October 23, 2009

THIS FRIDAY

Our speaker this week will be (one of our own) Dr. Lenny Biallas who will speak on VIETNAM TODAY. Lenny spent the month of March 2009 in Vietnam, teaching English at a junior college outside Hanoi. He will talk about the Vietnamese economy, education, politics, religion and food. He will show pictures of Hanoi, Halong Bay, China Beach, Hue, Saigon and the Mekong Delta. In addition, we’ll present our October Youth of the Month Award so please join us.

FRIDAY LAST

Employment Specialist Julie Herring from the Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials spoke to us about the Two Rivers program entitled “Working Today, Changing Tomorrow”. The program is designed to assist people with disabilities to gain and keep employment. Retired Quincy Police Officer and past recipient (2000) of the Law Officer of the Year award, John Douglas, with the introduction. Thank you for being with us Julie and John.

VIP DATES

10/21 – John Ortwerth, Gary Peters, and Fred Carlson all celebrate birthdays and Doug & Janie Reed celebrate their 14th anniversary

10/25 – Curt Moore celebrates a birthday and Scott & Kate Westhaus celebrate their 6th anniversary

10/26 – Jeff Dorsey and Lonny Lemon both celebrate birthdays and Mike & Rene Benedetto celebrate their 18th anniversary

10/27 – Jamie Fisher celebrates a birthday

10/30 – Firefighter of the Year Program

11/7 – Veterans Day Parade

11/9 – November Board Meeting @ The Pier

11/13 – Veterans Program – Col. Scott Thoele

11/15 – Quincy University Honors John Ortwerth

11/20 – ROAD TRIP to Pop’s Pizza

12/7 – December Board Meeting @ The Pier

12/10 – Spousal Christmas Party

12/31 – Club Christmas Party at Boat Club

1/2 – Special Olympics Basketball Tournament at QU

FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR

Please plan on attending the first Firefighter of the Year Award presentation next Friday, October 30th. This is a new initiative not only for our club but for our community. No doubt it will be a special event.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I wasn’t so much asking as I was telling you when the Christmas Party would be.” Your editor’s (probably inappropriate) comment to President Kevin Curran after President Kevin told the group I suggested a 12/31 (Thursday) date for our Club Christmas party. All joking aside, the other date suggested is 12/18. It is open for discussion. I prefer 12/31 for two reasons – the first is admittedly purely selfish:

1. I have planned (food and entertainment) our Christmas Party for the past 5-6 years and if we go on 12/18, I will be unable to do so (Resident/Family Christmas Party at the Veterans Home on this date). I would like to continue to do this for the club and have a couple new things in mind for this year.

2. Christmas and New Years both fall on Fridays, so it will be three weeks in between our meetings if we hold the party on 12/18 and then not meet again until 1/8. 12/31 splits that time and perhaps gives a number of us a good reason to get a jump on New Year’s Eve. A Thursday that serves as a Friday for the week would almost be the same.

Do you prefer 12/18, 12/31, or does it make a difference to you either way? Please e-mail President Kevin (modprint@adams.net) or myself (rick.gengenbacher@illinois.gov) with your comments. We’ll make the final decision in the next couple of weeks. (But for now, I have 12/31 on the VIP Dates.)

THIS & THAT

The Rev. Ron Fritts providing the prayer and Roger Player leading the pledge… Fred Lauder’s grandson, Dalton, a guest… My apology to Bill & Iona Barry. I slighted them three years on their anniversary in last week’s Exchangite. Last Saturday was their 56th anniversary not, 53rd. Either way, it is impressive – congratulation Mr. & Mrs. Barry… President Kevin noting a couple thank you notes received. One from Junior Achievement ($250 donation) and the other from the Madonna House ($500 donation)… President Kevin also thanking Fall Brawl Chairman Mel Dillman and his committee for a great evening. Approximately 55 Exchangites and guests enjoyed the evening… Sonny Christner and Max Johnson combined for a report on the Adopt-A-Grandparent program at the Veterans Home. We have two classes from St. Dominic’s school this year. Sonny reported that they are a “great bunch of kids”… Fred Lauder’s grandson must have been a good luck charm as Fred had the right 50/50 ticket. Dalton didn’t bring much luck seconds later as Fred picked the wrong card (jack of diamonds). Pot still hanging around $200 but should be taking off soon… Bruce Broemmel twisting tails with not-so-much help from Sonny Christner… This Friday will be the seventh lecture (by his count) that Dr. Lenny Biallas has given the Exchange Club in the past 25 years… Next Monday Jeff Dorsey and Lonny Lemon share a birthday with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Let me be the first to say both men wear a better pant suit than Ms. Clinton… My sincere thank you to President Kevin and the many Exchangites who have congratulated me on my daughter, Karlee’s verbal commitment to play basketball next year for Coach J.D. Gravina at Quincy University. I thank Karlee, Coach Gravina, and Quincy University for the $120,000 - $130,000 gift… That's all for now, 'til next time, may God’s love, grace, and peace be with you and the ones you love.