It is hard to believe my term is almost half way over. Where has the time gone? I guess time does fly when you’re having fun, Leading the Best and Oldest Showmen’s organization. Phase #1 of our building project is completed. The offices are set-up on the third floor along with Conference/Board room.  A kitchenette was also in-corporated on the third floor for our office staff. The second floor (The social floor) is also complete, with our Buffalo Bill Portrait prominently hanging on the wall making sure our members and visitors are sure to see it when entering. The second floor consists of a newly remodeled kitchen, along with a bar, and also a roomy deck where you can view part of the Chicago skyline, including the Sears Tower (now known as the Willis Tower). I want to give a special thank you to past President Jeff Blomsness for donating a new Weber Grill which will get put to good use this spring. The last project of Phase 1 is hanging our plaques to preserve our history.  Paul Kasin (Building

Chairman) has been doing a great job keeping the building right on track. Also, thanks to Dave Jaros and Patty Grillion for keeping the club room clean and ready for all events.  I also found time to visit the St. Louis SLA Spring meeting in April. They had a nice turnout and it was great meeting some new friends, and catching up with old friends before most of us start our busy season. I ap-preciated the welcome I received when visiting, and the opportunity to speak on behalf of our SLA Chapter.  Finally, a special thank you to Mary Johnson who is orchestrating the annual t-shirt fundraiser that benefits our scholarship program. If you haven’t already committed to being a part of the 2011 T-shirt fundraiser, make sure you contact Mary or Diane at the SLA office. Before we know it, August 5th (Showmen’s League of America Day) will be here and I encourage all shows to send in pictures of their crews with their SLA shirts on display. Also, thank you to the OABA staff, Chairman Bill Johnson, and the OABA Directors that stopped by our “Open House” while they were here in Chicago for their Spring meeting. It was very nice to hear all the positive comments on the new SLA National Headquarters, and something that all SLA members can be be proud of. Wishing all a great season,President Donnie Massie III

2011 President Donnie Massie III

President’s Letter

2011 is Under Way Already!

NEWSLETTERS h o w m e n ’ s L e a g u e o f A m e r i c a

I am SO Happy to report that our own Harry Heftman is still “hustling” those hot dogs at 101 and counting !! Former Executive Secretary Rick Haney and I stopped by the East of Eden Res-taurant last week to say Hello and find out when Harry’s 102nd Birthday Bash is scheduled for. March 15th is the day and Harry says he has NO PLANS of retiring yet.

I am also, VERY HAPPY to report all the snow is gone on Fulton Market and Spring is trying very hard to happen. Our remodeling has begun and things are going along very well.They are saying that ev-erything should be done by the time you get this newsletter!

Diane’s Office Update

1023 W. Fulton Market StChicago, IL 60607p 312.733.9533f 312.733.9534joeburum@gmail.comwww.showmensleague.org

continued page 2 The League would like to thank All Weather Insurance for their donation to the SLA/OABA Luncheon

April/May 2011

We are sorry to report the loss of long time loyal member Mr. David Friedman. Dave passed away last month in his hometown of Anniston, AL. and will long be remembered from his wonderful writings of the Showmen’s League and it’s activities when he was Chairman of our Press Committee. He is also the one who gave the League that beautiful Brown Book full of League history. His service to us since he joined in 1956 has helped the League to remember our past with his golden words.

A call from Canada let us know that Dottie Marco passed away on Feb. 14th. Many Chicago members remember her from many a Fair.

Theresa Hardy, from Florida, called to let us know of the passing of Richard Palmer, a 40 year member who has been ailing for quite some time.

Our most sincere sympathies to Deanna Payne, Margaret Atkins and Carolyn Hanschen and their families at the passing of their mother, Marvis Thomas. Marvis, wife of the late Past President Bernard Thomas, passed away on February 28, at the age of 87. She and her husband operated the Thomas Shows for over four decades.

Just before press time we were saddened to learn of the passing of George Bujalka, long time member, past board member and board member-elect. The arrangements included interment at Showman’s Rest. A story about George and his life will be included in our next newsletter.

The League Office received this handwritten letter from JoAnn Davis dated Feb 2, 2011, addressed to Mike Featherston, Officers and Members of the Showmen’s League of America; Dear Friends, I am very honored to have been chosen to be in the Hall of Honor. You have made me very proud. The evening was wonderful with so many of my family and friends at the banquet. The video was fun and I appreciate all the work. I want to thank you very much for the honor. My beautiful crystal elephant will be treasured along with Larry’s elephant. It was certainly a night to remember. Sincerely, JoAnn

Shares and Cares

Our Banquet was made possible in part by a generous donation from Allied

Diane’s Office Update

There was a St. Patrick’s Day Party here at the club on Thursday, the 17th and attendanceWas great for our first party. So glad to see everyone coming back together again. Hopefully President Donnie would like to have one meeting before everyone hits the road to start the sea-son. We will pass on all meeting info as soon as it becomes available.

