On April 2, 2021 House Corporation president, John Ballinger (65-S) convened its annual thank you event for the Board members and included brothers who had supported the House Corporation during the past year. Most of the board members of the House Corporation attended.

Brother T.A. Heckel (82-F) prepared and barbecued rack of lamb which he refers to as lollypops, and he also grilled as hors d’oeuvres two types of sausages. T.A. is an expert at putting on parties after decades as a member and leader of the Shriners. He is also a wine connoisseur, and he bought several bottles from his cellar.

Following dinner Fresno Sigma Chi Alumni President, Seven Lights Alumni and Significant Sig Brad Fischer (78-S), presented  Alumni President’s Citation certificates to three alumni brothers for their support during the year. Those honored were past consul and Order of Constantine Tom Downing (62-F), Sergio Ilic (87-F) and past consul George Matoian (79-S).

Top to Bottom: Tom Downing, George Matoian and Sergio Ilia

The Sigma Chi Foundation and In Hoc Napa Valley invite you to reconnect with the brotherhood, celebrate Sigma Chi history, and enjoy a luxury cruise with your featured Sigma Chi hosts John Forst, Brandon Chaney, Ashley Woods, and Jay Ford. Your participation supports the Sigma Chi Foundation!

Brother Brandon Chaney, INDIANA 1993

We will sail from Barcelona to Rome from May 24 – June 2, 2022, aboard the award-winning and all-inclusive Crystal Symphony. This is a great opportunity to gather with fellow Sigma Chis while traveling aboard one of the world’s most luxurious cruise ships, with an overnight in Monte Carlo to experience the world-famous Monaco Grand Prix!

Sigma Chi Foundation Exclusive:

• Welcome and Farewell Sigma Chi Foundation Cocktail Receptions onboard the Crystal Symphony with introductions by your featured hosts, and a chance to meet your fellow brothers and toast to our journey!
• Sigma Chi Foundation Seminars with featured hosts including Sigma Chi History, Ritual Life, and the Sigma Chi Risk Management Foundation
• Hosted Dinners with Sigma Chi Foundation & In Hoc Napa Valley featured hosts with fine wines and exquisite cuisine in a relaxed environment to engage in meaningful conversation
• Additional Sigma Chi Foundation Exclusive Onboard Events such as wine tastings, Texas Hold‘em tournament, Sigma Chi Trivia Night, Whiskey & Cigars Under the Stars, and more
• Sigma Chi Foundation Shore Excursions in Valencia & Monte Carlo including prime grandstand reserved seats for the Monaco Grand Prix ($)
• Sigma Chi Foundation Barcelona Pre-Cruise Tour at Le Méridien on the world-famous Las Ramblas with sightseeing and nightlife to enjoy with your brothers
• Sigma Chi Foundation Rome Post-Cruise Tour exclusive 3-night program celebrating Sigma Chi’s history including a Ritual at a Constantine historical site

All-Inclusive Luxury:

• Extraordinary Michelin-inspired cuisine in a variety of elegant, open-seating restaurants and cafés and 24-hour room service
• Unlimited fine wines, champagne, and premium spirits, plus fresh juices, soft drinks, specialty coffees, and afternoon tea service
• Gratuities for all housekeeping, bar and dining staff throughout the ship
• Luxurious ship amenities including a fitness center with wellness programs, spa, sun deck and pool, and award-winning Broadway-style entertainment, plus vocalists and a piano bar
• Unlimited Wi-Fi throughout the shipFor information and pricing on our upcoming voyage we invite you to visit our website: inhoccruise.com

To book now, please fill out our online form at https://inhoccruise.com/

See flyer below for more details:In Hoc Cruise 2022 Flyer

Please note: Global Tracks is the Cruise Partner for Fairwinds Estate Winery. Private Sigma Chi events are only available with the purchase of the cruise package through Global Tracks and are not sold separately.

Sigma Chi Foundation and In Hoc Napa Valley are excited to host you on this amazing luxury cruise! For additional questions or needs, please call us at 855-772-6858. We are available to assist you Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm MDT.

