwise and to assist them in other endeavors they may undertake." (By-Laws, Article IV.) Meetings were to be held on the first Tuesday of ea@h month at the new Council Home.
The first officers elected were Minnie Spigone, President; Madeline Law, Vice President; Joan Carol Bruns, Corresponding Secretary; Marie Montgomery, Recording Secretary; and Helen O'Malley, Treasurer. G.K. O'Malley installed President Spigone and her officers on May 1, 1962, at the regular meeting. Thereafter, the Ladies' Auxiliary was to be known as the Reginas of Washington Council. President Spigone made the following Committee appointments: Peggy Ottaviani, Cheer and Hospitality; Sandy Pusateri, Membership; Helen Daniels, Ways and Means; Marguerite Moore, Publicity. With the exception of Mrs. Bruns, Mrs. Ottaviani and Mrs. Pusateri, each of whom has moved out of the area, the first officers and committee chairladies are still active members.
After the club was officially organized, a charter membership drive was open, from March 6 through September 4, 1962. "Regardless of religious affiliations, the membership of this organization shall be open to the wives, widows, mothers, sisters, and daughters over eighteen, of the members in good standing of Washington Council #224, Knights of Columbus, and none other." (By-Laws, Art. III, Sect. 1). At the close of this drive, the names of 61 ladies were inscribed on the Charter. The Charter, designed by the Reginas' good friend Father Godfrey Kloetzli, O.F.M., was presented to President Spigone by G. K. Lewis Ottaviani, on October 30, 1962. On that occasion, at the Champagne-Charter Party, the Reginas presented Council #224 with its first gift, a clock for the meeting room, in sincere appreciation. The Regina's Charter is now kept in the window display on the second floor, at the top of the front stairs of the Council Home.
Of the 61 Charter Reginas, 42 are still active members-a rather good average 10 years later. Charter Reginas Matilda Garofalo, Victoria Mariani, Myra McCloskey, Jane McKenna, and Marie Myers have since been called to their eternal reward. If our calculations are correct (for some of the ladies are a bit shy when it comes to age), Sadie Sullivan, our oldest Charter Regina, is today 83 years young and still a very active member. Mary Ann Montgomery was the youngest Regina at that time, taking advantage of the age 18 requirement. Since that time, she has changed her last name and even had to relinquish the "youngest member" title, just by a few years, of course. At present, the Regina membership numbers 68, and the ladies welcome any newcomers who fulfill the necessary requirements.
The dues of the club was set at six dollars; strangely enough, inflation has not bothered the group, for the dues still remain the same. However, some changes have taken place in the Regina routine over the past ten years. The regular meeting night has been changed (effective September 1971) to the first Thursday of the month, at the Council Home, 8:30 p.m. The Cheer and Hospitality Committee is now two distinct committees: Sunshine and Hospitality. The Publicity Committee has been expanded to include the historiographer's duties. The Reginas are now filling their third "Gold Book,, if which contains the pictorial history of the club, plus special interest items. The "Gold Books" are on display several times a year - look them over next time.
In their first year, the Reginas introduced two events which have since become traditional in the Regina calendar. Remember that first Christmas party chaired by Sandy Pusateri and Lou Romersa? with all the delicious food and lovely silver and china on which it was served and the elegant decorations? and then, the St. Patrick's Day Pot Luck Supper, coordinated by Peggy (not O'Neill) Ottaviani and committee. The Knights have found that throughout the past ten years the Reginas' culinary arts have been unequaled, as evidenced with each Pot Luck Supper.
In addition, during that first term Mazie Jones chaired the memorable Guys and Dolls night, which the Reginas and Knights still find time to reminisce about. Perhaps it's time for another such event! And, Alice Piquado and her committee saw to it that the ladies' Powder Room was cheer. fully decorated. And, the Reginas made their first contribution to the Council's scholarship fund. And, Father Godfrey composed the Reginas' prayer, which is said at the opening of each meeting. In all, that year 1962-63 was filled with many highlights, but was merely a preview of good times and friendships that would follow.
Since that time, the following ladies have led the Reginas in the office of President: Madeline Law, 1963-64; Marguerite Moore, 1964-65; Marie Montgomery, 1965-66; Alice Piquado, 1966- 67; Dorothy Krute, 1967-68; Eleanore Judge, 1968-69; Frances Spigone, 1969-70; Mary Ann Egan, 1970-71; and Dorothy Krute, 1971-72. We are fortunate that each of these ladies gave her time and leadership to the Reginas and that now they continue to be active members. Eleanore Judge's activity is slightly altered, since she has been in Japan since the fall of 1970, on assignment for Uncle Sam. Knowing Eleanore's flair for travel, we are certain she'll turn up here in the States soon again. We so enjoy her letters. Dorothy Krute is our first President to serve two terms; this year, Dorothy is doing something else special, too, just like Marie Montgomery did during her term: each of these ladies served as Regina President while her husband served concurrently as Grand Knight of Council #224.
In the last ten years, the Reginas have entertained and have been entertained by fashion and hat shows, cosmetic demonstrations, tupperware parties, interior decorating and furniture antiquing, flower arranging and card playing, "luncheon is served," Christmas lighting, wine and cordial tasting, cake decorating and turkey carving. For several of these events, the Knights have also been included. The ladies have also been around to lend a hand at the children's homes and to provide refreshments and assistance at the Kennedy Institute and Little Sisters of the Poor. Some of their profits have been put to charitable use, especially at Christmas time. The ladies' club has been the lucky winner of the 224 Club drawing on four occasions a most acceptable advantage of our annual membership therein. A joint project by the Knights and Ladies in a controlled mouthwash experiment, sponsored by the Institute for Drug Studies, helped to increase the coffers of both treasuries. Costumes at the co-sponsored Halloween and Mardi Gras Dances last year still have many members talking.
Theater party and dinner trips have been most successful for the last few years, with the ladies and their guests taking in a play or a movie, plus a night out of the kitchen. In May, 1971, the group took an unforgettable bus trip to the Pennsylvania Dutch Country and they are most eager to go back.
In 1964, Vince Spigone designed a gold crown which has since been used as the Regina emblem. It is on display above the bar in the lounge at the Council Home. In addition, it was used to design the Regina pin. Many of the past presidents have been presented with Regina charms for their service to the organization. Regina pins are available for new members.
Our Christmas raffle began in 1963, with a lovely handmade Nativity Set, donated by Lavinia Cook. Succeeding raffles included such prizes as a hand painted stole, Afghans, handmade tablecloths, a basket of cheer, and a pastel painting. These lovely prizes have given way to a 50-50 raffle, and the drawing is now held at the Pot Luck Supper. A very special thanks here to Lavinia Cook for her numerous donations of her lovely handiwork; ditto to Dorothy Krute, and to Frank and Marie Pearson; Dorothy's tablecloth and afghan were masterpeices and the Infants of Prague given by the Pearsons were most beautiful.
In November 1965, Minnie Spigone, displayed another of her varied talents, that of Auctioneer. The past six years found her helping out in one capacity or another when our November auction rolled around.
Our ladies, together with the Knights,, have shared many blessings as well as sorrows over the past ten years. Some faces have changed, many remain the same. 1971 saw the additon of four more Regina children, with three prospective Knights and one future Regina. Our great lady, Sadie Sullivan, became the great Grandmother of twins.
To the Knights of Washington Council #224, from the Reginas, a very happy 75th Anniversary and our best wishes for continued success in your endeavors. We trust we will be on hand to celebrate with you again in 25 years, and from time to time in between. We thank you for giving us the opportunity to have our auxiliary and we look forward to continuing our association.