Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association Newsletter
(May 29, 2011 - June 4, 2011)
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As I See It... 
 
Bob Leslie  

I know that "As I See It" articles are generally written by Board of Director members and even though I am no longer on the Board, Paul is allowing me to keep my spot in the rotation in order for me to say "FAREWELL."

FAREWELL: "An act of parting or of making someone's departure or separation."

In my case I think I will refer to it as "separation" simply because I do not believe I will ever totally depart But yes, I do believe the time has come for me to say "FAREWELL".

Most of you know by now that I made a decision not to run for the Board at Conference this year. The reason being is when you make the decision to run you are basically making a 3 year commitment & although I do not know exactly when, I think that word "retirement" is going to pop up sometime within the next 3 years.

I know there were some people at the Conference that thought I was retired already. But trust me, to the best of my knowledge, it has NOT happened --- YET. Maybe they thought that because I was hanging with Dan Bahr & he is already retired, the lucky guy & he is younger than me - that makes him even that much luckier.

Director terms are for 3 years & they are allowed to run for 2 consecutive terms which in my math adds up to 6 consecutive years. Because I was elected, then re-appointed then re-elected & on & on, I think I have spent 20+ years on the Board.

Two things I will always remember when I was elected to my very first term. Number one was that my very first opponent was Dan Bahr, who eventually became one of my best friends in the industry. Number two was that Lynn Griffin, our Executive Director at that time resigned on that very day.  What a way to start!

That meant one of our first tasks was to hire a new Executive Director, so we did. We went through a hiring process & found our person. We hired a man named Edward B. Kaspszak & eventually his son entered into the picture. You have probably guessed it by now, his son's name is Paul & yes, 20 years later, he is still our Executive Director.

I met Ed at a very young age (my brother at one time worked for Ed) & Paul loves to tell the story of how his Dad met this very young (about 5 or 6) boy on the street one day & he was supposedly picking his nose and running around barefoot. Well that young boy was me & notice, I said "supposedly." I've heard that story a hundred times & smiled every time I heard it, Thanks Paul.  

I remember Paul at one time saying the only way he would leave  MMBA would be for Executive Director of the Minnesota Golf Association (MGA). To this I say, "THANK YOU" to MGA for finding someone else & leaving Paul with us.

I remember one time driving to a Board Retreat in Coon Rapids in a snow & ice storm & the main topic for the Retreat was Commercial Memberships, a Paul Kaspszak brainstorm. The rest is history.

I will also always remember driving around the state to meet managers. Did I ever tell you how much I like to drive? Being a Director for 20+ years doing store visits & also doing Beverage Alcohol Training's, I personally have been to every municipal liquor store in the state.

I also remember having a Board function in Duluth & some of us were standing outside Fitger's talking when someone dropped my keys down the catch basin. Along came a stranger with a fishing pole & we fished the keys out. I guess we were the lucky ones that day. Peter Marinaro, now at Wirtz Beverage, loves to tell that story.

But most of all, I will always remember the friendships that have come along with being on the MMBA Board That is something nobody can take away.  I have met some truly wonderful people & I would love to name names.  But for fear of leaving someone's name out, I just want to say "THANK YOU" to all of you--- Directors, Store Managers, Commercial Members, Vendors & Whomever, you all know who you are --- "THANK YOU"

For those of you who have been asked or for those who are considering running for the Board, "GO FOR IT." I think I can personally guarantee that you will never regret it.

In closing (finally) I just want to thank & congratulate Paul for a job "WELL DONE". He has always managed to take all the different personalities of the Board members & keep them focused. As I look back over the last 20+ years, I don't think the Association has missed a beat. I believe the Association has gotten stronger & is very much respected at the Capitol.

To Virgene Shellenbarger, who along with me is leaving the Board this year -- isn't it comforting to know that it is taking 3 people to replace the 2 of us?

