GUESTS: Judge Joe McCarville portraying General Jesse Lee Reno and honorary member Colby Davis.
FINES: Stan Macgirvin and Brad Thompson were our morning sergeants. Andrew Parr paid for not being a Big Hat. Duke Wiggins paid for being Big Hat President and not having a meeting since when? Terry Brigman and Guy Gann were fined for not wearing their Big Hats. Scott Cooley was fined for not mentioned AMBUCS in a recent Hutchinson News article and the rest of his table was fined for guilt by association. John Knipp and Darren Wicks were fined but I missed why. Dane Powers paid for his dad in absentia. All those who didnt bring a guest, which was everyone but Kathy, paid a fine. Stan paid to announce that he has been married for 50 years. Colby said that Reins of Hope could use some more board members.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Doug Foss explained to the group how you become a Big Hat.
PROGRAM: Kathy Hanks introduced Judge Joe McCarville who was portraying General Jesse Lee Reno. Reno County was named for him along with a variety of other locations. Jesse Lee Reno was born April 20, 1823 in Wheeling Virginia which is present day West Virginia. He was the third oldest of eight children. The family moved to Franklin, Pennsylvania in 1830 and Jesse grew up there. He was admitted to West Point in 1842 and graduated eighth in his class of 59 cadets in 1946. Jesse did many things during his lifetime. He served in the Mexican-American War. He taught mathematics at West Point, and was secretary for a group assigned to develop a system of instruction for heavy ordinance and was also on the Ordinance Board in Washington, D.C. He was also part of a team surveying Minnesota. He met his wife in 1853 and they had 5 children. Following many appointments for the army and surviving several battles his luck finally ran out. On September 14, during the Battle of South Mountain during the Civil War he was killed. Jesse stopped directly in front of his troops while surveying the enemies advancement and was hit by a Confederate sharpshooters bullet in the chest and died at the age of 39 a two-star General. His sons followed in his footsteps. One son Conrad Reno became an Attorney and accomplished writer in Boston. Another son Jesse W. Reno invented the first working escalator.
Lucky Ace Drawing: Duke Wiggins drew the 10 of Spades winning $5.
Newsletter Drawing: Dale Snell was not here so no drawing was held.
Newsletter question: For $15When was Kansas founded and is how old today?
Programs: February 5 Allen Stoeklein, Kansas Highway Patrol
February 12 Dave Dukart, the Quest Center
February 19 Conard & Harmon Historical Photo Talk The Fair
February 26 Mary Carol Clements, Director of Stratacca
Editor: Steve Conard