Bud Gavin is recovering nicely after surgery on both knees. Tom Lynch is celebrating over a year of good health after significant surgery last spring. Tom was also named to the Leo High School Hall of Fame, for his continuing dedication to the Leo High School Alumni Association and development of its website, at their annual dinner on April 29th .Well done, Tom.

Congratulations to the Gill/DeSanto families on welcoming a new bundle of joy to the fold. Tracy DeSanto, daughter of Alice Gill welcomed a son on May 19th. Ain weighed in at 8 lbs, 3 ozs. The family is doing well. Connor Gill, another one of Alice’s grandchildren, recently celebrated his 18th birthday, and graduated from Lincoln Way High School this past spring. Many congratulations to Connor and all of our other High School and College graduates in the class of 2011.

Jim and Bonnie O’Reilly have done a fair bit of traveling this year, so far they have been in Florida, and Savannah, with a trip to Canada set for September. Have a great time, Jim and Bonnie.

Another one of our travelers is John F (St. Patrick) Brogan, who has brought his skill of manufacturing equipment to Guatemala, Bermuda, and Alberta, Canada in the past three months.

Ginger Ripple has been busy with her newest venture, Valentine Entertainment and Sound. Ginger and her partner, Michael, provide sound and lighting services, as well as DJ and Karaoke Services for weddings, graduations, dinner enhancements, or any place where music may be needed. Valentine Entertainment has been the amplification provider of the last three Leo Alumni Association Dinners, as well as providing Karaoke for the membership and election party.
Congratulations to Kate Lynch on her new job at Loyola Hospital. Good luck Kate.

Plans are underway to re-vamp our website. The Irish American Alliance website is in need of updating and further development. Tom Lynch has volunteered to help spearhead these changes. The goal is to make the website more visible on the internet with easier navigation. Please feel free to check the website often to see what our new website holds for the future.

The club offers its condolences to the Dan Gallagher Family on the loss of Dan’s mother, Barbara in February of this year.

After the Golf Outing and the Picnic, we always close out the year with our Day at the Races. The date and time will be posted in future newsletters and on the website, so keep your eyes open.

Our Officers and Directors for the upcoming year are as follows:

Honorary Trustees are as follows:

Tom Walsh, Don Cranley, Mike Howley, Ann Bourke, Rich Barrett, Tony Philbin and Mike McGinnis.

Nomination ballots were mailed were mailed to members in May. Our President for a second term is Thomas “Bud” Gavin, along with John Brogan as Vice-President, Alice Gill accepted as Treasurer and Tom Lynch as Secretary, Jerry Doorhy is our Sergant-At-Arms, and Mike Doorhy as our Membership Officer. These trustees have graciously agreed to serve another term. Jim O’Reilly, Jack Davoran, Bob Murphy, Pat Dolan, Jack Kelly, Bernie Kohler, Dan Gallagher, and Mike Kearney. Congratulations and thank you to all who have agreed to serve as Officers.

Karaoke was provided by Valentine Entertainment, the members had no problem, flexing their vocal cords and singing along. Many thanks to all those who participated. The prize for the Best singer was presented to our very own “golden pipes” Jim O’Reilly.

Thank you to ANN BOURKE for managing this event for us again in fine style. The food was great, the staff very friendly and everyone had a grand time.

Thanks to all of the people who renewed their membership’s over the past few weeks and to those new to the club, Welcome!!

Remember, renewals can be done at anytime by simply filling out the bottom of the newsletter and mailing it to the address listed at the top of the newsletter. Our annual renewal date is August; however you can renew your membership at anytime through the year.