Don’t forget our usual Veteran’s Day Service at Showmen’s Rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in No. Riverside at 1:00 p. on Monday, May 30 th. .

Executive Secretary/Director Joe Burum and I would like to take this time to wish everyone the very best for the beginning of a safe and prosperous season.

continued from page 1

Showmen’s LeagueMember Sinclairnamed IAFEChairman

President Donnie Massie is currently working with Dave Jaros to see if we can update our website a little bit better and faster. So make sure that you share your stories and pictures with us so we can get them posted.

Announcing the 2011 Showmen’s League of America Day & Show T-Shirt ProjectAUGUST 5th, 2011

President Donnie Massie III is very, very happy to report that Mary Johnson and her husband, Past President Bill Johnson, have graciously accepted the call to head up the 2011 Showmen’s League of America Day T-Shirt Fundraiser. Under Mary’s direction, this fundraiser works like a well-oiled machine and is the big-gest fundraiser for our scholarship year in and year out. Chestnut ID Apparel has also agreed to work with us again this year and 100% of the profits from the sale of the shirts goes to the SLA Scholarship Fund. Here’s the information on how to get involved:New Sponsorship Fee - $ 250.00Returning Sponsorship Fee - $ 200.00(The Sponsorship Fee includes artwork and shipping cost and is due with your commitment)

Show Shirts are $10.00 each with a MINIMUM order of 50 shirts per showOr, for Independent Concessionaires or manufacturers, the minimum is 25 shirts.

Shirts will be delivered to your shipping address for the weeks of July 3rd and July 10th, so please include your contact name and telephone number.Final payment is due no later than September 1st so that a presentation can be made at our Las Vegas Convention. We want YOU included!

Note: These T-shirts can be sold to all staff members, if you like, for the $10.00 fee and everyone is encouraged to wear them on August 5, Showmen’s League Day. We especially want pictures of your entire team to post on our website and to publish in our yearbook. All in all it’s a great way to show your support for the League and its history.

Call Mary Johnson for details at 847-259-9090 or email: mhj9090@comcast.net!

Website Updates

Jim Sinclair, deputy general manager of the Minnesota State Fair, joined the Showmen’s League of America in 1977. Jim says: “I was signed up by Tim Talmadge of the Royal Ameri-can Shows. Tim assisted Peter Andrews with the show-operated concessions. I remember that CJ Sedlmayr was there, too. I was visiting the Royal at the Louisiana State Fair in Shreve-port. Looking back, it was a proud moment in my career to be considered for membership in the League.“

Sinclair was named Chairman of the Interna-tional Association of Fairs and Expositions in November of 2010 at the annual convention in Las Vegas. Sinclair says: “I am in the middle of an exciting year serving our association. I have traveled across the county and met thousands of wonderful folks in the fair industry. My wife, Judy, and I even got the chance to attend the Royal Agricultural Society of Commonwealth Nations meeting in Edinborough, Scotland. Sinclair is a Scottish name--my family has historical ties to Scottish castles in Orkney and Rosslyn. When the immigration officer saw my name, he welcomed me back home to Scotland! What a great experience! And when we returned home to Minneapolis-St. Paul, it was July 4, and the U.S. officer gave us a hearty welcome home--to our real homeland. It was positively thrilling.”

The Sinclair’s daughter, Brienna, attended St. Paul’s St. Thomas University funded in part by a scholarship from the Showmen’s League of America. Jim says that Brienna has always been grateful for the support. She performed in the dance performance at President Jean Clair’s banquet and ball in 2009. And Jim says: “The Showmen’s League has great programs, and I am proud to renew my membership each year. The IAFE and SLA work very well together, especially at their annual meetings each year in November. SLA past presidents who have served on the IAFE board include: Ron Burback, Jeff Bloms-ness, and the current associate member for the carnival industry, Tom Atkins.

PP Jean Clair, PP Jeff Blomsness, PP James Conklin, 3rd VP Ron Porter Loretta Aldrich, Bill Morton, Keith Anderson, Patricia VanderVorste, Todd Armstrong, Dave Becker, Gerald Iverson, Jamie Deggeller, Mark Salerno, Graham Putnam, Janice Burton, Robert Gill, Danny Glosser, Joseph James, Brian Jones, Frank & Kay Kastl, Bobby Leaonard, Boyd Newton, Don Tyree, Frank Bennethum, Bob Drewke, Terry Pennington, Singura Anita Reynolds, Karen Salerno, Dan Allan, Dr. Chrisopter Brake, Barry Stipe, Veno Berosini. Jessica Besette, Melissa Erasmus, Dennis, Bossman, Jeff Brady, Kris Brojevich, Hugh Price, Karen Burris, Richard Hosier, Richard Normant, Janice Burton, George Frey, Robert Lapin, Harold Case, Jack Keough, Donald Massie Jr., Terry Slattery, Dave Caval-laro, James Russell, Jerry Combs, Ryan Vawter and all our members who are celebrating their special day in April or May.

