​Building a Better NBGC

Ninety years ago, the NBC/NBGC was founded by Robert Buehler and Dick Valentin as a kid's club run by kids. The members organized all of the Club's activities, and then reported about them in the weekly newsletter, called "The Monkeyshines."

It was up to the adults- the parents, families and community partners- to fund, build and financially support the Club. They contributed their time, their professional training and their life skills to both figuratively and literally build the NBC/NBGC. They constructed and staged hundreds of fundraising events, organized the Club's finances and management procedures, and served on the Board of Directors, all to ensure that the Club continued to head in the right direction.

So many families and community members have guided the NBGC to where it stands today, but we would like to highlight the contributions of a few of our Hall of Fame members.

Jim Kartheiser- With a career in commercial real estate development, Jim has overseen our Capital Campaigns, our Board's Property Committee, and guided the various renovations to our clubhouse.

Peter Kattner- An electrician who powered up the Family Fest's soundstage, kept the food booth running and helped with any NBGC booth needs at Ribfest.

Gloria Ottesen- Food is her thing! From the Mom's Club Spaghetti Dinner to the Family Festival Food Tent, Gloria contributed so many hours and raised so much money with her delicious meals.

Tony Coppola- As an electrician working with the Electrical Supply Company, Tony was able to acquire all of the electrical equipment for our new clubhouse in 1958.

Fares Zanayed- With his roofing/construction business, Fares helped with several clubhouse renovation projects- mostly recently installing new skylights during our 2020 major renovation.

Bill Abplanalp- Bill is an insurance agent by trade, and in addition to serving as the Club's Development Director, Board Member, and alumni liaison, Bill has overseen all of our insurance needs.

Dave Ottesen- Through his experience with finance and accounting, Dave was able to reorganize and secure the Club's financial procedures and business organization.

The Wiegelts- Owning a neighborhood catering business, the Weigelt family supported the NBC with facilities, equipment and expertise for many of our fundraising events across the Mom's Club, Dad's Club and the Family Fest.

Tom Krier- After working as an accountant and CFO, Tom became our Executive Director, setting the Club on a firm financial footing, and modernizing our administrative structure and procedures.


Below are some links to our Monkeyshines and Alumni Chatters spotlighting the talents lent to the NBGC over the years.

Sharing talents-
Frank Peters washes windows  (click)
2021 Clubhouse renovation  (click)
​Businesses volunteer  (click)
Kitchen renovation  (click)
​Clubhouse cleanup  (click)
Building the wall  (click)
New screens  (click)

2018 Anniversary and Hall of Fame Program  (click)

Dick & Joan Geshrey
Helping at the Clubhouse  (click)
​

Bert Lawrenz
Original player kicks off 20th Anniversary  (click)

Peter Maxfield
Raising funds for Game Room update  (click)
Program Committee supports Club funding  (click)
New Board officers  (click)

Dave Ottesen
Bees champs Grand Slam  (click)
Hockey Achievement Award  (click)
Foiling a robbery  (click)
Around the World champ  (click)
Off to DePaul University  (click)

 Frank Peters
Coaching Scorpions to championship  (click)
Christmas play  (click)
Holding up the tent  (click)
Leading Lions to the summit  (click)
Welcoming Senior Leaders to the cabin  (click)

​On October 30, 2021 the Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club will celebrate its 90th Anniversary and induct seven new members into the Hall of Fame.  The event will be at the White Eagle Event and Convention Center in Niles, Illinois.  Be sure to save the date.  Look for event details on NBGC's website, social media posts, emails and other sources.

This blog entry highlights the 2012 class of Hall of Fame inductees (below is a link to the program for that occasion).  We also take time to reminisce about some of the special events the NBGC has hosted over the decades. Enjoy the memories...more importantly, make plans with your family and friends to join teammates for a wonderful night to celebrate the NBGC!

