Mike Ridder, the Director of Business Development for Adams Telephone and Adams Fiber, spoke about their latest project in Adams Fiber Optic. High speed internet is here in Quincy and growing. Mike updated us on the progress of the operation to make fiber optic available throughout the area. Adams has moved from being a cell/wireless phone company to a broad band company and Adams Fiber is proof of that. They started this project in the Clayton-Camp Point area in 2007 and have branched out from there to where they are now ready to take on the Quincy area. They went to the Fowler area expecting 30% of the people would want their product but found over 50% wanted it. The same held true for the Breckenridge area of Quincy, the initial area in Quincy for fiber optic. They are offering this to individuals and businesses. For individuals, if you sign up for it now you can lock in your monthly charge for life. They have different packages but you can get one for as low as $49.99 a month with no contract needed. Google has been offering this but only in larger metropolitan areas. The obvious goal is to include all areas of Quincy and the surrounding area. Thank to Mike for updating us and thanks to Chuck Venvertloh for his introduction which included a mini version of the news.

Jim Benz presented the prayer with an inclusion to check our Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors as part of Daylight Saving Time arriving. Good advice Jim and you won't get any disagreement from the Big Dog.

Cullan Duke standing just a couple of feet from the Stars and Stripes initiated the Pledge of Allegiance with a boisterous "I" followed by the membership's chorus of verbiage.

With Jared Haugh, probably standing over a casket with the Club's 50-50 bucket in hand, was a little tardy in arriving so we did not hold a drawing for the pot worth over $800 bucks. I don't get it. The person was dead when they brought him in and remained dead so what was the hold up?

President Curt attempted to read a couple of announcements but deferred to Rick Gengenbacher's expertise in doing so. His attempt to read a thank you note was humorous to say the least. Could we expect this every week?

Bruce Broemmel handled the Tail-Twister duties and his joke telling took a little too long for Eric Schultz's liking. Cost him an extra buck. Bruce also presented a breathing apparatus to the Big Dog complements of Kevin O'Donnell.

The Exchange Club March Madness Stag will be held on Wednesday, March 18th. The event will be at the Quincy Boat Club at 6:30 at a cost of $20 per person. There will be food, drinks, fun and a chance to fill out your NCAA bracket. This is a great opportunity to invite a guest or potential member. Signup sheets were on the tables but if you weren't there, you can sign up by contacting Jared Haugh at www.bethjared@comcast.net.

Steve Green, readying for the upcoming Gus Macker Tournament, surprised the membership with a black pullover jacket for each member. The jacket commemorates the upcoming 25th year of the event.

Only one guest and that was John Ridder, the father of our speaker. He was a guest of Mike Lavery.

The Big Dog hosts this Saturday's 29th Annual St. Patrick's Parade and you are all welcomed to be in it or come down and watch it. The parade starts at 11am and last a little over an hour. It starts at 12th and Maine and goes to 5th and Maine. There is NO charge if you want to get your business in it. There will be a few thousand people out there to watch it.