Annual Banquet - 2006

The Howard County Striders held their Annual Awards Celebration and Pot-Luck Extravaganza on the evening of Sunday, January 8, at the Other Barn in Oakland Mills Village Center. Fourteen round tables seated about 100 Striders and their children, while two three-meter-long tables hardly sufficed to accommodate the bountiful food. The evening's agenda consisted of a brief business meeting to approve revised bylaws and vote in the 2006 Board of Directors, a feeding frenzy concerned with consuming the food, and the presentation of various donations and awards. The meeting began a 6 pm and concluded at 8:40 pm because everyone had to be out of the building by 9 pm.

Membership Chairperson Bill Arbelaez greeted celebrants who entered the hall on the second floor of the Other Barn. He required them to renew their memberships for 2006. After this formality, the newly-admitted members deposited their dishes and desserts on the food tables, secured liquid refresh-ments, and began a social process called "mingling."

Before beginning their feast, President Phil Lang conducted a brief business meeting. The first order of business was revising of the by-laws, which required approval of the general membership. Revisions consisted of reducing the number of Board Members, modernizing the names of several committees, and changing the term "chairman" to "chair-person." With no discussion, Judi Tripp immediately moved that the new by-laws be accepted, and Tim Beaty seconded. The ensuing vote was unanimous.

The second item on the agenda was actually electing the 2006 Board of Directors along the lines of the newly approved board. Tom Lewis ("I studied Robert's Rules!") enumerated the Board of Directors, having each board member stand for recognition. He forgot Richard Bernstein, though, who did stand up later for something else. Eager for dinner, the members immediately and unanimously approved the 2006 slate.

The third and final item on the agenda was the 2006 Budget, which was presented by Treasurer Steve Zelenak. "I know this is exciting to everyone," Steve said. He directed the members' attention to copies of the 2006 budget on the table, but there was again no discussion.

After this, Mr. Lewis abruptly announced, "It's time to eat!"

A long food line immediately formed. The line stretched all the way across the long dimension of the room. Some people waited at their seats while the line progressed. But there was plenty of food for everyone.

Outstanding delectables included grilled chicken with homegrown rosemary spice (Janet Spedden), macaroni and cheese with breadcrumbs (Nancy Hawkland), beef tatakai (Misako), and cold spaghetti with peanut sauce (Deborah Madison). Runners also chose from assorted stuffed shells, lasagnas, and pizzas, as well as a filling Boston Market double meatloaf. For those still able to eat, Beverly Byron's cherry cheesecake pie ("from my own oven") offered a most delicious conclusion to a culinary apex.

While the members munched on seconds or desserts, Tom recognized the major sponsors of the Howard County Striders: Feet First of Wilde Lake (for their support of Strider races and an elite racing team), Howard County Chiropractic (for free massages after the races), and Robert Vigorito and the Columbia Triathlon Association. In addition, Tom also thanked the many unsung heroes who help put on the Strider events.

Before everyone's tears had dried, Mr. Lewis launched into a donative frenzy, awarding contributions to a variety of the Striders' favorite charities. Holly received a donation for the Sexual Trauma Treatment and Recovery (STTAR) Center, while Jessica Sleight received an award for the RRCA Roads Scholar Program. The Striders had already made a contribution to the RRCA Katrina Relief Fund, and they enlarged upon this by making a donation to the New Orleans Running Club for its upcoming marathon. Paul Goldenberg accepted a donation for the Howard County Police, and Nadia Wasserman accepted an award for the Maryland Special Olympics. On behalf of Steve Musselman, Phil Lang received a donation for the Howard Community College's running program.

Tom next recognized the 2005 Board of Directors, this time including Richard Bernstein. He noted that "we finally shook of Nadia [Wasserman]," but noted that Paul [Goldenberg] kept coming back."

On a somber note, Mr. Lewis then recognized Margy Klein for the Females In Training (FIT) and Getting Into a Running Lifestyle (GIRL) award. Margy tragically died in 2005 and received the award posthumously. Carla Styczynski accepted.

