Camaraderie can be fun…

Through the years of service, our meetings have blossomed into a joyful mix of laughter and playful antics. These lighthearted moments define our bond, so get ready to dive into the first of many unforgettable tales of our Shenanigans.

One of the traditions at our weekly meetings is what we call Happy/Sads. Various club members pay a ‘happy buck’ or ‘sad buck’ then take the opportunity to share anything about their family or life. In addition to that, any late comers pay a ‘late buck’ as a penalty for being late to the meeting. It certainly keeps things lively. Dr. Dave is our undisputed reigning champion of tardiness. One morning, he truly outdid himself by roaring his motorcycle directly through the VFW doors and onto the floor while the meeting was in full swing, proving that if you are going to be late, you might as well make a grand entrance!

 Beyond the motorcycle entry, we have a notorious bell-stealing tradition. The club president is solely responsible for protecting the meeting bell, but mischievous members spend all year trying to snatch it to ransom it back to the president. This has forced some presidents to run meetings in silence while negotiated returns are pending. Security measures have become legendary, from duct-taping the bell to tables and wearing it on heavy chains to wiring it with motion alarms. Perhaps the most famous heist was carried out by President Debbee T, who secretly stole her own bell. The club soon received a ransom note and “proof of life” photos showing the bell enjoying various sightings around town and across the globe.

That same year, things took a surreal turn when our meeting coincided with April Fools’ Day. Our president conducted the entire proceedings while wearing a bunny nose and ears, maintaining a totally straight face and professional demeanor even as they introduced an unsuspecting guest presenter. To top it off, when the president was out of town, President‑Elect Scott H stepped in to lead the meeting fully committed to the role—he arrived sporting a flowing long blonde wig to perfectly emulate the missing leader. We take our service seriously but ourselves very lightly.