January/February 2018

AU R O R A L A N D ’ S F I N E S T C L U B S I N C E 1 8 9 3

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE TO PHOENIX CLUB MEMBERS

I am proud and appreciative to assume the role of president of our club. Thanks to all that voted for me. I am humbled for the great opportunity to support you all. I have some pretty big shoes to fill, as Craig has put his heart and soul into the club and there is much for me to learn. I have been approached by many of you offering assistance and am grateful for any help and advice I can get. Please feel free to make yourself heard. Every little bit helps.

Going forward this year I look forward to doing what I can to continue making the Phoenix Club a place where everyone can enjoy themselves with family and friends.

This cannot be done without help from all of you in getting involved by volunteering your time in some way as much as you can afford. It doesn’t take much to make an impact, and your help in one way or another will make things run more smoothly, as it relieves the load on the folks that are regular contributors. For instance, put a cook crew together and see how much enjoyment you get working together as a team. From experience, the time flies by and you can be proud you are making a difference.

Please be creative and diligent in helping us reduce costs and finding additional sources of revenue. If you have an idea, don’t think that it will not be considered. Get your friends in the club and see what $60/year gets them. I have brought people in that sign up then and there. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. We have an excellent staff in the kitchen and behind the bar. The great food and drinks are tasty and reasonable.

SUPPORT FOR OUR TROOPS AND VETERANS

w w w. p h o e n i x c l u b a u r o r a . c o m

OFFICERS

PresidentDan Duncombe

Vice President

Financial secretary

Betty Chandler

recording secretary

Jon Wullbrandt

club ManagerJules Owen

BOARD

MEMBERS

chairMan

Don Clemen

trustees

Margie ThorgesenFred Silva

Howie BurnsWayne Biles

Robert ReichardtJames MillerJohn Stumpf

The 9th seat is yet to be filled

DUES!! Please take the time to pay 2018 dues as soon as possible. Everyone remember that February 28th will be here before you know it.

Members - $60.00Spouses - $20.00Widows - $15.00

Late fees begin March 1st and grow quickly.

The general membership meetings on the 3rd Wednesday at 7:00 PM of each month need better attendance from you all. It doesn’t take much of your time. They are generally no more than 30 minutes long. You can take your beverage of choice downstairs and get a better idea of what is going on, or present something to be considered. There is a designated time for “new business”, and who knows, you may have the next great opportunity for consideration!

Last, but certainly not least, are the two open positions that have been filled in our leadership team. I am proud to announce that Lisa Linden has accepted the position of Vice President effective immediately. You may know Lisa in that she puts on our Thursday night Trivia Challenge. Please take the time to welcome her. Also, Don Clemen has been elected by his board member peers to be chairman.

Thanks to everyone that made 2017 successful. May it continue into the new year.

Sincerely,Dan Duncombe

President

us much to cheer about this year but tailgate parties give us the chance to win or lose together at the club. Plus there is plenty of good food along with your favorite libation. Our good friend Popeye, John Miles is usually involved with the tailgate parties as well but Popeye has had personal health issues to contend with for the past several months. He is missed more than I can mention in this newsletter. Popeye is and has always been a very good friend of The Phoenix Club. It’s difficult for many of us not to have him around and be involved as we have always know him. Our very best goes out to Popeye in dealing with your health. You are very missed sir and you have loads of good thoughts and prayers coming your way. Thank you to Timmy & the White Crew for steak and homemade soup in December. I think this must be everyone’s favorite of all the steak night we have as we sold out of the 100 steaks on hand within the first 45 minutes. I don’t think there was a drop of soup left either of the 4 different kinds we had. It was a busy night for the club and a successful event and that is always a good thing!Christmas Day at the Phoenix Club found us with lots of happy people full of the Yuletide cheer. Thank you to everyone who came out to have our homemade Tom and Jerry’s in the morning. We did get a white Christmas for 2017 after all. Our Tom and Jerry crew consisted of Don & Kris Schleining as well and Yogi AKA Mark Smith. Don Clemen, John Armstrong and Lennie Williams. Our Morning bartenders were Cindy Fitzpatrick and Heather Smith. Many thanks to Miss Lisa Linden for bringing back fun on a Thursday Night in December. Lisa hosted Trivia each night on Thursdays in December which was also held years ago. Yes, learning can be fun but not as much fun as wining. For an encore trivia game please come to the club the evening of Thursday January 11th and catch the trivia fever yourself.

