Newsletters

EDITOR: Paul W. Brown

GUESTS: Tim Fletcher-Dollar Sense & Cessna, guest of Jay Pitzer. Amy Bickel-Hutchinson News, guest of the club. Dale Snell-Ameriprise, guest of Fred Conner (to be sworn-in next week). Robert Ross-DCI, guest of the club.

SGT. REPORT: Sgt. Brad and his little buddy Stanley were prepared to lighten the wallets of the membership. Larry S. tried to sneak out unnoticed before the Sgts. began, but failed and paid. Jeff Roberson paid for two programs present at the same time. The membership was checked for pins and badges. Dougs badge was sold to him. Paul H., Pat F., Jeff B. and Mark T. were fined for having a private meeting. Guy was fined for not trusting the Sgts. Fred paid a membership renewal tax and had his 50/50 tickets confiscated (Fred has been buying them by the linear foot). Tom H. was fined for being unfriendly in the corner. All but three were fined for not showing up for the T-shirt inventory. Paul H. bought a fine to tout Duke Wiggins as a workout warrior (this editors imagination is running wild, but no comment will be supplied). John K. was fined for calling a meeting with Tom H., then forgot it.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

COMMUNITY SERVICE COMMITTEE MEETING: May 2, 2014 at 6:30 A.M., Hutchinson Town Club.

MEMBERSHIP REWARDS: Bring a guest! Membership rewards are extended through the month of May. Earn a $15.00 certificate to Longs for bringing a guest; and your guest receives a great breakfast courtesy of the club. Imagine adding enough new members that each AMBUC would only work TWO shifts at the Ice Cream Booth in September!

CONGRATULATIONS: Becky announced to the club that her boyfriend had given her a promise ring and an engagement was on the way. Congratulations to Becky!

PROGRAM:

Jeff Roberson introduced Amy Bickel, agriculture writer for the Hutchinson News, as our program. Amy has been featuring articles on Dead Towns since 2010. There have been 5 to 6 thousand towns in the State of Kansas that no longer exist with many of them lasting less than ten years. The distance between towns was approximately 10 miles to accommodate a days travel for people of that era. Reno County has 75 Dead Towns. Some of the towns were Sego, Queen City, Thomas Grove, Lerado and Elmer. One dead town, Ravanna, was located in a defunct county, Garfield County, now part of Finney County. Trail City, on the Kansas-Colorado border, was known as the wickedest little town in the west. If you have suggestions for dead towns, please contact Amy at abickel@hutchnews.com.

50/50/LUCKY ACES POT: Jim Seitnater won $5.00. The total pot is now $350.00!!!

NEWSLETTER DRAWING: Luke McConnaughy was not present. ($25.00 next meeting).

NEWSLETTER QUESTION: What was the nickname of Trail City?

GUESTS: Dale Snell, Ameriprise Financial Services, our newest member. Angela Hayes, Elliott Mortuary. Colby Davis, Ward Daviss son. Jason Ball, Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, our guest speaker.

FINES: Ward and Colby Davis were our morning Sergeants. Harley Macklin and Dean Brigman paid for bringing their antique cars. We should have paid them. Darren Wicks and Dennis Reiser were talking which got their whole table fined. Terry Brigman won the pot last week, but wasnt here, so his brother Dean was fined. Another table was fined with Jeff Roberson, Dane Power and Harley Macklin. Larry Sloan was singled out by Colby to pay a fine. Stan Macgirvin, since he wasnt sergeant today, paid a fine. Doug Foss paid an honorary fine since Colby was here helping today.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: For every guest brought in during March or April a 15 point certificate will be given to the member who brought the guest. If the guest joins the club the member who brought the guest will receive a certificate worth 30 points. Certificates can be redeemed at Longs of Hutchinson at a 1 point equals $1 value for AMBUCS clothing apparel.

