Current Newsletter

Vice President John Gough is handling the scheduling of speakers and programs for our meetings this year, and he has asked for the help of our membership. If you know of any speakers or programs that may be of interest to our members, please contact John at 756-8682 or at jjgough@coastalnow.net. He and the club appreciate your help.

We held our annual Installation Banquet on Friday evening, June 22, at the Richmond Hill City Center. Following is a list of our incoming

Bryan Co. Firefighter of the Year - Ian Zieba
Bryan Co. Paramedic of the Year - Henry Lewis (unable to attend)
Bryan Co. Emergency Medical Technician - Amy Mason

(Deputy Crapse was killed in the line of duty in June, 2012, and was represented by his mother and daughter)

The Seafood Festival enjoyed a record attendance in 2012, and our club had a very successful event in terms of sales and profits from the operation of our food booth. The Jambalaya and Crab Stew were huge favorites with the crowds. As you know, our Seafood Festival Food Booth is our primary source of funding for our various community projects, and as a result of last years success, we have been able to continue serving our community and even expand some of our programs. Thanks to our members and their families and friends, we had plenty of help with our food booth in 2011, and will need a similar response this year. We look forward to the 2013 Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival, which will be held October 18-20, 2013. Please mark your calendars, and make plans to come out to have fun, and help make it a success.

23rd Annual Fishing Derby - Saturday June 1, 2013

The Richmond Hill Exchange Club will hold our 23rd Annual Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 1, 2013 from 8:30 AM to Noon, at the Richmond Hill Fish Hatchery on GA Highway 144 in Richmond Hill. Registration begins at 7:30 AM, and fishing beginning at 8:30AM. The derby will be open to children ages 15 and under, accompanied by their parents or adult guardian, with awards being presented to children 12 and under. Over the past twenty-two years, thousands of children and their families have participated. We had a very good attendance again last year, with an estimated 325 children participating, plus an equal number of parents, grandparents, and other adults attending as well. This represented one of our best attendance results to date. This years fishing derby will take place at three Fish Hatchery ponds that have been stocked with catfish and bream. Most participants bring their own fishing poles and bait, although a large supply free bait and fishing poles will also be available at no charge. Thanks to the Savannah Coca Cola Bottling Company for the use of their Coke Wagon, as well as a generous supply of Coke products. The DNR staff will cook hotdogs for the participants and their families. There is never any charge for anyone participating in this event. Trophies for the largest single fish, and most total pounds of fish will be awarded immediately following the derby, for two age groups--ages six and under, and ages seven to twelve. A gift card from The Savannah Bank will also award to the child who catches the most total pounds of fish. Special thanks to The Savannah Bank for providing the gift cards every year for the past 23 years. Several door prizes were also provided by The Richmond Hill Exchange Club. Our 23rd Annual Kid's Fishing Derby will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2013, so please plan accordingly. We hope to see all our members on hand for this fun event.

The location for our regular twice-monthly meetings is the Richmond Hill City Center, which is located in the rear of J F Gregory Park, behind City Hall. As always, our meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month from Noon to 1:00 PM. Meetings of the Board of Directors are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 11:00 AM at the Richmond Hill City Center, preceding the regular club meeting.

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We offer special thanks to Lori Wynn of the Bryan County News, and Jamie Parker, Editor of Bryan County NOW for their reporting of the activities of our Exchange Club. As you know, The Exchange Club contributes a lot to the quality of life in our community, but our efforts have often gone unreported in the past. Thanks for the support, and the reporting of "Good News" about Bryan County. Members of our local media are always welcome to attend our meetings as our guests.

As most of you are aware, National Exchange Bylaws require that all of the operating expenses of our club be paid from the membership dues that we collect. Those expenses include National and Georgia District Exchange Dues of over $25.00 per member per quarter, plus postage, post office box rent, insurance, supplies, our installation banquet, etc., plus our largest single category of expense -- the cost of meals at our regular meetings.

Our last dues increase was in July, 2003, and over the past 8 years, our National and District Dues have increased from $15 to $25 per member per quarter, and our meals expense has increased from $10.00 to $13.25 per meal. The increase in our operating expenses has necessitated an increase in our member dues from $75.00 to $85.00 per quarter effective April 1, 2011. Doing so insures that the costs of operating our club will continue to be paid from our membership dues, and also guarantees that proceeds from our fund-raising projects will always be available to support the various community service projects that The Exchange Club of Richmond Hill is known for.

As you know, we now have our meetings at the Richmond Hill City Center, which is a wonderful facility. We hope you will be able to attend regularly, and actively help us to recruit new members. We look forward to seeing everyone on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from Noon to 1:00 PM at The Richmond Hill City Center.

Statements for the April 1 to June 30, 2013 quarter have been sent out. While most members have paid their dues, if you haven't, please send in your membership dues payment as soon as possible. Statements for our current quarterly dues are mailed at the beginning of each quarter, but you can pay your dues without a statement. Dues cover the operating expenses of the club, and assure that all other funds of the club are used to support our community service activities. If you have any questions about your dues, contact Treasurer Shirley Heagerty at either 727-5401 or sandjbookkeeping@msn.com.

Please mail payments to: Richmond Hill Exchange Club, P O Box 967, Richmond Hill, GA 31324.