Newsletter Objectives: To have an informed membership,

Encourage involvement of more members in Silver M Club, Inc. activities, To stimulate financial awareness,

Silver M Club, Inc.

Homecoming 2015

This years Homecoming will take place on September 26 vs. Antigo at 1:30pm.

July 17th, 2015 49TH Edition – Expose 2014

8 -21 Superior 7:00 8-28 @ River Falls 7:00 9-4 @ Lakeland 7:00 9-11 Rhinelander 7:00 9-18 @Medford 7:00 9-26 Antigo (Homecoming) 1:30 10-2 @ Ashland 7:00 10-9 Mosinee 7:00 10-23 WIAA Playoffs Start

2015 MHS Football Schedule

This year's Homecoming game will take place on Saturday, September 26, 2015, at 1:30 p.m. at Jay Stadium against Antigo. Invitations for the 2015 annual reunion will be mailed in August. The Bluejays finished in sole possession of 1st place in the Great Northern Conference in 2014 with a 6 – 0 conference record and 7-2 overall in the regular season. The season was highlighted by victories over Ashland 62-0 on Homecoming, Rhinelander 55-7 and Lakeland

70-6. The ‘Jays returned to the WIAA playoffs in 2014, but lost in the 1st round to Hortonville. Coach Sturm begins his 4th season leading the Bluejays in 2015.

Silver M Club, Inc. Newsletter Merrill, WI 54452

715-536-3410 www.merrillsilverm.com

Registered Agent Mike Weckwerth

Officers President: Bob Akey, ‘71 Vice President: Dave Barney, ‘69 Secretary: Chris Marlowe, ‘84 Treasurer: Mark Weix, ‘55

Directors Jeff Anderson, ’70 Jeff Bonnell, ‘87 Keith Donner, ’75 Don Heyel, ‘63 Dave Schwartzman, ’58 Kevin Blake, ‘87 Dan Meyer, ’66 Tom Stockowicz,‘81 Jay Proft, ’66 Robin Smith, ‘84

Endowment Fund Trustees Roger English Erik Finanger Jerry Voigt Mark Weix

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Message From Coach Sturm

The 2014 football season was an exciting one. Winning the fourth conference championship in school history is a proud moment for us all. This success is a result of the hard work of our players and groups such as the Silver “M” Club. I believe the football program is something that helps give the Merrill community pride. I am very excited for the 2015 football season and truly believe we have a talented group of young men coming back that will allow the Bluejays to compete for the Great Northern Conference Championship again. Our leadership council that met in the spring to develop our season goals and what it takes to realize those goals emphasized not limiting ourselves. They focused on taking one game at a time but also setting a realistic goal of advancing through the playoffs a couple of rounds. Our success on the gridiron in the fall will be in direct relationship to the amount of work done in the weight room and during the summer. The seniors from the class of 2014 set a great example of what hard work achieves, and I know the younger players will work hard to fulfill their obligation to the football program and their community. We will continue to be a class football program that plays good clean physical football. For the homecoming game this season we will be playing Antigo. I know I can speak for everyone in the football program that

Silver M Chain Gang Chain gang is a great way to support Merrill Football at no cost to our club. Silver “M” mans the sideline markers for JV, 9th Grade, and 8th Grade Merrill football games. There has always been a great response from the club in covering these games for the past 19 years. Assisting on the sidelines in 2014 were Sid Sukow, Bill Osterbrink, Dave Barney, Doug Grisa, Mike Drury, Gary Porath, Mike Weckwerth, Jeff Anderson, Dan Meyer, John Huss, Mike Grunenwald, Bill Ruder, Tom Weckwerth, Mike Schroeder, Dave Laehn, Bob Odegard, Steve Hintze, and Bob Akey. Silver “M'er’s” interested in working on the chain gangs can now contact Dan “Navajo” Meyer at 536-7903. Great job by all who have participated to date, the coaches appreciate our effort.

25th Annual Golf Outing On Friday, September 26th 85 golfers teed off in the 25th Annual Silver “M” Classic. All golfers received a 25th anniversary windbreaker and helped raise a net total of $6404. The proceeds are distributed into the scholarship/endowment fund and the football/general fund at a 75% to 25% ratio.

Special thanks to Sid Sukow, for serving as chairman of the event for all of those 25 years.

The 2015 Golf Classic will be Friday September 25th at the Merrill Golf Club with registration forms included in the newsletter.