PROGRAM: Jeff Roberson introduced Jason Ball President and CEO of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce. Jason began his duties here in January 2013. He and his wife Sandy moved here from Lincoln, Nebraska where he served as Director of Business Development for the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce/Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development for four years. He felt his first duties were to try to stabilize the chamber and the city. One of the 2013 success stories was retention and expansion of Haven Steel. Another 2013 success story was certification of the Kansas Enterprise Industrial Park. A key factor when trying to bring new businesses to locate here in the park. He visited 57 businesses last year with as many planned for this year. They are assisting with the Sports Arena project to make it into a true multi-use facility. The chamber continues to promote Hutchinson nationally for business development working with businesses on site selection. Re-development of the Hutchinson Mall will be on going. Proposing the annual State of the City Address to be calendared as an annual chamber breakfast event. At year end 2013 there were 1,143 chamber members with 770 businesses who hosted 50 events last year. View the newly designed chamber website at http://www.hutchchamber.com/ .

Lucky Aces Pot: Doyle Ehling had left and a Joker was drawn for him which was a $0 win. The pot increases to $334.00.

Newsletter Drawing: Bob Bush was not here. Increases to $20 next week.

Newsletter question: How many members did the chamber report for the year ending 2013?

Editor: Steve Conard

EDITOR: Paul W. Brown

GUESTS: Thad Bartley-ServiceMaster, a guest of Jay Pitzer.

SGT. REPORT: Sgt. Brad and Asst. Stanley were assessing penalties as usual except for one thing, Tony Powers had paid all the fines. Here are the folks who thank Tony: President Dane for being Pres., Jeff F. for membership renewal tax, Duke for being sassy and all members of the club. Tony thanks all who helped him plant his grapevines (which included at least Dwight, Ward and Brad T.). Dwight also said Tony has the best muscle relaxant medicine. Big Brad said he would be gone next Friday, but if there are no guests while he is gone, EVERYBODY pays DOUBLE!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. T-SHIRT INVENTORY: Darren Wicks needs 5-6 AMBUCS to inventory the T-shirts. Please check your schedules for Thursday, April 24, 2014.

2. April 18, 2014: We WILL be meeting this Friday at the Hutchinson Town Club for breakfast!

3. SPRING ROUNDUP: Randall Haltom announced that the membership rewards will be extended through the month of May. Bring a guest and receive a certificate worth $15.00 at Longs!

4. Jeff Frizzell provided information on the slipform construction of the new elevator for Mid-Kansas Coop occurring next week. A six-day pour of concrete 120 to 130 feet tall! (It is good to see Jeff at breakfast!).

5. NEW MEMBER: Thad Bartley was sworn in as the clubs newest member by President Dane Power. Welcome Thad and thank him for being a member (If we bring in more new members, Dane will have an opportunity to memorize the oath!).

6. Jeff Roberson gave details on the Heartbleed virus that impacts 2/3rds of the websites worldwide. Suggested remedy is to change passwords.

7. Jay Pitzer announced that a Salina chapter may want to venture into the casino business and need some training and advice from our experienced casino night staff.

8. President Dane and First Vice-President Jeff R. are headed to Spring Training on May 2nd and 3rd. If you are interested in serving as an officer or if you would just like to know more about AMBUCS, contact them about accompanying them on the trip.

9. BRING A GUEST-avoid double fines from Sgt. Brad. BRING A GUEST-earn certificates to Longs. BRING A GUEST-increase the likelihood of adding new members. BRING A GUEST-a friend or business associate receives a free breakfast. BRING A GUEST-maybe we have more people to share the shifts in September at the Ice Cream Booth!

50/50 POT/LUCKY ACES WINNER: Terry Brigman won $5.00. The Ace of Spades will now pay $312.00.

NEWSLETTER DRAWING: Scott Potucek was not present. $15.00 next week.

NEWSLETTER QUESTION: When is Spring Training?

GUESTS: Toyla Frondorf, Hutchinson Recreation Commission, our guest speaker.

