LAST MEETING: April 15, 2011

Editor: Paul W. Brown

GUESTS: Jeremy Hopp, Pawnee District Executive for the Boy Scouts of America.

SGT. REPORT: Big Sgt. Larry Sloan and Steve (1/2 of Steve and Steve) Conard scrambled to round up some fines. We are still not sure how, but the Sgts. managed to have a train block all the crossings to the meeting right before 7:00 A.M. so that several members were late, including: Dennis, Eric, Jeff R., Dane and this editor. Bob B. was fined for not wearing his AMBUC pin while shoveling, not just any horse manure, but Clydesdale horse poo! Then came the birthday fines for any AMBUC that was remotely close to their personal annual: Jim K., Paul H., Stan (Marvin) and Duke. Jeff B. was fined for a glare tax.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE-Looking for a few good potential AMBUCS. Send the name of one person with contact information to the membership committee so that an invitation may be mailed to them. The written invites will be followed by a phone call to further communicate our interest in them as new members! Names and contact information may be sent to: retajoy@cox.net. (Another successful technique is to pick up your guest and BRING them to breakfast. Everybody has an appetite; and we eat well!)

SPRING CONFERENCE-April 29 & 30, 2011, Wichita, Kansas. Curtis Mitchell will be gathering his new officer corps to head southeast for vital AMBUC knowledge.

PROGRAM: Darren Wicks, Program Chairperson, introduced Jeremy Hopp, Pawnee District Executive for the Boy Scouts of America as our speaker. Jeremy covers a five-county area that is centered in Hutchinson. Boy Scouts provides programs for all ages of boys and a program called Venturing for boys and girls 14 to 21 years of age. Camping opportunities are available for the scouts at Camp Kansa and the Quivira Scout Ranch. Founded in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America are operated by donated funds and gifts. Scouts are in need of adult volunteers to assist in their activities and for the involvement of more boys.

50/50 WINNER: Reta Joy Campbell-$21.00 (which was promptly donated to the Boy Scouts).

NEWSLETTER DRAWING: Jim Seitnater was gone so it goes to $10.00 next meeting.

NEWSLETTER QUESTION: Since Hutchinson AMBUCS could not recognize themselves last week, how about this; what year were the Boy Scouts founded?

NEXT MEETINGS PROGRAM: Only Darren knows and hes keeping it to himself!

LAST MEETING: April 8, 2011

Editor: Paul W. Brown

GUESTS: District Governor Vicki Tangeman from Salina and Nick Dunham, a guest of Bob Bush.

SGT. REPORT: Rick M. was fined for saying dont fine me. Doc Powers was fined for never being fined. Doug F. paid for a 50/50 Pot he donated. Bob B. was fined for his guest being late. All were fined for not being at the Chamber After Hours at City Beverage. An adjoining table paid for Scott P.s suck-up behavior with the Sgts. Fred paid a welcome-back tax. And finally, Bob B. paid because he doesnt give a damn.

TUIT REPORT: Brad Thompson, proud founder of the TUIT, fined all who were at the Chamber After Hours who did not ask: Rita, Rick, Diane, Terry, Dane and Darren. Bob B. was exempted due to free beer. Doug was fined when he did not ask about it when purchasing fuel. Dean B. had yard signs and did not ask. Larry was in the office and did not ask. Then we traveled on the TUIT nostalgia trail about the most money the TUIT has raised in one week, the longest time the TUIT has been held by one member and how much money the TUIT has raised over the years. Finally, Brad Thompson announced that the TUIT was being retired and gave the TUIT out ONE LAST TIME to !#*!*#!! this editor. (As painful and humiliating as that was, at last this editor gets to say, Hasta la vista, TUIT!)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The membership committee will be circulating a letter to generate new members. Top three will receive a T-shirt or article of clothing.

Dean Brigman was thanked by Bob Bush for running and soon to be serving as City Council member.

Remember Spring Training in Wichita at the end of the month.

PROGRAM: Program Committee Chair Darren Wicks introduced Bob Bush of City Beverage who introduced Nick Dunham, Budweiser Clydesdale hitchmaster. The Clydesdales have been in Hutchinson and the surrounding area for the past week. The Clydesdale tradition began in 1933 when August Busch, Jr. gave them as a present to August Busch, Sr. to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition. The eight-horse team and wagon travel the United States as ambassadors for Anheuser Busch InBev.

