2013 Installation Banquet

By Ken Bounds

On an unseasonably warm January 12, Frank & Phyllis Madrigali welcomed 36 members and guests to our annual installation banquet at Casey’s Restaurant in Lombard.  As we enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, outgoing President Tom O’Donnell entertained us with a slide show of NIRG events and tours from the past year.  There was plenty of lively conversation among those in attendance, including our hosts Frank & Phyllis Madrigali, outgoing President Tom O’Donnell & his sister Pat, incoming President and First Lady Scott & Nicole Gilday, Ron & Arlene Blum, Ken & Carolyn Bounds, Elaine Braun & brother Stan Gaynor, Joe & Marie Dispensa, Terry & Kitty Freihage, John Judge and guest Linda, Joey Novak and Millie Olds, Dan & Diane Pudelek, John & Este Scheve, Joe & Delice Serritella, Stan & Jo Anne Stack, Ron & Colleen Steck, Len & Irene Vinyard, Alan & Lois Wall, and Larry & Jerry Webb.

After a delicious meal, Tom O’Donnell kicked off the evening’s program by presenting service awards and a DVD copy of the slide show to those who served the Club in 2012.  Receiving awards were Tom O’Donnell - President, National Tour Co-Chair, Tech Talks, Duals Night, Bacon & Eights; Frank Madrigali - Vice-President, 2012 Installation Dinner; Stan Stack - Secretary, Joe Serritella – Treasurer, Health & Welfare Chairman; Ken & Carolyn Bounds - Road Chatter Editors, Membership Chairman, Eastern & Central National Meets, National Tour Registration, Lake Geneva Poker Rally; Scott Gilday - Board of Directors, Tour Chairman, Barrington Concours; Ron Blum - Board of Directors, A Day at the Races; Dan Pudelek,  - Board of Directors, 2012 Installation Dinner Prizes and Program; John Scheve - Board of Directors, Tech Talk Coordinator; John Slobodnik - Board of Directors, Pizza Meeting, Duals Night; Joe Novak – Ladies Night Out; Len & Irene Vinyard - Joint Tour with NORG to Kokomo; Don & Elaine Braun - Club Picnic; Earl Heintz - Veteran’s Day Luncheon; Este Scheve - Christmas Luncheon; and Alan Wall - Service Awards. 

Not present to receive their awards were Tom Buscaglia – Eggs & Eights; Charles Kaiser - Turners Luncheon; Ron Dopke - Turners Luncheon; John Emmering - Joint Tour with Rockford Group to Pontiac; and Bill Valters - Anniversary Cruise, Waukegan Yacht Club Show.

 Tom thanked all the officers and board members as well as all Club members for their support in 2012.  He then turned the gavel over to our new President, Scott Gilday.  Scott introduced his new team of officers for 2013:  Vice President Frank Madrigali, Secretary Stan Stack, Treasurer Joe Serritella, Membership Chairman Ken Bounds, Health & Welfare Chairman Joe Serritella, Tour Chairman Ron Steck, Newsletter Editors Ken & Carolyn Bounds, Board of Directors:  Ron Blum, Tom O'Donnell, Dan Pudelek, John Scheve, and Ron Steck.  National President Ken Bounds then swore in the new officers and board with the official oath of office, So Help Me Henry.

Scott thanked the members for putting their trust in him as the new President and talked briefly about his plans for the upcoming year.  He then began the fun task of drawing for door prizes, assisted by JoAnne Stack, Tom O’Donnell, and Ron Blum.  Thanks to the many members who contributed door prizes.  With the threat of freezing rain, a great evening of   V-8 camaraderie began to come to an end.  Thank you to everyone who made this event a success.