Pictures from Phoenix 2010 Winter Convention
February 16-20, 2010

The trip to Phoenix in February was great--just to get away from the Ohio weather!! The sunshine was a welcome break, but meeting with other LICA members from across this great country and experiencing new sights was thrilling. Louis McFarland, Rick Stacy, Steve & Amy Gerten, Tom & Marion Bower and Ray & Becky Miller represented Ohio at the convention. We started the week with a tour of Canyon Lake on the Dolly Steamboat; the drive to Canyon Lake was more exciting as the bus navigated the switchbacks in the road!! Those other cars didn't know what was coming at them around each curve.

Wednesday found us at the John Deere proving grounds where they treated us to a great time of seeing what is new and being able to run anything they had there. Xenia and her co-workers made sure questions were answered and treated us to a great meal and lots of hospitality!

Jerry Biuso could hardly wait for everyone to enjoy the next part of the tour--Go Kart Racing!! He had waited a year to see the reaction of the group as they sped around the indoor track. Anyone could participate and the person with the fastest lap in each round raced for the trophies. Winner of the Gold was Nate Cook from Michigan, Silver went to Steve Miller from Iowa, and Bronze went to Jon Seevers of Illinois. There was even a Turtle Award for the slowest person and Jackie Welch from California took that award home!! She really enjoyed her sunday drive and was not intimidated by the others passing her up. She did 6 laps while the others did 10!!

Thursday was down to business with seminars and the exhibit hall open in the evening. The ladies quilt raffle was a success with the quilt going to Darrell & Sandy Birge of Indiana. Sandy did the hand quilting of the quilt in 2001; thanks Sandy & Darrell!! Friday was filled with business and Region meetings. The evening found us at Greasewood Flats for a different twist to an old west dinner! Saturday found the Tomboy Tools lady showing us her wares; tools designed especially for the ladies.

Steve Gerten is the new Vice President for LICA and will take over the president's job next year. Way to go Steve!! Jerry Biuso seats us at the John Deere Luncheon and Xenia receives a very special honor. Jerry Biuso receives the Golden Shovel Award from the Illinois chapter for his supportive work to LICA. The Caterpillar Awards Banquet found many receiving awards for their hard work and dedication throughout the year. Ray Miller received the ADS/Hancor 2009 Conservation/Stewardship Award for all of the work OLICA did at the Norma Johnson Conservation Center. Merlin Welch from California is our Contractor of the Year and Illinois took home the State Chapter of the Year Award. We ended the eveining with a comedian who garnered lots of material just from our organization, with Xenia wearing her tiera and us being "ditch diggers"!