Special Needs Festival

August 16, 2026

Alhamar Caravan No. 4 held its annual festival honoring individuals with intellectual disabilities and their guests at the Polish American Veterans Pavilion in Plains, PA. Attendees enjoyed classic picnic fare, while each special needs guest received plush toys, T-shirts, and a raffle prize. The festival was made possible through the support of numerous sponsors, including corporate sponsor Bonner Chevrolet of Kingston, located at 694 Wyoming Avenue, Kingston. Contributions came in both monetary and in-kind forms, helping to create a memorable experience for all.

Door prizes included four outfield tickets to a RailRiders game, two passes to Montage Mountain Resort and two generous size snack baskets. Adding to the festive atmosphere, there was live entertainment provided by local band The Impastas. Volunteers played a crucial role in running this years event, ensuring its continued success.  A highlight of the day was singing Happy Birthday to all guests born in August and celebrating the 80th birthday of Special Olympics bowler Tommy Kane.

Of special note: This year’s program ad book honored the memory of Victoria A. Brown: January 11, 1977 - January 9, 2026. Victoria Brown of Swoyersville was an active Saturday morning Special Olympics bowler for many years. She was awarded a team gold medal from Penn State in Special Olympics and considered this a crowning achievement. Victoria always participated in Alhamar Caravan No. 4 events such as Christmas bowling pizza parties, spring dinner dances and our annual festival for the intellectually disabled. For 17 years Victoria was a member of the Harmony Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star. She loved cruising and enjoyed many trips to Disney World and Disney on Ice.

All who knew Victoria were aware of her Love for Jesus and her patriotism for her country and veterans. She often wore a flag shirt, headband or jacket with patriotic themes to show her spirit for the USA. Victoria was an active member of Wyoming Avenue Christian Church, Kingston and very fond of dancing, singing, art, concerts, amusement parks and road trips. Victoria is to be remembered for her Joyful Spirit, Bright Smile and Vibrant Personality. Heaven gained an angel and we of Alhamar caravan are especially fortunate to have known her and experienced her love.  Accepting a gift in her memory from the caravan  was her mother Gail Brown and Victoria's sister Denise Redenski. 

Alhamar Caravan Celebrates 120 Years  

June 6, 2026

Alhamar Caravan No. 4 celebrated its 120th anniversary on June 6 with a founder's Day mass at 4:00 pm at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Dupont followed by reception at The Venue, Dupont.  

Thank you to SC George Walrath and VSC Patricia Plotkowski for joining and cheering on the 10:00 am Special Olympics bowlers that morning morning and enjoying some fellowship, pizza, soda and cake.  The party had been planned to celebrate the return of a bowler who had been ill for many months.  It was a FUN time and the pictures prove it!   

Alhamar Caravan No. 4 is the oldest active caravan chartered on June 9, 1906 in Wilkes-Barre and takes its name after King Alhamar who built the Alhambra palace.  The mass was celebrated by Fr. Thomas Petro, pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Dupont and Assistant Chaplain of Alhamar Caravan No. 4 and con-celebrated by Fr. James McGahagan, Chaplain of Alhamar Caravan No. 4.  Honored guests were Fr. James McGahagan as well as Special Friends of the caravan.  Special Friends who participated in the mass by presenting the Offertory gifts were: Anthony Magni, Karen Bowersox and Jimmy Bonchonsky.  Grand Commander Donna Magni served as lector. 

Distinguished speakers at the dinner reception included Supreme Commander George Walrath from Texas and Vice Supreme Commander Patricia Plotkowski from Michigan.  Sandra Weaver Charney, District Legislative Aide from State Representative Brenda Pugh 120th District office presented a citation to Grand Commander Donna Magni and Supreme Director Region 2 Ada Magni.  Mayor George C. Brown, Mayor of Wilkes-Barre provided a proclamation to Ada Magni, Supreme Director Region 2 on May 6th  and President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump sent a Congratulatory letter.  At Alhamar's scheduled June 10 meeting Leo Russo from Congressman Rob Bresnahan's office presented a proclamation.     

Highlights of the evening included Supreme Commander George Walrath and Vice Supreme Commander Patricia Plotkowski  awarding a citation to Fr. James McGahagan in grateful recognition and appreciation of his 32 years of faithful and outstanding service to the Order and Alhamar Caravan No. 4. Grand Commander Donna Magni and Supreme Director Region 2 Ada Magni on behalf of Alhamar Caravan No. 4 presented a birthday card and a check for $250.00 to Fr. James McGahagan to be given to the charity of his choice for his many years of dedicated service as Chaplain of Alhamar Caravan No. 4. Guests all joined in singing Happy Birthday to Fr. McGahagan and enjoyed a cake in commemoration.  On behalf of Alhamar Caravan No. 4, Vice Supreme Commander Patricia Plotkowski recognized each of our Special Friends with a golden camel trinket box.     

Ada Magni, Supreme Director Region 2 was deeply honored to share in the extraordinary achievement and congratulated the current and past members who were essential in marking such a milestone occasion.  She wished Alhamar many more years of existence and God's  Blessings and Our Lady of Fatima's guidance in their future endeavors.               