Birthdays

Ron Porter was born in April of 1959 in DuQuoin, Illinois, the son of Raymond and Carolyn Porter. He graduated from DuQuoin High School and attended Southern Illinois University. Ron’s father, Raymond, started the family business in 1958 under the name Porter Foods; however, the business primar-ily focused on restaurants and schools. Ron decided to pur-

chase the family business along with his wife, Laura, in 1990 after

Ron’s father decided to retire.

Ron’s has always been passionate of the fair industry. As a child, he lived close to the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds where he attended the annual fair. He would go with his father to the fair and assist him in taking orders from many concessionaires. This is where he gained the knowledge of the food concession business.

It was at the DuQuoin Fair where some concessionaires asked Ron if he would deliver supplies to them when they went to the Tulsa State Fair in Tulsa, Oklahoma. When Ron drove up onto the fairgrounds in Tulsa, he was also met by other concessionaires asking where he was from and when he was coming back to make another delivery. At this point, this is when Ron’s business outlook changed and the idea of delivering to the outdoor amusement industry became his main focus. This was the beginning of Fare Foods.

Today, Fare Foods has warehouses located in DuQuoin, Illinois and Tampa, Florida. With their own fleet of trucks, deliveries are made to over 40 states and Canada. The business has grown each year since it was established in 1990. Ron is a member of OABA, IAFE, Showmen’s League Chapters of St. Louis, Chicago, and Gibstown. He is also a member of the Federation of Fairs as well as NICA. Ron coordinated one of NICA’s first food shows. Today, Fare Foods is responsible for producing one of the best food shows in the industry during Florida week each year.

Ron has served on the Illinois Tourism Board, the DuQuoin Tourism Board, and was also responsible for bringing the Street Machine Na-tionals to DuQuoin, Illinois. Ron and Laura reside just outside the gates of the DuQuoin State Fair. He always said, “One day, I want to live right outside the gates of the fairgrounds.” They have two children, Trampas and Jennifer.

New Third VP - Ron Porter

New 3rd Vice President Ron Porter

Patty Sullivan, CEO of Eli Bridge Co., and manu-

facturer of popular amusement rides like the

Scrambler and Eli Wheels, slipped while hiking

on April 10that Red Rock Canyon, Nevada, badly

breaking her right ankle. A search and rescue

team was called and arrived in about an hour.

They immobilized Patty’s foot and leg, and then

called in a Huey helicopter. She was airlifted

to a nearby parking lot and transferred to an

ambulance and then to the Summerland hospital

in a suburb of Las Vegas, where numerous x-rays

were taken. The dislocated ankle was reset and

bandaged. Sullivan said: “The search and rescue

team couldn’t have been nicer or more caring. I

was on vacation with my brother, Paul. His girl-

friend, Deb Steele, is an orthopedic nurse and she

stayed with me at the emergency room, and took

topnotch care of me for the next 48 hours until

I flew home.” Patty returned to Illinois waiting

for the swelling to subside. A week later, Patty

had surgery in Springfield to set the fracture and

place plates and screws. Her pain is now subsid-

ing but Patty is homebound for the next 6 weeks.

Patty’s cousin, Julie Gaines, who suffered the

same type of break last summer, is helping with

Patty’s recovery, along with other compassionate

friends, and her father, Lee Sullivan.

“I am really blessed to have such wonderful

family and friends to help me through this—you

don’t know how helpless you can feel in your

own home until you can only get around on a

walker or in a wheelchair”, said Sullivan. She also

said that she has been very appreciative of all the

calls and notes from friends in our industry.

Patty Sullivan is the soloist at the League’s annual

memorial service, and has delivered the national

anthem at our banquet and ball.

