Blackhawk Golden ‘K’ General Meeting
Minutes
April 30th, 2025
Roger Willeford presiding, called the meeting to order with a ring of the bell at 9:30AM.
An Executive Board meeting occurred today.
38 members were in attendance today.
The meeting was led with the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of America, the National Anthem.
Invocation: Carl Cramer mentioning May approaching, and the children.
Raffle: Glenn Disrude, with assistance from John Janes, oversaw the ticket sales and drawing this week.
The weekly pot was $14 and the big (Joker) pot was $179.
Jenny Turco drew a ticket from the bucket, ticket number 562. Congratulations to the winner, Dave Thill.
The deck of cards has 39/53 cards remaining. Dave Thill drew the 3♠.
A second drawing occurred, drawn by Darlene Johnson, ticket number 595. Maury and Glenn won a $5 Mac’s discount.
Roger Willeford thanks greeters Jim Farrell and John Janes, invocator Carl Cramer, rafflemasters Glenn Disrude and John Janes, and server Maury Frey.
Happy Box: Roger Willeford announced he is happy because his daughter is coming Friday, and he is heading to Montana for his granddaughter’s graduation.
John Janes is announced he is happy because Tree Sale 1/3 is down, with 700 saplings sold. The recent Blood Drive went well.
Steve Skelly announced he is happy because four Buddy Benches were sold.
Jokes: Steve Skelly had a good joke about two pilots returning to their home city from a long work week. One asks the other, “Let’s go out for a beer.” The second pilot says, “Better idea: let’s try jet fuel. It gives no hangover and tastes great.” They have a few drinks and a good time. The next morning the first pilot calls the second, “How are you feeling?” Second pilot, “Great, and no hangover.” First pilot, “Don’t fart! I woke up in Phoenix.”
Member Health: Maury Frey had a status update on Jerry Langdok. He is absent today because his wife was taken by ambulance Monday with bad pneumonia.
Other Announcements: Roger Willeford relayed long time member Will Reck passed away. Will was a member since 1991, and a treasurer for around a decade. His funeral is Friday, at First Lutheran, 10-1130 visitation. Henke Clarson is assisting. Please wear yellow shirts.
Committee Reports: John Janes announced the Tree Sale will continue Friday and Saturday at the Rotary Botanical Gardens Horticultural Center.
Tom Neumann announced Lion’s Chicken Day and Senior Fair boots are set up.
John Janes announced the Renaissance Fair is seeking Kiwanis volunteers, May 17th and 18th, from 10AM until 4PM.
John Janes announced the recent Blood Drive brought in 83 pints.
Gregg Dickinson introduced the day’s speaker, Dan Wych. Dan oversees operations at two United Ethanol plants, including the one in Milton.
United Ethanol is a cooperative. Dividends are given to shareholders.
Some quick facts about ethanol:
Ethanol uses 50% of the corn produced in the United States.
The United Ethanol plant in Milton utilizes 60,000 bushels of corn daily. For context, a rail car carries 4-5000 bushels when fully loaded.
Ethanol has high purity. It is used in jet fuel and for stock cars. Ethanol is 113 octane.
Jim Farrell asked about the plant’s exhaust. Dan stated that the plant’s exhaust is 99% water vapor.
Ron Shuler asked about tariffs. Dan explained most product goes to places other than China, and are in the protein market.
Greg Turco asked about the plant’s wastewater requirements. Dan replied that two gallons of water are required to make a gallon of ethanol, compared to over 100 gallons per gallon of gasoline.
Many byproducts of the production are utilized.
The presentation was informative. Many additional questions were asked.
Gregg Dickinson thanked Dan Wych for speaking and presented him with a Kiwanis Parker pen.
Roger Willeford adjourned the meeting with a ring of the bell at 11AM. Minutes by Ryan Lewis.
Credit: Dave Figi, and Ryan Lewis, photographs.
Miscellaneous other slides follow
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