50/50 Pot Winner: Brad Thompson-$28.00 (AAARRRGHHH!).

Newsletter Drawing: Paul W. Brown-$25.00 winner (Ahhh, redemption!)

NEWSLETTER QUESTION: What makes the Clydesdales bigger and taller?

NEXT MEETING PROGRAM: Boy Scouts of America.

LAST MEETING: April 1, 2011 (HAPPY AMBUCS DAY!)

Editor: Paul W. Brown

GUESTS: Bonnie Ehling, a guest of Doyle Ehling. Cindy Benfield, a guest of Brenda Janda. Dale Smyres, Dan Curtis and Mike Spany, guests of Darren Wicks.

SGT. REPORT: Lady-with-a-badge Brenda Janda and Larry spare parts Sloan proceeded to administer justice to the membership. John Knipp, Dane Power and Eric (Who else!) Steinle were fined for being late. S. Eric was also fined for winning the 50/50 Pot the previous week. Darren Wicks was fined for arriving after his program. Tom Hymer was fined for lying (which is normally a positive attribute for an AMBUC). Wichita State Fans were allowed to crow about the NIT championship and pay a fine: Don Grossardt, Duke Wiggins and Jerry Regier. Dan Power and Darren Wicks were fined for an upcoming pig hunt.

TUIT REPORT: Tim Davies brought money from Tony Powers for the TUIT report. No, wait, he must have paid for Tony Powers (thought the sky was falling for a minute). Tom Hymer was fined for not responding to the TUIT in an e-mail. Then, in a moment of extreme kindness, Tim returned the home-sick TUIT to its biological father, Brad Thompson.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: April 8, 2011 at 6:15 A.M.-Board Meeting.

April 29, 2011 at 6:40 A.M.- Program: Buhler Jazz Band (Please note the early meeting time).

April 29-30, 2011-Spring Training, Wichita, Kansas.

PROGRAM: Darren Wicks introduced Dan Curtis, project coordinator for Central Prairie Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D), as our program. The RC&D Council is partnering with the Honor Flight Network to send WWII veterans to Washington D.C. to see the memorials at no cost to the veteran. The Honor Flight includes airfare, lodging, food, ground transportation, Honor Flight T-shirt and cap and a WWII Memorial book. Funding for the Honor Flight program is by donations and corporate sponsorships. If you would like to help or want further information, review their website at: CentralPrairieHonorFlights.org.

Honor Flight fundraiser: The local VFW is sponsoring a soup cook-off and dance as a fundraiser for the Honor Flight program. On May 14 at the VFW, the soup cook-off is from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. and the dance and auction is from 8:00 P.M. to Midnight. Montana Mikes is providing 600 steak dinners on May 16 at $12.00 a piece as a part of the Honor Flight fundraising process for the VFW. Tickets for those steak dinners are available through Dale Smyres.

50/50 Pot Winner: Doug Foss-$25.00 (which Doug donated to the Honor Flight program in honor of his father).

Newsletter Drawing: No winner. Pat Fallon had just left. The answer was 1986.

Newsletter Question: What is RC&D the abbreviation for? Its worth $25.00 if you know!

PROGRAM for April 8th: Bob Bush and City Beverage will present a program on the Anheuser Busch InBev Clydesdales including a presentation by the hitchmaster. Be sure to attend.

MEETING: Friday March 25, 2011 EDITOR: Tom Hymer

WELCOME GUESTS: Dan Ledeboer President of the Quest Center and todays program. Cindy Binfield guest of Brenda Janda of Good Samaritan.

