Volume LXXI
November 6, 2015
   2014-15 Lincolnland District Best Bulletin Award Recipient
 
This Friday
This Friday we will be holding our annual Veteran's Day / Field of Honor program during our noon meeting at Stoney Creek Inn. In advance of the big Veteran's Day Parade Saturday and our Field of Honor event next week, we will be gearing up for Veteran's Day on November 11th. Mr. Glenn Swick will be our speaker on Friday.  Glenn will be on hand to speak about the upcoming (11/14) Tri-State Warrior Run and the great organization it benefits - the Tri-State Warrior Outreach. The Tri-State Warrior Outreach is a local volunteer organization that has been responding to unmet needs requests from area veterans since 2012. They coordinate with the local VA office and in effect are acting as a Veterans Assistance Commission since currently, Adams County does not have one in place. Feel free to bring a guest or, better yet, a prospective member for one of Quincy's finest hours!
Friday Last
 
The Marine Corps League's Toys for Tots Coordinator, Steve Lindsey, was our speaker. 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 are grateful for their assistance. The Toys for Tots program is a top-rated charity with 100% of all donations remaining local. Last year Toys for Tots gave a toy or toys to 3,482 youngsters. Mr. Lindsey filled us in on the various fundraising projects they have been doing to enable them to purchase toys for youngsters in need in Adams, Brown, Hancock and Pike Counties in Illinois and Marion, Lewis and Pike Counties in Missouri. This year the toys collected will be dispersed on December 18th and 19th. Toys for Tots is always looking for donations, volunteers and drop off locations as well. To do one or all three, call 217-653-1803 or email www.quincyiltoysfortots@gmail.com. A big thanks to Charlie Ledbetter, chairman of the Foster Care Family Christmas Party and a volunteer member of Toys for Tots, for his introduction.
A Letter from the President

Dear All Fellow Quincy Exchangites,
 
There are a lot of events happening in the coming days, weeks and months. I would like to personally invite all of you to get involved to the largest extent that you can!  
 
Commonly, new members to any club have a difficult time figuring out how to get involved.  FOLLOWING ARE SOME GREAT WAYS TO GET INVOLVED. Also, to all members new or old, if at any time you have a question, feel free to call me at 217-577-4026 or email at bethjared@comcast.net. I probably wont have the answer, BUT I WILL GET THE ANSWER AND GET BACK TO YOU.
 
Besides our great weekly Friday meetings some upcoming events are:
 
VETERANS DAY PARADE: November 7 at 9:00 AM we will gather to walk in the Veterans Day Parade. For new members, we carry a gigantic US flag in the parade. We gather at the Morrison Plaza of the Junior High School right at the corner of 12th & Maine. I have walked in this several times in the last few years with my kids. I would love to have 20+ members at this. All it requires is the ability to walk so come on out and bring the kids if you can.
 
FIELD OF  HONOR: NOVEMBER 10 - 13. On Tuesday, the 10th of November at 1:00 PM the flags for the Field of Honor will go up at the large field facing approx 10th & Locust at the Illinois Veterans Home. FOR NEW MEMBERS: We place 1000 US flags in that field in a 25 flags x 40 flags grid that looks awesome. Enter the Veterans Home's 12th street entrance and park in the first parking lot to the left (south). OR PARK WHEREVER YOU WANT AND WALK. The field of honor is a FANTASTIC program.  I was blown away last year by the look of the Field of Honor (especially at night). Great patriotic program. From the time the flags go up until they come down we need to have members man our informational booth and 'guard' the field. Most all able bodied Exchangites should be able to squeeze a time slot in. Exchangites are needed on Wednesday and Thursday 8:00 AM until 8:00 PM and on Friday until 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM. No heavy lifting just an ability to interact with other human beings. Then on Friday (the 13th) we will take down the field at 3:00 PM. Take off the weekend early and kick it off by bringing the Field of Honor to a great close.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS BASKETBALL: On Sunday, December 6, 2015 from 8AM to 4PM at the QU gymnasium we will bring back the Special Olympic Basketball Tournament.  The Exchange Club is proud to have brought this great event back. We need some help as refs etc. 2 hour shifts and 4 courts going on. Knowledge of basketball not needed (just ask Rich Lavery) but a big heart and a desire to put a smile on YOUR face as well as the participants. 
 
