1993 YLRL Convention
1993 YLRL International Convention
Wichita, KS – July 8th – 11th
Wichita, Kansas, welcomed YLs and OMs from all across this country and from Japan to the YLRL Convention, held at the Wichita East Hotel. Everyone reported having a wonderful time, with plenty of time to meet new YLs and to get caught up with news from old friends. Radio station KBOFUN was on the air each day, and some of the YLRL members who couldn’t attend the convention were able to make contacts. A few of those in the log are KU7F; K4RHL: W4DEV; KD7YB; KC7RY; K6RQ (Frank, a YLH subscriber); and AAOLU.
The registration table opened at 8:00 a.m., with Lynn, NOTSC, being kept busy handing out the goody bags and directions to various points. Right next to her was a table for the YLRL Scholarship Fund. Elaine, WOHEM; Phyllis. K7SEC. and Margaret, WAOKVP, also kept busy accepting donations and taking bids for a silent auction for eight pairs of YLRL ear rings, handmade by Onie, WIZEN, now a SK, and Blanche, W4GXZ, 33 years ago for the 1960 convention.
The official convention activities began on Thursday evening, with a get acquainted social. Sandwiches and snacks were available in the Hospitality Suite, which adjoined the room with the station. Both rooms opened out to a courtyard, with plenty of seating. Mingling with the YLs and OMs were the familiar Kansas figures of Dorothy, carrying Toto, and all her friends. The Wizard addressed the group and gave them some wise words about the Wichita area. Later. Vi, W6CBA, conducted a prize drawing, with many prizes given. Early the next morning, those going on the tours assembled. Dana, NOFYQ, drove one of the 15-passenger vans, and Carol, WD8DQG, drove the other. Some people followed in their own cars; others went sightseeing on their own, and others just stayed at the hotel to visit with friends. At 3:00 p.m.. Rich High, W0HEP, the OM of Elaine, WOHEM, gave a very interesting slide show on his recent trip to Lithuania.
That night. Mary, WO9R, and Lorraine, WAI EDR. talked about the DX adoptee program and introduced the DX YLs and their families. Present were Masako Kato. JA0CYL, and her daughter Yukari: Nobuko “Ton” Uchira. JR6XIX, and her OM Yoshiki “Dorn,” JR6XIW, and Nozomi Gohara, JH3SQN, and her OM Ken. JH3SQM. Ken and Nozomi brought some wonderful slides showing the YL Asian Meeting ’93, held in Osaka, in April.
Bright and early the next morning, the OMs left for a tour and the Board of Directors convened for a meeting to discuss YLRL business. The official Business Meeting began at 9:45 p.m., and the first order of business was an official group photo. After that, a wide range of subjects relating to YLRL’s future were discussed, which Dana has covered in the President’s Message. The original Corcoran Award, which used to be shipped to the YLRL member within an ARRL section with the highest combined Phone and CW score, was displayed. (This was a fairly rare sighting, as only four YLs present had seen it before.) Rich, WOHEM, very graciously consented to repeat his slide show on Saturday afternoon for those who were unable to see it on Friday.
The banquet began at 7:30 p.m., with a moment of silence in memory of YLRL’s silent keys. Each place had a handmade gift from Clarice, W7FTX, and by Hazel, K9QGR, in addition to other convention souvenirs. The banquet speaker was an unlikely-looking YLRL member: Miz Maudie, also known as Kathryn Martin, N4USN. She had everyone laughing continuously as they also pondered her message of Who charges all our power supplies, as well as the special rewards and responsibilities that our licenses bestow on us. She gave a fantastic address. Lots of prizes were drawn, including the Vegas World package, and four handhelds.
At the Farewell Brunch on Sunday morning, Kathryn, N4USN, topped off all the wonderful activities with a short motivational message. YLs began to say their good-byes, with everyone expressing their wish for another meeting soon. Thanks very much to Dana. NOFYQ, and her helpers for a super good time. YLRL SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE FROM MARTE WESSEL. KOEPE A big thank-you to all the YLs, OMs, and clubs who helped make the YLRL ’93 Scholarship Project a huge success. We passed our goal of $2,000.00, with a total of $2,763.00!
A special thank-you to the Buckeye Belles, Cactus Keys, Colorado YLs, LARA of Orange Co., North County YLs of CA, SAYLARC, TYLRUN. TASYL, WAYLARC, WRONE, LARC-LA, and the Japanese YLs. (If I’ve missed anyone, please forgive me!) Miriam Lamb. AA2DX, made a beautiful doll, which was bought by Jerrie Stonier, K6INK, and the money was donated to the fund. Blanche Randles, W4GXZ, donated eight pairs of ear rings, which were sold in a silent auction to KB5LES; KC7ET: K7SEC; WAOWOF; K5BNQ; WA0KVP; W06X, and KB9HJH. More donation tickets were sold, and YLs made other sizeable donations.
The winning ticket was sold by Lorraine, WA1EDR, and the winner was Mary E. “Betsey” Sproles, KAI VAX, of Plymouth, Massachusetts. Betsey was called on Sunday morning and was very pleased to hear the news. All the arrangements have been made to transfer the package to Betsey’s name, and she can make the trip whenever she chooses. Two bank checks, totaling $2,763.00, have been forwarded to the YLRL Disbursing Treasurer. We are hoping to continue to have projects to add to the Scholarship fund in the future, as we would like it to reach $20,000.00 and be self-sustaining.
