Photos at the top and bottom of this Diary page are of family
and friends from around Illinois. There is a different set each month.
Please look for your picture or those of an acquaintance. If you have a
photo to submit, please send it to me!
The Legislators who attended the
recent Livingston County Lincoln Day Dinner from left to right: Rep.
Shane Cultra, Sen. Christine Radogno, Sen. Dale Righter, Rep. Keith
Sommer, and Sen. Dan Rutherford.
Dan with Morgan,
daughter of Henry Treftz of Aurora when they visited the Capitol.
Curacao,
Netherlands Antilles
I have
started the Diary notes on the dive trip to Curacao and got a few
photos. I am going to work on it a bit while away and then
put the
final touches to it when I have it all together; after Easter. I
will post when it is final, but in the meantime here is the
beginning of a few pictures:
Diving Curacao
Still
working on journal and photos from trip...it will be great. Will let
you know when ready and posted. Thanks for your interest!
|
 |
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(Dive Boat and Dock, from my
room) |
(Dan Walking Pier) |
Air Warrior
I have
been pleased to have some really great men and women help as 'Road
Warriors' (willing to drive the Pontiac Bonneville from one
side of the
state to the other, several major cities and intersections with
nothing more than an important grain elevator.....I have highlighted
them throughout the Diary postings).
I have also
been blessed to have a number of friends who have flown us by
airplane and helicopter....these 'air warriors' are greatly
appreciated!
Well, I am
seeing we have an air warrior in the making. Kaleb (my nephew, my
sister's youngest) traveled with me to the Bond County GOP Lincoln
Day Dinner, where I was the speaker (photos on this page). He handed
out materials and took the photos. Joe, a friend of Chad, was good
enough to fly us from Pontiac to Greenville and back...late at
night.
On the return
flight, I sat in the back and Kaleb went in the co-pilot seat next
to Joe. Kaleb flew us a good part of the way home. He did turn the
controls back to Joe for the landing!!!!!
I recently met with Leadership Livingston County
when they visited Springfield.
Keeping the Diary!
I asked if
keeping the Diary was something you wanted me to do. It does take time
and I wanted to be sure there was interest enough in keeping it
going......I heard from you and I listened. I will keep the
Diary! I am glad you follow it and find it worth the read.
Kind of a Blog!
Remarks to post on
the Blog are coming in from all over, even friends of Dan from
30 years ago....all the way from Spain......read and submit!
Pontiac Bonneville
keeps on rolling
"The Pontiac
Bonneville starts a new month with 253,685 miles. I am not putting as
many on as we were in the state-wide race and being in Springfield for
Session doesn't put as many road miles on her. Regular 3000 mile oil
change, servicing and burning ethanol keeps her purring. For those
that have asked, she is a 2002!!"
Page for the Day
I had the opportunity to go
to Springfield for the day and page for Senator Dan Rutherford. This
came about because of my sister, of Chicago, who was helping to organize
a fundraiser for UNICEF. One of the items offered by silent auction was
page for a day with the office of Senator Rutherford. He does it as a
way to donate money toward the organization. My sister knew I was
interested in politics so she thoughtfully placed the high bid. My date
was set for Thursday, Feb 8. I arrived at Senator Rutherford's office
and was introduced to him. I shadowed him for part of the day including
time on the Senate floor, during which time I was introduced to Todd
Sieben, the Senator from my district.
My time at the Capital made for an
enjoyable and interesting day. One observation that surprised me the
most was how informal the process was on the Senate floor. I attribute
this to a familiarity among colleagues and also to the fact that the
Senate was only just starting their Spring Session.
The Senate was still in first
readings, so they were only in session for an hour. Getting to the
floor itself was honor, regardless of the time involved. I was
fortunate to be assigned to someone like Senator Rutherford, who went
out of his way to introduce me around the floor and show me the
process as it unfolds.
FROM DAN: Michael sent this to and I thought you
would enjoy reading about a young person's visit to the Capitol.
I wish Gwen
improved health and mobility as she recovers from a pinched nerve.
It’s no secret that I wear a hearing aid. Well, just the other
day, all of a sudden, it went haywire. We discovered the KGB had put a
listening device in my listening device.
Remarks at
The White House Correspondents Association Annual Dinner, April 22, 1987
I want to
wish Dave from
Clinton all the best and
improved health after his surgery. Dave is the father of Suzy Amiano,
who was our Financial Director.
"I am
learning that at times I may not be able to get entries for the
Diary on line as quickly as I like. Then there is Kaleb's time, my
nephew how does the postings. He is in high school and does a lot of
our web work AND is on the honor roll!
My point being,
there may be a few postings for events that took place the month
before, but due to preparation time are posted the next month."
Tazewell County Lincoln Day Dinner
Tazewell County
had a great GOP Lincoln Day Dinner; large crowd and good friends.
Bond County Lincoln Day Dinner
I was pleased to be the Keynote
Speaker for Bond County's Lincoln Day Dinner. Lisa Stephens is a dear
friend and her husband, Representative Ron Stephens, Senate Republican
Lead Frank Watson and US Congressman John Shimkus were all with me at
the head table. Hats off to GOP County Chairman, Curt Haas, for all he
is doing to strengthen the organization!
St. Patrick's Day in Watseka
Our Annual St.
Patrick's fund raiser in Watseka was a tremendous success. I especially
want to thank Sam Martin for being our Host.