FUN & FUND RAISING SERGEANTS: With a crocodile tear Sergeant Jerry announced that this is his last day of duty. He was remiss that there is still much work to do to update our web-site and he hopes it will be completed by the end of the year. However all of his sentimentalism did not deter him from fining his fellow Ambucs. First off was Rick Mitchell for taking his wife and others to Taco Johns for a cheap lunch implying Rick is cheap. Steve Harmon lost his common sense and skipped an Ambucs breakfast meeting to have breakfast with the Kiwanians. The Sergeant was told that the DBS (a.k.a. The Dead Butt Society) was revived by Jeff Brewer and Chuck Peterson, more money down the toilet. Duke Wiggins was fined for leading a French kissing demo, try not to think about it. Paul Brown and Preston Clark protested that it was not their fault for closing early the T-shirt printing station last Saturday night, but they had to pay anyway. Its a little late in life so it cost Darren Wicks to learn what is the front and back of a T-shirt. Stock brokers Dan and Dane Power, Jay Pitzer, and Darren Wicks were blamed for the price of gas going up. Dan complained that Edward Jones does not deal in commodities, but his argument fell upon deaf ears. Jerrys last words appealed to the members to update their information for the web-site as requested by an email dated March 14, 2011. Thanks to Jerry for his sergeant service. He might be back after a furlough.

TUIT: Paul Brown caught Steve Conard, Dennis Reiser, Rick Mitchell, Preston Clark, and Jay Pitzer who tried to wiggle out of paying, but paid just like the others. Darren Wicks was the only one who cared about Tuit, and maybe Paul. The Thompsons were absent today so he had to change his plan of giving the Tuit to Brad. Tim Davies was the unlucky recipient.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Jeff Brewer reported on the T-Shirt project at the NJCAA Tournament and while the sales have yet to be calculated there were more than 20 team orders which seem to indicate a successful event.

PROGRAM: Darren Wicks introduced todays program Dan Ledeboer President of the Quest Center. The Quest Center was established in 1986 to be incubator for new business after Cessna lost employees. Richard French, director of the Quest Center for many years, estimated that 800 to 1000 jobs were created with the assistance of the Quest Center with an economic impact estimated at 35 million dollars. The ideal is to meet with prospective new businesses operators before they spend and invest money. The Quest Center acts like a sounding board to provide suggestions, information, and resources that will facilitate the new business. Only about 10% of the Quest Center clients actually locate in the Quest Center building. One of the most popular services offered by the Quest Center is Quick Book classes, new classes will start on June 5th. The Quest Center regularly sees business owners who have run up excessive credit card debt, in some cases exceeding $100,000. Sadly in such cases it is impossible to help with the current tight credit situation. Lenders today insist on 100% collateral. The Quest Center is 50% funded by Reno County and the rental income from at Quest Center. The remainder comes from K-Tech which is under possible revisions due to the State of Kansas budget deficiencies. K-Tech may be absorbed by the Department of Commerce. New and existing businesses are encouraged to write their own business and marketing plans. Once completed the Quest Center will analyze them and offer suggestions. http://www.hutchquest.com/

50/50 DRAWING: Eric Steinle won the pot of $21.

NEWSLETTER DRAWING: Stan McGirvan could have won $15 but he gave the wrong answer to the question.

NEWSLETTER QUESTION NEXT WEEK: You will win $20 if you know what year the Quest Center was established.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS: To be announced.

MEETING: Friday March 18, 2011 EDITOR: Tom Hymer

WELCOME GUESTS: Mary Ellen Leicht – Director of the NJCAA.

FUN & FUND RAISING SERGEANTS: After a brief discussion on local basketball news Jerry announced that he has two more weeks to complete his tour of duty. Then he looked at his big black three ring note book and reminded everyone to follow through on getting their membership information updated for our web-site. WARNING your negligence will be perfect fine material. Jay Pitzers wife embarrassed innocent Ambucs with graphic porno speak. Being fined will probably not change such behavior. Preston Clark tried to blame his alarm clock for being late. Dean Brigman paid twice because he didnt know the price of a barrel of oil and he had a birthday this month. Happy dancer Eric Steinle paid the penalty for excessive celebration when he won the 50/50 pot last week. The climax to the program was an auction of a genuine Raleigh basketball with the authentic signature Roy Williams who left KU in 2003 for the head coaching job in South Carolina. The prized basketball is offered on e-bay for $99. As the auction commenced the usual boisterous KU fans seemed oddly quiet. In the end Sherriff Randy Henderson won the ball with a bid of $70. Note to sergeant, now that is a creative way to raise some money.

