Newsletters

Guests: Father Ned Blick, United States Army Chaplin, our speaker for today.

Sergeants Corner: After waiting for Sheriff Scott to appear, Deputy Jeff Brewer recruited Pat Fallon to carry the toilet. They started by collecting the presidential tax from Dorinda Simmons. Then they fined Doyle E and Jim S for ignoring the Sergeants by carrying on their own conversation. Guy G paid for holding up the serving line until he knew who the sergeants were. Then the anniversary blizzard hit, with at least six members paid for having wedding anniversaries during the last 30 days, including Jeff R, Paul B, Darin A, Terry Bisbee, and Jeff B.

Get to know our newest member: Darin Ackley is the Finance Director of Kwik Shop, Inc. He and his wife Becki have three children one at K-State, one at Hutchinson High School,and one at MorganElementary.

Program: Father Ned Blick is a Captain in the Military Chaplincy Program. Serving in this capacity allows him to continue his familys strong patriotic tradition as well his desire to serve his Lord. During his overseas assignments he spent time in both Iraq and Afganistan. As a Chaplin, he is not allowed to carry a weapon. He is assigned an assistant whose job is to protect the Chaplin. While assigned to Iraq, he had the opportunity to visit several locations where our Christian traditions were founded centuries ago.

Drawings: The Lucky Aces drawing went to Jay Pitzer, who left with $5. Next weeks total is $577. There was no Newsletter drawing on June 17th. Therefore the Newsletter Drawing pot is $10 for the meeting of July 24, 2015 if you can name the two nations in which Fr. Blick served in his tour as a Chaplin.

Newsletter 7/10/15Editor Duke Wiggins

GUESTS: Darin Ackley, guest of Paul Hardenberger; Chris McGuire, Kellyn McCarley, Zoe Cumberland, and Madeline Montgomery, members of a local Ulster Project group and our program for today.

SHERIFFS CORNER: Scott and Jeff began by collecting the weekly Presidential tax. Then they introduced the no guest / no new member tax. All members who have not brought a guest or signed a new member in 2015 must pay $1. Bring your money.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Keep Don Grossardt in your prayers as his mother passed away this week.

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBER DARIN ACKLEY, WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE FOR KWIK SHOP CORPORATE. He is sponsored by Paul Hardenberger.

PROGRAM: The Ulster Project is an international peace project geared towards ending the troubles that have been plaguing Northern Ireland for decades. The project became active in the US in 1975 and now have 14 active chapters throughout the country. Chris McGuire and Kellen McCarley are part of the local staff. Zoe Cumberland is from Northern Ireland and has been matched Madeline Montgomery. They have done projects with Tech, Inc., Reins of Hope, Wesley Towers, the Boys and Girls Club, Circles of Hope, and Meals on Wheels. Chris explained that a big part of the program is devoted to leadership building.

DRAWING: Lucky Aces Drawing went unrecoreded (my error). This weeks question is to name our newest members name and where he is employed.

PROGRAM FOR 7/17/15 Father Ned Blick

EDITOR: Paul Brown

GUESTS: Darin Ackley-Kwik Shop, guest of Paul Hardenberger. James Lowe-Concerts for the Cause, guest of the club.

SGT. REPORT: Sgt. Scott C. and his little buddy, Jeff B., were enforcing the rules last Friday. President Andrew paid. Jim S. and Scott P. paid for gracing us with their presence. Paul H. paid for not working at the Sweet Shoppe this summer. Doug paid for the Hutch News coverage on Colby and Wards school trail.

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS: Please return your committee preference sheet to Dennis Reiser so you are on the committee of your choice.

PROGRAM: James Lowe, coordinator for the Concerts for the Cause, was our speaker. Donated food and drink is sold at the concerts for the benefit of the sponsoring non-profit group. Reno County Food Bank, Hutchinson Theater Guild and Headstart are just a few of the participating organizations. Concerts are on Saturday nights at Avenue A Park during June, July and August. (See www.concertsforthecause.com for more information.)

LUCKY ACES WINNER: Tom Hymer-only $5.00. The pot grows.

NEWSLETTER DRAWING: Guy Gann-Nope. ($10.00 next week).

NEWSLETTER QUESTION: Who was Paul Hardenbergers guest last Friday?

July 3, 2015 Breakfast: Please come to the meeting! We pay for a minimum number of breakfasts regardless of how many AMBUCS attend! Better yet, bring a guest with you!

GUESTS: Dave McKane, a guest of Kathy Hanks and our guest speaker. Honorary member Colby Davis.

