Santa Maria Cheminot 2009 Photos

The 2009 Grande Cheminot, February 14 - 15, in Santa Maria, CA, was a great success. Below you will see photos from the various activities. Dennis M. (Mike) Chinnock Grande Historien du California

SATURDAY

The ladies of Unit 56 welcomed the Voyageurs Saturday morning with a warm breakfast, just like mom use to make. l. to r. Margurite Feldpouch, Caryl Rombough, Loretta Mrsh, Kathy Stanley.

It looked to this observer as though most of the Voyageurs thought that this was a good way to start the day ... hot coffee and a light, warm breakfast.

It was a busy morning. At one table Waly Waite, Grand Medicin North, and Larry Leonardo, Souis Cheminot District 2, were doing business with the Souis Directeur of Child Welfare Gene Fanvcchi, when the Directeur of POW/MIA, Stan Fimowiez, walked up. I wondered if this was coincidence, or simply because all were members of Voiture 365. l. to r. Walt Waite, Larry Leonardo, Gene Fanvcchi, and Stan Fimowiez.

When I entered the main hall, I was greeted by 2 smiling faces manning the 'Americanism' Table. The Chef De Gare of Voiture 527 was getting updated information from the Directeur, and Souis Directeur Americanism. l. to r. Phil Peterk, V-527, Ken Newman, V-365, and Bob Brown, V-1450.

Grand Avocat Bob Mattson gave a through report on the 'Constitution & Bylaws' changes. I fully expected Bob to recommend that his report not be accepted. This did not occur and his report was accepted. The agenda moved right along.

At the correct time, Grand Chef Court Bradbury calls the informal session to order and asks for officers reports to be brief and concise.

After an afternoon of reports, Voyageurs seem ready to kick back, relax and unwind. A banquet at Post 56 seems the right thing. When I arrived at Post 56, I ran into Wayne Swartz, V-31, and Jim Palsrok, V-1161, who were already enjoying an adult beverage in the ' Smoking Court ', telling war stories. I learned that Wayne was responsible for the wheekbarrow of smail adult beverages that Gordon Tucker, V-858, had won a few years earlier. Clever folks these Voyageurs.

While a few smokers enjoyed the fresh air, on a pleasant evening in Santa Maria , a lot more nonsmokers were inside, in the Post 56 bar, acting silly. Howerver, ...

... inside, or out, it all looked pretty much the same. Folks were enjoying themselves and unwinding after a pleasant day.

When everyone, well most everyone, had relaxed and unwound sufficiently, it was time for the real, downhome bar-b-que promised by Post 56. The head table filling, with high muckity mucks, was the signal for everyone to find a seat.

A candle was lit at the empty table, set for our missing comrades.

Of course there were raffles and raffle winners. The Souis Directeur Special Awards was very careful in checking the accuracy and authenticity of winning tickets. After happy hour, one cannot be too careful. I heard that $200 was raised for Grand Voiture programs.

SUNDAY

The Grand Color Guard was ready and in place. The Grand Chef DE Gare Court bradbury called the Promenade to order, ...

... the colors are posted, and the 2009 Spring Cheminot comes to completion.

The Grand Officers gathered at the lectern and in an orderly manner, one by one, presented their report. Grand Chef De Train, Bill Reed, set the tone with his analysis on the membership of the Grand Voiture De California.

Grand Chef De Gare Court Bradbury opens with a summary of events and calls for officers to give their reports.

Note from the Grand Historien: Additional pictorial story material is avaiable currently on http://www.calegion.org/html/40-8_california-news.html . This covers the February Cheminot, Sacramento and the Grande Promande, Orlando, Florida. Please feel free to click the link and review those pages.

Updated February 28, 2009 © 2008 Grande Du California All Rights Reserved