TUIT: Brad Thompson gave his report citing his own nephew Ryan, Larry Sloan, Randy Henderson several times, Darren Wicks, Dan Power at the Chamber meeting, Paul Brown for driving recklessly in a city truck, and got $10 from Tony Powers for used T-shirts. Upon getting the Tuit Paul Brown exclaimed, You better out live me. Lets wait for the exciting and dramatic conclusion to this epic story.

ANNOUNCEMENT 1: Jerry Regier with another hat on reminded everyone of the membership drive and the tools of Ambucs business cards and the little Tuits to invite guests to our meetings.

ANNOUNCEMENT 2: Buy-a-fine Doug Foss almost committed the sin of excessive celebration over the Shockers victory.

ANNOUNCEMENT 3: President Rick Mitchell presented a new banner suitable for special events to promote our main outreach mission of Amtrykes for kids.

ANNOUNCEMENT 4: Scott Potucek mentioned the possibilities of inviting former members to come back to Ambucs to help our membership drive.

PROGRAM: Dan Power introduced todays program Mary Ellen Leicht – Director of the NJCAA. The NJCAA conducts 40 championships in a variety of athletic sports. New promotional tools for the NJCAA include an updated web-site with Twitter and Face Book providing a communication media primarily for the fans. Two year junior colleges are enjoying a surge in enrollment due to economic conditions and more options for the students. Junior colleges also prepare students to successfully enter four year universities. The current issue in college sports is head injuries or concussions. This concern is receiving much study on the long term effects and damages that possibly may occur later in life. Extensive testing is conducted before players are allowed to resume playing. Recruiting is always a hot issue in sports and the NJCAA is no exception. Mississippi has the strictest out of state recruiting rules and the NJCAA mandates scholarships for only three international players. The excessive recruitment of international players can greatly impact college sports to the extent that local kids cannot compete, tennis is a primary example. Mary Ellen talked about the possibly of seeding the NJCAA basketball tournament to balance the match-up of competitive teams. She commented on both the drawbacks and advantages of seeding, especially because of the factors that are considered in seeding. Match-ups are now made on a blind draw. Thanks to Mary Ellen for her usual interesting annual presentation.

50/50 DRAWING: Tom Hymer won the pot of $24.

NEWSLETTER DRAWING: Dave Shuler could have won $10 but he left early.

NEWSLETTER QUESTION NEXT WEEK: You will win $15 if you know how many championships are conducted by the NJCAA.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS: To be announced.

MEETING: Friday March 11, 2011 EDITOR: Tom Hymer

WELCOME GUESTS: Ward Davis introduced Colby and his brother Greg. Darren Wicks introduced todays program Chris Barnes of Smiths Market.

FUN & FUND RAISING SERGEANTS: Jerry and Brenda went looking for Ambucs tsars thinking about tapping into big money. Curtis Mitchell was fined, but not for being a tsar. Bob Bush paid for neglecting to mention Ambucs while he was on the radio. Then your loyal innocent editor was fined for publishing misinformation. Brad Thompson learned that it is his fault that the price of gas is going up. President Rick paid for trying to attend the next Ambucs meeting in 1969. Harmon sneaked out early before they could fine him. Reta and Dan didnt know why their spouses were not listed on the membership list, ka-ching. Darren and Steve Conard were late for the Board meeting,another desposit inthe toilet. Scott Potucek was educated on absentee fines. Scott Saylor made a stab at the Ambucs slogan and missed, but then a debate broke out on what is the correct slogan. A IQ test on Kansas netted money from Darren Wicks.

TUIT: Paul Brown saw Jeff Robeson shopping in Dillons but they didnt talk, Steve Conard in Church, Jim Seitnater in his office, and Ward Davis paid for Tuit neglect. While exclaiming he hates the Tuit he gave it to the one responsible for the thing, Brad Thompson. Caution.

ANNOUNCEMENT 1: Monte Mc McConnaughy is constructing an Ambucs page on Face Book for the purpose more publicity for our club. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hutchinson-Ambucs/115446965197178?sk=wall

ANNOUNCEMENT 2: Mark Treaster announced that there is a car show and Hutch for Haiti both on April 16th at the Fair Grounds.

