MEETING: Friday March 11, 2011 EDITOR: Tom Hymer
WELCOME GUESTS: Ward Davis introduced Colby and his brother Greg. Darren Wicks introduced todays program Chris Barnes of Smiths Market.
FUN & FUND RAISING SERGEANTS: Jerry and Brenda went looking for Ambucs tsars thinking about tapping into big money. Curtis Mitchell was fined, but not for being a tsar. Bob Bush paid for neglecting to mention Ambucs while he was on the radio. Then your loyal innocent editor was fined for publishing misinformation. Brad Thompson learned that it is his fault that the price of gas is going up. President Rick paid for trying to attend the next Ambucs meeting in 1969. Harmon sneaked out early before they could fine him. Reta and Dan didnt know why their spouses were not listed on the membership list, ka-ching. Darren and Steve Conard were late for the Board meeting,another desposit inthe toilet. Scott Potucek was educated on absentee fines. Scott Saylor made a stab at the Ambucs slogan and missed, but then a debate broke out on what is the correct slogan. A IQ test on Kansas netted money from Darren Wicks.
TUIT: Paul Brown saw Jeff Robeson shopping in Dillons but they didnt talk, Steve Conard in Church, Jim Seitnater in his office, and Ward Davis paid for Tuit neglect. While exclaiming he hates the Tuit he gave it to the one responsible for the thing, Brad Thompson. Caution.
ANNOUNCEMENT 1: Monte Mc McConnaughy is constructing an Ambucs page on Face Book for the purpose more publicity for our club. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hutchinson-Ambucs/115446965197178?sk=wall
ANNOUNCEMENT 2: Mark Treaster announced that there is a car show and Hutch for Haiti both on April 16th at the Fair Grounds.
ANNOUNCEMENT 3: Bob Bush announced that the Clydesdales are coming to Hutchinson during April with several events planned to show the horses.
ANNOUNCEMENT 4: President Rick stressed the importance of recruiting new members as there has been a loss of some and he urge the club to invite guests.
PROGRAM: Darren Wicks introduced Chris Barnes of Smiths Market. Chris recalled some the long history of Smiths Market in Hutchinson. Smiths Market has been at the same location since it first opened in 1933 by Henry Smith. Going through some changes of ownership over the years Earl Barnes became the sole owner in 1985 and then Barnes son, Chris, joined the business. Chris and Gail Barnes purchased Smiths Market in 2005. In 2007 Smiths Market was expanded to 3 times its original size. Chris spoke about the business plan of Smiths Market enabling it to successfully compete in the market place. It serves the wholesale needs for restaurants in the area providing fresh produce and delivery service with 4 trucks. Also the store brings in fresh produce daily in order to offer the retail customers the freshest possible produce and fruit, and example is summer peaches that are in the store two days after harvest. The store offers a variety of specialty items, coffee, spices, and T-Shirts printed with Smiths Market on the front of Eat Your Vegetables on the back. Sales on T-shirts were OK but when they reversed the logos sales really took off. This is a great example of a thriving locally owned business providing good products and superior service.
50/50 DRAWING: Eric Steinle won the pot of $26.
NEWSLETTER DRAWING: Dane Power could have won $5 but he was absent today.
NEWSLETTER QUESTION NEXT WEEK: You will win $10 if you know how many delivery trucks are in use by Smiths Market.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS: To be announced.