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Continued: Coach Sturm this is a HUGE game for us. The players, coaches and fans are hungry for victory against the Robins and the date is one that we are training for with great anticipation. I would like to thank the Silver “M” Club for its outstanding support of the football program. Your financial donations are greatly appreciated and make a huge difference. The time and energy put forth by the chain gangs on game nights help to make our games first class. I hope the football program and the school district can continue to count on the support of the Silver “M” club to be on the chain gangs. I hope you are looking forward to an exciting 2015 football season! Our motto for the season is “1-0 Every Day in Every Way.” In our character based program we want our young men to be excellent in all aspects of their life. If they take pride in their efforts to build relationships in school, at work, and on the sports field, excellence permeates all aspects of their life and we have a better team and a better community. Again, I would like to thank you for all of your support of the football team, and I know our team will provide excitement on the gridiron. Go Jays, Coach Sturm

Homecoming’15 activities

cont.

Kickoff the weekend by participating in the 26th Annual Silver “M” Golf Classic on Friday, September 25th at 11:00 AM.

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The Merrill Silver “M” Club looks forward to seeing you in 2015!

Following Golf, Silver “M” members and their guests can meet at Merrill Town Hall for the annual social Friday night.

Saturday morning get to the game early and hop on the Silver “M” Float and participate in the Homecoming Parade. New Silver “M” members are particularly encouraged.

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Pregame always starts with the brat and burger tailgate party held in the parking lot. Members then make their way to the stadium to be introduced before the game.

5. Saturday night the weekend is capped with the annual banquet and business meeting. The social starts at 4:30 with dinner at 6:30 to be held at Merrill Town Hall.

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2014 The Silver “M” Club supports its ongoing activities through donations and fund raising events. The monies are deposited into two different accounts/funds for specific purposes. -15 The General Fund is the club’s working capital for ongoing activities during the annual homecoming weekend and the high school football banquet. The General Fund also includes a special savings account (Football Fund) used for special items needed by the football team. This year the club agreed to donate $4500 for new uniforms. The General Fund Balance on June 3, 2015, was $10,008.75 Financial Report The purpose of the Endowment Fund, a.k.a. Scholarship Fund, is the annual Silver “M” scholarships for graduating senior football players planning to further their education. The principal amounts received from donations were historically invested by the Endowment Fund Committee in a number of certificates of deposit at various local financial institutions. Only the interest from the investments can be used to fund the scholarships each year. Original club by-laws require preservation of the principle in the Endowment Fund. With current interest rates on bank savings accounts and CD’s being so low, the membership approved allowing 20% of the endowment fund principle to be invested in accounts in which that carry some risk of principle loss, such as stock mutual funds. After the change was approved, $35,000 of the total endowment fund principle of $174,600 was invested in mutual funds in January 2014. As of June 3, 2015, the total value of the endowment fund was $141,967.34. Mutual Funds total value as of June 3, 2015 total $53,615.15 The Arnold Krombholz Silver M Scholarship is managed separately in a segregated account as directed by the family.

2014-15 Financial Report

The directives of the family are to fund at minimum a $1,000 scholarship annually. The family has committed to endow the fund with another $25,000 over the first 5 years. After 10 years the directives are to award $1,000 or 5% of the fund value, whichever is greater. As of July 15, 2015 the balance in the Arnold Krombholz Silver M Scholarship account was $29,414.90. Thank you to the Krombholz family for this wonderful gift in honor of Arnold Krombholz who made the ultimate sacrifice in serving our country during World War II. Specific questions about the balances in the Silver “M” Club’s accounts can be directed to Mark Weix.

Silver “M” Club, INC. Memorial Scholarship

In 2015 the Silver “M” Club made scholarship awards to 3 graduating MHS senior football players in the amount of $1,000 each. Scholarships were awarded to: Dustin Dengal in memory of Arnold Krombholz, Chaz Mootz in memory of Stan Smith and Justin Pyan in memory of Art Ebbert. Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients. 2015 marks the 31st year for the Silver “M” Scholarships. Total scholarship awards have been $87,000 benefitting 57 senior football players for their post high school education. Scholarship criteria include the student’s academic record, high school activities, community involvement, work experience, and their essay. Scholarship Committee members are Jay Harding (Chair), Roger English, Mark Weix, Bill Wengeler, Tom English, Erik Finanger, Jeff Anderson, Roger Wendorf, and Bob Akey. Thanks to the Scholarship Committee for their great work.

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HOMECOMING 2015 Silver “M” Club, Inc.

On Friday evening September 25, 2015, our annual get-together kicks off at Merrill Town Hall on CTH K north of town. The festivities begin at 7:00 P.M and will continue until 11:30 P.M. Members and guests are urged to attend. Hors d’oeuvres, complimentary beer & soda will be served. There will be a cash bar for mixed drinks. A free will offering will be accepted.

