Newsletters

GUESTS: Kindra Whiteman, daughter of Joe McGuire, a guest of Harley Macklin. Dimitriy Vakulenko and Russ Reinert our guest speakers. Colby and Cayden, guests of dad Ward Davis.

FINES: Troy Thode soloed as our Sergeant this morning. Scott Potucek paid a fine for telling a bad joke. Colby threw dad under the bus and said they were late. If there was no guest at your table you were all fined a $1.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: A value of $5,000 has been put on the casino equipment.

PROGRAM: Kathy Hanks introduced Dimitriy Vakulenko an Export Sales Specialist with Kunn Krause and Russ Reinert a self-employed financial consultant. Dimitriy worked for an agricultural company in the Ukraine that sold Krause tillage equipment. He came to visit Krause in 2007 and then moved to the US to begin working at Krause in 2010. This week he was busy with 6 Ukrainian visitors to Hutchinson who were part of the Open World Education Group. Rotary International brings delegates to the US each year from Russia to foster cultural and political ties. There are 6 visitors with an interpreter from 3 Ukraine cities: Kyiv, Rivne and Cherkasy. Tetiana Shyriaieva, the groups facilitator, Maksym (Max), Olena, Yuriy, Halina, Anatolii and an interpreter. They spent two days in Washington, D.C. before coming to Hutchinson. Russ Reinert was one of the host families and gave his perspective of the experience. Dimitriy is also a board member with the local Rotary club.

Lucky Ace Drawing: Stan Macgirvin drew the 7 of Diamonds for $5. The pot is $350+

Newsletter Drawing: Brenda Janda was not here today so no drawing was held.

Newsletter Question: For $15Our guest speaker Dimitriy is from what city and country?

Calendar: Next week Denny Stoecklein & Josh Gooch with HCC

Editor: Steve Conard

GUESTS: Greg Davis, brother of Ward Davis, along with Colby and Cayden.

SGT. REPORT: Sgt. Troy started by paying for failing to have the flag up front, then turned on the membership by fining a table full of AMBUCS for not wearing a T-shirt. Harley bought a fine for turning 79 on the previous Monday. Another birthday was celebrated for Colby Davis (16!). Chief Beer got a freebie to tout the open house for the Station 5 firehouse on Hendricks.

AMBUCS Board Meeting Report: The Board approved an AMTRYKE for Briley Starks, a previous recipient of an AMTRYKE. An asking price of $5000.00 was established for the casino equipment for an interested party. The price for the T-shirt equipment and inventory has yet to be determined.

PROGRAM: AMBUCS filled in for an absent program. Chief Beer gave a report on the Fire Departments efforts to provide more EMT-related services such as administering more medications, more medical procedures and measuring blood pressure. Scott Potucek emphasized emergency preparedness along with the origins of crass and fire sale (be sure and ask Scott about Crassius!).

10-20-17 PROGRAM: Ukrainian Educators will be our guests this Friday as they are present in the U.S. to focus on civic education in secondary schools.

LUCKY ACES DRAWING: Rich Shelton drew the 3 of hearts-$5.00.

NEWSLETTER DRAWING: Fred Conner- not present ($10.00-next week).

NEWSLETTER QUESTION: What number birthday did Colby have?

GUESTS: Mimi Meredith, Mary Grace Clements and John Deardoff, our guest speakers. Colby and Cayden, guests of dad Ward Davis.

FINES: Troy Thode with help from John Knipp were our Sergeants. They kept it short and those not wearing a tie were fined a $1.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Board Meeting 6:15 AM Next Friday!