Hopefully, by the time you read this, the holiday break will be over and Monday Night Bingo back in first gear. Thank you to Board Member Margie Thorgensen and Lori Arndt for working the bingo table each Monday. Thank you also to our faithful callers Ron Bennett and Rich Glessner as well as everyone who comes to bingo to help check wining numbers on cards. You are the people who make this work.If you were in the club at Christmas time then you probably noticed the charming poinsettia plants on the tables and at the bar, Thank you to Andrea Carroll for the plants and extra holiday cheer.I have had the honor of being the Club President for a number of years. How can I possibly thank the faith that the membership has given me throughout my terms here. Thank you to all the volunteers including the many employees who have done extra SO MANY times to help the club out. Special thank you to our club manager Jules Owen for being so easy to work with and always being available when she is needed. See you all in the funny papers

Craig F Bonifas

MESSAGE FROM THE PAST PRESIDENT, CRAIG BONIFAS

FINAL NOTICE TO PAY YOUR DUES BY FEBRUARY 28th

As always the last day to pay your 2018 dues will be Wednesday February 28th. After that date any dues that are paid late will encore fines attached to them. These fines all go to the kids Christmas party at the end of the year. WE DO NOT SEND OUT NOTICES TO PAY YOUR DUES. We figure once you get a new calendar for the new year you know that your dues are due! We accept dues through the mail as well so you don’t have to come out in cold weather if you don’t want. Make sure you always write your key card number on your check and always keep you receipt.

$60 for Members$20 for a spouses card

$15 for a widows or widowers card

Way back in mid November we had our yearly club elections. The result of which is as follows.

Club President Elect for 2018 ….Dan Duncomb

Vice President for 2018…no one ran and therefore a VP will be appointed by the Board of Directors after or during

the first board meeting of the year.

Recording Secretary for 2018 …Betty Chandler

Financial Secretary for 2018 …..Jon Wullbrandt

Elected to the Board of Directors for a 3 year terms areDon Clemen, Wayne Biles and Jimmy Miller with John Stumpf getting a 2 year seat on the board to fill in for a

resigned board member. Good Luck to the Club, the officers, board members and all members for the coming year!

Back at the beginning of December the club hosted our annual Children’s Christmas Party. The were approximately 75 children in attendance plus their parents and lots of grandparents too. The little people came to entertain and Mrs. Santa was there to pass our elf hats to all the kids. She also read them a story before Santa himself showed up to delight the little ones with his questions as they all posed for photos. It was truly a delightful day thanks to all the volunteers that show up to make all the magic happen. The Cjildren’s Christmas Party is put on by the clubs Vice President Timmy White. So on behalf of Timmy I would like to thank everyone who came to help. All the people in the kitchen who served pizzas and appetizers and lunch for the kids. Thank you to all of Santa’s helpers that passed out gifts. Thank you to Joan Dodson and to Mike Lundgren and special thanks to our Club Manager Jules Owen who did all of Santa’s Shopping and organizing and for all the cookies.Once again I would like to thank Yogi and Carry Smith for taking on the Bears Tailgate Parties this fall. The Bears team didn’t give

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

CLUB HOURSSunday: noon-11pm, Monday: 11am-1am, Tuesday: 11am-1am, Wednesday: 11am-1amThursday: 11am-1am, Friday: 11am-2am, Saturday: 10am-2am

Blackhawks Phoenix February 2018 Club Chicago Bulls

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri SatLike us on facebook The Phoenix Club

Friday February 16th is The

Chinese New Year

“The Year of The Dog”

Pay Dues for 2018 by

Feb. 28th

Friday February 9th is the start of Winter Olympics in South Korea.____________ WATCH FOR EASTER EGGS DURING LENT

