2018 Installation Dinner

By Ken Bounds

On January 13, twenty-four NIRG members and friends gathered to celebrate the beginning of our 51st Year of V-8ing and to honor our newly elected group of officers and directors.  Este & John Scheve did a fantastic job of arranging a super evening at Suparossa in Woodridge.  Their efforts in soliciting door prizes resulted in an attractive display in the front of the room.  As usual, there was a selection of beautiful prints from our good friend, artist Arlen Olsen in Minnesota.

Guests began gathering before 6:00 pm and had plenty of time to catch up on the holidays and other happenings with V-8 friends.  Prior to the dinner there was an abundance of delicious appetizers along with excellent drink service.

At 7:00 pm, everyone was asked to take their seats and Gary Osborne led us in prayer.  Each table received an abundant family-style meal with bottles of red and white wine.  The food was enjoyed by all and no on left hungry.

After the meal, President John Emmering kicked off the program with a welcome and an optimistic view of good events ahead.  John introduced Ken Bounds who gave a brief history of what was going on in the Club 40 years ago, including the history of the National Club’s oath of office.  Ken called forward the officers and board members for 2018 and using the oath “So Help Me Henry” swore in President John Emmering, Vice President John Scheve, Secretary Gary Osborne, Treasurer Joe Serritella, Health & Welfare Chairman Phyllis Madrigali, and board members Scott Gilday, Tom O’Donnell, and Ron Steck.  Not present (apparently somewhere warmer) were board members Ron Blum and Pat Maroney.

President John had a few words to say, thanking the outgoing officers and the new officers for 2018, along with praise for all the folks who made our 50th Anniversary year of 2017 a great success.   John detailed some of the plans for the upcoming year.

Next came the annual tradition of awarding door prizes to all attendees.  The Olsen prints were the most coveted, but there were also various other valuable and useful prizes.  Everyone in attendance received at least one prize.  We are grateful to the generosity of vendors and companies who donated the prizes and ask that you take a look at the list of them on Page 6.  Please consider patronizing these folks whenever you can.

After the prizes were awarded, most of the crowd stayed around for quite a while for some lively conversation and V-8 camaraderie.  We are truly grateful for those who attended and especially to Este and John for their time and talent to make this a memorable evening.

Those enjoying the evening were our hosts, John & Este Scheve, President John and First Lady Robin Emmering, Ken & Carolyn Bounds, Scott & Nicole Gilday, John Judge, Frank & Phyllis Madrigali, Joey & Millie Novak, Gary Osborne, Dan & Diane Pudelek, Joe & Delice Serritella, Ron & Colleen Steck and their friends Larry & Michelle Hunkele, and George & Dawn Zulas.