The President's Message

Once again, we have had a fun time at our Annual After Christmas Appreciation Dinner on January 9th, 2004.  Mark Meyer outdid himself on the location this year.  It was held at the Jeanne Cochran Community Center on Wyoming Springs Drive which was still dressed in holiday finery.  The room was spacious, the food provided by Pok-e-Joe’s was great and the camaraderie was at its best.  Thanks again Mark to you and your committee, it was a night to remember.

Marvin, as usual, handed out his “Tree Lot Awards” which were hilarious.  His imagination has no boundaries.  We took Marvin by surprise when he was presented with the “first ever” Benjamin Franklin Award to a member of our club for his enthusiasm and “stick-to-it-tiveness” regarding our National Heritage Program.  He has done a wonderful job along with his various actors and narrators.

Marvin also got the Teacher’s Pet Award for his humble demeanor, soft voice and just being plain Mr. Wonderful.  Norm Noffsinger got the Bear Caretaker award for harassing the President and getting the members to feed the bear.  Last but not least Rufus Honeycutt got the Mr. Congeniality Award for first complimenting our members and then losing them.  It was all in good fun.

As usual, our MC, Cecil Latham did a wonderful job to keep the evening flowing (the  Margaritas helped also).  On a serious side, a plaque was presented to Kim Haugen to let him know he will be sorely missed.  He is a great Sertoman and has been an active member since he joined Round Rock.  We wish him and his family well in this new venture and hope that sometime in the future we can welcome him back into our family.

There has been a date change for Mid-Year.  It is now being held on Saturday, February 28th at 10:00am, at the Holiday Inn North in Downtown Fort Worth.  If you plan on going and spending the night, you can contact the Holiday Inn North directly for reservations.

The Regional Convention will be held at the same location April 22nd thru the 24th, 2004.  Additional information and registration forms will be available soon. 

The Club extends its heartfelt sympathy to Kent Ochel and family on the recent loss of his father.

Baseball Banquet A Home Run!

The 4th Annual Express Winter Baseball Banquet is done. It was a big success with the awardees, their families and friends, the Express and their guests, Brooks and Danielle Kieschnick, Sertoma members, Wells Fargo, and other guests.

There were many complimentary comments regarding Sertoma. Many of the parents came over to express their gratitude for having such a wonderful event for their children.

Tom and Dot Gill, Randy Thoma, Chris Scott, Kent Ochel, Jon Koch, Richard Prete, Dick Reid, Mark Meyer, Wes Carlson, Bill Buckler, Mike Whepley, Marvin Felux, Deke Kittrel, Charlie Culpepper, and Joe Lehane were this year’s committee. The ZOI girls were there again to add their beauty to the event.

This year the seating was done with the awardees being seated nearest the stage and at a table with their family and friends. This change was well received. Reid Ryan thought it made things more enjoyable for the families.

The photographer used a digital camera so I have his picture files, raw and edited. Let me know if you are interested in looking at them and selecting some or would like to have the files on a CD.

Brooks and Danielle Kieschnick stayed to visit until all the tables were put away and the catering staff was leaving. They were very impressed with the friendliness they were shown. 

I have begun writing suggestions for next year’s event. Comments and suggestions are most welcome. Thanks again for the committee’s work and for Sertoma being the Club that we can all be proud of.

Rufus Honeycutt