1.Thirsty Thursday Food 11:30-1:30

& 4:00-8:30Pizza’s & Drinks

Reduced $Hawks @ 9pm

2. Lunch 11:30-1:30Fish & Steak Fry

6:00 – 8:00Fish Fry Crew Needed

Bingo Ball DrawingGROUND HOG DAY

3. Lunch Served 11:30-2:00

Bulls @ 2:30Spaghetti

Dinner 6 – 8pmHawks @ 9pm

4.SUPER BOWL

SUNDAY Watch the game at the club with

friends

5. Lunch Served 11:30 – 1:30

Monday Night Bingo 7:00pmFood 6:00pmBulls @ 9pm

6. Lunch Served 11:30-1:30

Taco Tuesday 5:30 - 7:30

Hawks @ 7:30

7. WinningWednesdays7:00 - 8:00

Food 11:30 -1:30 & 4:00- 8:30

8. Thirsty ThursdayFood 11:30- 1:30

& 4:00-8:30

Pizza’s & DrinksReduced $

Hawks @ 7:30

9. Lunch 11:30-1:30The White Crew

Fish & Steak Fry6:00 - 8:00

Winter Olympics Open Today

Bingo Ball DrawingBulls @ 7pm

10. Lunch Served11:30 – 2:00

Bulls @ 7pm

Hawks @ 7pm

11.Watch Winter

Olympics at the Club

12.Lunch Served 11:30 – 1:30

Lincoln’s Birthday Monday Night Bingo 7:00pmFood 6:00pm

Bulls @ 7pm Hawks @ 8pm

13. Lunch Served 11:30-1:30

Chicken Night 5:30 to 7:30Marti Gras

Hawks @ 9pm

14.Winning Wednesday7:00 - 8:00

St. Valentine’s Day ASH WEDNESDAY Board Meeting

Food 11:30- 1:30 & 4:00- 8:30

Hawks @ 7pm

15. Thirsty ThursdayFood 11:30 – 1:30

& 4:00-8:30Reduced $ on

Drinks & Pizzas Hawks @ 7:30

16. Lunch 11:30-1:30Fish Fry Crew Needed Fish & Steak Fry

6:00 - 8:00Chinese New Year “The Year of the Dog” Bingo Ball Drawing

17. Lunch Served 11:30-2:00

Hawks @ 7:30

18.

Watch Winter Olympics at the

Club

19. Lunch Served 11:30 - 1:30

President’s Day Monday Night Bingo 7:00pmFood 6:00pm

Hawks @ 7:30

20. Lunch Served 11:30-1:30

Burgers & Chops 5:30 – 7:30

21. Winning Wednesday7:00-8:00

General MeetingFood 11:30-1:30 &

4:00-8:30Hawks @ 7pm

22.Thirsty ThursdayFood 11:30-1:30

& 4:00-8:30Reduced $ on

Drinks & PizzasBulls @ 7pm

23. Lunch11:30-1:30Fish Fry Crew Needed Fish & Steak Fry

6:00-8:00

Bingo Ball DrawingHawks @ 7:30

24. Lunch Served 11:30-2:00

Club Blood Drive from 8am till Noon

Evening Paint & Sip Party @ 6:30pm

PLEASE SIGN UP 4 BOTH Hawks @ 6pmBulls @ 8pm

25. Winter Olympics

Closing Ceremonies

Today

26. Lunch Served 11:30 – 1:30Monday Night Bingo 7:00pm Food 6:00pm

Bulls @ 6:30

27. Lunch 11:30-1:30Stuffed Chicken

Breast Dinner 5:30 -730

Bulls @ 6pm

28. Winning Wednesdays

Food 11:30- 1:30 & 4:00- 8:30

DEADLINE TO PAY CLUB DUES FOR

2018 is FEBRUARY 28th. After that penalties begin

FRIDAY FISH FRY CREWS

NEEDED!