FINES: New master Sergeant Scott Cooley with help from Jeff Brewer worked us over for fines this week. Duke Wiggins and Dane Power paid for being late. The newsletter editors Paul Brown, Tom Hymer and I were rated out by Dennis Reiser and paid a fine. I still dont know why. There were at least 2 other editors who didnt pay but I wont mention any names. Paul Hardenburger paid again to announce how nice it was to not be working at the ice cream booth in 100 degree heat this summer. I forgot who mentioned this but an Ata-Boy-Award goes to Colby Davis for the idea of a walking trail connection between Plum Creek Elementary School and the city walking trail apply named for Colby and editorialized by Kathy Hanks in The Hutchinson News.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: A thank you note was read from the Tony Powers family. There will be an Ice Cream Booth Committee meeting and a Membership / Publicity / Social Committee meeting next week at 6:15 AM. Please turn in your committee preference sheets as soon as possible or be delegated to serve on a committee not of your choosing. Jay Pitzer announced that a Casino Night has been booked for area Catholic Schools to be held at the Holy Cross Gymnasium on October 3rd.

PROGRAM: Kathy Hanks introduced our guest speaker Dave McKane. Dave is a professional photographer from Dublin, Ireland. His first visit to Hutchinson was in 1978 as an AFS Foreign Exchange Student attending Hutchinson High School. Dave now operates a photography school in Dublin. During a visit to Hutchinson in 2008 when his host family father passed away he fell in love with Kansas. Specifically abandoned farms houses that he has traveled the back roads of Kansas to find and photograph. He says that the quarter section family farms are going away and the larger farms are taking over much larger sections leaving these Ghost Houses abandoned on the quarters. Most of these photographs are in black and white and he does an outstanding job of catching the clouds at just the precise moment to make breathtaking photographs. You can find a collection of his photographs on his web site DaveMcKaneArts.com. Dave also posts on the Hutchinson Facebook page You know youre from Hutchinson Kansas if. He showed us many of the ghost house photos. During this visit to Hutchinson he found a local salvage yard and took photos of abandoned cars focusing on the pre 1980 era automobiles. He calls this group of photos Beyond Repair?. It proved to be quite the photo show. Dont tell anyone but I think Dave has fallen in love with Hutchinson too.

Lucky Ace Drawing: Jay Pitcher drew a 6 of Spades to win $5. The pot increases to $494.00.

Newsletter Drawing: Jeff Roberson new the answer Vic Edwards wining $5.

Newsletter question: For $5Where does Dave McKane live?

Calendar: Next meeting June 26

Editor: Steve Conard

Terry Brigman introduced guest Vic Edwards.

In the absence of President Andrew Parr, Kathy Hanks conducted todays meeting.

Ward Davis and his son Colby patrolled the place and extracted some fine money from happy and cheerful Ambucs.

During todays meeting members reminisced of the times and events concerning Tony Powers as an informal memorial. Tony joined Ambucs on October 31, 1988 and became a Big Hat on September 4, 1998. The members recalled Tonys generosity and his some of his many projects such as planting grape vines and bee keeping. A kind and generous man he helped many people in need through his optometrist office. Tony will be missed in so many ways that we cant imagine all of them.

Fred Conner had a chance of winning the Lucky Aces pot, but the card he drew was not the Ace of Spades, so he got $5. For next week the pot is $470. Troy Thode answered the Newsletter Question and won $5. For next week for $5 the Newsletter Question is who was our visiting guest for todays meeting.

GUESTS: Megan Bartley, Thads daughter. Lowell Peachey, Mennonite Friendship Communities, guest of Jay Pitzer. Leslie Shea, Pizza Ranch, guest of Brad Thompson. Honorary member Colby Davis.

FINES: New master Sergeant Scott Cooley with help from Jeff Brewer levied this weeks fines. Andrew Parr was fined the customary Presidential tax. Ward Davis was fined for not repairing the toilet. He said that he had no plumbers license or plumber sub-contractors, so sorry. Scott paid a fine because he was late. I dont thinks he has been properly trained yet. Eric Steinlee was fined for being late. I believe he paid enough to count it as a membership renewal tax. He said that it had been so long since he has been here he forgot what time we started. Paul Hardenburger was ratted out for something but I missed what it was. Those members with Red trucks such as Rod Calhoun, Brad Thompson and Randall Haltom were fined. Brad Thompson paid to publicly thank Kathy Hanks for the wonderful article that she wrote that was published June 3rd in The Hutchinson News about member Tony Powers. Colby Davis paid to announce that there was a golf tournament fund raiser for Reins of Hope held last Sunday. We hope some members were able to participate. Dave Suhler announced that he and his wife had just returned from a 35th Wedding Anniversary from the Turks & Caicos Islands. And last but not least Jeff Roberson paid a Past Presidents tax.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Doug Foss announced that an AmTryke request had been approved in committee and will be presented at the board meeting next Friday at 6:15 AM. Heads up officers!

