GUESTS Katheryn (Katie) Conkling retired, WWII Veteran of the Army Air Corp and Brian Knipp, First Lieutenant, Army National Guard and Johns son. Both were guests of John Knipp.
FINES Jerry Regier with help from Scott Potucek were our Sergeants-of-Arms this morning. They began with a fine to past editor Tom Hymer for an error in the last 2011 newsletter. I was introduced as the new editor without fine. They asked for one person from each table to stand and deputized them as assistant Sergeants-of-Arms collecting a dollar from everyone else at their table. I guess it sometimes pays to stand when asked.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – Dave Shuler paid to announce that he was a new grandfather of granddaughter Khloe Lynne Williams 6# 10oz. 19-1/2.
Dan Power paid to announce that a new free exhibit in appreciation of Pat Potuceks work opened Friday at the Hutchinson Art Center. Area individuals were also invited to loan pieces of Pats artwork for display. Also exhibited will be artwork that the center has in their collection.
Jerry Regier reminded the group that February is National AMBUCS Visibility month. There has been discussion and a committee formed to see if we want our club to host a State of the City breakfast with the mayor and invitees on February 24th. More information to follow next week.
Jay Pitzer announced again and a signup sheet passed for a casino night that the Big Hat Club is working Thursday, January 19th at the Ramada for a Water Dealers Convention. Additional help from members would be greatly appreciated. Also, mark your calendars for an upcoming casino night on Saturday, February 11th at the Kansas Cosmosphere that will be a fundraiser for an individuals therapy dog that was discussed last month.
PROGRAM John Knipp introduced his son Brian, who is a First Lieutenant in the Air National Guard, returning from a 2010-2011 tour of duty in Afghanistan. Brian was stationed on a base in Laghman Province, Northeast of Kabul, one province West of Pakistan. He has an Agronomist degree from K-State and was serving as a coordinating Agronomist with the 36ADT Agra-Business Development Team. They were in Afghanistan assisting local farmers with farming practices and crop development for their area. With a 2 inch average rainfall and 130 degree midday temperature the area is all deserts except where it is irrigated. Brian showed a PowerPoint of his experiences there. Farms are bounded by walls, instead of fences, into compounds. Eucalyptus trees are plentiful but toxic and they do not allow vegetation to grow beneath them. Most farming is either river bottom or terrace farming with wheat, corn soybeans and their local vegetables as the predominate crops. Farms average 2 acres along with a few cows and chickens. The team using greenhouses for research and development introduced the farmers to some new plants and plant varieties. Unfortunately, due to poverty, the farmers pretty much just stick to what they know and can afford. The farmers barter 10% of their crop yields to others who have tractors who thresh the crops. The team also taught classes for the farmers and area high school and college students. The officers food and provisions were contract air-lifted to the base as needed.
50/50 DRAWING Anita Warren won $22.
NEWSLETTER DRAWING Duke Wiggins was not present to win.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK The first American Business Club was founded when?
Steve Conard, Editor