On January 21-23, the Missouri Land Improvement Contractors Association held it’s 75th Annual Winter Convention at the Hilton Garden Inn in Columbia, MO. The day before the Convention started, members met in Jefferson City to discuss issues impacting their businesses, followed by personal visits with their State Representatives and Senators. On Friday, January 21, the Ladies kicked off the Convention with a five-stop Culinary Tour of Columbia and a guided tour of Columbia’s “ghostly” sights. During this same time, the contractors attended several classes designed to help them work smarter, not harder. In addition, the Epoch Men’s Health Center was on site to give free health screenings to the attendees. Friday night was filled with a very successful Exhibit Hall and even more successful Scholarship Auction. Members were able to meet new Associates, catch up with some olds ones, and through the generosity of all involved, we raised over $8,500 for the LICA Memorial Scholarship fund.
On Saturday, it was time to get down to business with the election of new officers, a review of the Kansas City Summer Meeting and the proposed 2017 Field Day to be held at the Greenley Research Center in Novelty, MO. While the contractors were busy with their meetings, the Ladies finalized the details for the 2016 Summer Meeting in Kansas City, elected new officers, and even had a little time left over to step back in time with Connie Grisier from the Missouri Humanities Council, who showed them the fashions of the 1860’s. On Saturday night, we were proud to recognize several members for their years of dedication to MLICA and name Melvin Beckemeyer as an Honorary Member. We capped off the Saturday night Caterpillar Awards Banquet with lot of laughter and amazement provided by Magician Tom Burgoon. To see the full agenda, click here.
A special “thank you” to Chris Brauer and Mona Bledsoe for serving as our photographers. [Note: In the gallery below, if you would like to see a larger version of a picture, simply click on it … twice!]
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- (L to R) Jeff Schmidt, Dennis Brinton
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- Ladies Auxiliary Culinary Tour
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- Ladies Auxiliary Ghost Tour
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- Exhibit Hall
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- (L to R) Duane Stevens, Tim Brammeier, Elwin Yoder
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- Matt Walter (left), Phil Algreen (center) Greg and Joan Muenks
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- (L to R) Rob Liles, Brian Bauerkemper
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- Exhibit Hall
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- Amy and Tom Lawlor
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- Scholarship Auction: Tom Lawlor (center) shows the item, while Matt Kujath (far right) serves as auctioneer
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- Connie Grisier presented the “Dawn to Dusk Fashion Show’ for the Ladies Auxiliary.
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- (L to R) Kynnedi Luedke, Mackenzie Luedke, Caelene Lance, Jeff Lance at the Awards Banquet
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- Rebecca McDaniel, Brian McDaniel, Larry LaFollette, Stephanie LaFollette
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- (L to R) Jake, Sue, Becky, and Josh Gilbert
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- Ken and Carol Balkenbusch
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- Jake Gingerich (left) receives his 10-Year Membership Milestone award from Mont Gilbert
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- Dennis Brinton (right) receives his 30-Year Membership Milestone Award from Mont Gilbert
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- Larry LaFollette (right) presents Chris Brauer with his LICA President’s plaque
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- Kevin Luedke (left) helps Tom Burgoon, the magician.
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- Melvin Beckemeyer Family and Friends
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- Brooke Lawlor helps during the Magic Show presented by Magician Tom Burgoon.
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- Kevin Luedke (left) helps during the Magic Show.
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- Melvin & Virginia Beckemeyer celebrating Melvin’s Honorary Membership Award
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- Chris Brauer takes part in the Health Screening.
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- Chris Brauer
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- Bob Parks takes part in the Health Screening.
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- 2016 Officers
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- Ladies Auxiliary Tour: (center) Brooke Lawlor; (middle row, L to R) Katie Lawlor, Helen Kleinsorge, Nordis Estrem, Carol Balkenbusch; (back row, L to R) Amy Lawlor, Mona Bledsoe, Sondra Brinton, Tara Stevens, Sally Bauer, Virginia Beckemeyer, Kenna Levings
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- (L to R) Katie, Brooke, and Amy Lawlor at the Ladies Auxiliary Culinary Tour