Tribune Excerpts

The following article appeared in the October 2005 Edition of the Macedonian Tribune

Convention Highlights – Chicago 2005
By Andrea Andrioff Alusheff

As I'm sure you'll all agree, the best part of any MPO convention is reuniting with nashe (our kind), family and friends, past and present. This year was especially wonderful for the Andrioff clan, because my darling sister Joni lives in Chicago, and we got to visit with her and her family on home turf.

Tasho and I were also very excited to see our dear friend Buffe Petroff from YMPO and St Elia (Akron) Sunday School days. Tasho calls her the "Dick Clark" of the MPO because she never changes one iota. She still looks exactly as sweet and cute as we've always known her. Wonderful to see you, Buffe!

And as always, it's so great to see the lovely grande dame of the MPO, Vanya Dumas from Detroit, joined by her daughter Nadia, and grandson Nikki.

Another reason I love to attend the Convention is the dances. This year the Offbeats and Bill Skimos did outstanding jobs, so that our classy fearless leader, Nick Nicoloff, could lead yet two more fantastic Rachanitsa's at the end of Saturday and Sunday nights.

Wasn't the Renaissance Hotel beautiful? The setting for the Sunday afternoon dance was just gorgeous on the beautiful patio. And guess what, next year in Cleveland we will be holding Convention 2006 at the Renaissance in downtown Tower City . . . wait 'til you see the hotel lobby here, wow!

I really enjoyed my time volunteering in the sales room on Sunday morning with Sandy Rochette and her mother-in-law, Luba. We had a great time chatting with shoppers and ourselves.

Luba writes the recipe column, and I was so surprised to hear that she needs more volunteer recipes sent in. I know there are so many fabulous cooks out there, so get them to her please.

Also, thanks to Sophie Evanoff, Tammi Josifovic and Christina Baloski for the new tank top design "I love Macedonia", and the "Baba's Kitchen" aprons, not to mention the cute bib for the little ones with Malo Sonce (little sunshine). Good job!