Pioneer Turners Luncheon

By Ken Bounds 

On March 9 the Pioneers group of the American Turners – Northwest Chicago held their annual St. Patrick’s Day corned beef luncheon at the Northwest Turners facility in Schiller Park.  The luncheon was open to all Pioneer Turners members and featured a special invitation to our group by their President, our own Charles Kaiser.  It just so happened that the luncheon was also a celebration of Charlie’s 70^th birthday!  Sixteen NIRG members, family, and friends enjoyed a nice meal and an afternoon of V-8 camaraderie. 

After the luncheon, featuring an absolutely delicious corned-beef sandwich, the emcee introduced President Kaiser and yours truly as National V-8 Club President.  Last year’s NIRG President, Tom O’Donnell used the opportunity to present Charlie with his NIRG service award for 2012.  We then turned our attention to a huge birthday cake and sang happy birthday to Charlie.  The event wrapped up with a drawing for door prizes.  I’m sure many in attendance were convinced that something was fixed.  Three of the four prizes were for guests at our table.  Joe Kozmic, Joe Novak, and Ken Bounds each went home with a prize.

If you are not familiar with the American Turners society, they have a long history in the US, going back to pre-Civil War days.  You can learn much more about the local group at http://atnwc.org/.  We thank Charles and co-organizer Ron Dopke for setting up a nice event.

Participants included: our host Charles Kaiser, Ken Bounds, Norm Collins and family, Ron Dopke with Norm Lang, Joe Kozmic, Frank & Phyllis Madrigali, Joe Novak,  Tom O’Donnell, Dan Pudelek, John & Este Scheve, John Slobodnik, and Len Vinyard.