AVENUE OF LIGHTS: A wonderful community event but certainly a BIG and NEW undertaking for the Exchange Club. Various work has gone on for months, but now its getting to crunch time. Under the direction of Avenue of Lights guys Bob Scott and John Groves daily set-up work has gone on with work crews from the Pittsfield Work Camp. The Work Camp has had to cancel numerous days which has put the Avenue behind Schedule. Therefore we have scheduled the following: Saturday, November 7, 1:00 PM to ??? we will meet up at the Wavering Aquatic Center in the park to do some set up work at the park. THE MORE MEMBERS THE BETTER FOR THIS PROJECT. NEW MEMBERS ALSO ENCOURAGED TO COME ON OUT. Note that this is the same day as the parade. If enough members are willing and able, we will also set up a time for Sunday the 8th to do some work depending on what we need. Then every Tuesday and Thursday late afternoon and evening (exact times forthcoming) from here to Thanksgiving we will gather to help more with set up.  
 
BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE: from Thanksgiving night through New Years Night (Jan 1) the Avenue is on. We would like at least 2 Exchangites to be there every night 5:00 PM ish to 9:30 ish to assist the volunteer group and help with problems. This also requires LITTLE TO NO SKILL as we will have a list of contacts for real problems, etc. FOR NEW MEMBERS: One of the best opportunities to get involved in a big project and meet some fellow members.
 
Also, Mark you calendars for the Spousal Christmas Party on Saturday, December 5th at the Quality Inn. Other Social events around the Holidays and in the coming year will be held.
 
Also, AS we have already announced, the 26th GUS MACKER will be held Memorial Day Weekend 2016 under the return of Chairmen Steve Green and Perry Terwelp. FOR NEW MEMBERS: When this gets closer, another great opportunity to get involved in a great weekend and a great Exchange Club event.
 
I'm sure I've missed some other things that could be added but bottom line, let's have some fun and get involved.
 
WELL NOW THAT YOU'VE READ THE LONGEST EXCHANGITE IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND, WAKE UP AND CHECK YOUR CALENDAR. THERE IS A TON OF OPPORTUNITY TO GET INVOLVED.   CALL ME ANYTIME AT 217-577-4026 TO GET MORE INFO OR TO LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO. (my old number of 1-800-EAT-CRAP has been disconnected)
 
I'VE HAD A GREAT TIME AS YOUR PRESIDENT SO FAR AND HOPE TO SEE YOU AT MANY OF OUR GREAT EVENTS!!
 
PRES HAUGH
Birthdays and Anniversaries

Every Tuesday and Thursday - Avenue of Lights 5:30 to 7:30 at Wavering Pool

11/5 - John Johannes turns 48
11/6 - Gary Hillebrenner turns 62
11/7 - Sonny Christner turns 82 

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

Joe Bocke had the responsibility of providing the prayer which included thoughts and prayers to Mel Dillman who is still in Blessing Hospital.
 
Rich Howell provided a deep, resonant "I" to initiate the Pledge of Allegiance. Rich must have devoured an extra brat before the meeting.
 
Rick Gengenbacher handled Tail-Twister duties and incorporated a few good lines along the way. He even allowed Fred Lauder to tell a "Halloweenie joke"
 
The 50/50 Card Draw was conducted by Brian Koch with Eric Thomas getting the opportunity to win the $200. Eric drew a 7 of Diamonds from the deck so the pot grows next week.
 
President Jared Haugh, who had to leave the meeting prematurely for work reasons, thanked Carlos Fernandez for a wonderful "Firefighter of the Year" program which included a demonstration in the parking lot. The only hiccup was the firefighters had some difficultly in igniting the sofas used in the demonstration. Well, they are supposed to be good at putting fires out and not starting them.
 
Jared updated everyone on the Avenue of Lights project. He stated we could use the help on Tuesday and Thursday night from 6 to 7 at Wavering Pool area. It is nothing real strenuous. Jared is also asking members to be available if possible to help with a Saturday work day on November 7th at 1pm at Wavering Park. Only 4 weeks left to make it happen. We need your help.
 
Art Awerkamp updated us on the Field of Honor project. Signup sheets were on tables to assist with setup on November 10th at 1 pm, hosting on the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th, and tear down on the 13th. This year some of the proceeds will go to the Exchange Club's national project of "Veterans Matter" to assist homeless Veterans.
 
Jeff Dorsey reminded members of the need for help in carrying the huge American Flag in the Veteran's Day Parade on Saturday, November 7th. We will need about 15 members to meet between 9 and 9:30 at the Junior High School parking lot. The Exchange Club is entry #8 in the parade so we should be done by 11am. The Veteran's Parade will feature a C-130 flyover as well.

