Club Newsletter January 26, 2025

Issue 264 | January 26, 2025

"We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it as not as dreadful as it appears, discovering that we have the strength to stare it down."

-Eleanor Roosevelt, Former First Lady of the United States

Firstly, I'd like to thank all those who came out for the meeting this past Wednesday. It was nice to see so many in attendance. For those of you who attended, I hope you enjoyed our little movie (featured below and now showing on Facebook) to kick off my first meeting as your President. We truly have wonderful, positive members who make things happen every day with their can-do attitudes. Here are just a few I want to thank: Jepp Walter, Tim Buchanan, CJ Allen and Kyle Horton from Format Agency, and our very own Rene Zook, who played the part of Belinda Mitchell, our club's first female President.

With a name like Southside Businessmen’s Club we might sometimes forget that some of our best Presidents have been women. This year, I will be spot lighting some of our past Presidents and current Sponsors throughout the year in our newsletter to give everyone a chance to get to know them all better.

One of the best things about being a member of our club is our guest speakers, and this week didn’t disappoint. Mr. Tyler Oldenburg, current chair of the TPC Volunteers, shared with us the many opportunities they offer to help make this event a huge success each year. The impact that this one event brings each year to so many non-profits such as Feeding Northeast Florida, The Boys and Girls Club of America, and even our SBMC Children’s Shopping Spree which helps raise over $3,000.00 a year for our club.

This year we will once again be volunteering at TPC at the Grove near holes 9 and 10 on Tuesday March 11^th and Thursday March 13^th. If you are interested, please mark your calendars to save the date. More info on time slots and how to sign up will be coming soon! Contact Angelo Volpe for more details.

This year, as in past years, if you have been a volunteer, we think you're special!

To show our appreciation my wife Linda and I will be hosting a volunteer-only party at our house on Saturday March 8^th. We will have food and drinks, as well as the coveted volunteer golf shirt. This will give you an opportunity to meet and mingle with other event volunteers and learn more about the event and answer any questions you may have.

We are already off to a great year and I look forward to seeing you at our next luncheon or evening networking events.

Sincerely,

Kenneth T. Petsch

President

WHO IS BELINDA MITCHELL?

In 2004, for the first time in the history of the SBMC a woman vice-president presided over a weekly meeting. Belinda Mitchell, then Vice President and Branch Manager for CenterBank of Jacksonville went on to become the first woman to be elected president for the year 2006. One of her favorite accomplishments included the first Club parade float entry in the Veterans Day Parade, resulting in a well deserved recognition from the Office of the Mayor.

Below is an excerpt from an article written about Ms. Mitchell in the Jax Daily Record:

“To me, we’re on the right track to keep this club going,” Mitchell said. “When we take our oath we say that we will not drop the ball. I think that’s an important obligation. I just want to keep the club on the right track.”

Mitchell also said there is one question she hears more than any other.

“Everyone asks if we’re going to change the name of the club. You know what? Never,” she said.

“I don’t want to see the name change because of our history of community outreach. Our name is on the wall at the San Marco library. We also adopted Treaty Oak Park. We are responsible for Philips Highway being spelled correctly. There is just so much this club has done in the past 74 years, to change the name would be to lose tradition and heritage. I don’t think the name matters. It has never held me back and there will be other women who will follow me,” added Mitchell.

Click here to learn more about the history of the SBMC!

Next Meetings

February 12: Karen Mathis, Jacksonville Daily Record

February 26: Kevin Carrico, City Council Vice President & President Elect

Click here to pre-register!

Maggiano's at the Town Center will be our new venue for 2025, with our regular luncheons held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month!

Two successful meetings so far and these meals did not disappoint!

To help us provide the venue with an accurate headcount and to save on costs, please consider pre-registering by the Monday before each luncheon.

Kids Skate for FREE!!!

Come out to the Igloo (3605 Phillips Hwy) and join your friends at the SBMC for the first Member Hangout of 2025!

The low price of $10 per person includes a drink ticket, delicious hors d’oeuvres & skate rentals! This is a deal that you, your family & friends won’t want to miss!

Join us for a fun filled night out at the Alhambra Dinner Theatre on February 7 as we enjoy the performance of "Southern Fried Funeral"!

Dinner begins at 6pm and the show begins at 7pm.

There are ONLY 18 spaces available, so grab your tickets through our website while they last!

The cost is $75 and includes tax and gratuity.

TIME TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE 2025 PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Come on out and volunteer for The Players Championship!

The SBMC participates annually, and we receive money that benefits our Charities Programs.

Please help us out by donating your time for this wonderful cause and have a great time in the process! Additional details coming soon!

Click below for details on times, parking, etc.

Informational Sheet and Directions

Click on the link for the signup sheet to volunteer.

TPC Shift Sign-Up Sheet

TPC TICKET PURCHASES

Need tickets to The Players Championship?

Click here to buy them through us!

From December 5 to February 28, use the promo code 497OPC to get the lowest price available for competition days!

For every ticket purchased with our code, the SBMC will receive $40 to benefit our Annual Holiday Kids Shopping Spree!

Thank you in advance for your help in supporting our Club Charities!

JANUARY HAPPY BIRTHDAYS TO YOU

AL NEJAD

CHUCK PERRONE

JEFF VOLPE

MARK BERGAN

MIKE DUNGEY

PLEASE WELCOME OUR NEWEST MEMBERS!

Summer Melton, Hooters

Grace Goddard, Hooters

Priscilla Scott, Seamless Floors

Rob Petsch, Greentech Renewables

Reese Robinson, Greentech Renewables

Louis Denny, Veteran's Commercial Corp.

To have your New Membership featured in our upcoming newsletters, make sure to attend one of our regular luncheons to have your FREE headshot taken by Mark Geil!

Our website has been redesigned! Check it out by clicking the link below!

When logging into your profile for the first time, you will have to use the “Lost Password” link to reset your password.

https://www.sbmcjax.com