PROGRAM: Darren Wicks introduced Mimi Meredith, Mary Grace Clements and John Deardoff who were here to promote the Vote Yes Quarter-Cent Sales Tax Renewal campaign. The vote will be held November 7th for registered voters within the city to either continue the quarter-cent special sales tax that we currently have. The tax will currently expire March 30, 2019 if not renewed. John Deardoff, City Manger, began by explaining some of the history of the quarter-cent special sales tax that began in 1994 following a vote in 1993 with the city receiving 50% of the revenue for street improvement and the Cosmosphere receiving 50%. The quarter-cent sales tax has been continuously renewed by voters with the percentages, term and those benefiting varying slightly. John explained the citys street improvement benefit portion. Based on 2016 revenue the city received $1,055,715 for city street improvements and maintenance from the sales tax. The city currently maintains 275 miles of streets within the city. He also explained that $336,930 was directed toward property tax relief which meant one less mill was assessed for every resident who pays property tax in Hutchinson. Mimi Meredith, Vice President of Development and Marketing for the Cosmosphere explained they received $741,247 which represents 16% of the Cosmospheres operating budget. The Cosmosphere attracts 100,000 visitors a year and 86% come from outside Hutchinson resulting in an estimated economic impact of $13.4 million. Mary Grace Clements, Executive Director of Strataca and the Reno County Museum explained that Strataca received $112,310 which represents 15.6% of Stratacas budget. Strataca Kansas Underground Salt Museum attracts 50,000 visitors annually with 94% coming from outside Hutchinson with an estimated economic impact of $4.7 million. If you want to keep the street improvements at the pace they have been and you want to keep the property tax relief that we have had and you want to keep the Cosmosphere and Strataca operating as they have since 1994 then you need to vote YES to continue the quarter-cent sales tax!! For more information visit www.hutchgov.com/quartercent or e-mail salestaxinfo@hutchgov.com. They will also be at Stage 9 on Third Thursday the 19th to answer questions.

Lucky Ace Drawing: Terry Brigman drew the 9 of Clubs for $5. The pot is $349

Newsletter Drawing: Not held due to missing question (cyber glitch).

Newsletter Question: For $30What four areas benefit from the quarter-cent sales tax?

Calendar: Invite or better yet, bring a guest to breakfast to find out.

Editor: Steve Conard

GUESTS: Cindy Keast, HCC Endowment Association Director and Madison Alexander, AMBUC scholarship recipient-guests of Harley Macklin.

SGT. REPORT: Sgt. Troy filled in for the Big Hat Sergeant. Darren and John K. were fined for being late. Harley was fined for his guest beating him to the meeting. Since only two Big Hats appeared at the Big Hat meeting, all of them paid except Duke and Jeff B.QUICK ANNOUNCEMENTS:Out of ice cream at the shop-per Paul H.The club paid to donate an AMTRYKE at the National Convention.Volunteer to assist with programs and contact Harley Macklin.PROGRAM: Harley introduced Cindy Keast, Director of the HCC Endowment Association for 22 years. Hutchinson AMBUCS supports two $1000 scholarships. The Endowment Association awarded over 600 scholarships totaling more than $650,000.00 this year. HCC will have its First Annual Community College Day on October 7. Also appearing was Madison Alexander, one of the AMBUCS scholarship recipients. She is a part of the Physical Therapy Assistant program and thanked the club for our support.LUCKY ACES DRAWING: Rich Shelton drew the 10 of spades and donated the $5.00 to the club.NEWSLETTER DRAWING: Eric Steinle-not present (maybe if he came to breakfast, he would have a chance!).10-06-17 PROGRAM: John Deardoff, Hutchinson City Manager and Mary Grace Clement, Strataca Director will speak about the proposed quarter cent sales tax extension.

GUESTS: Marci Penner and Wendee Rowe, Kansas Sampler Foundation, guests of Kathy Hanks. Marci Kaufman, Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, guest of Brad Thompson. Colby and Cayden, guests of Dad.

SGT. REPORT: Troy fined Paul H. for being late, but Rich S. paid it for him. Doug was fined for losing his golf ball. Brad T. was fined for leaving stuff at the fairgrounds. This editor was fined for a near miss on a fellow golfer. Two other AMBUCS were fined for being absent from the Sweet Shop. Paul H. bought a fine to thank Darren W. for retrieving ice cream from Wichita. Scott P. bought a fine to thank Dane for working 9 shifts.

