2016 Installation Dinner

By Ken Bounds 

On a chilly, but dry January 16, forty-four NIRG members and guests gathered at the Rockwood Tap House in Downers Grove for our annual Installation Dinner.  As guests arrived they were treated to the relaxing piano stylings of our own Ron Vaughan as Ron Blum completed the arrangement of a large variety of door prizes donated by V-8 vendors and friends and our own members.

The social hour featuring cocktails and hors d'oeuvre allowed time for everyone to mingle and catch up with old friends.  We were delighted to meet for the first time Mike & Amanda Sargis who joined the club last March.  It was great to see John Judge who seems to be well on his way to recovery from hip surgery.  We were also happy that Elaine Braun and Gladys Duzell were able to attend.

After a blessing by Gary Osborne, we were treated to a delicious meal served by the attentive and professional staff.  After we enjoyed dessert, President Scott Gilday began the program by thanking the 2015 Officers and Directors for their service and introducing the new team for 2016.  National President Ken Bounds just happened to be in attendance; he led the swearing in of the new officers with the Early Ford V-8 Club oath, “So Help Me Henry.”  The new team includes President Scott Gilday, Vice President Frank Madrigali, Secretary John Emmering, Treasurer Joe Serritella, Membership Chairman Ken Bounds, Health & Welfare Chairman Phyllis Madrigali, Newsletter Editors Ken & Carolyn Bounds, Tour Chairman Ron Steck, and Board of Directors:  Ron Blum, Ken Bounds, Gary Osborne, Stan Stack and George Zulas. 

Scott then made a brief presentation to thank those who served the club in special ways in the last year.  For each person named, he asked them to stand while he detailed their service.  Those recognized were Scott Gilday, President, Tech Talks; Frank Madrigali, Vice-President, 2015 Installation Dinner; Phyllis Madrigali, Health & Welfare Chairman; John Emmering, Secretary, Road Chatter articles, Eggs & Eights; Joe Serritella, Treasurer, Tech Talks; Ken & Carolyn Bounds, Road Chatter Editors, Membership Chairman, Board of Directors, Manteno Veterans Home Show, Spring Fling, Joint Tour with NORG, Central National Meet, Lake Geneva Poker Rally, Videos, Tech talks; Ron Steck, Tour Chairman; Ron Blum, Board of Directors, 2015 Installation Dinner Door Prizes, Pizza Meeting, A Day at the Races, Duals Night; Joe Dispensa, Board of Directors, LaSalle St Show, Hines VA Hospital Show; Gary Osborne, Board of Directors; Stan Stack, Board of Directors, Picnic Tables/Chairs; Ron Vaughan, Entertainment, 2015 Installation Dinner; Alan Wall, 2014 Service Awards; Charles Kaiser, Turners Luncheon; Don & Elaine Braun, Hosted Club Picnic; Tom O’Donnell, Motorfest 6, Fall Colors Tour, Tech Talk; and Earl Heintz, Veterans Day Luncheon.

The evening was capped off with the drawing of door prizes.  Thanks to the generosity of vendors and members, there were plenty of prizes for everyone.  Most sought after were three Early Ford V-8 prints generously donated again by our friend Arlen Olson of Minnesota.  Hopefully, everyone went home happy.

Our thanks go out to our hosts, Frank & Phyllis Madrigali for arranging the dinner, to Ron Vaughan for his enjoyable entertainment, to Ron Blum for receiving and arranging the door prizes, to everyone including our members who donated door prizes, and to all the members who participated and made it an enjoyable evening.  What a great way to kick off another year of V-8ing fun. 

Those participating were our hosts Frank & Phyllis Madrigali and their guests, Ron & Arlene Blum, Ken Bounds, Elaine Braun, Joe & Marie Dispensa, Gladys Duzell, John & Robin Emmering, Terry & Kitty Freihage, Scott Gilday, John Judge, Frank & Peggy Koeder, James & Kathy Larson, Tom & Madeleine O’Donnell, Gary & Dawn Osborne, Dan & Diane Pudelek, Mike & Amanda Sargis, John & Este Scheve, Ron & Colleen Steck, Jeff & Mondira Trilling, Ron Vaughan, Len & Irene Vinyard, Larry Webb and his friend Virgie Burnquist, and George & Dawn Zulas.