June 2008 Newsletter
We started May cleaning up the busiest stretch of highway in Iowa, and we ended it by helping out the kids at Ruby Van Meter school. In between we heard from the Newton Speedway and from a living legend. Oh, and Jim Zabel visited, too!
THE CLEANUP
A strong crew showed up on a chilly and windy Saturday to clean up the south side of I-235 east of 31st street. Bill Warrick, Jack Sink, Craig Randall, Will Canine, Kevin Krause, Jack Rivers, Rich Seibert and Joe Kristan took part, and former member Tony Aldridge pitched in. Do you have any idea how much junk can accumulate along a freeway?
THE PITCH TOURNAMENT
Van Seibert was denied a chance to run the tables and sweep the 2008 edition of the fund-raising Pitch Tournament for Ruby Van Meter School by the misfortune of being paired with a lame partner in the last round; he settled for a third-place finish. The title was instead claimed by the indomitable Dick Henry, followed by Jack Sink. The real winner, though were the kids at Ruby Van Meter, as they will benefit from the $500 check we will present the RVM Booster Club as a result of the tournament.
WHAT ELSE HAS SERTOMA BEEN UP TO?
Craig Armstrong, the General Manager of the Iowa Motor Speedway in Newton, gave an excellent virtual tour of the fine racing facility we have in our own backyard. Living legend Jim Zabel, who has done so much to help fund our Fantasy Baseball program, gave us his insights into the turbulent Iowa sports scened. Our own living legend Max Thompson shared his insights into the changes in the Iowa agricultural economy over the years.
THE JUNE 2008 AGENDA
June opens with Don Wauters, the owner of Priority Express, Inc., one of Iowa's largest small parcel carriers. He will keynote the June 3 luncheon meeting by telling us about his hobby as an amateur race car driver.
Randyl Taber, a Senior Vice President at A.G. Edwards, joins us on June 10 to talk about the issues behind soaring energy prices. This is a return visit for Mr. Taber; he spoke to us a few years ago about the Enron scandal.
Our own Kip Peters headlines the June 17 meeting. He will team up with his sons, Sebatian and Tristan, to talk about Kart racing. He says he'll be bringing speakers, so expect some noise!
We will celebrate another year of Service to Mankind at our annual Inaugural Dinner on June 21; we will inaugurate Jeri Le Henri and Diana Van Vleet as co-presidents for the Sertoma year begging July 1. Before-dinner entertainment will be provided by The Max Wellman Trio. Good food, good fellowship, good times. Don't miss the social event of the season!
June promises to be another great month to be a Sertoman! You know someone who should be sharing our service and friendship. Invite them to be a guest at the next meeting!
MEMBERSHIP CHANGES
We regret to learn that Jim McCaughey has been forced to give up his membership in the club for health reasons. Jim, who turns 85 in September, has been with the club since January 1979. Jim, thanks for your many years of service and friendship. We wish you and your wife the best, and we would love to have you as a guest anytime your health permits.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
June 3: Special board meeting after the regular luncheon session. meeting (the July meeting will be on July 21)
June 21: Inaugural Dinner
June 22: Iowa District leadership meeting, Ft. Dodge.
June 30: Board of Directors July 17-19: Sertoma International Convention, Denver
July 26-30: Fantasy Baseball Camp