This last month has been very busy for Indianapolis Chapter. It started with a dozen of us attending the national convention, CONSTRUCT 2014, in Baltimore from 9 - 12 September. The Baltimore Chapter put on a tremendous event both educationally and socially. The City was celebrating 200 years since Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner while watching the battle for Ft. McHenry. As part of the celebration the harbor was filled with tall sailing ships and the Blue Angels flew every afternoon. After the first day of threatening rain that never came, we had beautiful weather. Many participated in a Harbor Dinner Cruise on Wednesday evening. On a more studious note many pronounced the education sessions the best in a while, and the exhibition hall was expansive and the exhibitors lively, helpful, friendly, and informative. The social events culminated with a boisterous social affair Thursday night at Power Plant Live!, the current hot spot in Baltimore.

The four-day event ended with the CSI Annual Meeting on Friday where our own Joe McGuire was recognized for the third time at the conference for attending his fiftieth national convention. Due to all of the walking involved, Joe takes it easy these days in a wheelchair and is pushed in turn by three of six his sons who have been using the last dozen national conventions for mini family reunions. Here is a picture of Joe with sons Bill, Patrick, and Chuck, all of them Eagle Scouts like their dad. Joe had just received his award to yet another standing ovation. ". . . the splendor of old men is their gray hair." Proverbs 20:29.

We had not been back even a week, and it was time for our 40th Annual Trade Show, #designindy, on 18 September at The Crane Bay for the second time. It was also again a joint venture with AIA and USGBC, but with a different schedule stretching from 11:30 all the way through 9:00 p.m. for those who enjoyed the after party on the patio. In true collaborative fashion, AIA provided the keynote speaker, USGBC provided the learning seminars, and our fine product representatives and fabricators provided a roomful of new information and materials on their products. In typical fashion, I missed half of them because I talked so much with those I did get to. A rousing success!

Our Duck Pin Bowling event on Friday evening 3 October at Atomic Bowling in Fountain Square was a really fun and family-friendly event that attracted a good number of guests and potential members. We had 72 bowlers on eight lanes, and it got pretty loud in there. Some of the team awards explain the festivity:

We had the normal stuff like "The Highest Total Team Score" - Team Joel Young, but also a number of more fun awards, like "The Most Gutter Balls by a Team" - Team Andy McIntyre, evidently helped a great deal by Maddie McIntyre, age 8.

"The Team with Most Recruitable Non-Members" went to Team Blake Wagner. Not only did this team have three guests who are potential members, but Blake's two boys and Kristin Welty's two girls all vowed to grow up to be architects, so they were also counted as potential members. You have to dream.

"The Most Creative Team Costume" went to Team Joyce White decked out in "Duckpin Bowling Ninja" team costumes. Pretty scary. But if you weren't there you won't even believe (Big Lebowski) Mike Halstead. I could not tell who The "Dude" was under that hair. I assumed he was a guest.

Yes, we are THE fun group! I was told as much by some of our guests.

Back to the traditional time and location for our October Chapter Meeting: Third Thursday 16 October at The Willows on Westfield. The program will be a presentation on "Forces (Affordable Care Act) Shaping Health Care Construction and Responsible Design" by Kathy Clark MHA, BSN, RN, Senior Director Healthcare Operations Planning, BSA LifeStructures. More information at www.csiindy.org. This year all meetings will include a member spotlight, so look for that as well.

October's President's Question: Those of you have met the first lady note that she still sounds a bit foreign even though she has been in this country since she was 19. The question:

Which passports does Carin hold? a. Sweden only. b. United States and Sweden - dual citizenship. c. United States only.

Be the first to email the correct answer to davidyoung327@gmail.com with the subject heading "Carin" and you will receive a gift bag of Swedish food goodies selected and baked by the first lady herself. The correct answer and winner will be revealed at the October chapter meeting. You must be present to win.

I am here to serve. Please email me at davidyoung327@gmail.com or call me 317.777.0855 cell or just grab me personally to share any suggestions, complaints, or needs regarding our chapter - or especially if you wish to volunteer for any of our committees . . . . . . or start your own committee. Dream BIG!

If you are going to be in the greater Louisville area on Friday, November 07...be sure to attend the following event being hosted by the Louisville Chapter.  If you love to support CSI events, or love to bet the ponies, this event is great for you.

Churchill Downs - A Day at the Races

Churchill Downs
700 Central Ave
Louisville, KY 40208 

Gates open at 11:30 AM, First Race Post Time 12:40 - Buffet Lunch Open 11:30 AM

Includes:

Tickets will be mailed in advance to the address provided