Hello Gang! Welcome Back to the Midwest! I hope everyone has been coping through the winter and looking forward to the spring thaw. Spring is in the air!
As we recap from the previous newsletter, the Christmas decorations and the New Year's Eve party favors have been put away. The Upper Mississippi Valley is gearing up for another fabulous fun filled year hosting many “milestone” regional tournaments. Happy New Year 2008!
The first regional tournament in the New Year was the 16th Annual ICE Bowl Invitational in Omaha that was held February 22-24. Director Valerie Haynes and her committee hosted a great show. There were 268 bowlers in attendance that included some IGBO Royalty - Larry Sanchez, IGBO Secretary; Rob Hisey, IGBO Regional Director Southwest Pacific Nations; John Kincheloe, IGBO Regional Director South Plains; and Joey Grzenia, IGBO Mid-Year 2008 San Diego Co-Director. Mother Nature was nice this year providing some warmth compared to previous years. During the banquet, there was a special recognition award presented to an individual that has provided exemplary service to the ICE Bowl committee. The "Tip of the Iceberg Award" goes to Steve Hermanek. Congratulations Steve for providing unselfish devotion to ICE Bowl. What would an IGBO affiliated tournament be without wonderful fellowship and hospitality? Happy 51st Birthday Larry! Thanks for allowing us to share it with you. Since this was my third ICE Bowl, I was blessed with receiving some wonderful hospitality from my special IGBO family and friends. As always, Omaha knows what Midwest Hospitality is all about.
Once the sunsets in Omaha, it was time to capture a leprechaun and head to The Windy City for the 20th Annual Chicago Pride Invitational and Scratch Masters Tournament (CPI) in Chicago, March 7-9. Director Dale Regnier and the entire committee have been working diligently to prepare for their “milestone” year. The city turns "Green" during the weekend. CPI has a limited capacity so it fills up fast. There is only one shift each day allowing the bowlers to cruise and shop in Boys Town. Once the bowlers shop till they drop then they can relax at any one of the local bar establishments. Of course, a few of the highlights of the tournament were attending the first IGBO representative regional meeting of the year and enjoying the two-hour open bar during the banquet at SideTracks. After the banquet the bowlers are welcome to continue the celebration during "Show Tunes" extravaganza.
Once the shamrocks turned over, it was time to turn the clocks forward and hop-a-long to the spring season for the 24th Annual Paul Bunyan Invitational Tournament (PBI) in Minneapolis/ St. Paul, MN over Easter weekend, Match 20-22. PBI 2008 begins a rebirth over alternating Easter weekends in hopes to entice increase participation. Director Stanley “Jack” Jackson and the entire committee have been working diligently to prepare for their “rebirth” year. Oh, do not forget your Easter bonnet. You never know what Jack may pull out of his bag of tricks.
As the Easter bunny has hopped into the sunset, the Midwest plays host to their newest tournament, WHAT??!!? Invitational Open (Wichita Has a Tournament) in Wichita, KS over Mother’s Day weekend, May 9-11. Co-Directors E. Duane Olson and Bryan Melton along with their committee have been preparing for this inaugural event. Come to Wichita to see what Kansas has to offer!
As the inaugural party from Wichita subsides, the South is preparing to play host for IGBO Annual 2008 in Atlanta, GA over Memorial Day weekend, May 21-26. Co-Directors Mike Tamburrino, Ronnie Grist, and Hal Bergen along with their committee have been preparing for this grand celebration for 2 1/2 years. The host hotel, Omni Hotel at CNN Center, is filling up fast. Get those reservations in. During the General Membership Meeting, there will be the host city selection for IGBO Annual 2010 and the election of the IGBO Vice-President and IGBO Secretary positions. There will also be the election of three Regional Directors. Be sure to attend and let your voice be heard. After the banquet, “Your Modern Day Emerald City” will present the Emerald Ball. We are “off to see the Wizard” and “follow the yellow brick road!”
After the “Modern Day Emerald City” gala in Atlanta, the Midwest will still be celebrating. Don't forget the 11th Annual Denver International Gay and Lesbian Invitational Tournament (DIGLIT) in Denver, CO over Father’s Day weekend, June 20-22 and the 25th annual Show Me Classic in St. Louis, MO over Labor Day weekend, August 29- Sept 1.
In closing, this is my second term as IGBO Regional Director – Upper Mississippi Valley. Thank you for the vote of confidence in my re-election. I am looking forward to my next two years. Hang on tight; have fun; and ride the IGBO roller coaster with me.
In Unity, Fellowship and Communication,
Claude Sloan
