For many years, several women from the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Connellsville gathered together monthly to celebrate companionship, friendship and fun. They would spend an afternoon together and offer a special event to which all looked forward. And for the past 15 years, "Happy Hour" has been held the second Wednesday of every month. Many senior citizens from Immaculate Conception, St. John's and St. Rita's churches attend the function to interact and socialize. "Anybody is welcome to join us," coordinator Dolores Hominsky said. "It's a nice social hour for the senior citizens, and they really seem to enjoy it." Hominsky is a savior to the event. It was going to be discontinued until she stepped up to take over four years ago. "They were ready to disband," Hominsky said. "So I decided that I would take it over." With an average attendance of about 20, the ladies gather from 1 to 3 p.m. in the social hall of the Immaculate Conception RC Church. The entrance is on East Crawford Avenue. The church is located at the corner of Prospect Street and East Crawford Avenue. The afternoon starts off with a special lunch, prepared by the volunteers of the church who help with the monthly event. "We make different things," Hominsky said, "and we take turns bringing in deserts and salads." There are several women who volunteer their time to help with the event: Cooking, setting up, cleaning up, and organizing the bingo. "We have a really nice group of ladies," Esther Shubert said. "We all pitch in and work well together." Shubert, who is in charge of the bingo and calls the numbers, laughingly said, "I don't like to cook so I call bingo instead." The women all sit together and enjoy their home-cooked lunch, then spend some time socializing. Bingo is played for about an hour after lunch, and the seniors really seem to enjoy their afternoon out. "It's a good opportunity for them to get out and see people," Hominsky said. "It's a nice social hour for the them to get out and enjoy. Some of them have no other source of socializing." The hall is decorated for every event, with more attention paid to the holiday months. "We decorate a little and have a bigger meal at Christmas," Hominsky said. The volunteers themselves have a good time as they prepare for "Happy Hour," and enjoy the socializing as well. "We have a good time together, and we all work well together," Esther Shubert said. "Happy Hour" socials are held monthly, from September through May. There is a nominal fee for the socials. Reservations are requested. For more information, call Hominsky at 724-628-5986.

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