PROGRAM: Kathy Hanks introduced our guest speaker Megan Bartley. Megan spoke about her International trips to Spain, France, Italy and Australia. One unique thing that Megan did for these trips was to go to Goodwill and find enough clothing for the trip. At the end of the trip she either left the clothing with someone to be donated to someone in need or she presented it to them directly. She said that it was just something she wanted to do to give back and help someone. It also provided more room in her suitcase to bring back souvenirs. She made the trip to Spain with students in 2013. She traveled to Australia with her father for a Rotary International Convention in 2014. Her last trip was to France and Italy with students earlier this year. After a 2007 bicycle accident that her father had, she found that he needed a lot of help recovering following the accident. She helped her dad with speech, physical and occupational therapy. She found that she really liked occupational therapy and wants to make it her major with a pediatric emphasis. She currently attends HCC where she is a sophomore and student body President. She will attend the KU School of Medicine following HCC. She also loves dance and plans to attend a school specializing in dance choreography. She finished with a slide show of her trips.

Lucky Ace Drawing: Yours truly drew the Two of Spades to win $5. The pot increases to $449.00.

Newsletter Drawing: Rod Calhoun new the answer MD Anderson wining $30.

Newsletter question: For $5What 4 countries did Megan Bartley visit?

Calendar: Next meeting June 12

Editor: Steve Conard

Meeting of May 29, 2015

Big Hat Day. A number of Big Hat Ambucs forgot their hats, but no penalties were assessed.

Guests attending, Bob Bush who gave a report on his battle with cancer. His cancer is not severe and no organs appear to be impacted. Bob is very optimistic that he will beat his cancer and discussed his treatment plan at the MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, TX.

Sergeants at work, and you cant make this up, but something happened to the toilet. The gismo that opens and closes the toilet lid is broken. Terry Brigman was fined for something, probably being himself. Then new president Andrew Parr experienced the joy of the presidential fine. You bet. Is this even possible, Colby was fined? A few others were fined, but go unmentioned.

Donna Davis of TECH and program presenter. Ms. Davis manages the recycling operations. The purpose of this program is much more than recycling stuff as it gives people an opportunity accomplish work and feel helpful to society and develop self esteem. It also generates revenue which goes towards financing needs of TECH. Mostly Ms. Davis discussed the e-cycle operations at TECH. Out of date or non working computers arrive everyday. Workers tear down the computers and salvage a variety of metals which generates revenue for TECH. Side benefit is the land fills last longer and reduce contamination. www.TECHinc.org

Drawings: Lucky Ace Pot stands at $395 and Paul Brown won $5. The Newsletter drawing, a former members name was drawn. The Newsletter pot stands at $30 for next week. The Newsletter question is, Name the hospital that is treating Bob Bush.

Program for Friday June 5th – Megan Bartley and her report on her trips to Italy, Spain, and France.

GUESTS: Ron Sylvester, Managing Editor, Hutchinson News.

Sgt. Report: A collection was taken for Tony Powers in lieu of fines. Please continue to pray for him.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

REGIONAL CONVENTION: Incoming President Andrew Parr reported on the convention. We should be thankful that our club does not struggle with fundraising projects. Andrew announced that his emphasis would be on membership for the next club year.

NJCAA Track Meet t-shirts: Darren Wicks said that sales were approximately around 500 t-shirts; and the operation went smoothly.

CRITERIUM: Look for a report from Fred Conner for the AMBUCS Sweet Shoppe.

PROGRAM: Ron Sylvester is now the managing editor for the Hutchinson News. His experience has included stints reporting on the Carr brothers and BTK with the Wichita Eagle and as a casino writer with the Las Vegas Sun. Ron is looking forward to reporting stories that are relevant to peoples lives and not what editors think are important.

Lucky Aces Drawing: Dan Power won $5.00. (The pot has grown to $395.00.)

NEWSLETTER DRAWING: John Knipp just left. ($25.00 next week.)

NEWSLETTER QUESTION: Who is our incoming club President?