SWEET SHOP REPORT: Fred Conner said the remaining ice cream is available for $20.00 per square. Gross sales were down approximately 6% from last year.

TECH GOLF TOURNAMENT: Randall H. announced that President Jeff and Rich S. would be joining Doug and Troy on the AMBUC team for the October 2 competition.

AMTRYKE RODEO: The club approved donating an AMTRYKE at the National Convention which Rod Calhoun will be attending at Tan-Tar-A in Missouri.

PROGRAM: Marci Penner and Wendee Rowe presented excerpts from their most recent book, Kansas Guidebook 2. Club members were able to buy autographed copies at the meeting or at Bluebird Books. 626 cities are represented in the book with their contributions to rural culture (Painted Lady, American Fork Art, Big Brutus, Busters, etc.). Cayden won the donated book.

LUCKY ACES DRAWING: Scott Potucek-3 of spades-$5.00.NEWSLETTER DRAWING : Dwight W. did not know.NEWSLETTER QUESTION: Where is the AMBUC National Convention?

9-29-17 PROGRAM: Cindy Keast-HCC Endowment Association. An AMBUC scholarship recipient will be joining her as our guest.

GUESTS: Lexi Wright, Kansas Department of Agriculture, our guest speaker.

FINES: Brad Thompson with help from Jeff Brewer were our Sergeants today. All those not wearing shorts paid a fine. Kathy Hanks paid to thank Doug Foss for the use of his golf cart to help her get around the fairgrounds covering the fair. Scott Potucek paid to announce that his step-son Nate and wife Alma who both teach at the middle school had an electrical house fire here in town and were helped greatly by other teachers who started a food chain on the internet.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Ryan Scheck was sworn in as our newest member. Welcome Ryan!

The AMBUCS Sweet Shop was awarded 2017 Reserve Grand Champion Vendor Ribbon and a 30 year Anniversary Ribbon from the Kansas State Fair.

Due to our limited membership the board has decided to stop making T-Shirts at the NJCAA Mens Basketball Tournament and also stop doing casinos. The inventory and equipment will be sold. If you know of someone who may be interested in purchasing these items please contact a club officer or board member.

PROGRAM: Kathy Hanks introduced Lexi Wright, Program Manager for the Kansas Department of Agriculture who was filling in for Josh Roe who could not be here. The From the Land of Kansas program began in 1988 and has transitioned into the Made or Processed in Kansas logo used today. Currently there are 365 members. The state helps by providing and managing a website portal https://shop.fromthelandofkansas.com for these members to sell their products on the web and also helps with social marketing. They also help 56 different Farmers Markets with liability insurance and help new start-ups with banners, advertising and other small items. They host a Kansas Fresh Food App that you can download to your phone to locate area farmers markets. They also help with a Beer & Wine social held at the Governors Manson each year, a booth at the Pride of Kansas building at the Kansas State Fair and booths at nationwide food shows. They assist specialty crop growers with networking opportunities and help organic growers with grants to help subsidize organic certification costs. Assist with a tunnel grant program to extend the crop growing season. Check out their website for new Kansas product gift boxes. Lexi brought some very nice sets of Kansas Fruit & Vegetable recipe cards to hand out.

Lucky Ace Drawing: Dwight Wiehl drew the 3 of Clubs for $5. The pot is $?

Newsletter Drawing: Darin Ackley left just a few minutes too early so no drawing was held.

Newsletter question: For $20What awards did we win at the Kansas State Fair this year?

Calendar: 9/22 Marci Penner promoting her new book The Kansas Guidebook 2 for Explorers

Editor: Steve Conard

GUESTS: None.

SGT. REPORT: None.

OPENING DAY OF THE 30th FAIR AT THE AMBUCS SWEET SHOP: The club membership gathered at the Sweet Shop on September 8, 2017 to receive final instructions for the ice cream operation. Since 1988, the Hutchinson AMBUCS have supported this project with their time and talents. A prayer was given and the members pledged allegiance to the United States flag on Dan Powers cell phone. Directions were given on mixing batter, dipping proper amounts of ice cream and distributing admission tickets. Many thanks to both AMBUC members and non-members who have volunteered their time and commitment to make this years project a success! All who were present then proceeded to Russ and Annies for breakfast.

