Mark Hendrickson, Head Coach of the Western Illinois University Fighting Leathernecks football team, gave club members an update on the team, how it did last year and what the prospects are for next year. Mark talked about his background, saying he was born in Richland, Iowa, two hours straight west of here. His father and grandfather owned and operated the oldest implement dealership in America.
Mark has been in Macomb for 11 years and recounted his career which included stops at Georgia Tech and the University of Iowa. He said WIU has hired a new offensive coordinator from Arkansas State University and the rest of his staff "are an outstanding group that have been with the school for many years." "Right now, we're in the off season, however the players still lift weights and go through conditioning early in the morning. We had a signing of three recruits" he said. Spring football practice will resume after spring break. "One new thing this spring is a scrimmage in Naperville in April" he said. The coach said the players have a great attitude, they control their attitude, every minute of every day. The team and staff are very motivated and "we're going to put Leatherneck football back where it belongs."
Upcoming programs:
March 16 - Pancake Day Planning
March 23 - John Gentry - Macomb Little League
March 30 - David Mobley - Great River Honor Flights
Macomb Kiwanis Pancake Day is Thursday, April 22, at the American Legion building, 221 West Washington. We have a revised list of booster sponsors for our 61st annual event and still will need members to follow up, collect checks and drop off tickets. Tickets have been printed, are bundled and ready to go. Our March 16 meeting will be devoted to planning and preparation of this big event and we need the help of everyone for our biggest fundraiser of the year.
President Debbie Vnademark presided and welcomed Rosemary Platt from Lincoln School representing the Macomb School District.
We have received $1,300 in brick sales for the new Kiwanis playground. Brochures are being printed and will be handed out by us during the Prestige Communications Home and Lifestyle Show Saturday, March 20 from 9:00-5:00 and Sunday, March 21, from 11:00-4:00 at Western Hall. We will have a display highlighting the playground and the brick sales. Volunteers are needed to staff the table during the show. You can see a copy of the flyer that was distributed in the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce March newsletter by clicking here.
Debbie said five members went to Monmouth last Saturday for an Interclub at their Pancake Day. Debbie and Joe Vandemark, Owen and Susan Thompson and Tim Moss all represented our club.
Happy Buck$ this week from:
Owen Thompson - had $2. One for the Pancake lunch at Monmouth where he
learned "we still make better pancakes." He also found out that Tim Moss knows how to make maple syrup, which may come in handy.
Rosemary Platt - happy for the service we provide to the students.
Debbie - happy to be here and will be even happier when she gets her new
glasses.
Jack Elfrink - a bittersweet happy dollar. His middle child
has decided to go to South Korea to teach English as a second language.
He says he's happy, but sad at the same time.
The 50/50 Drawing was won by Debbie. She donated her share to spastic paralysis.
Click here to see a digitally enhanced picture of our proposed new Chandler Park playground.
Click here to see an artists rendering of how the proposed bricks will be displayed in front of the playground.
Check out previous Builder newsletters by clicking on a date below.
