Group gets first female president

YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown Maennerchor has inducted its first female president since the group was founded 138 years ago.
Karen Grope, 36, of Youngstown, is a licensed practical nurse at Austinwoods Nursing Center and will soon be named treatment nurse at Briarfield Manor. She was sworn-in Saturday by Mahoning County Juvenile Court Judge Theresa Dellick.
Maennerchor, which means "Men's Choir" in German, is a club that celebrates German ethnicity and customs. Members meet at a restaurant on Mahoning Avenue and sponsor a choir that rehearses each Wednesday and performs throughout the area. The group is also preparing to participate in a 2002 concert of Maennerchor groups from across the nation.
Grope, a member for nine years, said she would continue the club's German tradition.
Also sworn-in were vice president Ray Marks, financial secretary Debbie Kitelinger, treasurer John Remias, recording secretary Darlene Kromer, and trustees Chuck Ware, John DeNiro, Richard Hart and Carmen Squeglia.