COMPLETE THE TASK! Please remember to arrive on time for your scheduled shifts for the Sweet Shop! Thank you to everyone who has already worked at the Shop!

AMBUCS BOARD MEETING: September 15, 2017 at 6:15 A.M. at the Hutchinson Town Club. All board members must be present.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 at 7:00 A.M.: The Hutchinson AMBUCS return to the friendly (and tasty!) confines of the Hutchinson Town Club for this Fridays breakfast. Bring a guest; and Kathy Hanks has promised a Fair related program. (Since she has been practicing pouring beer, perhaps there will be a truly unique twist for this weeks program!)

LUCKY ACES DRAWING: None.NEWSLETTER DRAWING: None.

NEWSLETTER QUESTION: When was the first year that the Hutchinson AMBUCS operated the AMBUCS Old Fashioned Ice Cream Booth/Sweet Shop? (It is worth $15.00!)

GUESTS: Dawn Johnson, USD 309 Superintendent, our guest speaker. Ryan Scheck, Manager of Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball Hutchinson office, a guest of Don Grossardt and our newest member. Manny Ultreras, Interning City Manager, a guest of Paul Brown.

FINES: Sgt. Troy Thode began by fining Dorinda Simmons a membership renewal tax. Paul Brown was fined for making fun of his guest. Everyone was fined a $1 to makeup for us not being fined next week.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Dont forget to work the shifts that you signed up for!!

This Friday meet at The Sweet Shoppe on the Kansas State Fairgrounds for a short meeting and breakfast (I assume next door). If you are unable to come and have not yet picked up your gate passes contact Fred Conner at 620-314-6563. If you are available to help make cones they will be made Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings prior to the fair.

T.E.C.H. Golf Tournament, Monday October 2nd, and the 1st golfer is Doug Foss.

Darren Wicks said the club was asked by the CVB if we would like to help run the parking for the NJCAA Womens Volleyball Tournament in November as a fundraiser and after some discussion the consensus was no.

Mark your calendars: Board Meeting in 2 weeks 9/15 at 6:15 AM

PROGRAM: Kathy Hanks (Welcome Back!) introduced Dawn Johnson, USD 309 Superintendent. Dawn is in her second year as Superintendent and has been in the district 10 years. She was an English teacher here for 5 years and assistant superintendent. Prior to 309 she was Principal at Little River. She grew up in Dodge City and graduated WSU with a Doctorate Degree. She served in the US Army and has been in the US Army Reserves for 33 years and holds the rank of lieutenant colonel. She has been deployed 4 times while in the reserves. She said that most students now leave with college credit which is a great opportunity. New Health Science classes provide much needed health care job opportunities. Their Broadcast Journalism class uses You Tube for transmission of information. Nickerson USD 309 includes 4 schools, South Hutchinson Elementary, Nickerson Elementary, Reno Valley Middle and Nickerson High Schools. They are looking at a future bond issue for much needed building renovations. They currently have about the same enrollment as last year. Dawn is also President of Rotary.

Lucky Ace Drawing: Duke Wiggins drew the Jack of Diamonds for $5. The pot is $251.

Newsletter Drawing: Curtis Mitchell was not here so no drawing was held.

Newsletter question: For $15In what branch of the service and rank does Dawn Johnson presently hold.

Calendar: 9/15 A Special Fair Guest Speaker

9/22 Marci Penner promoting her new book The Kansas Guidebook 2 for explorers

Editor: Steve Conard

GUESTS: Amy Bickel, editor of KS Agland, guest of Kathy Hanks. Ryan Scheck, Adams, Brown accounting firm, guest of Don Grossardt, Angie Davenport, Peoples Bank & Trust, guest of John Knipp, and Jeff Wagner, guest of Brad Thompson. Eric Bryer, Morton Salt, guest of Doug Foss. (There were 37 guests and members present for the meeting!)