ANNOUNCEMENT 3: Bob Bush announced that the Clydesdales are coming to Hutchinson during April with several events planned to show the horses.

ANNOUNCEMENT 4: President Rick stressed the importance of recruiting new members as there has been a loss of some and he urge the club to invite guests.

PROGRAM: Darren Wicks introduced Chris Barnes of Smiths Market. Chris recalled some the long history of Smiths Market in Hutchinson. Smiths Market has been at the same location since it first opened in 1933 by Henry Smith. Going through some changes of ownership over the years Earl Barnes became the sole owner in 1985 and then Barnes son, Chris, joined the business. Chris and Gail Barnes purchased Smiths Market in 2005. In 2007 Smiths Market was expanded to 3 times its original size. Chris spoke about the business plan of Smiths Market enabling it to successfully compete in the market place. It serves the wholesale needs for restaurants in the area providing fresh produce and delivery service with 4 trucks. Also the store brings in fresh produce daily in order to offer the retail customers the freshest possible produce and fruit, and example is summer peaches that are in the store two days after harvest. The store offers a variety of specialty items, coffee, spices, and T-Shirts printed with Smiths Market on the front of Eat Your Vegetables on the back. Sales on T-shirts were OK but when they reversed the logos sales really took off. This is a great example of a thriving locally owned business providing good products and superior service.

50/50 DRAWING: Eric Steinle won the pot of $26.

NEWSLETTER DRAWING: Dane Power could have won $5 but he was absent today.

NEWSLETTER QUESTION NEXT WEEK: You will win $10 if you know how many delivery trucks are in use by Smiths Market.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS: To be announced.

MEETING: Friday March 4, 2011 EDITOR: Tom Hymer

WELCOME GUESTS: Cindy Binfield guest of Brenda Janda, Josie Thompson guest of Mark Treaster.

FUN & FUND RAISING SERGEANTS: New sergeants reported for duty today and announced that they will be bringing fairness, fun and wealth redistribution. Jerry Regier did the talking and Brenda Janda wielded the toilet. Larry Sloan was on hand to preserve order. Regier spoke about his agenda of wealth redistribution and to educate us good fellas on the principles and history of Ambucs. You could hear the shaking of the boots in the room. Beware of the phrase – wealth redistribution – Jeff Brewer was the first victim paying for winning the 50/50 pot four times out of six drawings. Next the people who attended the Super Bowl at the Eagle Room paid for using the room. Diane Saunders learned one of benefits of marriage is paying for it. Curtis Mitchell was fined as a proxy for Bob Bush who has not updated the website since 1999 or was it 2009. John Knipp was fined for being a retired sergeant. Hear ye, hear ye, Regier pronounced an edict its a no no to sit with the same people each week. After collecting some late fees and conducting a quiz Regier rang the bell and sat down with the rest of us, hes not so scary after all.

TUIT: Pat Fallon gave his Tuit report dinging Guy Gann, Paul Brown, and Curtis Mitchell who doesnt care about the Tuit. Brad Thompson asked about the Tuit. Paul Brown got the Tuit for being normal, you had to be there to understand the meaning of normal.

ANNOUNCEMENT 1: President Rick Mitchell was absent today so Curtis Mitchell stepped up to the plate and hit a homer demanding that the T-Shirt sign up sheet be filled.

ANNOUNCEMENT 2: Eric Steinle announced that member Monte McConnaughy has built a page on Face Book take a look at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hutchinson-Ambucs/115446965197178?sk=wall

PROGRAM: Mark Treaster introduced Josie Thompson. Josie presented the Hutch for Haiti Numana program which seeks to provide basic food bags for the people of Haiti. Josie began her presentation with the fact that the earthquake in Haiti occurred 14 months ago and the country has not yet recovered, in fact the recovery efforts have not really began. People still live in tents, clean water, sanitation, and security are huge problems. Even though millions of dollars have been donated for Haiti relief, most of the money is still in banks. There has been no new construction to relieve the housing crisis. Complicating the problem is that 54% of the population are illiterate. Food shortages are rampant which is abated by the Numana program. In Hutchinson the Rotary Club supports the Numana program with donations and supporting events to prepare the food bags. A bag contains all the nutritional ingredients needed for a balanced meal that serves four people. The bags are prepared by volunteers which helps to keep the cost of a serving at 30 cents. http://hutchforhaiti.org The Community of Hutchinson is hosting a 261,360 meals packaging event for the starving in Haiti. April 16, 2011, 9:00am to 5:00pm at the Cottonwood Food Court on Kansas State Fairgrounds. You can sign-up at this web site http://hutchforhaiti.eventbrite.com and click on the Red Register Button.