FINES: Our morning Sergeants were Brad Thompson and Stan Macgirvin. Dane Power paid $2 for his Presidential tax and for no guests and said Leave me alone. John Knipp was fined for being late. Paul Brown was fined for his Marvin comment to Stan last week. There were no guests so everyone paid a fine.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Board Meeting 6:15 AM this Friday. Due to a change in schedule the Board Meeting and breakfast will be at the Town Club as usual.

A new membership drive incentive for Spring Round-up. For every guest brought in during March or April a 15 point certificate will be given to the member who brought the guest. If the guest joins the club the member who brought the guest will receive a certificate worth 30 points. Certificates can be redeemed at Longs of Hutchinson at a 1 point equals $1 value for AMBUCS clothing apparel.

PROGRAM: Jeff Roberson introduced Toyla Frondorf with the Hutchinson Recreation Commission. Toyla has been with HRC for 15 years. She is currently the Director of the 50+ Center within the Elmdale Community Center at 400 E. Ave. E and Superintendent of Special Populations. The 50+ Center is just that, organized activities for adults ages 50+. Their calendar lists all types of activities such as bunco, creative cards, card bingo, dominoes, movies, pitch, pool, sewing and line dancing. You can dance to recorded music free on Monday evenings and dance to a live band on Thursdays for $5. A homemade lunch is available for $3.50 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week. Their monthly calendar even lets you know whats cooking and when the different activities take place. Scheduled bus trips to various locations out of town are held on a regular basis. As superintendent of special populations programs are offered for children through adults with disabilities. HRC is dedicated to serving those with special needs because they recognize that leisure activities and recreation are critical to good health, to a persons quality of life and to happiness. They offer health and fitness classes, art and craft classes, leisure activities, trips and special events.

Lucky Aces Pot: Dorinda Simmons won $5. The pot increases to $298.00.

Newsletter Drawing: Dan Power was not here. Increases to $10 next week.

Newsletter question: A home-cooked lunch is available for $3.50 at the 50+ Center within the Elmdale Community Center on what days?

Editor: Steve Conard

EDITOR: Paul W. Brown

GUESTS: Alan Eichenberger, Bank of SNB, guest of Brad Thompson. Kathy Davis, First Call for Help, guest of the club.

SGT. REPORT: Sgt. Brad T. and Asst. Marvin were helping themselves to the funds of the membership. Dane paid his presidential fine (only two more months Dane!). Tom H. paid for wearing Kicklighters old badge. Duke was late and paid. Guy paid for no badge at all. Ward was fined for being early. We all paid in honor of our friend, Doc Powers.

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS:

VERN (DOC) POWERS: On March 27, 2014, family, friends and AMBUCS celebrated the life of Doc Powers. Doc joined the Hutchinson chapter of AMBUCS on Feb. 20, 1984. Doc was sponsored by Kansas State Trooper Sherwin Stielow. Doc became a Big Hatter on April 25, 2006. Thank you to all the AMBUCS who attended.

NJCAA T-Shirt Booth: Darren Wicks thanked all the AMBUCS that participated in this project. Look for upcoming reports on the sales for the tournament.

COMMUNITY SERVICE COMMITTEE: No meeting.

APRIL 4, 2014 MEETING: We WILL have breakfast at the Hutchinson Town Club this Friday, despite any comments to the contrary.

PROGRAM: Jeff Roberson introduced our speaker, Kathy Davis, Director of First Call for Help. This organization is a nonprofit, non-qualifying, non-income based clearinghouse for needs. It soon will be relocated at 721 W. 2nd Avenue. Just a few of the functions First Call for Help serves: backpacks for school children, teen Christmas, gas vouchers for out of town medical appointments, help paying rent and utilities, blankets for the homeless, hats and gloves for those who need them and even pet food for dogs and cats. With the new location, First Call for Help hopes to expand and develop new programs; and perhaps a satellite office. The staff consists of Kathy, her assistant and many volunteers.