SGT. REPORT: Sgt. Troy was assisted by Colby for addressing the wrongdoers. Randall was fined for being late. Darren was fined for cutting a donut in the street. Ward was fined for not having three shifts yet for the Fair.

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS:AMBUCS SWEET SHOPPE: The State Fair starts on September 8, 2017. The ice cream will be delivered on Sunday, September 3, 2017, 10:00-2:00. If you have a pickup, please assist with the delivery. Thanks to Freddie Connor for being the detail man. Please volunteer for the remaining shifts!

AMTRYKE PRESENTATION: Eric Bryer, father of Makayla, accepted an AMTRYKE on her behalf. The previous AMTRYKE of Makaylas was donated to Hutchinson High School.

SEPTEMBER 8TH MEETING WILL BE AT THE AMBUCS SWEET SHOPPE at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.NATIONAL AMBUCS SCHOLARSHIP: Katie Haas sent a thank you note to the club for her receipt of a National Scholarship (1 of 214!).NO COMMUNITY SERVICE MEETING on September 1, 2017.

PROGRAM: Due to space constraints, the wildlife presentation of Darren Wicks cannot appear in its entirety. However, when the Big Game hunts of Dan Power are more humane than the videos Darren presented, you get the picture!

LUCKY ACES: Dane Power-Queen of Spades-$5.00.NEWSLETTER DRAWING: Steve Conard-better luck next time!NEWSLETTER QUESTION: What were the lions eating in Mr. Wicks video?

SEPTEMBER 1 PROGRAM: Dawn Johnson-USD 309 Superintendent.

GUESTS: Susan Sankey, GM Kansas State Fair

FINES: Sergeant-at-Arms Troy Thode with help from Terry Bisbee fined Terry Brigman for wearing shorts, then turned around and fined him again for not being able to work the fair. They finished up with a pin check.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Paul Hardenburger said there are a few more shifts to fill for this years fair especially on the second weekend. Those with pickups are requested to meet on September 3rd from approximately 10:00 to 2:00 to move product from our vendor to the booth.

It was good to have Don Grossardt back with us.

PROGRAM: Harley Macklin introduced Susan Sankey the General Manager of the Kansas State Fair. She succeeds Denny Stoecklein who resigned earlier this year after a long tenure as GM. Susan served as Director of Competitive Exhibits the previous two years. She will also have 5 out of 13 new board members to indoctrinate this year with 1 or 2 more changing within the next 6 months. The fairground encompasses 280 acres and is landlocked by commercial and residential properties. The current budget is a little over $6 million with no state general fund or lodging money provided. The fair is a fee funded agency. Infrastructure updates are continually ongoing with fiber optic cables being added this year. Tickets can be purchased this year online using E-Tix on the Kansas State Fair website and can be printed out at home. A stricter enforcement this year of each person having a gate ticket for entry will be required for accurate attendance figures. There will also be a $5 coupon book available for added discounts on the grounds. There are always new foods to try with a special $2 Tuesday food tasting this year. The Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile will be here the first weekend. Improved ride inspections have already been completed on some permanent rides with additional inspections of the carnival rides throughout the fair. Reno County EMS will also be located at the First Aid Station on the West end of the administration building this year. A proposed change in the walking trail from along the North side of State Fair Road to now run through the fairgrounds from the 23rd & Plum gate to Main Street between the two Sunflower buildings at a new gate. Nothing has been decided yet about the half-mile racetrack with 6-7 different proposals still being reviewed. Susan has shoes bigger than Bardos to fill.

Lucky Ace Drawing: Stan Macgirvin drew the Jack of Spades for $5. The pot is $204.

Newsletter Drawing: Troy Thode new the answer to this weeks question and won $25.

Newsletter question: For $5Who is the new General Manager of the Kansas State Fair?

Calendar: ?

Editor: Steve Conard