UTLAUT MEMORIAL FOUNDATION MEETING
The Utlaut Memorial Foundation annual meeting was Monday night at the Greenville College Armington Center. The meeting was dedicated to the Greenville Regional Hospital staff and there was presentation about the birthing center. There were several testimonials from parents with babies born at the facility, including the Patrick Schaufelberger family with four children delivered at Greenville Regional. Some of the news from the meeting included the announcement of a new CEO at the hospital. Hospital Director of Advancement and Communications Ryan Mifflin said Craig J. Marks is joining the staff at Greenville Regional Hospital in mid-May. Marks comes from Missouri and brings 30 years of experience with him.
We also spoke with retiring Board Chairman Buddy Bond. Buddy Bond joined the board in 1986, became Chairman of the Board in 1989, and has served 25 years. Bond said it has been a fascinating journey for him. He has no regrets and has enjoyed most of his experiences on the board. He admitted they have had to face some tough times and deal with some unique issues. He is proud of the staff and the community for having a high-quality hospital to take care of the people in Bond County. He is glad to have had a small part in helping that become a reality. Jeff Mollet is the new chairman of the board, following the retirement of Buddy Bond.
Retiring Chairman of the Hospital Board Buddy Bond and New Chairman Jeff Mollet
FIRST NATIONAL BANK ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD
First National Bank in Vandalia has been named the Kaskaskia College Teachers and Coaches Entrepreneurship Program Entrepreneur of the Year. First National Bank President and CEO Ernie Chappel said over the past ten years, Kaskaskia College started a program called TCEP (Teachers and Coaches Entrepreneurship Program). Kaskaskia College believes everyone who is in business over a period of time is either a teacher or a coach. This year, Kaskaskia College chose First National Bank to be the recipient of the award. Chappel said he believed it was due to their entrepreneurial spirit. All award recipients make it a point to "pay it forward" and give back to their community. This giving spirit is what Chappel said defines First National Bank. He said community banking is the economic engine in our area that keeps things going and all community banks in the area give back to their communities.
BOOTS ON THE GREEN
Friday, April 27, at 9:00 a.m., there will be a golf tournament at Sunset Hills in St. Louis, for disabled veterans. We spoke with Dany Baker who helped start the "Boots on the Green" program. This 9-hole event is a tournament for disabled veterans. The program started three years ago with 18 disabled vets and 18 active duty vets. This program is all about getting these veterans back out into society and helping them participate in something they love. Dany said that even though he has been disabled for 17 years, he is learning more and more about disabilities through this program. This year they will have a blind participant, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder sufferers, and some homeless veterans. A meal is provided for the participants after the tournament and Dany said they raised $6,000.00 to pay for green fees and food. If you have any questions, or if you would like to make a donation to the "Boots on the Green" program, call Dany at 217-343-1456.
