Monte Carlo Night in Memory of Ellen Bard

On Friday, May 14, 2010, ATRO is hosting a Monte Carlo night at North Hills Country Club starting at 7:30 pm. If you’ve ever been to an event like this, you know how much fun it is! There’s plenty of casino games like blackjack, roulette, poker, slot machines, crap tables and more. In addition, we’ll have raffle items, baskets of cheer a chance to win a real slot machine and other great prizes! All winnings are redeemed for prizes, not cash, and you must be 21 years old to play.

A portion of the proceeds of all ticket sales will be donated to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in memory of ATRO's dear friend and longtime State Representative, Ellen Bard. Ellen served the constituents of the 153rd Legislative District faithfully and tirelessly for many years. Sadly, she passed away recently after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Come out and pay tribute to Ellen's memory and help support a great cause at the same time!

Tickets are only $25 and you'll receive $50 worth of "chips" for each ticket purchased. There are sponsorships available as well. And, of course, we'll have plenty of food and refreshments available. Please join us on Friday, May 14, 2010 for Monte Carlo Night - it promises to be a night to remember!

ATRO in Mourning

ATRO’s dear friend and dedicated Republican, Maryanne Rickenbach, passed away suddenly on January 2, 2010. Maryanne will be very deeply missed by all who knew her. At the time of her death, she was a committeewoman in Ward 10. She held many distinguished offices in her lifetime, including Vice-Chairwoman of the Montgomery County Republican Committee, Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds, Chairwoman of ATRO and President of the Montgomery County Council of Republican Women. A finer person and a more dedicated Republican than Maryanne could not be found.

A viewing for Maryanne will be held Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Baron and Rowland Funeral Home, 1059 Old York Road in Abington. A funeral service will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Anne's Episcopal Church at York and Old Welsh roads in Abington.

Maryanne’s sudden passing is a tremendous loss for all of us. Please keep her husband, Ernie, her family and her many friends in your prayers.

Republican Judges from Abington Sworn In

Republicans Gary Silow and Garrett Page made Montgomery County history on January 4, 2010 when tthey became the first two judges from the same municipality to be sworn in on the same day. They were also the first judges to be elected from Abington-Rockledge since 1978! ATRO congratulates these two outstanding lawyers on their ascension to the Bench.

On the same day, Kelly Wall, Wendy Demchick-Alloy, Patricia Coonahan and Carolyn Tornetta Carluccio also took the oath of office and, together with Judge Silow and Judge Page, are now officially members of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas.

ATRO is very proud of our new judges and the job they did to win election. In a county with a 30,000+ Democrat registration advantage, to elect six out of seven candidates was an overwhelming victory. It was a true team effort led by Montgomery County Republican Party Chairman, Bob Kerns, with assistance from all of our Area Leaders, Municipal Chairs, committee people and volunteers.

Before being sworn in, each judge-elect expressed tremendous gratitude to all of the committee people who worked so long and so hard to make their dreams a reality. ATRO certainly joins in those sentiments and salutes everyone who helped make November 3 a tremendous Republican success.

ATRO Helps Area Children

This December, almost one hundred Abington-Rockledge Republicans helped brighten the holidays for some needy local children. As part of our Holiday Party Celebration, ATRO members collected more than 100 toys and donated them to the Marine Corps Toys-for-Tots Foundation. In the picture at left, Corporal Rodriguez from the Willow Grove Joint Reserve Base stands guard over a table full of toys bound for some deserving youngsters. The Marine Corps has been conducting "Operation Toys-for-Tots" for years and ATRO was proud to help in that effort this year. Giving back to the community is a big part of what the Abington Township-Rockledge Borough Republican Organization is all about. We're truly thankful that we helped bring some joy to so many local children who would otherwise do without at this special time of year. Please count your blessings and have a safe, healthy and wonderful holiday!