EVENTS...​Whether fund or “fun” raisers, the NBGC has a rich history of hosting events.  The following is just a sampling of Hall of Famers and their families that made the events such a success;
FAMILY FEST
Abplanalps…Bill took charge of the raffle and the grill…his mom and dad helping out in years past.
Barretts…Jack ran the Carnival while Giz took charge of the Food Booth.
Brandons…Rich worked around the clock on the grounds and at the clubhouse while Maryann took charge of the Money Tree Booth.
Goerners…Paul Sr. helped keep everything running smoothly from set-up to take down and everything in between.  Jean ran the famous Tattoo/Souvenir Booth.  Gloria ran the silver dollar booth and helped out in the Food Booth on day camp session.
Hovaths…Arp, with family and friends, ran the Ham & Bacon Booth.
Kartheisers…Jim ran the event FOR DECADES…Kathy was always there for the matinees and the crowded nights selling ride tickets…succeeding his mom (Dolores) who was a Ferris Wheel ticket seller years before.
Kattners…Pete set-up the soundstage for the early shows…and made sure appliances were working in the Food Booth.
Kriers…Pete, Tom, Jeanne, Linda, Scott and “Uncle Ed” staffed the Finance Committee.
Loosevelts…Ted and Juanita, the legendary Ham & Bacon booth co-hosts.
Lunkes…Illinois Battery’s truck was always there to move supplies from their warehouse and the clubhouse to the fest grounds.
Maxfields…Peter spent countless hours collecting donations on the hot parking lot asphalt.
McNultys…Jim spent days and nights at the fest grounds and the clubhouse making sure all was running smoothly.
Nickels…Tom made sure everything was set-up right and then ran the beer garden.  Mary ran all sorts of booths and coordinated day camp sessions.
Ottesens…Gloria ran the Food Booth with help from Jerry and David.
Stones…Elma coordinated over 300 volunteers.
VanDenBosch…Tom was the snow fence banding expert, saving enough energy to be a grill master.
Weigelts…The catering company donated supplies, equipment and, most of all help for the Food Booth.
Zanayeds…The Sports Booth has its best years with Fares at the helm.
 
HAUNTED HOUSE
People of all ages considered the NBGC’s Haunted House to be one of the best in Chicago.  It was the creation of Paul and Jean Goerner. 

GOLF OUTING
The 2021 Golf Outing is on September 20th at The Links at Carrillon (https://NBGCGolfOuting.givesmart.com).  It is the 52nd annual outing, in no small part due to the chairmanship of Arp Horvath, support of Bill Abplanalp past sponsors, including HOF’s Jim Kartheiser, Fares Zanayed, In memory of John Barrett (Tom Wenholz) and Frank Hashimoto.
 
FUN RUN
Fares Zanayed came up with the idea of the NBGC Fun Run (Walk), which travelled through Revere and Horner Park a few years ago.  The 2nd Annual Virtual Fun Run is THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 28TH (https://NBGC5K.givesmart.com).
 
BEARS BASH AND CUBS ROOFTOP
NBGC has always cheered on the Bears and the Cubs…and the White Sox, Bulls and Hawks.  Thanks to HOFs Jim Morici and Frank Hashimoto for their endless support of these events.
 
MOMS, DADS AND ALUMNI
An upcoming blog post will be dedicated to the support and events of the Moms, Dads and Alumni!!!

Jack Pittges
Daggers 1957 Reunion (click)
​Arena Football (click)
USFL Football (click)

Elma Stone
Carnival Diplomat (click) 
Carnival Diplomat_more (click)
Grandmother of Future Member(click)

​

2011 Anniversary and Hall of Fame Program (click) 

Below are pictures and links to just a few of the many articles these Hall of Fame members are mentioned.  The entire Monkeyshine, Report, Chatter, etc is included to experience the context of their mention.

Robert Buehler
Junior Leaders Visit Galena (click)
55 Years Review...Club name change, fishing, Mayor of Galena, birthday, Loyola trustee, etc. (click)

The link below, to the video entitled "A Great Ride". includes testimonials by several alum to Robert Buehler.

​Dick Valentin
Letter to Parents During WWII (click)
55 Years Review...Rose Bowl, alligator, original clubhouse (click)
Memorial in Monkeyshines (click)
​