Meeting Minutes
Torch Club of the Fox Valley
16 January 2025
Torchmark
Notes taken by: Sue Bennett, Secretary
ATTENDEES: Karen Bachhuber, Sue Bennett via zoom, Nancy Van Rooy Bodway, David Debbink, Marcia Debbink, Paul Freiberg, Walt Hedges, Lindsay Kaminski, Barb Kelly, Bill Kelly, John Palmquist, Jan Mirenda Smith, Kris Stahl, Peter Thiel, Scott Valitchka via zoom, Bert Wiegand.
Guests: Sofia Wilson via zoom, Douglas Thiel
A buffet dinner was served by Touchmark. Good food and conversation were enjoyed by members prior to the business meeting.
BUSINESS MEETING: Bill called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
Bill welcomed our guests Sofia Wilson, who attended via zoom, and Peter’s guest, his son Douglas Thiel, in addition to our newest member, John Palmquist and our reinstated former member Karen Bachhuber.
MINUTES: There were no corrections or additions to the minutes. It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes as reported. All were in favor and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Barb reported a balance of $3,067.77, as of 12/13/24. After receiving receipts of $95.00 for 2025 dues and no disbursements, the balance as 1/10/2025 was $3,162.77. Barb noted that she has provided IATC with an updated roster and will be paying their invoice of $1,072.50 by February 7, 2025. She has also received an additional dues payment of $95.00 from Lindsay, who wasn’t sure she would be continuing her membership, but happily is, as well as reimbursing Bert for John’s member pin. With those additional items the balance will be $2,156.77. It was moved by Paul and seconded by Bert to accept the Treasurer’s report. All were in favor and the report was approved. Peter asked if we had thought about the possibility of putting some of the club’s funds into a CD or something that would generate interest. Barb said that she would look into it, but that at certain times the balance is lower. Also, the bank requires a minimum balance for a checking account.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Bert stated that Scott would be presenting this evening’s presentation about the history of logging in northeastern Wisconsin, in February Barb will be talking about the Status of the UWO Fox Cities Campus, in March Walt will be talking about Time and Invention, in April will be Bert speaking on Technology Disruption and in October David’s will be enlightening us on No Need for ROI. May, Sep., Nov., and Dec. dates remain available. Bert will have the sign-up sheet available on the table after the meeting. He will send out reminders and if anyone has any dates or topics that they are interested in, they can call or email him.
OLD BUSINESS: Books for Mary Poulson: Barb stated that she has not been able to get her contacts at Lawrence University library to provide her with information regarding the books they would like to have donated. She suggested that we abandon that plan and look at making the donation to the Appleton Public Library as we have so successfully done in the past, pointing out that the newly renovated library will be opening on February 15th. Bill suggested that since we can’t do anything with the new APL until February, that Barb give the LU library an additional month to contact her. It was agreed that she will do that.
NEW BUSINESS: We will have to start thinking about new officers.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Bill reminded members to stop and pay for their meal on the way out. Paul, IATC treasurer, reported that the Torch Magazine has a new editor and to look for the winter edition in the coming month. Also, he said that the executive team is working to firm up the 2025 convention dates and location.
It was moved by Paul and seconded by Jan to adjourn the business meeting. All were in favor and the business meeting was adjourned at 6:26 p.m.
Presentation: The History of Logging in Northeastern Wisconsin by Scott Valitchka