50/50 DRAWING: Steve Conard won an undetermined amount, probably $24 which he donated to the Numana program, Godbless you,Steve.

NEWSLETTER DRAWING: Ryan Thompson proved he now reads the Newsletter by winning $35 for knowing that Todd Ray works at the Cosmosphere Space Camp during the summer.

NEWSLETTER QUESTION NEXT WEEK: You will win $5 if you know how many servings are in one Numana bag.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS: Chris Barnes of Smiths Market

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Last Meeting: February 25, 2011 President Rick Mitchell in charge.

Guests: Todd Ray, USD 308, our guest speaker, Aaron Powers, Tonys son and Colby Davis, Wards son.

Fines: Dennis Reiser and Larry Sloan were our Sergeants-At-Arms. Doug Foss was charged an inheritance tax for winning the 50/50 drawing last week. Di Saunders paid for her birthday (25th) announcement. Tony Powers was asked if he did emergency eye exams. His remark was it depends on how cute they are. According to Dennis, Referee Curtis Mitchell could use one. I think Curtis paid, but Im not sure. Maybe I need an exam too. Ward Davis was fined for dropping bacon in the food line. He must have forgotten the old adage waste nothing on the hog except the squeal. I was fined for my photo in the Waynes Printing calendar. It was the best photo however and at least it was not the centerfold. Everyone not wearing an AMBUC shirt was fined since it was the last week of visibility month. Colby Davis demonstrated his new Crocodile walker for us this morning. A new Sgt. will be unveiled next weekbe prepared.

TUIT: Brenda Janda had Ryan Thompson and Stan Macgirvin fined for not inquiring about the TUITs wellbeing. Tom Hymer missed getting the TUIT since he was not here and Brenda said that he remarked only real men wear pink shirts when he was wearing a pink shirt some time back. Instead Pat Fallon sporting K-State Purple, evidently the closest to pink that she could find, got the new pink TUIT. I wouldnt go showing that to your farm friends this week.

Announcements: Rick announced that he and Curtis Mitchell attended the District Board meeting in Salina last week. April 29th & 30th will be Spring Training in Wichita. Rick displayed the proclamations received from the City Council and a copy of the State proclamation that Salina was instrumental in arranging.

Curtis Mitchell announced we still have 20+ slots for workers to sign-up for the NJCAA T-shirt concessions and we are only 2+ weeks away. Please call or e-mail him today at: mitchellc@promiseregional.com

Program: Todd Ray, International Baccalaureate Coordinator for USD 308 was our guest speaker. Todd teaches a bit of History besides his position as coordinator. This is his 16th year at HHS following 7 years at the Cosmosphere which he still works Space Camp each summer. The IB Diploma program began at HHS in 2004. It is recognized as the most academically rigorous high school program in the world. Since 1967, the IB program has grown to over 2000 authorized IB world schools in over 115 countries. HHS is the only school between here and Colorado to offer the program. A few schools offer the program, in the eastern part of the state. Students can take the full program to earn an IB diploma, or a partial program to earn IB certificates. It is probably the best prep for colleges and Universities. IB Diplomas and certificates are recognized by most Universities for advanced placement and transfer credit.

50/50 Drawing: Jeff Brewer won $17.00. That makes 4 out of the past 6 weeks he has won.

Newsletter Drawing: Jeff Roberson would have won, if he had known the answer. The prize increases to $35 next week.

March 4th – Mark Treaster with Hutch for Haiti Relief program.

Newsletter Question – What extra curricular activity does Todd Ray do each summer, which is a carry-over from his old job?

Steve Conard, Editor