July 17, 2009

THIS FRIDAY

Quincy Herald-Whig political writer Doug Wilson will update us on the local and state political scene. No shortage of subjects to discuss between Quincy and Springfield so it’ll be an interesting program. Join us for our final meeting in the East Room of Tony’s Old Place. See you Friday!

FRIDAY LAST

Our pleasure to have the beautiful Meredith Knopp, Senior Vice President of the Mississippi Valley district of Junior Achievement, with us. Meredith spoke to us about the JA program and the desire to start a chapter in Quincy. As Meredith noted, a lot of our core values and JA’s are alike. Carlos Fernandez with the introduction.

EXCHANGITE OF THE YEAR

Congratulations to Steve Green – he is our 2008-2009 Exchangite of the Year! Well deserved by the man who is our Second Vice President. As you know, Steve has served as Macker Chairman and Co-Chairman for the past two years. You have to be crazy to do this or as in Steve’s case, a dedicated Exchangite, true leader, and great organizer. Jared Haugh (2006-2007 Exchangite of the Year) made the presentation. Steve, we thank and salute you for what you do for our club!

VIP DATES

7/17 – Joel Koch celebrates his 21st birthday

7/18 – Doug Greenwell & Mike Disseler both celebrate birthdays

7/20 – Jim Lierly and Daron Duke both celebrate birthdays (it’ll be 35 for Daron) and Steve & Kim Albert celebrate their 3rd anniversary

7/21 – Night at the Gems Game

7/23 – Smoke on the River meeting (5:30 p.m. @ The Dock)

7/24 – ROAD TRIP to Gardner Museum

7/30 – Smoke on the River meeting (5:30 p.m. @ The Dock)

8/6 – Smoke on the River meeting (5:30 p.m. @ The Dock)

8/10 – August Board Meeting @ The Pier

8/13 – Smoke on the River meeting (5:30 p.m. @ The Dock)

8/20 – Smoke on the River meeting (5:30 p.m. @ The Dock)

8/27 – Smoke on the River meeting (5:30 p.m. @ The Dock)

9/3 – Smoke on the River meeting (5:30 p.m. @ The Dock)

9/10 – Smoke on the River meeting (5:30 p.m. @ The Dock)

9/11 & 12 – Smoke on the River

9/14 – September Board Meeting @ The Pier

9/15 – Character Champions (9:00 a.m. start @ QU)

11/7 – Veterans Day Parade

GEMS GAME

All Exchangites are invited to join us at Q.U. Stadium for the Quincy Gems game on Tuesday evening, July 21st. Free tickets, food, and beverage will be provided for you and your family. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. Shaved ice will be available as well – for a small fee.

NEW MEETING LOCATION

House Chairman Mel Dillman and his committee have announced our new meeting location – STARTING FRIDAY, JULY 31st – the ballroom at America’s Best Value Inn (300 Gardner Expressway). Please note that we are in the East Room this Friday – for the final time - and then have the road trip to Gardner Museum on the 24th. We’ll have our first meeting at ABVI on July 31st.

SMOKE ON THE RIVER

Chairman Mel Dillman has the purple raffle tickets. Please see him if you are interested in selling a few. $5 each or three for $10.00. Over $2,000 in raffle prizes between the four items.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“That’s the first time EVER, EVER, EVER that I thought he made enough money.” Jared Haugh speaking about Quincy Superintendent of Schools and fellow Exchangite Lonny Lemon on recent events with the Quincy School Board and the July 3rd meeting in particular... Hang in there, Lonny!

THIS & THAT

Jim Benz with the prayer and asking for “an attitude of gratitude” and Carlos Fernandez leading the pledge... President Kevin Curran at the podium for the first meeting of his administration. Tried to tell a joke that was met with luke-warm laughter. I’d like to tell you it gets better, President Kevin, but I wouldn’t want to lie to you… President Kevin telling us about a thank you from Transitions ($300 donation for the Torch Run lunch)… A pleasure to have young Conner O’Neil and his parent (Carla and Sean) with us. Conner recently received the Westview Men’s Club Sportsmanship Award for his kindness and acts of sportsmanship during the 2009 Pepsi Little People’s Golf Championship. Perhaps room for a picture next week… Program Chairman appropriately asking for a moment of silence for the many young lives lost over the past week protecting our freedom. Too many times these terrible losses are overlooked by the national media… Good to see new Exchangite Jim Totsch back with us last week… Macker Co-Chairman Steve Green and Doug Greenwell updating us on Macker. They anticipate revenue for the event to be between $22,000 - $23,000, which is about $5,000 above last year… When we take the road trip to Gardner Museum next week, you are encouraged to park on the west side of the museum… We have a bunch of old farts in this club but how refreshing is it to have an Exchangite celebrate his 21st birthday with us? Joel Koch will be celebrating the legal age this Friday. Joel, tell the waitress you would like to have a drink (assuming they still have any alcohol on premise), and send the ticket to me on Friday… No, I will not pick up the tab for any of you other boozers… Dick Wentura with the winning 50/50 ticket but he picked the wrong card (king of clubs). The pot grows. $969 on the line this week… Jared Haugh twisting tails… That's all for now, 'til next time, may God’s love, grace, and peace be with you and the ones you love.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Exchangite of the Year Steve Green with wife, Jean and family.