Just 28 more days until Cubs & Sox begin the regular season

Sat. Jan. 6th AFC NFC Wild Card Games

Sun. Jan. 7th AFC NFC Wild Card Games

MONDAY NIGHT BINGO Jan. 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th Thu. Jan. 11th Trivia Night

Sat. Jan. 13th AFC NFC Division Games

Sun Jan. 14th AFC NFC Division Games

Tue. Jan 16th Burgers & Chops Night

Sun. Jan 21st AFC NFC Championship Games

Sun. Jan 28th NFL Pro Bowl Game

Sat. Feb 3rd Spaghetti Dinner Night

Sun. Feb. 4th Super Bowl

Monday Night Bingo Feb. 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th Fri. Feb 9th Opening Day of Winter Olympics

Wed. Feb. 14th St. Valentine’s Day & Ash Wednesday

Tue. Feb. 20th Burgers & Chops Night

Sat. Feb. 24th Club Blood Drive

Sat. Feb. 24th Paint & Sip Party

Sun. Feb 25th Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony

Blackhawks Phoenix January 2018 Club Chicago Bulls

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri SatMonday Night Bingo Return January 8th

1.HAPPY NEW

YEAR TO ALL.

Bulls @ 7pm

2. Lunch Served 11:30-1:30

TACO NIGHT 5:30 – 7:30

3. Drawing7:00-8:00

Food 11:30-1:30 &4:00-8:30

Hawks @ 7pmBulls @ 7pm

4. Thirsty ThursdayFood 11:30-1:30 &

4:00-8:30Pizza’s & Drinks

Reduced $

5. Lunch Served 11:30-1:30

The Cook Crew Fish & Steak Fry

6:00 – 8:00Bulls @ 7:30

Hawks @ 7:30Bingo Ball Drawing

6. Lunch Served 11:30-2:00

AFC Wild Card Game NFC Wild Card Game

Bulls @ 6pm

7.