Dick Wentura brought an old Exchange Club Golf Plague for all to see with names of former members listed on it.
 
Perry Terwelp updated everyone on the Special Olympics basketball Tournament coming up on December 6th. There will be 14 to 16 teams playing in the event. Perry needs refs and scorekeepers for the event. Please see him if you can help.
 
Steve Labs dropped off pamphlets on the tables for the upcoming Hy-Vee Holiday Show at the Oakley Lindsey Center on November 12th. Tickets are $10 with proceeds going to the Madonna House and Quanada.

Kent Anderson offered the members a chance of a lifetime, to buy two tickets off him to see the Rams and the 49ers game. All proceeds were to go to Kent Anderson's retirement fund.
 
Kent is also the sponsor for prospective member Taylor Rakers of Farmer's State Bank. The Club held a first reading on his membership.
 
Bill Stalder took the opportunity to present a $500 check to the Toys for Tots program from the employees of Adams Electrical Co-Op. They have a "Penny Power Grant Program" which asks their employees to round up their bills to the next dollar. The additional change collected adds up and it helped make the donation possible to the Toys for Tots program. Since its inception, the program has raised $352,000 over the years.

Speaking of Bill Stalder, there was a nice ad in Sunday's Herald Whig showing Bill and Jim Benz presenting checks to the Character Champions Sportsmanship awards to Unity High School, Camp Point Junior High School and Western Junior High School.
 
Here is a big thank you to Rick Gengenbacher for writing the bulletin for me last week. As always thanks as well to Dennis Koch who handles the weekly layout of it.
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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

Goes to (who else) Jared Haugh. After catching grief from Rick Gengenbacher for leaving the meeting early, Jared responded with
 
 - "Due to the recent problems at the Veteran's Home, I must leave early".
 
Exchange Minute

Set up for the Field of Honor

Here is the schedule for the Field of Honor - Please, please, please, make some time in your calendar next week to help us bring this fantastic event to fruition.
 
Monday, November 9 - 5:30 p.m. We will need several guys from the committee to meet at the storage unit at Quincy Storage (just off of 30th street entrance) to load the trailer with the flags. All of the flags are on 4 rolling carts, designed and built by our own Steve Green, so it won't take long to load.
 
Tuesday, November 10 - 1 p.m. We will need as many Exchangites as are available to set up the Field. This consists of driving 1,000 pieces of rebar into pre-marked spots, then unfurling the flags and setting them on the rebar. Last year, about 20 guys set the field up in less than 90 minutes.
 
Tuesday, November 10 - 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. - The Field will be open to the public.
 
Wednesday, November 11, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. - The Field is open to the public.
 
Wednesday, November 11 - 11:11 a.m. The Illinois Veterans Home Veterans Day Ceremony and official opening of the Field of Honor.
 
Wednesday, November 11 - 7 p.m. Veterans Matter rally at the Field of Honor - Please make an effort to attend and bring family and friends. We will be collecting funds for the Veterans Matter project to house homeless vets.
 
Thursday, November 12 - 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. - The Field is open to the public.
 
Friday, November 13, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. - The Field id open to the public.
 
Friday, November 13 - 3 p.m. - We need as many members to help take down the field and store the flags. We will roll each of the 1,000 flags and store them on the rolling carts, then take the carts back to the storage unit.
 
During the times that the Field is open to the public, we need two-three Exchangites to man the tent. The purpose is to provide information to the public, hand out flyers on the Flags of Honor and Veterans Matter program, and just have a presence at the Field for security. (We have security lined up for 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.) Please take a little time to come out and support our Field of Honor and support all of our veterans!
 
It's an impressive sight and we want to thank our sponsors for making it possible again this year!
 
ADM
Adams Fiber
Ameren
Country Financial
County Market
ETC Computerland
First Bankers Trust/First Bankers Trust Services
Gardner Denver
Herald Whig/WGEM
Dennis G Koch CPA
An anonymous donor
Quincy Mack
Smith Brothers TNT
United Rentals
 
We are still working on a few others - if they come in, we will recognize them as well!
 
Lest you forgot what our Field looks like, here is the link to the video that Eric Thomas' crew shot of last year's Field of Honor:
 
2014 Quincy Exchange Club Field of Honor
2014 Quincy Exchange Club Field of Honor
 

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