50/50/LUCKY ACES WINNER: Darren Wicks won $5.00. The pot has now grown to $286.00!

NEWSLETTER DRAWING: Jeff Brewer was correct and won $30.00! ($5.00 next week.)

NEWSLETTER QUESTION: Who was Brad Thompsons guest last week?

GUESTS: Tim Fletcher, Cessna and Dollar Sense, Thad Bartley, ServiceMaster, both returning guests. Thad will be joining the club as our newest member. Captain Wayne Baughman and Sergeant Darrian Campbell, both with the Reno County Sheriffs Department.

FINES: Our morning Sergeants were Brad Thompson and Stan Macgirvin. Dane Power was fined the customary Presidential tax or was that a slide in, almost late, fine. Terry Brigman was fined for wearing a turtle-neck shirt with no place to wear his name badge. Troy Thode was fined for having the wrong name badge. Paul Brown was fined for not having a name badge (that will teach you to hand your badge to a Sergeant). Guy Gann and Doug Foss were fined for no name badge. John Knipp was fined for being late. Randy Henderson paid $5 so the Sergeants would get off his a*s because his badge supersedes theirs. Doyle Ehling was fined for going to the wrong meeting room. Duke Wiggins was fined for sleeping on the job in the t-shirt booth. Dave Suhler was fined for being too quiet which got the whole table fined in the end.

ROUND-TUIT: No reportmaybe its permanently on vacation.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Past member Vern Powers passed away this past week on March 20th. The funeral will be held Thursday, March 27th at 11:00 AM at Grace Episcopal Church.

A new membership drive incentive for Spring Round-up. For every guest brought in during March or April a 15 point certificate will be given to the member who brought the guest. If the guest joins the club the member who brought the guest will receive a certificate worth 30 points. Certificates can be redeemed at Longs of Hutchinson at a 1 point equals $1 value for AMBUCS clothing apparel.

PROGRAM: Reno County Sheriff and club member Randy Henderson introduced Captain Wayne Baughman and Detective Sergeant Captain Darrian Campbell. Captain Baughman will be retiring on Thursday March 31st after 13 years with the department. He started his career team roping and riding bulls, he just wanted to be a cowboy, but the pay wasnt great. He worked at the paper mill, the Reno County Fire Department and Buhler Police Department before being hired by the Sheriffs Department as a jail deputy. Baughman highly recommends starting in a small town department because you really get to know the people and the way of life there. Baughman plans to stay involved with the sheriffs department as a reserve officer. Darrian Campbell came to the sheriffs department following active duty as a Marine in Japan, Cuba and Operation Desert Storm. He has worked in the jail, patrol and the drug unit while also being in the National Guard. He was re-activated into the Marines in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He came back the sheriffs department working in the detective division. Darrian will be the new patrol Captain following Baughmans retirement.

Lucky Aces Pot: Dan Power won $5. The pot increases to $274.00.

Newsletter Drawing: Dean Brigman was not here. Increases to $30.00.

Newsletter question: Captain Wayne Baughman was with the Reno County Sheriffs Department for how many years?

Next Program: ?

Editor: Steve Conard

EDITOR: Paul W. Brown

GUESTS: Carter File-Hutchinson Community College, a guest of Randall Haltom. Jennifer Hoard-Veterans Administration, a guest of the club.

SGT. REPORT: Theyre Baaaack! Sgt. Brad and Asst. Marvin were in our pockets again. Bob B. was fined for some problem with beer in Texas. Guy was fined for being sassy. Tom H. was fined for misspelling shifts in his e-mail to everyone. John K., Dean B. and Darren W. were fined having a private meeting. Kathy H. was not fined, but received an AMBUCS card. Randall H. was fined for no pin after Kathy H. pointed it out. Other no pin fines were: Paul H., Guy, Duke and Terry B. Bob Bush bought a fine to promote Folds of Honor. City Beverage will be donating $10,000.00 to this organization to support scholarships for families of veterans. For more details, please review the website: www.foldsofhonor.org.