Hawks @ 2pm

AFC Wild Card Game NFC Wild CardGame

8. Lunch Served 11:30 to 1:30

Monday Night Bingo 7:00pmFood 6:00pmBulls @ 7pm

9. Lunch Served 11:30-1:30

Chicken Night 5:30 - 7:30

Hawks @ 6:30

10. Drawing7:00 - 8:00

Food 11:30-1:30 &4:00-8:30

Board MeetingHawks @ 7pmBulls @ 6:30

11. Thirsty Thursday Food 11:30-1:30 &

4:00-8:30TRIVIA NIGHTPizzas & Drinks

Reduced $

12. Lunch Served 11:30-1:30

The White Crew Fish & Steak Fry

6:00 - 8:00Hawks @ 7:30

Bingo Ball Drawing

13. Lunch Served 11:30 – 2:00

AFC Division Game NFC Division Game

Bulls @ 7pm

14.AFC Division Game

NFC Division Game

Hawks @ 6pm

15.Lunch Served11:30 to 1:30

Bulls @ 2:30pmMonday Night

Bingo 7:00Food 6:00

16. Lunch Served 11:30-1:30

BURGERS & CHOPS NIGHT

5:30 to 7:30Cubs @ 7:10Sox @ 9:07

17. Drawing7:00 - 8:00

Food 11:30-1:30 & 4:00- 8:30

General MeetingBulls @ 7pm

18. Thirsty Thursday Food 11:30-1:30 &

4:00-8:30

Pizzas & Drinks Reduced $

19. Lunch Served 11:30-1:30

Fish & Steak Fry6:00 – 8:00

Bingo Ball Drawing

20. Lunch Served 11:30-2:00

Bulls @ 4pmHawks @ 7:30

21. AFC Championship Game

NFC Championship Game

22. Lunch Served11:30 - 1:30

Monday Night Bingo 7:00 Food 6:00Bulls @ 7pm

Hawks @7:30

23. Lunch Served 11:30-1:30

Beef Stroganoff

5:30 – 7:30

24. Wednesday Drawing

7:00 – 8:00Food 11:30- 1:30 &

4:00-8:30Bulls @ 6pm

Hawks @ 7pm

25.Thirsty ThursdayFood 11:30-1:30 &

4:00-8:30Pizza’s & Drinks

Reduced $Hawks @ 6:30

26. Lunch Served 11:30-1:30

Fish & Steak Fry6:00 - 8:00

Bulls @ 7pmBingo Ball Drawing

27. Lunch Served 11:30-2:00

28.Bulls @ 2:30

NFLPRO BOWL

4pm

29. Lunch Served 11:30 – 1:30

Monday Night Bingo 7:00pm Food 6:00pm

30. Lunch Served11:30-1:30

Ribeye Steak Sandwich

5:30-7:30 Hawks @ 7pm

31. Wednesday Drawing

7:00 – 8:00Food 11:30– 1:30 &

4:00-8:30Bulls @ 9pm

Op e n in g Da y f o r t h e Ch ica g o Cu b s &

Wh it e So x Th u rsd a y M a rch 2 9 t h

PAY YOUR CLUB DUESPayPay Pay SummerSumm Th

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY

MONTHLY MANAGER SPECIALS January 2018Sunday ........$1.75 Lite Bottles Monday .......$1.75 PBRs Tuesday .......$1.00 Drafts (except Blue Moon & Leinenkugel) Wednesday ..$2.50 Smirnoff & Mixers Thursday .....Reduced Drink & Pizza Prices Friday ..........$2.50 All Wine Saturday ......$2.50 Captain & Cokes February 2018Sunday ........$2.50 Smirnoff & MixerMonday .......$1.75 Coors Lite Tuesday .......$1.00 Drafts (except Blue Moon & Leinenkugel) Wednesday ..$3.00 Shock Top & IAThursday .....Reduced Drink & Pizza PricesFriday ..........$2.50 All Wine Saturday ......$3.00 Margaritas

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS BUCKET BEER SPECIAL

Any Day the Chicago Blackhawks play get a bucket of 5 domestic beer bottles for only $10.00Add any pizza for an extra $5.00

The offer is good all day the Hawks play !SPECIAL EVENTS VOID DRINK SPECIALS

SAYING GOOD BYE TO A GOOD GUYIn the early month of January 2018 we, The Phoenix Club have lost a very good member and friend. John” Popeye” Miles lost his battle with cancer on January 3rd. Popeye has never been one to give up a fight easily so you can bet he did his best in trying to win this one. It seems everyone knew Popeye and even though he was a member in many clubs his heart belonged to The Phoenix Club. He served as Chairman of the Board for many years at the club. He also co hosted many events with his good buddy Yogi. Including a long lived fish fry crew, chicken and smelt night, Bears tailgate parties, Wii Bowling tournaments and summer golf outings. The club won’t be the same without him. I remember a band coming into the club and setting up equipment a few years ago. One of the band members had on a T shirt advertising Popeye’s favorite beer ,PBR. Popeye smiled at the guy and said I want that shirt. Five minutes later he was wearing what he liked. Popeye touched many lives and will be dearly missed. I sure hope the have Pabst Blue Ribbon in heaven or there will be hell to pay. God Bless Popeye.

HAPPY 125TH BIRTHDAYIn this year of 2018 The Phoenix Club turns 125 years old. Founded in 1893 our humble gathering place has seen many an era come and go. In 1893 Grover Cleveland is sworn into office as the 24th President of the United States. There were just 46 states at that time. In 1893 Chicago was host of the Worlds Fair also known as the Columbian Expedition introducing the first ever Ferris Wheel. In 1893 the crash of the New York stock exchange began the great depression. In 1893 Ulysses S. Grant is born. Nabisco Foods invented Cream of Wheat in 1893 and motion pictures were just getting started in 1893. The Wright brothers have not made their first flight yet. The Panama Canal is not yet finished and World War One was still 21 years from starting. Disneyland, Mount Rushmore and the Hoover Dam had not even been thought of yet. The Phoenix Club members have seen our establishment through 125 years. Some of the best of times as well as some of the worst. How many businesses in Aurora can say they have been around for so long. Most every social club in Aurora can make the same claim and it’s something to be proud of. The Phoenix Club is so much more than a place to come to lift a beer or glass of wine. It is a place where friends come to meet. It’s a place where families get together to reunite, eat and talk. It’s a place to relax and forget your troubles after a bad day or to celebrate a good day. People often forget that our club contributes and gives back to our community as do all the social club in Aurora. We offer the lower level of our club to charities having fund raiser. Our parking lot is as always available to St Joseph Church and School to be used as overflow parking for their events. Once every November our club is venue for “The Wrapping Party”. A local organization that gives holiday gifts to the under privileged in our community. All the toys and cloths are brought into the club to wrap and organized for distribution. Each year the club donates $1000 for a non repeating scholarship. Twice a year Phoenix is host to an in club blood drive that is open to the public. The Phoenix Club also contributes to organizations like…

