Volume LXXI
October 30, 2015
   2014-15 Lincolnland District Best Bulletin Award Recipient
 
This Friday
We'll learn more about the U.S. Marine Corps League's Toys for Tots program from local leader, Steve Lindsey. The local group, the Gem City Detachment of the Marine Corps League, has been a great friend to the Exchange Club of Quincy by providing gifts for the club's annual Christmas Party for Foster Care Families. They have done this for many years now and we grateful for their assistance. For those of you not familiar with the Toys for Tots program, it is a top-rated charity; over 97% of all donations to go toward their mission which is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, and patriotic citizens. Should be a good one and if you happen to have a new or gently used toy sitting around the house (or a couple extra dollars), bring it/them Friday - I'm sure Marine Veteran Steve would be happy to take it with him! Charlie Ledbetter, chairman of the Foster Care Family Christmas Party will handle the introduction.
Friday Last

Tri-Township Fire Department Fire Chief Rick Zaerr accepting the Firefighter of the year Award from program Chairman Carlos Fernandez
A great meeting in which, on behalf of the Club, Carlos Fernandez presented the Firefighter of the Year Award to Tri-Township Fire Chief Rick Zaerr. The chief was recognized for his many years of firefighting service to our community and in particular, his leadership at TTFD. Chief Zaerr started with the Quincy Fire Department in July of 1979 and retired from QFD in 2005 with the rank of Deputy Chief. He then assumed his current position with Tri-Township in October of that same year. Under his leadership, TTFD has made several upgrades in equipment, manpower, and technical skills/services. His diligence and commitment to the profession has made TTFD one of the most capable departments in the state. Chief Zaerr's wife, Terri, and one of their two daughters, Kelsi, were on hand for the presentation.
 
After the presentation, Quincy Fire Chief Joe Henning introduced Deputy Fire Chief Greg Dreyer who spoke briefly about the importance of fire sprinklers, specifically, residential fire sprinklers. Deputy Chief Dreyer presented several compelling reasons why we should consider, especially any new home construction, the addition of a home sprinkler system. There is an increase to building cost but it saves lives and homes with a sprinkler system sustain 90% less damage than those without. Deputy Chief Dreyer's presentation ended with an outside demonstration between two room - one with a sprinkler system and one without. Good stuff!
 
Birthdays and Anniversaries

Every Tuesday and Thursday - Avenue of Lights 6:00 to 7:30 at Wavering Pool

11/3 - Kelly Stupasky turns 49

11/19 - Board meeting at the Pier - 11:45 a.m. - members are welcome to attend
 
Upcoming dates of interest:
11/10-13 - Field of Honor at Illinois Veterans Home
11/26-1/1 - Avenue of Lights at Wavering/Moorman Park
12/4 - Hearing Impaired Christmas
12/4 - Give-a-Kid-Chance Christmas party
12/6 - Special Olympics Basketball (please note change in date from last week's bulletin)
12/5 - Spouse Christmas party at Quality Inn

  
This 'n That

Brother Ed Arambasich, OFM, offered a tremendous prayer and former police and fire commissioner Dick Wentura told us he was "proud to say, I pledge allegiance to the flag"... Most of you know that Brother Ed serves as the chaplain for the Quincy Fire and Police Departments... President Jared Haugh shared how twice in his life the Quincy Fire Department made a difference... Prospective member Taylor Rakers the guest of Kent Anderson... This was the seventh Firefighter of the Year award out club has presented and at least three of the prior recipients were on hand for the special day... October is National Fire Prevention Month, thus the reason we do the honor when we do... The Firefighter of the Year award was the brainchild of past president Kevin Curran... No tail-twister or card draw last week... Kudos to WGEM for a great live production of the Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame football game. Honestly seemed like they had done it 20 times already as the broadcast was nearly flawless. Thank you for a great show, Carlos and gang... Speaking of QHS and QND sports, basketball coaches Andy Douglas and Kevin Meyer will join us November 20th for our annual basketball preview... Could always use your help with the Avenue of Lights. Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Wavering Park pool area... Please keep Past President Mel Dillman in your prayers and go visit him if you can...

Please support our webpages and Social Media:
In This Issue
Club Information

Jared Haugh, President

Brian Koch, President-Elect

Cory Watson, Vice President

Chris Parker, Treasurer

Cullan Duke, Secretary

Curt Moore, Imm Past President

 

Board of Directors:

David Adam - 2016

Alan Musholt - 2016

Josh Klitz - 2017

Eric Barnes - 2017

Art Awerkamp - 2018

Kyle Awerkamp - 2018

 

Lincolnland District:

President- Dawn Portner, Naperville

Division 10 Director-Joel Koch

Region 3 VP-Scot Warren

Membership August 1, 2015: 92

 

Board meets 3rd Thursday monthly

11:45 at The Pier Restaurant

 

Office of the Secretary:

Cullan Duke

PO Box 1173

Quincy IL 62306-1173 

Line of the Week

"I don't have a problem with that!"
 
Bruce Broemmel's wisecrack after Deputy Fire Chief Greg spoke about the importance of staying low in a fire situation. It was just one of many cracks from the small group standing under the tents for the burn demonstration.
 
Exchange Minute

Veterans Matter

Our thanks to Matt Hopf and the Herald-Whig for the great article on our upcoming Field of Honor and Veterans Matter Rally. If you haven't seen the article - it was in Monday night's paper, on the Whig's Facebook page and available online at www.whig.com.
 
We've been in the news quite a bit lately, with coverage of the Firefighter of the Year Award, the Field of Honor and coverage of the Club in the "Helping Hands" section on Service Clubs in Sunday's Whig. We really appreciate the coverage.
 
Having just returned from the National Leadership Summit for all of the incoming District Presidents, I can tell you that we are truly blessed to have the local media cover our club so well. Many of the Exchange Clubs around the country have trouble even getting a mention in their local paper, much less TV or radio coverage of an event. The next time you see David Adam (Herald-Whig), Carlos Fernandez (WGEM), Jeff Dorsey (Y-101), or any of the fine folks from all of our local media companies, be sure to give them a big thank you for what they do for us.
 
Their coverage of our events, not to mention the financial contributions they make in free advertising and sponsorships go a long way in helping us make Quincy a better community!

Our Mission - Exchange, inspiring communities to become better places to live.

Copyright © 20XX. All Rights Reserved.