TUIT REPORT: Jay Pitzer will be the official carrier of the TUIT till the end of May. The TUIT submitted a letter, but it was lost in the mail.

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS:

NJCAA T-SHIRT BOOTH: Darren Wicks reminded everyone to sign up to serve at the tournament. Please be certain to arrive early for your shift. Thanks to every member for your service!

AMBUC WEBSITE: Our new website is under construction by Diane Potter. She is donating her services to the club because she supports what we do! Our many thanks to Diane; and we look forward to our re-designed website.

NEW MEMBER: Welcome Kathy Hanks of the Hutchinson News as our newest member! (We need more new members so President Dane will memorize the installation speech and oath!)

COMMUNITY SERVICE COMMITTEE: The committee approved an AMTRYKE for a 6 year old girl, a grant to Special Olympics of $850.00 and a grant to Colton Kincaid of Haven of $1000.00 for adaptive equipment.

PROGRAM: Jeff Roberson introduced Jennifer Hoard of the Veterans Administration who spoke about the Medical Foster Home Program. The program matches veterans with caregivers that provide nursing home care. Caregivers must be experienced and pass a background check. Over 2200 veterans are involved currently in the program.

50/50/Lucky Aces: Jeff B. won $5.00. The carryover pot is now $261.00!

NEWSLETTER DRAWING: Terry Brigman left early. $25.00 next week!

NEWSLETTER QUESTION: Who is designing our website at no cost to the club?

GUESTS: Tim Fletcher, Cessna and Dollar Sense, Thad Bartley, ServiceMaster, both returning guests.

FINES: Brad Thompson and Stan Macgirvin were our Sergeants. Randall Haltom, Troy Thode, Bob Bush and this editor were fined for being late. Paul Hardenburger and Doug Foss were exempt as WSU grads, everyone else paid a fine.

ROUND-TUIT: No report.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: A new membership drive incentive for Spring Round-up. For every guest brought in during March or April a 15 point certificate will be given to the member who brought the guest. If the guest joins the club the member who brought the guest will receive a certificate worth 30 points. Certificates can be redeemed at Longs of Hutchinson at a 1 point equals $1 value for AMBUCS clothing apparel.

PROGRAM: A special 6:30AM meeting to discuss our Ice Cream booth/building on the Kansas State Fairgrounds was led by Paul Hardenburger. We have three choices; we can build a new building, renovate the present structure or no nothing and watch it fall into disrepair. A $90,000 budget was given to completely rebuild our booth excluding purchase of additional refrigeration equipment. For less than half that amount we can renovate the booth over the next three years including a large freezer. This meeting focused on renovation of our present structure. A proposed new building layout was presented. This layout used a similar customer traffic flow to what we have now but was tightened up a bit and customers would turn south at the very front of the building and pass by a new cashier stand just before exiting the building out a new proposed exit in the Southwest corner of the building on the South side. Other floor-space changes increased the scooping and serving area by almost double. A portable outside freezer was discussed. A more favorable solution of buying a gently used exterior freezer seems a better choice. It would be placed on an outside concrete pad with its door possibly in the Southeast corner of the building. We currently have 12 feet outside along the South wall that is part of our booth space and currently being used by the corn vendor. Discussion was held on using this space for picnic tables with a canopy type cover. There will be more discussions before changes are brought before the membership for a vote. Two committees will be formed to review these options, one for the building and one to investigate financial options. Special thanks to Paul Hardenburger and Ward Davis for their time and input to this project presentation.

Lucky Aces Pot: Troy Thode drew a Joker for $0. The pot increases to $246.

Newsletter Drawing: John Knipp left early so no drawing was held.