PROGRAM FOR May 29th: Donna Davis with TECH and the e-cycling process.

GUESTS: Darin Ackley, guest of Paul Hardenburger. Justin LaFountain, Associate City Planner, guest of Paul Brown. Gerald Thompson, Brad Thompsons brother. Abbey Pomeroy, Sierra Pecha and Kendra Peterson, Rodeo Queens and guests of Doyle Ehling. Sam Cline, HCF Warden, Oscar Gomez, Pastor and Chaplain, Victor Halfmoon, Pastor and Chaplain our guest speakers.

FINES: Due to the busy schedule today the pot was placed at the door for an on-your-honor fine. I believe I saw $1 dollar in it. It was either seed money or a guilty conscience.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Doyle Ehling introduced our special guests Abbey Pomeroy, Miss Rodeo Kansas 2015 from Hesston, Sierra Pecha, Miss Rodeo Oklahoma 2015 from Nash and Kendra Peterson, Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2015 from Sisseton who were in town for this years Abbyville Rodeo.

Darren Wicks reported that T-shirt sales at the NJCAA National Track and Field Tournament were going very well.

The AMBUCS Sweet Shoppe will be open from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM May 24th for the Criterium bicycle event at the fairgrounds. See Fred Conner if you are available to help.

PROGRAM: Kathy Hanks introduced Sam Cline, Warden at Hutchinson Correctional Facility. Sam explained that currently there are about 1,800 inmates and there are 22 different religions represented at HCF. Currently the inmates are meeting for worship in the dining hall and other areas in the prison. They meet at different times for their individual religions until a Spiritual Life Center can be constructed. Construction on the Spiritual Life Center is underway utilizing an old gymnasium with approximately $300,000 being raised since 2009. A total of about $700,000 will be needed to complete the center. Sam introduced Oscar Gomez and Victor Halfmoon both local church pastors and chaplains at HCF. The chaplains are available to pray with the inmates and to help them pursue their individual faiths. Delivering emergency notifications can prove very stressful to inmates and the chaplains try to help ease the pain while the men are incarcerated. Oscar works with the inmates in the maximum Central unit and Victor works with the inmates in the Medium East and Minimum South units. Both agreed that it is a calling for this job. They must respect the diversity of the religions represented and as facilitators help sew the seeds of faith that will help the inmates turn from crime. There are also approximately 600 volunteers who help lead bible studies, worship services and revivals inside the prison. You can find out more at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility Spiritual Life Center Facebook page.

Lucky Ace Drawing: Yours truly drew the Four of Hearts for $5. The pot increases to $375.00.

Newsletter Drawing: Andrew Parr was away at our AMBUCS Regional Convention.

Newsletter question: For $20What 3 states were represented by our visiting Rodeo Queens?

Calendar: Next meeting May 22 ????.

Editor: Steve Conard

EDITOR: Paul W. Brown GUESTS: None. (Save fines, bring a guest!)

SGT. REPORT: Stretch and Marvin were after the President again. (Pretty soon its Andrews turn to pay!) Carol was fined for being late and for membership renewal. All members were fined for lack of guests. Kathy Hanks bought a fine for information on stamp collectors which turned out to be a question by our own Terry Bisbee.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Bob Bush: A card was circulated amongst the members to sign for Bob. You may obtain updates on Bob at www.caringbridge.org. After you access the website, put Bob Bush in the search box and his account will appear. You may create a link on the website to receive alerts. Messages of encouragement and support may be entered for Bob as well.

ELECTIONS: The slate of officers was approved as presented to the club. See the May 1st newsletter for the list.

May 14, 15 and 16, 2015 NJCAA NATIONAL TRACK MEET-Gowans Stadium. The T-shirt booth will be in operation for this event. Make certain to appear for your shift and help with take-down on Saturday.

May 24, 2015 AMBUCS SWEET SHOPPE open for the Criterium bicycle event at the KS State Fairgrounds-11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

BOARD APPROVAL: $850.00 to Kansas Special Olympics!

NEXT MEETING-May15: Rodeo queens from the Abbyville Rodeo will be present courtesy of Doyle Ehling. An AMTRYKE will be given away. Sam Cline, HCF Warden, and Oscar Gomez will be the program. Best of all, no Sgt. Fines!

LUCKY ACES DRAWING: Fast Freddie, only $5.00. ($353.00 next week!)

NEWSLETTER DRAWING: Tom H.-nada! $15.00 next meeting.

NEWSLETTER QUESTION: Who is our favorite AMBUC from Abbyville at this time of year?