November 1, 2013

All the news that's fit to print...and a lot that isn't

Jeff Dorsey, Editor

Paul Clarkson - Editor Emeritus John Tripp - Editor Emeritus

Club Meets at Noon each Friday at Stoney Creek Inn, 3809 Broadway in Quincy
2012-2013 Lincolnland District Exchange Clubs Best Bulletin Award Winner

This Friday

Our topic this Friday will be Toys for Tots. This worthy operation has been helping needy kids for a long time and we will find out how we as individuals can help this holiday season. The club has already agreed to donate to this cause and will do so during the meeting. Bring a friend or prospective member (good work on that point so far!) and enjoy Quincy's finest hour!

Friday Last

The Fifth Annual Exchange Club Firefighter of the Year Award presentation took place last Friday with October being National Fire Awareness Month. This year's winner was Assistant Fire Chief James Pioch of the Quincy Fire Department, an 18 year veteran of the Department. Assistant Chief Pioch was in charge of the firefighting operation during the Newcomb Hotel fire. That was a five-alarm blaze that occurred on Friday, September 6^th.

According to Chief Joe Henning, Assistant Chief Pioch "goes above and beyond in all that he does and he is the go-to guy when I need statistics". Chief Henning went on to say he is my "Techno Geek" and a fully accomplished firefighter. Assistant Chief Pioch assists firefighters in helping them access technology to help make their jobs easier and most of all safer.

Exchange Club President Chuck Venvertloh presented Assistant Chief Pioch a special plague (see picture) featuring a picture of the fully engulfed Newcomb Hotel. A plaque will also be presented to all five fire companies who responded to the five alarm blaze as well. Chief Henning accepted the plaque at the meeting for Engine Company 2.

Also in attendance was Tri-Township Fire Department's Chief Rick Zaerr and Assistant Chief Darren Smith. Other previous winners in attendance were Captain Tom Bentley, Lieutenant Eric Becks, Firefighter Justin Twaddle and Lieutenant Dennis Behl of the Quincy Fire Department. Assistant Chief Pioch's lovely wife, Connie, was also there to witness her husband getting his award.

This event was the brainchild of Kevin Curran who now is a member of the Naperville Exchange Club. It's good to see that five years later it is still going strong.

Special thanks goes to Carlos Fernandez for MCing the program and for putting together a great video of that September 6^th firefighting effort. Carlos was also a part of the committee that worked on the selection of our winner along with Hal Broadwater, Jim Benz, Steve Green and Chuck Venvertloh.

VIP Dates

11/3 - Kelly Stupasky celebrates birthday 47 (probably wishes we took 10 years off of that one)

11/5 - Don & Amy Hilgenbrink celebrate their 30th anniversary and John Johannes celebrates birthday 46
11/6 - Gary Hillebrenner turns 60
11/7 - Sonny Christner turns 80
11/9 - Lincolnland Fall Educational Conference in Bloomington

11/11 - Board meeting at the Pier (11:45) and Veteran's Day

12/14 - Special Olympics Basketball tournament at QHS gym

This & That

Brother Ed Arambasich, the Chaplain for the QFD, presented the opening prayer.

Eric Frese belted out with vigor the first word (I) of the Pledge of Allegiance which prompted the membership to follow with the rest of the script.

President Chuck Venvertloh held a 2^nd reading for Josh Klitz, being sponsored by Steve Labs. Other than a question about Mr. Labs, the vote was unanimous. So bring him in. It looks like another six pack will be needed Chuck.

Chuck also reminded everyone that the next board meeting is set for Monday, November 11^th at the Pier Restaurant (3^rd Floor).

Dennis Koch announced that the revived Special Olympic Basketball Tournament will be held on Saturday, December 14^th at the Quincy High School Gymnasium. We will be looking for people to officiate the games. Plus please let Dennis know if you have any business people who would be interested in co-sponsoring the event. It will cost us around $1500 to put this on. Run your ideas by Dennis.

Jim Benz updated the club on the recent Tin Dusters Convention. Some 800 cars made their way to Quincy for the event and they raised some $14 Thousand for Camp Callahan.

The Annual Lincolnland Conference will be held on November 9^th in Bloomington, Illinois. If interested in going, please contact Joel Koch. The Club will pick up your expenses if you would like to attend.

There was no card draw this week. It will return next week.

Only one guest last week and it was my brother, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Gary J. Dorsey (USAF) visiting the area for the Big Dog's birthday

Like us on Facebook

The National Exchange Club is trying to increase its presence on social media sites. One way to do that is to "Like" a site on Facebook. If you go to these links and click "Like", it will help the club, district and National Exchange Club promote the programs of service of Exchange to others. If you are on Facebook, please support Exchange by clicking Like! Here's the links:

National Exchange Club

Lincolnland District Exchange Clubs

Quincy Exchange Club

Quincy Gus Macker Site

Smoke on the River Site

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