May 15, 1996: Kimberly Clark

We went to the Kimberly Clark plant today.   We saw how sanitary napkins and tampons were made.    The presentation was 5 hours long.   We got samples of their new Cold Care line of Kleenex tissue.  It wouldn't be on the market until June.     We also got a deck of cards, duffel bag, cube of paper, Atlas, and toilet paper.

Our second stop was at Presto products.   They made private label items.  The factory wasn't too automated.  The bags of plastic garbage bags were hand packed, not automatically packed.   They made Spartan products, Gordon Food products, etc.   We went through their test labs and art department.

Then, we went to their boat house about 5 miles away.   We all got liquor from their bar and took a boat ride on their house boat.  

Taught Suk Kien and Sieuw Ping how to country line dance on the second floor of the boat.   I visited with Fontrise and Ebony.    Ebony started nicknaming me 'Grandma'. I don't remember why, but we all thought it was funny.   We had a long drive back to our hotel in Skokie.   One of the kids on our bus threw up in his duffel bag as he was drunk.  Thank goodness the bus had stopped to fix a light, so our professor threw away that kid's duffel bag.  The kid could barely walk.  In fact, he fell on the cement and skinned his knee.  I thought he was dumb to act like this.    He should be more professional on a trip like this.   

Deyoung and I sat next to each other on the bus and talked about the stupid things we had done in our lives.  

May 14, 1996: S.C. Johnson Wax & Miller Brewery

Today's first stop was at S.C. Johnson Wax in Racine, Wisconsin.   I'd say this was a top notch tour.  First, we were able to see a very technological manufacturing plant.  The automatic trolleys that brought loads of product were a great way to save money. I was impressed with how well the employees were treated and with their working conditions.    Their efforts with helping the environment and community impressed me.   The Frank Lloyd Wright designs in the corporate office were fantastic.   Although Mr. Wright's chairs were uncomfortable, they did provide better posture for those who needed it.   The dinner at the restaurant was delicious.  We had steak, fries, and cheesecake.  Frank Gambino, Shamsheila, Deyoung, and I sat together.  

Our second stop was at the Miller Brewery in Milwaukee.   We were supposed to have a private tour, but that got changed.   We did have a private discussion in the Miller Inn.   Each of us got 3 large glasses of beer.   I sat with Bart, Deyoung, Suk Kien, Sieuw Ping, Fontrise, and Shamsheila.  The samples were of Miller Light and Red Dog.  

The ride to Neenah, Wisconsin was about 2 1/2 hours.    We stayed at the Valley Inn.   It was gorgeous.   Went swimming with Deyoung and then we went in the exercise room.   Shamsheila came down to exercise, too.  

May 13, 1996: Chicago Board of Trade & Information Resources

Today, we started the 2nd half of our Food Industry Survey Tour.   We took the bus to Chicago and visited the Chicago Board of Trade.   Trading starts at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 1:15 a.m.   They bought and sold wheat, rice, corn, etc.   

Our 2nd stop was at the Information Resources Inc.    This company gathered information from retailers concerning what products were bought, by whom, buying behaviors, and sold it to the manufacturers, brokers, and retailers which helped in decision making.    Kimberly Clark was one of the companies that bought data from Information Resources.    I wore my red suit from Petite Sophisticates.  I felt like a city girl walking in my red suit and holding my portfolio.

Our last stop of the day was at Delray Farms.  It's an inner city grocery store that had a large produce, seafood, and meat section to service their Asian, Hispanic, and African American clientel. 

We stayed at the Holiday Inn in Skokie, Illinois.   I roomed with Fontrise Charles and Ebony Daniels.   

Went with Deyoung, Shamsheila Ibrahim, Sieuw Ping, and Suk Kien to a Chinese restaurant in a strip mall across the street.    Shamsheila and I looked around at the Barnes and Noble store.    Then, went swimming back at the hotel with Deyoung, who was from Malaysia.   

Watched 'Good Times' and 'What's Happening' with Ebony.  

May 12, 1996: Mother's Day

George Gonyo and Kim Gonyo came by and visited. George fixed our lawn mower and mowed much of our backyard. I finished up the rest.   Kim liked my Compaq computer.    Rode around Lake Michigan with George, Kim, and Grandma. We stopped at Kuziak's Caramel Corn and got some caramel corn.   Grandma visited with the owner.  The owner's son lived in Atlanta, Georgia.    That was the city I wanted to move to after college.   

Mother's Day dinner was at our house.    Kelsey, Devon, Grandma and Grandpa Thomas, and Grandma Gonyo came over.    Devon made Grandma and my Mom a picture with his hand and foot prints.  Devon was now about 8 weeks old.   
We had Swedish meatballs, strawberry parfait, asparagus, super mashed potatoes (Grandma G's recipe) and rolls.   Everything tasted good.  

Kelsey put Devon on my bed and he fell sound asleep.   Steve and Charlene didn't come as they were in Chicago.  Kelsey's gift to her mom was cleaning her house. It took 5 hours.    

For dessert, we had chocolate torte cake with caramel fudge.    It had won the million dollar prize for the Pillsbury bake-off.

May 8, 1996: Grandma Gonyo's house

Visited with Grandma Gonyo from 1-9 p.m.    We went through some of her things.   She let me take home some of the cars that my dad used to play with as a kid.    Grandma and I went for dinner at Bob Evans.    Then, took her to the new Elder Beerman store.    She liked their clothes.    We looked at suits for her for Kim's wedding.     Then, we took a drive around town at the homes for sale. 

Played cards at her house (Kings in the Corner and Fan Tan).  I always enjoyed visiting Grandma and tried to go any chance I could.

May 7, 1996: FMI

Went to one more workshop.   Afterwards, went to the wrap up meeting and each of us got a free t-shirt for helping out with the conference.    
Went around with Pauline to all of the exhibitors.   I got free greeting cards, 20 free magazines, free food, plates, cups, napkins, hotdogs, nylons, and a free Betty Crocker cookbook.    This was the best day to come to the convention, as this was when the exhibitors were trying to get rid of their products and you could stock up.

We left Chicago at 4 p.m. for Kalamazoo.    Then, I drove home to Muskegon.   On my way home, I was on I-96 going about 75 mph and a cop stopped me.   My stomach dropped.  I was honest with my answers. He asked where I had come from and I told him the Food Marketing Conference in Chicago.  He asked if I had received any tickets recently. I told him I got one for 5 over in 1992 and another ticket for having too many people in my front seat.  He started laughing.  He ended up giving me a warning.  

May 6, 1996: FMI Conference

The first workshop was at 8:30 a.m.  I worked with Gretchen List.   So many people came 1 hour late to the speaker.  I was racing around to give pamphlets to people.   After the 2nd workshop, I went around the food exhibits and got some free stuff.

At night, Deyoung, Shamsheila, Pauline, and I went shopping and ate at Food for Life in the Water Tower Place.  Then, we all went to Second City comedy club.   We had drinks and laughed for the next 2 hours.   It was the best comedy.  Second CIty had been around for 60 years.    Each ticket was only $5.50.