History of Alhamar Caravan No. 4

The meeting place of the caravan is called the Alcazar and today it is located at the Community Room on the Campus of King's College, Wilkes-Barre. The Order of Alhambra is committed to preserving the rich tapestry of Catholic history. Alhamar Caravan No. 4 was instrumental in erecting a plaque on March 19, 1961, to St. Mary's Church of the Immaculate Conception, Wilkes-Barre to commemorate the celebration of the first Holy Mass in the Wyoming Valley on September 7, 1836, and the founding of the first Catholic Parish on October 28, 1845. In 1964, Alhamar Caravan No. 4 erected a monument in Wilkes-Barre in memory of Slovak Priest and scientist Jozef Murgas (1864-1929) whose scientific work contributed to the development of the radio.

Alhamar Caravan No. 4 is especially proud to have spearheaded an effort in 2002 which after securing a loan through the Order of Alhambra's headquarters, established the St. Joseph's Center Alhambra House in Scranton, PA. The Alhambra house cared for four women with intellectual disabilities and Alhamar arranged visits around Christmas to sing carols and bring holiday cheer to these wonderful women.  Over the past 120 years the members of Alhamar have assisted through love, support and dedication thousands of God's Special People. 

Alhamar Caravan No. 4 hosts a spring dinner dance and a Christmas pizza party for Special Olympics bowlers; provides monetary donations at Christmas and Easter to local group homes and hosts Special Olympics bowlers to a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey game and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders baseball game. Alhamar's largest event is a summer festival for people with intellectual disabilities and their families in August with free food, music, dancing and prizes. They endeavor to create entertaining events and fun activities which show their very special friends just how much they cherish them. The caravan takes advantage of the programs Order of the Alhambra Headquarters provides in the form of scholarships to local college students studying special education, matching grants and grants to provide a summer camp experience for special needs children.  The Order's most recent grant programs provide sensory/calming rooms for schools, camps and group homes as well placing Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) boards in public places for those who are non verbal and  have trouble communicating.

Thank you to SC George Walrath and VSC Patricia Plotkowski for joining and cheering on the 10:00 am Special Olympics bowlers that morning morning and enjoying some fellowship, pizza, soda and cake.  The party had been planned to celebrate the return of a bowler who had been ill for many months.  It was a FUN time and the pictures prove it!   

Alhambra Day at the Detroit Zoo  

May 7, 2026

Alhambran from Michigan's Region VI, volunteers, and sponsors, made the First Annual "Alhambra Day at the Detroit Zoo" a roaring success.

From event co-chairs and welcoming greeters to the check-in teams, lunch and gift packers, wheelchair guides, entertaining magician, and generous partners—including Jimmy John’s and the Detroit Zoo itself—everyone's efforts made for a really great experience. And to top that, the beautiful weather made it the perfect day to walk the zoo.

The true impact of the Alhambra's charity is evident in some of the heartfelt thank you notes received from guests:

— Everyone from my school had a great time at the zoo. Putting the little stuffed animals in the bags was a great idea too. Our kids are all over 18 but they loved those squishy chicks. Thanks again from me, our staff and our young adults. 

— On behalf of our daughters Amanda and Liza at Ordono House, we thank the Alhambra organization for sponsoring such a wonderful day at the Detroit Zoo. 

— Just wanted to reach out and let you know that all of us at Life Center had an incredible time yesterday.  We do appreciate it and thank you for your donations from the tickets to the lunches. You all really put a lot of smiles on a lot of people's faces yesterday and we are grateful for that.

The work of the Alhambra always seems to bring smiles and joy to the faces and lives of God's very special people.

Special Olympics Bowlers Spring Dinner Dance  

March 24, 2026

Alhamar Caravan No. 4 hosted a spring dinner dance for Special Olympics bowlers and guests at Fox Hill Country Club. A crowd of 105 attended the gala.

DJ Joseph Hussey of Jester Entertainment provided music from 5 to 8 p.m., while guests enjoyed a served dinner featuring stuffed chicken breast, penne with marinara sauce, vegetables, fruit cup, and chocolate mousse for dessert. Each athlete received a gift card to a local restaurant, and raffle prizes added to the festivities.

The evening was made possible through the generous support of corporate sponsors Bonner Chevrolet (Kingston), Diamond Manufacturing (West Wyoming), and Schott North America–Advanced Optics (Duryea), along with floral donations from Evans–King Floral of Forty Fort.

Highlights included several donated prizes, such as tickets to the May 2 “O’ What a Night of Music” concert at the F.M. Kirby Center (donated by Joe Nardone at Gallery of Sound), a snack basket (donated by Anne Jenkins), and additional prizes, gift baskets and chocolates. Four University of Scranton students also joined the celebration, dancing with the athletes. The students have volunteered for the past two years with Special Olympics bowlers at Chacko’s Bowling Center.

Alhamar Caravan No. 4 extends its heartfelt thanks to all sponsors, donors, and volunteers who helped make the evening a success.

Special Olympics Bowlers Enjoy Sweet Valentine’s Day Celebration  

February 14, 2026

Alhamar Caravan #4 Master of the Oasis, Maureen Roughsedge treated Special Olympics bowlers to a festive Valentine’s Day celebration at Chacko’s Bowling Center in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Student volunteers from two local colleges joined participants on the lanes, adding to the fun.

Marty Kane, chairperson for the Saturday bowling program, also contributed to the festivities by treating 26 guests to soda, with leftover funds from a Christmas donation.

The celebration featured a raffle with three lucky bowlers winning one of three great prizes: a Jon Stopay Chocolates gift certificate, a gift basket from Abide Coffeehouse, or a gift certificate from The Crooked Branch.

The group thanked Maureen for being such a dear friend to the athletes and said it was ‘a sweetheart of a day’ for everyone involved.”