Boys Little League BaseballBoys Legion League Baseball

Girls SoftballSpecial Olympics

The Wayne Biles Golf Outing American Heart Association

The Dolan & Murphy Fund RaiserSt. Joseph Octoberfest Fundraiser

Annunciation Church & School Fund RaiserCollect toys each year for the Marines “Toys for Tots Program”

Costello SyndromeThe ALS Association

The Phoenix Club members never shy away from a worthy cause. We are all part of something bigger than ourselves and the best way to show this is by giving back to our community. Not because we have to or because its required of us from some IRS status but for the simple reason of it’s the right thing to do. The Phoenix Club is a place we can all be proud of. The generation before us handed the institution down to us and it’s our obligation to make sure we turn it over to the next generation, HAPPY 125th BIRTHDAY PHOENIX CLUB

The Phoenix Club AURORALAND’S FINEST CLUB SINCE 1893

515 Phoenix CourtAurora, Illinois 60505

SPAGHETTI DINNERSATURDAY FEBRUARY 3RD Mama mia, how about a nice Italian dinner! It’s Italian comfort food in the middle of Winter and you’re invited. So sit down to the table and tuck in a napkin already. You’re nothing but skin and bone….so eat. Timmy White and his pasta mafia will make dinner for us all. Spaghetti with your choice of meatballs or Italian sausage. Plus some nice toasted garlic bread, a bit of salad and you’re good to go. Just $8.00 per person so there should be no squacken about it. However, should you have any complaints we will let you speak with our associates Jimmy (Knuckles) Nunsio and his brother Tony (Short Fuse). They would be happy to take you in the back room and straighten out any unfortunate misunderstandings that may arise during the evening. I’m sure we can all come up with a nice solution that may or may not involve a sack of quick drying cement and a lovely one way ride to the Fox River. Serving time is from 6 to 8pm. It is my strong recommendation that you are not late. Be der . Capisce?

PHOENIX CLUB BLOOD DRIVE FEBRUARY 24TH 2018 8:00AM TILL NOON

On the morning of Saturday February 24th from 8:00am till noon our club will hosting a blood drive. The nice people from Heartland Blood Centers will be on hand to set up their equipment at the club to take your donation. Heartland notified me in January that they were having a tough time filling spots for blood drives so I told them our group would help. This is a great way to help out the people in our community as Heartland provides blood products to 65 hospitals in the Chicago area. So your blood will go to local hospitals to help those who may be sick or injured. We need donations from men, women, and young adults, at least 16 years of age, who are able to donate with their parents (or with a signed permission slip available at www.heartlandbc.org ). The blood bank is also asking for Red Cell Donations. If you have the blood types of A-, O or B they are in need of your red cells. This process takes about 30 minutes longer then a whole blood donation. There are specific height and weight requirements for red cell donors, so you may want to ask about that when you are making your appointment. Heartland Blood Centers will also have a snack and refreshment center set up for all donors. Each donor will be entered into a raffle to win one of 2 Chicago sports jerseys we are giving away. You can have your choice between Cubs – Sox – Hawks or Bears. To set up an appointment please see the bulletin board in the bar room and sign up for a time slot. A photo ID is required with all donations. Give the gift of life……donate blood at the club on Saturday February 24th from 8:00am to noon. It’s the only gift that actually does come from the heart.

PAINT & SIP PARTY FEBRUARY 24THOn Saturday February 24th the club will host a Paint and Sip Party. Or is it a Sip & Paint Party? Oh well, either way the outcome is the same. For an evening you get to try your hand at being Rembrandt or Picasso or even Van Gogh . The cost is $25 per person which includes canvas paint and any painting supply. You may want to bring a smock and a few friends for this one. The sipping part of the party can be found at the bar. We hope to have a good group of budding artists for this one. Everyone is invited!