Meet the Board Party January 23, 2010
As the 260 members and guests arrived, they were greeted by the music of the B.A.A. band under the direction of Larry
Huntington. At 7:00pm, Marshall Jeff Horan and our Chaplain, Father Jim Commyn, led the Board members to the stage.
President Arsene VanVooren then asked the membership to rise and give a moment of silence for lifetime members
Medars Backers and Oscar Vercruysse. President VanVooren paid tribute to Oscar Vercruysse for his years of service
with the Band along with his various positions on the Band Board. Arsene then thanked Band Director Larry Huntington as
well as the Band for their performance.
There were 4 past presidents in attendance Joe Decker, Etienne Elskens, Bob Putrycus, and Norm Kay who were recognized
by the members. President VanVooren also introduced lifetime members Al DeBacker and Remi VanDenBroeck; he also
announced that Warren DeCook would receive his 50-year card in the mail. Arsene then introduced B.A.A. Retirees
President Frank Baecke, B.A.A. Ladies Auxillary President Ceil Janes (who was not in attendance) and Century Club
President Pat DeLaere along with our Chaplain Father Jim Commyn, the Mayor of St. Clair Shores Bob Hison along with
his wife Nancy, and last but not least his own family wife, Pam, son Arsene and daughter Samantha who happened to be
working as a server that night and also his mother Irene VanVooren.
President VanVooren then introduced his Executive Board members and regular Board members along with their duties and
responsibilities.
President VanVooren then called up our two scholarship recipients Cari VanHoorelbeke, daughter of Chuck & Mary
VanHoorelbeke and Chris McPharlin, son of Mike and Denise McPharlin and grandson of Leon Huyghe. Arsene read a brief
summary of each winners’ grades and accomplishments. They are both very deserving recipients.
President VanVooren then turned the duties over to Recreation Chairman Rick Dauw for the 2009 games winners:
The 2009 winners were:
Darts - Maury VanCoillie
31 - Mike Huyghe
Bien- Roger Omeye
Euchre - Andre Reyntiens
Pinochle - Etienne Elskens
Congratulations to all the winners!
Larry Mahieu was then asked to present the Man-of-the-Year Award to his brother-in-law Norm Kay. Larry read a list of
Norm’s various positions on the Board along with all of the other work he has done for the Club. Norm is a very
dedicated member and is always ready to lend a hand at every activity. Congratulations Norm, you truly deserve the
award.
The members and guests were then served a delicious meal with a scrumptious dessert table followed by dance music by
Jerry Archer and his band.
A drawing was held later on and the winner of the money tree was Maury VanCoillie, followed by Ray Huyghe, Marge
DeMulemeister, Bill Meyers, Jeff Mahieu, Marshall DeSmet, Joe Aluia, Patrick Burke, Mike McPharlin, Don Vermeulen,
Mike Gray, Ted Westfall, Clem Geromette, Gabe DeKimpe, Butch DeSmet, Andre Reyntiens, Cari VanHoorelbeke, Bob Mahieu,
Roland Deprez, Irene Michaels, and Lil VanDenBroeck.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bob Putrycus
Recording Secretary
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