2012 Installation Banquet

By Ken Bounds

On January 14, a crowd of 52 V-8ers, family, and friends gathered at the Wellington in Arlington Heights for our annual installation dinner, hosted once again by Frank Madrigali.  It was a great opportunity to honor our outgoing officers and others who have served the Club and to welcome the new officers and board for 2012.  Thank you to Frank for making the arrangements, to Dan Pudelek for soliciting the door prizes and hosting the evening, and to all in attendance for making it a wonderful evening and a great kick-off to a new year.  We were all pleased to see Sue Dopke and Don Braun in attendance, along with Marty and Leah Duling who traveled from Springfield.

After cocktails and plentiful hors devours, we enjoyed a delicious dinner with outstanding service.  The staff of the Wellington again did an excellent job.  As everyone was finishing up dessert, outgoing President Dan Pudelek introduced and thanked the officers and board for their service in 2011, then welcomed the new officers for 2012.  He turned the gavel over to our new President, Tom O’Donnell, who talked briefly about his expectations for the coming year.  Dan acknowledged those who served the club in the past year by presenting service awards.

Receiving awards were Dan Pudelek - President, Installation Dinner prizes; Frank Madrigali - Vice-President, 2011 Installation Dinner; Joe Serritella – Treasurer, Indy Presentation; Ken & Carolyn Bounds - Road Chatter Editors, Membership Chairman, Ladies Night Out, Cantigny Tour, Spring Fling, Eastern & Central National Meets, Lake Geneva Poker Rally, Various Video Presentations; Tom O’Donnell - Board of Directors, Tour Chairman, Joint Tour with NORG; Neil McManus - Board of Directors, Health & Welfare Chairman; Ron Blum - Board of Directors, A Day at the Races, Fall Colors Tour; Ed Fontana (accepted by Joe Serritella) - Board of Directors; Len Vinyard - Board of Directors; Tom Buscaglia - Eggs-n-8’s; Don & Elaine Braun - Club Picnic; Earl Heintz - Veteran’s Day Luncheon; Frank Koeder - Vehicle Appraisals at Safety Check; Este Scheve - Christmas Luncheon; and Alan Wall - Service Awards.  Not present to receive their awards were Stan Stack - Secretary, B-17 Tour, Roscoe Tour; Ernie Herzog - Romeoville Fly-In; Roger Hunz - LaPorte County Tour; Bob Paladino - Pizza Meeting; and Bill Valters - Waukegan Yacht Club Show.

After the service awards, Ken & Carolyn Bounds were honored for their long-time service to the Club with an original painting from Arlen Olson.  Read more about this on page 11.  At this time, door prizes were awarded to everyone in attendance.  Thanks to the many members who donated prizes.

As the evening came to an end and everyone said their goodbyes, we all agreed that it was a terrific evening of V-8 camaraderie.  What a great way to start off a new year.  If this mild winter continues, we may be getting those V-8s out sooner than you think!

In attendance were our hosts Frank & Phyllis Madrigali with Frank’s mom Johanna Madrigali and Frank’s friend, Outgoing President and First Lady Dan & Diane Pudelek, Incoming President and First Lady Tom & Madeleine O’Donnell, Ben & Ginny Ashley, Ron & Arlene Blum, Ken & Carolyn Bounds, Don & Elaine Braun with Elaine’s brother Stan Gaynor, Tom & Judy Buscaglia, Joe & Marie Dispensa, Ron & Sue Dopke, Marty & Leah Duling, Lloyd & Gladys Duzell, John & Robin Emmering, Scott & Nicole Gilday, Earl & Gene Heintz, John Judge, Frank & Peggy Koeder, Neil & Julie McManus, Joe Novak with Millie Olds, John & Este Scheve, John & Barbara Slobodnik, Joe & Delice Serritella, Len & Irene Vinyard, Alan & Lois Wall, and Larry & Jerry Webb.