Our annual Homecoming Reunion will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2015. Registration will be held at the Merrill Senior High School cafeteria from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. on Saturday. Please use the Sales Street Entrance. Merrill High School and the Chamber of Commerce promote Homecoming as a community event. Any Silver or Golden “M’er,” especially new inductees, are encouraged to participate in the Homecoming parade. The parade begins at 11:30 A.M. Saturday. Silver and Golden “M’ers” who would like to ride on the Silver “M” float should assemble at Jay Stadium at 10:30 A.M. The Brat Sale/Tailgate Party will once again be held before the game in the Jay Stadium parking lot starting at approximately 11:00 A.M. The game begins at 1:30 P.M. with Merrill hosting Ashland. Introduction of Silver and Golden “M” members will be before the game from the south end zone. Please plan to arrive by 1:00 P.M. The Saturday night banquet and business meeting will also be held at the Merrill Town Hall on CTH K north of Merrill. Registration and social hour begin at 4:30. Your registration fee includes open bar from 4:30 to 11:00 P.M. Please indicate your drink preferences on your registration so that the bar can be adequately stocked. Dinner will be served at 6:30 P.M. with the annual business meeting to follow. Please return the reservation form As Soon As Possible. Payment of $30.00 per single or $55.00 per couple may be remitted with the form or paid at the time of registration on Saturday, September 27th. Cancellations after Wednesday, September 17th will not be refunded. Late Registrations WILL be Accepted. General Fund, Scholarship Fund, or Special Football Fund donations to the Silver “M” Club are always welcome to help support Merrill Bluejay Football. Checks for these donations should be made out to the Silver “M” Club, Inc., and sent to Mike Weckwerth.

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Name ____________________________ Address _____________________________ Wife or Guest _____________________ City ______________________ ST ________ Year Received First Letter __________ Telephone ____________________ Number of Registrations ____________ Email_________________________________ Drink Preferences ___________________ Send Reply to: Silver M Club, Inc Mike Weckwerth ( ) Single $30 ( ) Couple $55 N5735 Langes Road Irma, WI 54442

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New Members 2015

SILVER “M

Football letter winners who earned their first letter in 1990 are eligible to become Silver “M” Club members in 2015. Becoming eligible are Brandon Perry, Matt Weith, Jesse Severt, Brian Severt, Brad Knab, Rob Gremler, Mike Hartkopf, Aaron Harris, Tim Erdman, Kenyon Golish, Don Zimmerman, Adam Christenson, Dave Shroeder, Steve Klade, Joe Frenkel, Don Luedtke, Dan Burger, Jon Perry and Matt Schumitsch.

GOLDEN “M”

Prospective Golden “M” inductees for 2015, having earned their first football letter in 1965 include: Milt Dabbert, Terry Doering, Butch Dorn, Jeff Hetfeld, Steve Janke, John Kendall, John Koch, Bob Klug, Bill Morris, Dave Marnholz, Mike Rajek, Bruce Scaefer, Marlin Schemehorn, Dan Teschner, Dave Wendorf and Miles Zimmerman. Any coach, or former coach, involved with the Merrill football program 25 years ago or more is also eligible for induction to the Silver “M” club. The Silver “M“ Board of Directors apologizes if anyone has been overlooked. If any Silver “M” member knows of a coach, or former coach, or former player that is eligible and has been overlooked, please contact a board member to review the situation.

70th Annual Silver M Annual Meeting Summary September 27th , 2014 - Town of Merrill Town Hall Gary Porath, Past President, gave the invocation. Interim President Mike Weckwerth introduced the Board of Directors and guests. He also recognized Luke Porath, Jason Henrich, and Kevin Harding, future Silver “M’ers” who were assisting with serving beverages for the Friday night gathering and tonight’s banquet. Also recognized in attendance were coach Bob Marlowe and coach Arvo Britten. Arvo received a standing ovation from the membership. Mike addressed the membership as to the imperative of attending the banquet. The banquet is the only official meeting of the club during the year and Mike pointed out that although the turnout for the banquet tonight was good, members need to continue to participate and encourage other members to do so. He noted how Tubby Johnston is a regular attendee travelling from Texas each fall. Mike also noted the club’s gavel as a symbol of history and continuity. The gavel had been passed to Mike from Tinker Knospe, but it had originally been acquired by Phil English, Sr. Mike explained how the club had gone through a time when it was not strong during the mid-1960’s and members like Tinker, Phil, and Budda English kept it going. Dave Schwartzmann and Emil Hintz lit the candles in memory of recently deceased members: Al Detert, Tim Pielrif, Ray Hintz, Ernie Koprecht, Dave Jensen, Gerald Wittman, Richard Mcnally. Mark Weix gave a report on the club’s finances. A report was also presented for the Endowment Scholarship fund. The Club Activities report included covering the costs for coaches and players to attend the annual football awards banquet. The club also donated $1,500 for a new down marker. Mike Weckwerth recognized Dan Meyer who assumed the responsibility of coordinating the chain gang activities in 2014 and also recognized those members who helped on the sidelines this season. Dave Barney reported that the homecoming tailgate party brought in $600 earlier in the day. Pg.7