Newsletter question: For $20 what dollar amount was presented to completely rebuild our ice cream booth?

Next Program: Jennifer Harde with the Veterans Administration.

Editor: Steve Conard

EDITOR: Paul W. Brown

GUESTS: Laura Meyer Dick-First National Travel. Kathy Hanks-Hutchinson News (soon to be a new member).

Jeff Roberson was substituting for President Dane who was in New Zealand.

SGT. REPORT: Sgt. Doug and Asst. Dennis claimed the Kicklighter approach, its for the kids, and proceeded to lighten our wallets. The Ed Jones gang was fined for being gone last meeting, Dan, Jay and Darren. Darren was fined for scheduling the ice cream booth meeting during the Community Service meeting time. Jeff R. was fined for arriving after his program. The Sultan of Suds, Bob B. was fined for being an Ambassador of Excellence for AB. Jay was fined for sending baiting e-mails for the TUIT. Everyone but Darren, Tom H. and yours truly was fined for NOT helping with the T-shirt inventory. Bob B., proud father of Jack, paid for bragging about his sons accomplishments in wrestling. No TUIT report for at least another week.

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS:

EARLY MEETING TIME on March 7, 2014: The club will meet beginning at 6:30 A.M. to discuss the Ice Cream Booth proposals. Please make a special effort to be present 30 minutes earlier at the Hutchinson Town Club. We will break at 7:00 A.M for breakfast and continue with the discussion. Many thanks to Paul Hardenburger for his assistance with the proposals.

NJCAA Basketball Tournament T-Shirt Booth, March 17-22, 2014: Please volunteer to serve in the booth for the tournament! The sign-up sheet is available at the meeting. If you cannot attend the meeting, please call Darren Wicks to volunteer.

COMMUNITY SERVICE COMMITTEE: March 7, 2014 at 6:15 A.M. (bumped up by the Ice Cream Meeting).

MID-KANSAS COOP construction project: Jeff Frizell announced that a massive grain elevator will be constructed on Hwy. 56 East of McPherson. Contact Jeff for details on dates and times of the 6-day concrete pour.

PROGRAM: Laura Meyer Dick is a 4th generation family member with First National Travel which was started in 1878. The agency provides expert advice with over 100 years of travel experience, is locally owned and operated and saves time and money over unknown Internet proposals. Most popular destinations are Cancun and Cozumel. Unique destinations include Dubai and Dominican Republic.

50/50/Lucky Aces Drawing: Jay Pitzer won $5.00. Pot is now $228.00 for the Ace of Spades.

NEWSLETTER DRAWING: Duke had no idea. ($15.00 next week)

NEWSLETTER QUESTION: Where was President Dane last meeting?

GUESTS: None.

FINES: Brad Thompson and Stan Macgirvin were our Sergeants. Membership cards were furnished to members at no charge (this week). Craig Johnson was fined for being late. Ward Davis hid in plain site. Dave Suhler paid an old I.O.U. Jeff Roberson paid a standing in as President tax. Everyone was fined for not bringing any guests.

ROUND-TUIT: No report since Jay Pitzer was absent associating with other known Edward Jones members.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Special Membership Meeting, March 7th, 6:30 AM, to discuss the Ice Cream booth building project.

Randall Haltom announced a new membership drive incentive for Spring Round-up. For every guest brought in during March or April a 15 point certificate will be given to the member who brought the guest. If the guest joins the club the member who brought the guest will receive a certificate worth 30 points. Certificates can be redeemed at Longs of Hutchinson at a 1 point equals $1 value for AMBUCS clothing apparel.

PROGRAM: Monthly social meeting, no program.

Lucky Aces Pot: Troy Thode won $5. The pot increases to $217.

Newsletter Drawing: Harley Macklin didnt know the answer, or the question.

Newsletter question: For $10 who was in charge of the 2/21 morning meeting?

Next Program: First National Travel Agency will present our program.

Editor: Steve Conard