2008 Installation Banquet

By Ken Bounds

Finleys Grill Room in Downers Grove was the site for our annual NIRG installation banquet on January.  This restaurant was a new location for us and the 41 members and guests in attendance agreed that the food was excellent and the service was outstanding.  Our thanks go out to Dan & Diane Pudelek for hosting the event and to our very talented member Ron Vaughan for again providing the musical entertainment.

Attending were:  President and First Lady Dan & Diane Pudelek, Ron & Arlene Blum, Ken & Carolyn Bounds, Don & Elaine Braun, George & Betty Cech with their guests, Don Drews, Lloyd & Gladys Duzell, Stan Gaynor, Earl & Gene Heintz, John Judge, Gary & Joan Kelly, Frank & Margaret Koeder, Joe & Nell Kozmic, Frank & Phyllis Madrigali,  Joey Novak, Art Russell, Stan & Jo Anne Stack, Ron & Edie Vaughan, Len & Irene Vinyard, Alan & Lois Wall, Larry & Jerry Webb, and George & Dawn Zulas.

After a terrific dinner, President Dan thanked the outgoing officers for their service to the club in 2007 and welcomed the new officers for 2008, including incoming Vice-President Frank Madrigali.  With the able assistance of Alan Wall, Dan presented service awards to those members who provided notable contributions to the club in 2007.  These included: Dan Pudelek: President, Christmas Brunch; Tom Buscaglia: Vice-President, Eggs-n-8’s; George Zulas: Treasurer, Club Apparel; Mike Heatherly: Secretary, Video Presentation; Ken & Carolyn Bounds: Road Chatter Editors, Membership Chairman, Eastern National Meet, Central National Meet, Lake Geneva Tour, Veteran’s Day Luncheon; Joey Novak: Tour Chairman; Ron Blum: Board of Directors, Day at the Races, Central National Meet video; Ron Dopke: Board of Directors, 2007 Installation Dinner, Valentine’s Day Tour, McHenry County Tour, Sanfilippo Tour; Tom O'Donnell: Board of Directors; Joe Seritella: Board of Directors; Stan Stack: Health & Welfare, Ladies Night Out; Ron Vaughan: 2007 Installation Dinner Entertainment; Alan Wall: 2006 Service Awards; Jim Ondracek: Tech Talk on Clocks; Bob Paladino: Pizza Meeting; Jack Nikolich: Crystal Lake Tour; Cliff Dixon: Winona Planning Meeting, American Legion Car Show; George Cech: Volo Show, 40th Anniversary Cruise; Don & Elaine Braun: Picnic; Rich Doligale: Picnic Auctioneer; Len Vinyard: Picnic Auctioneer; and Earl Heintz: Veterans Day Luncheon.

The club extends thanks to all the members who generously donated door prizes.  This added a lot of fun to the evening.  We also want to specially thank several businesses for their contributions and encourage our members to patronize them whenever possible.  These include: Arlen Olson of Olson design, who again donated three collector prints; George Folchi of Ampco Lubrication who donated an Ampco Lubricator kit; Antique Auto Battery – $30 gift certificate; Dennis Carpenter Reproductions – four $25 gift certificates; Lebaron-Bonney - $25 gift certificate; Gold Eagle Company – discount coupons; Hemmings Motor News – diecast truck; Mac’s Antique Auto Parts – two t-shirts; Red’s Headers – gift certificate; Griot’s Garage – Speed Shine; Turtle Wax (Marvel Oil Company) Marvel Mystery Oil and t-shirts; Summit Industries – Vinylex quick wipes, Lexol leather cleaner and car care kit; and Ray Marler of Shoebox Ford Parts – NOS bug screen for ’50 Ford.

It was a great evening of food, drinks, entertainment, and conversation.  Thanks again to Dan & Diane Pudelek, Ron Vaughan, the staff of Finleys Grill Room, and all members who attended and made this dinner a success.  Can Spring be that far away?