December 2, 2003 

Exchange Club tradition took a big hit this week as the Club assembled for its weekly luncheon meeting at The Pit on Tuesday to conduct its final business for the annual 150 charity dinner and drawdown Tuesday night.  Surprisingly, the room was full with members who had gotten notice of the changed date and remembered to switch off their auto pilots for Wednesday.  Fred Bamman was tapped by President Leon to lead the Pledge.  No one had ever recited all seven verses before.  Dr. Jerry delivered the invocation after the twenty minute Pledge.

 The membership, by an overwhelming vote, reaffirmed the Club’s commitment to purchase and deliver holiday baskets to one hundred needy families this Christmas in conjunction with the San Isidro Food Ministry.  This has been an ongoing Club project for many years and the members agreed that we get much more out of it than we give.  Details as to time, date and place will be forthcoming.

 The annual 150 dinner, drawdown and silent auction Tuesday evening at the Lighthouse Point Yacht and Racquet Club was a colossal success.  The club was beautifully decorated in a nautical theme thanks to the handiwork of Laurie Rowley who painted the lighthouse on the drawdown backdrop and Judy Sullivan who made all of the lighthouse centerpieces for the tables.  Attended by some 228 folks who enjoyed the rockin’ music of the Bulldogs and a fabulous dinner, all winners were identified by 10:30PM.  The last five numbers out were 80, 31, 76, 117 and 77 in that order.  Club members owning these numbers or at least a partial interest in a winning number included Matt Weissing, Bill Gallo, Allin Crouch, Bob Morgan, Greg Wiedrich, Michael Colon, Ed O’Hara, Derek Elder, and Colin Durie.  Nonmember winners included Al Romanelli, David Charland and Mimi Roy.  The owners of the last five numbers in both the A and B pool decided to split the $5,000.00 prize in each pool so each number will receive $1,000.00.  Checks will be delivered at the next luncheon meeting on December 10 at The Pit.  If you cannot make the lunch the check will be mailed to you just in time for Christmas.  The comeback number was 24 with $500.00 going to David’s Pharmacy and another $500.00 to Dan Dowd and Lee Waldo.  Congratulations to all the winners and everyone who supported the event.  The big winner was the local charities who will be receiving the estimated $40,000.00 raised Tuesday evening.

 

A special note of thanks must also be given to the heavy lifters for the 150.  Lets hear it for Mike Bonner and Wachovia Bank who partnered with the Exchange Club in what is sure to be a long and mutually beneficial relationship for the betterment of our community.  Wachovia was the main sponsor for the event and presented President Leon with a check for $10,000.00 to kickoff the festivities.  Larry and Sue Nelson sponsored the bar and were responsible for the two drink tickets that everyone got when checking in.  Bottoms up for Larry and Sue!  We have mentioned the artistry of Laurie Rowley and Judy Sullivan but cannot slight creativity of Bobbi Banks who designed and published the tickets and event program.  Don Parrish was responsible for the array of goods offered at the silent auction and, of course, Tad Williams and Pat Goff, his administrative assistant, kept track of the tickets and the money.  Thanks also to Michael O’Hara who helped construct the frame for the drawdown backdrop and the many members and friends of the Club who helped set up for the event on Tuesday morning and afternoon and helped tear down and store the equipment Wednesday morning.  Special thanks also to President Leon who co-chaired the event with Don Parrish for all his dedication and the many pizzas purchased for the 150 committee.

 Our condolences to member Jim Horn whose father died last week and get well wishes to Duran Brown’s mom and Irene Dare who are both in the hospital.  Birthday bests to Mike Branigan (11/28), Paul Zalesky (11/28) and Art Graham (11/30) who all turned the big Six O.  Be nice to them.  Happy birthdays also to these younger folks: Irene Zalesky (12/1), Marylyn Durie (12/9) and Duran Brown ((12/9).   Happy wedding anniversary to Tom and Jay Ahearn celebrating number 23 on 11/28 and Leon and Bobbi Banks number 36 on 12/08.   The week’s double secret shaking man was John “Sky King” Burgess who shook good ole Hundred Ton Ghee for a free lunch.  It’s the holidays so we had two pots.  Hundred Ton won the first making him a double wiener and Bob Morgan took home the second.

 Johnny V went into Walgreens the other day and asked the pharmacist if they carried viagra. The pharmacist assured John that they did. Johnny V then asked him if he could get it over the counter. The pharmacist thought about this for a second then answered, "If you took two you probably could".