2017 Installation Dinner

By Ken Bounds 

We must be living right.  Nearly all the snow of the season to date fell during a two-week frigid snap in mid-December.  Unseasonable temperatures in the 40s and even 50s said goodbye to 2016 (and the snow) and hello 2017.  On a mild 35-degree January 14 day, 33 NIRG members, family, and guests gathered for our Annual Installation Dinner at Carriage Greens Country Club in Darien, hosted by Joey Novak and Millie Olds.  Arriving members were treated to the piano stylings of our own Ron Vaughan as they picked out their tables in the gorgeous dining room and looked over the table of attractive door prizes to be awarded later.

As the social hour proceeded, members had plenty of time to renew old friendships and enjoy cocktails and the delicious hors d'oeuvres that were passed around by the helpful, friendly staff.  We were all pleased to meet our newest members, Jim & Harriet Taylor, who had just recently joined our group. 

At 7:00 pm, Gary Osborne called everyone to prepare for the meal with a prayer.  The staff served a delicious meal which everyone seemed to enjoy.  Many compliments about the food were heard.

After dinner, Master of Ceremonies Ken Bounds led off the evening’s program.  Outgoing President Scott Gilday thanked each of the 2016 club officers and members of the Board of Directors.  Scott then introduced new President John Emmering, who thanked Scott for his four years of service as President.

John continued by introducing the new team of officers for 2017: Vice President John Scheve, Secretary Gary Osborne, Treasurer Joe Serritella, Membership Chairman Ken Bounds, Health & Welfare Chairman Phyllis Madrigali, Tour Chairman Ron Steck, Road Chatter Editors Ken & Carolyn Bounds, and Board of Directors - Ron Blum, Ken Bounds, Scott Gilday, Tom O’Donnell, and Ron Steck.  Scott conducted the swearing in of the new officers using the “So Help Me Henry” oath.

Scott then made a presentation thanking members who had contributed in special ways to the success of the club in 2016:  Scott Gilday, President; Frank Madrigali, Vice-President, 2016 Installation Dinner, Beller Museum Tour, Christmas Brunch; Phyllis Madrigali, Health & Welfare Chairman; John Emmering, Secretary, Road Chatter articles, Eggs & Eights, “Crime Doesn’t Pay” Tour, Tech Talks; Joe Serritella, Treasurer, Tech Talks, Picnic Support; Ken & Carolyn Bounds, Road Chatter Editors, Membership Chairman, Board of Directors, Central & Eastern National Meet Tours, Lake Geneva Poker Rally, Videos, Tech talks; Ron Steck, Tour Chairman, Riverview Ford Car Show, Fall Colors Tour; Ron Blum, Board of Directors, 2016 Installation Dinner Door Prizes, Pizza Meeting, A Day at the Races, Duals Night; Gary Osborne, Board of Directors, HIP Tour – Pontiac, All Ford Turkey Dinner; Stan Stack, Board of Directors, Picnic Tables/Chairs; George Zulas, Board of Directors, Fox River Trolley Museum Tour; Ron Vaughan, Entertainment, 2016 Installation Dinner; Jeff Trilling, Tech talk, Iron Invasion Show; Charles Kaiser, Turners Luncheon; Paul Levine, Park Ridge Cruise-In, Lincolnwood Show; Don & Elaine Braun, Hosted Club Picnic; Tom O’Donnell, Motorfest 6, Fall Colors Tour, Tech Talk; and Earl Heintz, Veterans Day Luncheon.

After receiving the gavel, 2017 President John Emmering addressed the group giving some of his ideas for the year ahead and encouraging everyone to participate and have a good time.

Ken Bounds advised that among the door prizes were copies of The Grease Pit Poet by the late Bob McCoppin.  To honor Bob, Ken preceded the door prize drawing by reading one of his poems from the book.  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 and the super Early Ford V-8 jacket donated by Mike Sargis.  Hopefully, everyone went home happy.

Our thanks go out to our hosts, Joey & Millie for arranging the dinner, to Ron Vaughan for his enjoyable entertainment, to Ron Blum for receiving the door prizes, to 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 Joey Novak & Millie Olds, our new President and First Lady John & Robin Emmering, Ken & Carolyn Bounds, Terry & Kitty Freihage, Scott Gilday, Frank & Phyllis Madrigali, Tom O’Donnell & daughter Maureen, Gary & Dawn Osborne, Dan Pudelek, Mike & Amanda Sargis, John & Este Scheve, Joe & Delice Serritella, Ron & Colleen Steck, Jim & Harriet Taylor, Jeff Trilling, Ron Vaughan and Ron Jr., Len & Irene Vinyard, and Larry Webb and his friend Virgie Burnquist.