League Soloist Sullivan Takes Vacation, Suffers Broken Ankle While Hiking

2011 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

DONNIE MASSIE IIISAM JOHNSTON

CHRIS ATKINSRON PORTER

MIKE FEATHERSTONJEAN ANNE CLAIR

Chaplain : Fr. John VakulskasCounsel: Ronald Heftman

Parliamentarian: Ronald BurbackSecretary Emeritus: Robert Drewke

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Kristin AtkinsPaul Atkins

Gary Bohlander Danny BrownSharie Davis Rick Haney

Carolyn Hanschen Dave Helm

Wendy Hauser Ronald Heftman

Chris Hoss Barry Jamieson

Dave Jaros Robert Hauser

Paul Kasin Peter KasinJeff Lapin

Tony LoweryJeanne McDonagh

Deborah Powers Graham Putnam

Pat ReppStan Rozmin

Andy Schoendienst Lorelei Schoendienst

Terry SwyearMary Talley

Tom ThebaltRobert Thorson

Julie Gemar- Williams

SCHOLARSHIPChairpersons

LORELEI SCHOENDIENSTBILL JOHNSON

Christopher AtkinsTom Davis

Wayne KunzRobert Hauser

Peter Kasin

SCHOLARSHIP/SLA DAY T-SHIRTS

ChairwomanMARY JOHNSONMichelle Massie

Diane Burmeister

SCHOLARSHIP/SILENT AUCTION

ChairmanTOM DAVIS

JoAnn DavisBill Johnson

Debbie HelmPeter Kasin

WAYS & MEANSChairwoman

DEBBIE POWERSTom Thebault

Ron PorterPat Repp

Jeannie McDonaghBrad Piche

Katherine PetreeWELFAREChairman

ALAN KAYEBuzz BartonChris Atkins

YEARBOOK/MANUFACTURERS& SUPPLIERS GUIDE

ChairmanRON PORTER

Vice ChairsJeff Blomsness Ron Burback

Joe BurumMichelle Massie

Ron PorterDiane Burmeister

BANQUET & BALLChairwomen

MICHELLE MASSIEJEANNIE MCDONAGH

Mary JohnsonDeborah Powers

Julie Gemar- WilliamsMary Chris Piche

Connie Featherston

BUILDING/BUILDING SEARCHChairman

PAUL KASINRon Burback

Jeff BlomsnessBill Johnson

Sam Johnston

CEMETERYChairman

RICK HANEYBob ThorsonBill JohnsonDave Jaros

Patty GrillionJeff Lapin

Judy Lipinski

CHRISTMAS PARTYChairmen

PETER KASINDONNIE MASSIE IIIChristopher Atkins

Kristin AtkinsRon Porter

Bob ThorsonDave Jaros

Patty GrillionJeff Lapin

Judy Lipinski

CONVENTION &EXHIBITOR’S LOUNGE

ChairmanJOE BURUM

Mike Featherston Jr.Peter KasinRick Haney

Diane Burmeister

FINANCEChairman

GRAHAM PUTNAMRon Burback

Jeff BlomsnessChristopher Atkins

Peter Kasin

FUNERALChairman

FATHER JOHN VAKULSKASAl DeRusha

HALL OF HONORChairpersons

CAROLYN HANSCHENAL DERUSHA

Katherine PetreeJohn HanschenRichard Hanson

HOUSEChairmen

DAVE JAROSBOB THORSONPatty Grillion

Jeff LapinShel Newman

MEMBERSHIPChairman

SAM JOHNSTONChristopher Atkins

Mary Chris PicheRon Porter

Debbie PowersSharie Davis

Jeannie McDonaghMEMORIAL SERVICE

ChairwomanWENDY HAUSER

Fr. John Vakulskas

PRESS-PUBLICITY-WEBSITEChairmen

JOE BURUMDAVE JAROSBob ThorsonTom PowellAl DeRusha

2011 Committees

Mike and Connie Featherston with Jamie and Andy Deggeller in the Board Room.

Our Chance Elephant graces the front window.

Our Chance Horse is on display in the western window.

Donnie & Michelle Massie with Jeff and Patty Blomsness.

David Norton, Jeff Blomsness, Guy Leavitt and Ron Burback on the deck.

Mr. and Mrs. Karen and Paul Kasin, Building Chair.

SLA/OABA Reception at SLA National Headquarters

Phone: 847/259-9090

Fax 847/392-1589

SHOWMEN’S LEAGUE OF AMERICA

Showmens Day Tshirt Order Form 2011

ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Quantity Units Description SPECIAL SIZES IF NO SIZES ARE LISTED, AN ASSORT-MENT WILL BE SHIPPED

Unit Price Total

Subtotal

Tax Incl

Shipping Incl

Sponsorship

Balance Due

Purchase Order

Ordered by:

Phone Number

Cell Phone Number

Bill To: Ship To:

PLEASE NOTE: SPONSORSHIP FEE DUE UPON COMMITMENT. BALANCE DUE SEPT 1ST TO: SLA DAY TSHIRT FUND C/O MARY JOHNSON, 629 N FORREST AVE., ARLING-TON HEIGHTS, IL 60004 THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!

NEWSLETTERS h o w m e n ’ s L e a g u e o f A m e r i c a

1023 W. Fulton Market St.Chicago, IL 60607

2011

June 14

September 13

November 27-30

The SLA Calendar of Events

Board Meeting

Board Meeting

Annual meeting & Convention

To add an event email Diane@showmensleague.org

The Showmen’s League of America is a 501 c(10) Non-Profit Social & Fraternal Organization, founded in 1913.

Non Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDFramingham, MA

Permit No. 179