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Meeting Summary Continued:

Don Heyel reported that the 50/50 raffle at the game brought in $931. The highlight for Club Activities was a report on the 25th annual golf outing. Sid Sukow gave membership a history lesson about the golf outing. He recalled how he, Bill Johnston and Tinker Knospe met 25 years ago and made the decision to begin the golf outing. Sid first acknowledged how the golf outing could not be possible without all the sponsors and recognized the people that have supported the outing by assisting with flag events and other administrative duties – Mike Weckwerth, Mark Weix, Dave Schwartzmann, Emil Hintz, Gary Porath, Bob Akey, et. al. The 2014 golf outing raised $6,404. Since its inception over $120,000 has been raised! Thank you Sid for all your hard work and for making the golf outing a reality and success! Gary Porath gave the Nominating Committee report. Nominated for 2-year terms, as officers were Bob Akey – President, Dave Barney –Vice President, and Chris Marlowe – Secretary. Nominated for 2 –year terms to the Board of Directors were, Jeff Anderson, Tom Stockowcz, Dave Schwartzmann, Robin Smith, and Kevin Blake. There were no other nominations from the floor. The membership approved the nominations as presented. Coach Nick Sturm addressed the membership. Merrill had earlier in the day won the Homecoming game over Ashland by a score of 62 - 0. Coach Sturm reminded the club how things can change and that in 1955 Merrill had been on the other side of a 59 – 0 Ashland victory. He thanked the club for its support and the individual financial support from the members as well. He told the club how the players talk about wanting to be Silver “M” members one day. Each year brings a new group of players and a new team. This year’s team is close knit and cares about each other, which has had a great positive impact on the team’s attitude all year. Coach Sturm concluded by asking for support at the team’s next game in Mosinee. High School Principal Shannon Murray (’84) congratulated the coaches and players for today’s victory.

Cont.

Shannon also congratulated the Ashland Oredockers. Their 27-player squad travelled 3 – 4 hours to the game today. Ashland’s players represented their school to the best of their ability today despite low prospects for victory. Shannon reminded the membership how many of those in the room could relate to being on the Ashland side of today’s game. Our experiences in struggling to overcome long odds and adversity are what strengthen our connections to our teammates. The experience of playing football is about these relationships and friendships; it’s not about the winning. Special guest speaker for the evening was Kraig Jaeger, All-Conference ’86. Kraig talked about how getting involved in football helped to change his life. A Diamond “M” was presented to Leroy Dahm ’36. Many family members for the event joined Leroy. Receiving their 1st letter in 1964 and present to receive their Golden “M” class were Gary Braun, Lynn Henrich, John Huss, Ray Lau, Leo Leiskau, Ron Mittlestadt, Mike Mumma, Don Netzel, and Steve Strassman. The group gave an acceptable performance of “Loyalty” for the membership. Football letter winners from 1989 in attendance to receive their Silver “M” pins were Jeff Beyer, Eric Heimerl, Hugh Krueger, Tom Sladek, Jeff Strick, and Stephan Vandre. The group performed a rendition of “Alma Mater.” Congratulations to all the Silver and Golden “M” inductees. Special congratulations to Leroy Dahm. Larry Schumann addressed the membership expressing special recognition for Mike Weckwerth for his role with the Silver “M” Club. Mike is the club’s agent and has served on the Board of Directors as well as being a Past President. Thank you Mike for all you do for Silver “M.” There being no other business the annual meeting adjourned at 9:12 P.M.

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26th Annual Silver “M” Club, Inc. Scholarship Golf Classic

When: Friday, September 26, 2014 Time: Shotgun Start at 11:00 AM Where: Merrill Public Golf Course Cost: $80.00 for non-members $65.00 for Merrill Golf Club Members Includes 18 holes of golf, two carts per foursome, prizes, and lunch on the go. Flag Events: Numerous Flag Events

ALL GOLFERS will receive a Special Silver “M” Gift. Format: Four-Man Scramble (Each member plays from best shot made by team player) Flights: Dependent on Number of Teams Don’t have a foursome? We will pair you with other golfers. Questions?? à Call Chris Marlowe at 715-297-7665 Prize Donations: If you wish to donate a prize, please contact Chris Marlowe.

************************************************************************************ Please enclose Check or Money Order payable to Silver “M” Club, Inc.

TEAM MEMBERS: 1) ________________________________ 2) ________________________________ 3) ________________________________ 4) ________________________________

Reservations with payment required on or before September 11, 2015 Please send reply to: Chris Marlowe

801 N. Sales Street Suite 201 Merrill, WI 54452