Congratulations & good luck to Cathy Pletta & Vicki Segerstrom for being elected & to Shelly Dillon for being appointed. You are about to go on one heckuva ride & although yours probably won't last 20+ years, enjoy it.

I guess it is time to say "FAREWELL" but not as a departure, just a separation. I will be back, as a member & a friend, not a Director. 

Bob Leslie, Pelican Liquors (Pelican Rapids)       

By Request: Korbel Slushie Recipe
 
Korbel

 

Here is a Korbel Slushie recipe from a recent tasting, requested by several attendees:

 

* 9 cups water

* 2 cups sugar

* 1 large frozen orange juice

* 1 large frozen lemonade

* 2 cups Korbel Classic Brandy or Korbel XS Brandy or 1 cup of each

 

Mix altogether in a one gallon ice cream bucket....freeze for 24 hours and serve topped with Sprite.

 

Perham Job Opening
 
Jobs

Perham, population 2,985, located in west central Minnesota lake country, is seeking qualified applicants for the position of an Off-Sale Liquor Store Manager.

 

Successful candidates must possess strong leadership and interpersonal skills with a high expectation to maintain and improve the effectiveness and efficiencies of the department along with budget and personnel administration background. 

 

Candidates should have a minimum of an A.A., A.S. or two-year technical certificate in business, management or a closely related field. Two years related work experience preferably in the operations of a municipal liquor store or retail sales business and a minimum of one year supervisory experience, or any equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.

 

Starting salary ranges $36,920 to $39,707 depending on qualifications; step wage system tops at $48,027. Applications are available at www.cityofperham.com or by calling 218-346-4455. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on June 20, 2011.

 

The City of Perham is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

 

2011 Omnibus Liquor Bill & Tip Pooling
 
  
The 2011 Omnibus Liquor Bill was recently signed by the Governor.
  
Wine in Grocery and Sunday Sales were not a part of the bill.
  
  
  
There was also legislation signed clarifying the role of an employer in tip pooling.
  
Pricing Follow-Up
Pricing 

MMBA received the following note earlier this week...

 

Interesting reading the article on pricing in this week's newsletter. We just raised all our prices from dead even to odd numbers and have seen our average purchase per customer increase over 20% from last year. It seems that beyond the actual price increase, the odd numbers result in purchasing more bottles.

Future Dates to Remember!!
 2011 MMBA Regional Meetings
  
Fall 2011
  
2012 MMBA Boot Camp
  
February 21-22, 2012
Breezy Point Resort 
  
2012 MMBA Annual Conference
  
May 20-22, 2012
Arrowwood Resort
  

 

Ask A Director

Gary Buysse
Rogers
763-428-0163

Cathy Pletta
Kasson
507-634-7618
  
Vicki Segerstrom
Milaca
320-983-6255
  
Brian Hachey
Stacy
651-462-2727

Nancy Drumsta
Delano
763-972-0578

Lara Smetana
Pine City
320-629-2020

Michael Friesen
Hawley
218-483-4747

Tom Agnes
Brooklyn Center
763-381-2349

Steve Grausam
Edina
952-903-5732

Toni Buchite
50 Lakes
218-763-2035

Michelle Olson
Sebeka
218-837-9745
E-Mail Me

Bridgitte Konrad
North Branch
651-674-8113
  
Shelly Dillon
Callaway
218-375-4691
  
Paul Kaspszak
MMBA
763-572-0222
1-866-938-3925

 
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Wine 101
Wine2
Sitting at a Bar...
Drinking at Bar
Sitting at the bar, a guy is telling the bartender that he is drinking to forget the heartbreak of his broken engagement.
  
"Would you marry someone who didn't know the meaning of the word "faithful," and who was vicious when the subject of fidelity came up?"
  
"No way!  I wouldn't!" says the bartender.
  
"Well," says the guy, "neither would my girlfriend." 

All great leaders possess two things:

 

They know where they are going & they are able to persuade others to follow