ANNUAL WESTERN TRADES & LABOR AND MACHINISTS       

LABOR DAY PICNIC, SEPTEMBER 04, 2006

The annual Western Trades & Labor and Machinists Labor Day picnic was held on Monday, September 04, 2006, at the Machinists Local Lodge #822 hall and grounds. Over 1000 union members and their families attended this fun picnic. Labor Day goers enjoyed the fried chicken dinner that was fried up, by Ray Thomas retired member of the Machinists union and his crew. They started preparing and frying at 6:00 a.m. so that the chicken would be ready for dinner at l2:00p.m. Senator John Sullivan, Sheriff Brent Fischer, Kelly Street who is running for Illinois State representative, Georgia Volm, County Clerk and Recorder, Jenny Hayden, City Clerk were all on hand to greet the people. There were a lot of things for the kids to do, they enjoyed riding the ponies, riding on the train that was donated by a Machinists bargaining unit, Hollister Whitney. A moonwalk was on hand for the kids to enjoy. Lowe’s furnished wooden kits for kids to put together and take home with them. Video games were enjoyed by the kids and the kids at heart. Face painting and balloon character making by Mike Stinekamp a Machinists union member. Washer tournaments was the hit of the day for members and their families. A race car was brought in by race driver Lonnie Bailey for everyone to see. Carpenters Local 189 is one of his sponsors. Bingo was enjoyed by adults and kids with $400.00 in prizes. A raffle was put on by the Western Trades & Labor for $400.00 in HyVee gift cards, were raffled off. A bargaining unit, of the Machinists union, Quincy Compressor donated an air compressor and this was given as a door prize. Western Trades & Labor donated a complete patio set and $100.00 in gift certificates to K’s Merchandise. Carpenters Local #189 gave $400.00 in gift certificates to local businesses. Many other gifts were donated by Knapheide Mfg., Phil Bareck, Workmens Comp. Lawyer, Gardner Denver, Plumbers and Pipefitters #25, AFSCME retirees, Teachers union. IAM&AW District 9, IBEW #34. A tent was added this year so more picnic goers would have seating room. If you missed this picnic, we will have another next Labor Day, be sure and mark your calendar for this one. A “BIG THANK YOU to the many union members who volunteered many hours to make this picnic a very successful one!