Re “A Man Looks Back on His Busy Life Fondly”

Dateline Dayton — As I previously mentioned, my involvement with the Learning Tree Farm began during my Kiwanis days.  I would promote the Farm at various state Kiwanis events and at service clubs in the Dayton area, always searching for other sources of funding.

After I left Kiwanis, I retained my relationship with the Farm, although it was spotty.  Fifteen years ago, I reestablished contact with the Learning Tree Farm when they started sponsoring an Antiques Appraisal event.  For the first years, I would provide a display, such as National Cash Register, Silver Strikes or postcards.  One year I appraised NCR items until I was asked to chair the event.

Once chairman, I was invited to board meetings to discuss the event and how to improve.  Within two years I was asked to join to the board.  Two years after that I was asked to serve as Vice President followed by the presidency. 

At our last appraisal event, the Executive Director of the Farm told me she was going to retire.  I thought we had an agreement that she would be there through my term.

In short, I became President, Pat retired and we hired Dona as our new Executive Director.  Dona decided that we would no longer have the appraisal event because we needed a greater generator of revenue. She was right, but within six months she left for a higher paying job, with benefits. Again we were hunting an Executive Director.

A Time to Shuffle

The husband of a board members was chosen. The downside was his wife no longer would be on the board. Worse, she was scheduled to replace me as president. I, ahem, served two terms, four years. Due to finances, we had to eliminate the position of Executive Director. A staff person handled duties. That arrangement is efficient and is saving money.

We elected a new president this month, I will finish my term on the board as Immediate Past President.

When you read this essay, I will be in Las Vegas for the Silver Strike Tournament.  This year, due to my brother-in-law’s health, we are not making any side trips.  We arrived late last night. Nothing is planned until the tournament dinner on Friday evening.

Next week I will report to you about my winnings.  We have had to purchase a new car. Maybe I will win enough to pay for it or, at least, make a payment.  I can dream.

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net