MEETING: Friday February 4, 2011 EDITOR: Tom Hymer
WELCOME GUESTS: Darren Wicks introduced his guest and todays program presenter Mary Hemmings. Dean Brigman introduced Vicki Tangeman, Ambucs District Governor who is visiting our club today.
FUN & FUND RAISING SERGEANTS: President Rick started the meeting a few minutes late which caused Sergeant Dennis to whine about missed late fines. Can you guess who got fined for that? Actually its OK if you dont know, you are probably blissfully happy. Doyle paid his 50/50 gambling tax. Tony, Dave, Stan, Mark and Doyle paid for leaving early from last weeks meeting. Remember the Score Cards from last week? Guy Gann predicted the closest score of the KU vs. KSU game and therefore he is exempt from fines for the month of February. Can you imagine, hes going to be late, let his cell phone ring, get in the breakfast line before the sergeants, no pin, no badge, leave early, and care less about Tuit. Paul Hartman, Dave, Mark, and Don were fined for not completing a score card. Others were fined for predicting K-State would win. After riding this horse to death the sergeant got the president for neglecting to mention Ambucs in the Hutchinson News story. Buy-a-Fine Anita Warren celebrates her birthday. Buy-a-fine Eric Steinle says his wife Kim is 50 and the AARP is circling like vultures, this cannot be a double entendre, can it? Sergeant Dirt Hot Line dennis@bgcons.com or call or text (620) 200-4859.
TUIT: Guy Gann had the Tuit last week and saw only one Ambuc during the whole week, Darren Wicks, who now has the Tuit.
ANNOUNCEMENT 1: President Rick Mitchell inducted Craig Johnson as the newest member to join Ambucs. Welcome Craig to the club. Craig is sponsored by Randall Haltom.
ANNOUNCEMENT 2: Jeff Brewer talked about the Super Bowl Party Sunday February 6th at 4:30pm in The Eagle Room of City Beverage. This is located at 2 South Kirby, a new building for City Beverage. If your snack requires serving utensils you should bring some. If you are bringing a snack in a crock pot bring an extension cord.
ANNOUNCEMENT 3: Jeff Brewer announced the passing away of the mother of Bob Bush. Her funeral will be next week. Please remember the Bush family in your prayers and thoughts.
PROGRAM: Program Manager Darren Wicks introduced Mary Hemmings, executive director of the Fox Theatre. Mary has announced her retirement from the Fox effective July 1st, saying that this is the time for her to leave. After serving for nine years she leaves a legacy of success for the Fox. Booking quality performances to the Fox has been a priority for Mary. One her strategies is to seek tour groups who tend to go from the east coast to the west coast to stop for a performance in Hutchinson. Oklahoma is an example on this strategy in action. Currently the Fox faces cuts in funding from the Art Commission of Kansas as Governor Brownback strives to balance the state budget. On the subject of money, grant applications are time consuming and unreliable. Mary has better success with local donors and supporters. In fact when she assumed her role as executive director she found the Fox in serious debt. With patience and determination the Fox has been debt free for several years and enjoys an endowment fund that spins off interest earnings for revenue. She focuses on bringing performances to the Fox that fit the Fox venue. The Fox is a theatre, not an arena for a rock band. She spoke of marketing strategies that the Fox employs, one of which is an electronic billboard in Wichita that brings in calls and ticket sales. She talked about a performance by David Copperfield. When it was time for interviews he did not answer the knocking on the door of his dressing room. Deciding that something had to be done she opened the door with a master key. Every Ambuc who attended todays meeting will remember what she saw upon entering and what she said to Copperfield, . . . youd better zip that up before your brains fall out! You had to be there to appreciate it, its one of those things. A great program. Mary has made a mighty and lasting contribution to Hutchinson. Everyone knows that she will be missed.
50/50 DRAWING: Jeff Brewer won $21 today. Does anyone else think that Jeff is the now most frequent winner, like Doc Powers?
NEWSLETTER DRAWING: Ron Williams name was drawn, however he was not present. So Ryan Thompsons name was drawn, however he didnt read the Newsletter so he was out of luck. Too bad Ryan, you could have won $15, next week the pot will be $20.
NEWSLETTER QUESTION NEXT WEEK: What did Mary Hemmings say to David Copperfield?
UPCOMING PROGRAMS February 11th Jeff Wells of Pest Control, bed bugs, critters, and pests February 18th Todd Roy, Bachelorette Coordinator for USD 308 February 25th Hasan El Khatib, Town Club Manager, about Egypt