The Manteca Ripon Pentecost Society is starting its centennial year.

Members enjoyed the traditional sopas dinner Sunday at the MRPS Hall on Grant Street during the traditional reading of the accounts. The event included an auction, the installation of new officers, and a traditional dance performance staged by the LUSO #8 Youth Council Dancers.

Chris Teicheira was named the incoming president and quickly took over the duties as auctioneer by selling sweet breads and meats that brought extraordinary bids as is traditionally the case.  Children swarmed Teicheira wanting to help by carrying the lighter weight auction items to the members at their tables for a closer look and hopefully a larger bid.

The other board members include Nick Mussi vice president and James Rogers at the same post.  Jody Correia is the secretary for the upcoming year. 

A financial statement for the fiscal year was read for the members present that showed net earnings over $100,000 which brought a resounding round of applause. 

 The bartenders on hand under the direction of veteran server Wes Harris were Steve Moberly, Sr., Dave Dutra and Steven Moberly.  

Harris noted that he graduated from Manteca High School in 1964 when the hall was under construction as its current Grant Avenue address.  He recalled that his father-in-law Manuel Teicheira and Joe Silva ran the bar in those old days.  

The hall boasts a new, black wrought iron fence around the front of the building that was erected after homeless set a fire at the rear door entry causing an extensive repair bill as well as a burglary took items belonging to vendors set up in the hall. 

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.