2011 Installation Banquet

By Ken Bounds

 We held our annual installation dinner January 15 at the Wellington in Arlington Heights to honor our outgoing officers and to welcome new and returning officers and board members for 2011.  Forty-four members, family, and friends enjoyed a great evening of V-8 camaraderie.  It was great to see Don Braun at the dinner, as well as some of our newer members, Scott & Nicole Gilday and John & Este Scheve.  We thank Frank Madrigali for making the arrangements and our President, Dan Pudelek for soliciting door prizes and acting as emcee. 

The evening began at 6:30 with a cocktail hour and a mountain of delicious hors devours.  Dinner was served at 7:30.  We thank the staff of the Wellington for their excellent service and a great meal.  As everyone was finishing up dessert, our President Dan Pudelek began the program.  Dan welcomed the new officers for 2011 and acknowledged those who served the club in the past year by presenting service awards. 

Receiving awards were:  Dan Pudelek: President, Installation Dinner prizes, Volo Show; Frank Madrigali: Vice-President, 2010 Installation Dinner; Joe Serritella: Treasurer, South Bend Tour; Stan Stack: Secretary, Cookout/Barrington Cruise Night; Ken & Carolyn Bounds: Road Chatter Editors, Membership Chairman, Home Run Inn Roundup, Illinois Veterans Home Tour, Eastern National Meet, Lake Geneva Poker Run, Veteran’s Day Luncheon, Various Video Presentations; Joe Novak: Tour Chairman, Ladies Night Out, Christmas Luncheon; Neil McManus: Board of Directors, Health & Welfare Chairman; Ron Blum: Board of Directors, Night at the Races, Volo Prizes; Ed Fontana, Board of Directors, June Meeting host, Bar Stool Sales; Alan Wall: Board of Directors, Service Awards; Tom Buscaglia: Eggs-n-8’s; Don & Elaine Braun: Picnic; Tom O’Donnell: Tech Talk; and Earl Heintz: Veteran’s Day Luncheon.  Not present to receive their awards were Bob Paladino: Pizza Meeting and John McCarthy: 39 Pickup Restoration Presentation. 

Neil McManus surprised Dan and yours truly with two special awards for long-time service to the club.  Dan’s award was more significant:  it included lifetime membership in the Northern Illinois Regional Group for Dan’s many years of service.  Congratulations Dan!  It is well deserved. 

Thanks to generous donations from many vendors and significant contributions from many of the members attending tonight, door prizes were awarded to everyone present.  As Dan called out the winning numbers, runners presented the goods.  Some of the more interesting prizes were a Ford shop coat won by Tom Buscaglia and V-8 art prints donated by Minnesota artist Arlen Olsen which were won by Earl Heintz and Joe Serritella. 

In attendance were our hosts Frank & Phyllis Madrigali with Frank’s mom Johanna Madrigali, President and First Lady Dan & Diane Pudelek, Ron & Arlene Blum, Ken & Carolyn Bounds, Don & Elaine Braun, Tom & Judy Buscaglia, George & Betty Cech, Lloyd & Gladys Duzell, Stan Gaynor with Art Russell, Scott & Nicole Gilday, Earl & Gene Heintz, John Judge, Paul & Joanne Linzer, Neil McManus, Jack & Jean Nikolich, Joe Novak, Tom & Madeleine O’Donnell, John & Este Scheve, Joe & Delice Serritella, Stan & JoAnne Stack, Len & Irene Vinyard, Alan & Lois Wall, and Larry & Jerry Webb.  Unfortunately members Frank & Margaret Koeder and Joe & Nell Kozmic were under the weather and unable to attend. 

What a great way to start the year!  We had decent, dry weather for January, a nice turnout, good food and drinks, great conversation, and some mementos as well as memories to take home.  After reflecting back on a fine year, it is time to look forward for more fun V-8 events in 2011.  Can touring season be that far away?