CELEBRATE – Building a Better NBGC

On October 30, 2021 the Neighborhood Boys and 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.

This week’s blog entry highlights six members inducted at the 87th Anniversary Banquet in 2018. Below are links to the program from that event, as well as to Monkeyshines, Alumni Chatters and other archives. In coming posts we will focus on other inductees. Enjoy the memories…more importantly, make plans with your family and friends to join teammates for a wonderful night to celebrate the NBGC!
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Tickets to the 90th Anniversary and Hall of Fame Celebration are on sale now and can be purchased online at: www.NBGCTURNS90.givesmart.com

​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)
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Peter Kattner
Star lineman (click)
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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)