Best regards,

Mandy Daigle

Office Manager | Global Tracks, Inc.

Direct: 303-729-0609 | mandy@globaltracks.com

 

During the April 15 monthly Zoom meeting, alumni president, Seven Lights Alumnus and Significant Sig Brad Fisher (78-S) announced the new Epsilon Eta recognition awards.  They are the Outstanding Alumni Award that recognizes alumni who over a long period of time have exhibited a high level of commitment, dedication and service to the Epsilon Eta Chapter. The other new award is the Alumni President’s Citation which is presented to undergraduate or alumni members who perform outstanding service to the Active Chapter, Alumni Chapter, Endowment and/or House Corporation.

Brad chose this Zoom meeting to recognize Bill Robinson (70-F) by awarding him the first Alumni President’s Citation. When Bill pledged he began exhibiting leadership skills by serving as pledge captain, and this began one-hall century of contributions to the Active Chapter, the House Corporation, the Sigma Chi Endowment and the Alumni Chapter. Bill served two terms as Alumni Chapter President in the 1980s and two terms as Housing Corporation President in the 1980s. He also created the Alumni Chapter Newsletter, “SIGnificant News, and composed and published it from 1977 to 1985. He served on many committees continuously to the present most recently fighting to prevent a developer from building into the Fraternity Mall and erecting a five-story apartment complex in the vacant lot next to the Chapter House.

On April 15, 2021 the Fresno Sigma Alumni meeting attracted the largest number of Sigs of any meeting during the pandemic. This meeting was held at 4:00 PM to be more convenient for brothers who live in the eastern United States. Mike Lorenzen (79-S) who lives in Louisville, KY has attend four meetings, and for the first time Brian Stout (63-S) Mechanicsville, VA, attended.

And there were two special guests: Jim Lawson, SAN DIEGO STATE 1985, Director of Development, Western U.S., Sigma Chi Foundation attended as did brother Significant Sig, Brandon Chaney, INDIANA 1993 Proprietor and CEO of In Hoc Napa Valley as well as Fairwinds Estate Winery, Calistoga CA. Brother Chaney started a company to take advantage of the early changes in the telecommunications industry.  A few years ago he sold the company and purchased the 4th oldest winery in Napa Valley. He described how his winery burned down during last year’s fire noting that everything burned down except the Sigma Chi flag hanging high on a flagpole.

Brandon Chaney (Indiana 1993)

Brother Lawson talked about what he and brother Brandon had put together to raise money for the Sigma Chi Foundation which awards scholarships to our undergraduates. 20% of each from In Hoc Napa Valley will go to the foundation, and they hope to raise $7 million in ten years. Brandon offers his great wines names and logos that relate to Sigma Chi, and he named this wine club the 1855 Club. After only eight months over 1,500 brothers have joined.

If you have not joined the In Hoc wine club but would like to, click here:https://inhocvino.com.

Brothers attending were John Ballinger (65-S) President House Corp, Don Beauregard (62-S), Steve Coleman (78-F),  Ryan DeYoung (00-S) UCSD, Tom Downing (62-F) Past Consul, Brad Fischer (78-S), Randy Garabedian (81-S), Jim Green (58-S) Grants Pass OR, Sergio Ilic (87-F), Marc Jason (81-F) Denver CO – Past Consul, Dusty Lacefield (12-F) Chapter Advisor, Ron LaRocca (61-F) San Diego, Mike Lorenzen Louisville KY, Scott Moore (14-S), Rick Nelson (65-S), Dan O’Brien (61-F) Sun City West AZ, Mike Patton (63-S), Gary Renner (62-S), Paul Renner (65-S), Dave Reuland (69-F), Bill Robinson (70-F), Chuck Sant’Agata (56-S), Dennis Schmal (69-F) Alamo, Evan Selander (12-S), Bill Smittcamp (73-S), Larry Spikes (75-F) Hanford, Brian Stout (63-S) Mechanicsville VA, Jack Tacchino (66-S), Serge Tomassian Irvine and Tim Vaux (66-F).