Still dealing

By SHAIYLA HAKEEM

shakeem@vindy.com

Most card clubs focus primarily on playing cards. This group focuses on maintaining a bond that has taken 50 years to establish.

The Kleber Avenue Gals Card Club was founded April 27, 1960 as a means to relax and unwind from the busy day of tending to their kids. They began their evening games at 9 p.m. and wouldn’t end until midnight or later. Club admission was exclusive to residents of Kleber Avenue.

There were 12 original members, four of which are still active participants in the club. Currently, the club has nine members, Mary Ann Leonard, Sally Morris, Rose Kohl, Beverly Mashiska, Tese Bobby, Chloe Coleman, Marge Bielawski, Flo Arndt and Ginny Barbush.

The girls of Kleber Avenue are said to be somewhat of a local legend.

“We were somewhat famous — everybody knew about Kleber,” Leonard said.

The group said at one point, there were more than 100 kids who resided on their street. This was during a time before Kleber Avenue had street lights.

Due to the amount of kids and how dangerous it was for the children at night, Rose Kohl started a petition to put lights on the street because it was too dark. The whole club showed up during a City Hall meeting in support of the petition for street lights.

“One week before Halloween, we got lights. The kids were so happy,” Kohl said.

The Kleber Gals are also known for their involvement in the community and their special appearances. The group chanted the “Kleber cheer” at every wedding and dance of a Kleber resident.

The Kleber Gals meet the last Tuesday of each month, now at 8 p.m., instead 9 p.m. Their game of choice is 500 Bid.

Each year, the club goes out to eat for Christmas and participates in a gift exchange. They also put together an annual Kleber Avenue summer reunion.

The club has been going strong for 50 years and plans to keep the tradition going.

“I feel it is the best little street in Austintown,” Mashiska said. “We’re like a family.”