Tom finally reached the zenith of the evening by presenting the performance awards. Mr. Lewis cited the merits of the following individuals by reading from a long list of credits, most of which appear below. All awardees received shining pewter plates engraved with their names and awards.

After these awards, Tom relinquished the podium to Dave Tripp, who inducted three new members to the Howard County Strider Hall of Fame. Started in 1998, the Hall of Fame honors the most outstanding Striders whose qualifications include five or more years of membership, noteworthy accomplishments as runners, and/or exceptional contributions to the running community. The induction process was formalized this year by the formation of a Hall of Fame committee, chaired by Mr. Tripp and consisting of Hall of Famers and the president of the club. Dave noted that 20 people were nominated and only three were admitted.

None other than Dickie George, Volunteer of the Year for 2005, was the first inductee. Dave cited Mr. George's service of 15 years on the Board of Directors, first as weekly races director, then as Vice President, and finally as President, a position he held for 5 years— perhaps longer than any other Strider President. Dickie also works assiduously at high school cross country meets, oversees the finish lines at major Strider races, and has chaired the Scholar-Athlete Evaluation Committee. He has run most of the Strider races, and only an injury prevented him from running his 12th consecutive Run Through the Grapevine last year. However, Dickie considers his greatest running achievement winning the coveted brass turkey in the 1993 Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Prediction 10K.

Paul Goldenberg, the second inductee, joined the Striders in 1984 when he quit smoking. The next year he ran the Baltimore Marathon— those were the days when the course went up the infamous Satyr Hill. Since then, Paul has run 53 other marathons. He has also finished the JFK 50 Miler 13 times. In 1985, he joined the Strider Board of Directors and has been on the board ever since. For four of those years, Paul served as the President. He has also been the editor of the newsletter and, most often, the director of special races. He directed the one and only Columbia Birthday Marathon in 1993 when Columbia celebrated its 26th birthday. Paul has also supported the Howard County high school cross country and track and field programs and served on the Scholar/Athlete Evaluation Committee.

Dave introduced the final inductee, Jim Carbary, with "he's one of those fast guys." Joining the Striders in 1978 not long after the club had been formed, Jim organized the Strider racing teams in the mid-1980s, earned a Runner of the Year award in 1988 and a Master Runner of the Year in 1991. In those days, he had some fast times: 15:38 for 5 km, 32:04 for 10 km, 49:50 for 15 km, and 54:09 for 10 miles. He has also served on the Board of Directors for almost as long as Paul Goldenberg, holding positions such director of weekly races (with Paul Sobus), racing team director, and editor of the Newsletter— the latter appointment continuing to this day. Not having enough on his plate, Jim became coordinator and coach of the Junior Striders in 1999.

Dave presented each of the new Hall of Famer member with an engraved pewter plate. He concluded by requesting the membership to submit nominations for next year to the Hall of Fame Committee.

New President Len Guralnick then rose to say a few words. He had never spoken before the membership and admitted, "my heart's beating pretty hard." As the director of weekly races, Len just wanted to thank his crew of 15 or so for marking the courses and helping out each weekend to put on the races. The weekly race volunteers included Steve Zelenak, Bill Arbelaez, Denise Hyde, Sue Watson, Eric Katkow, Melissa Simmens, Greg Hogan, and especially Julie Trapp.

Before the Banquet officially ended, ex-president Phil Lang distributed the President's Awards to deserving Strider volunteers who helped throughout the past year. Each received a fine Howard County Strider jacket: Arleen Dinneen, Miles Weigold, Beverly Byron, Sandy Salazar, Charlie Brown, Tim Orman, Ann and John Worley, Ann Brooker-Grogan, Dave and Judy Tripp, Jim DiScuillo, Don Van Ostrand, Carla Styczynski, Jeanette Lampron, Terry Oxford, Bob and Nancy Burns, Dickie and Lissa George, Barbara Calvert, Tim Beaty, Doug Hawkland, Melissa Tabor, Cynthia Wark, and Pat Wilkerson.

The meeting officially adjourned at 8:40 pm.

 -- by Jim Carbary