The BECC has held an annual banquet in October for many years. The banquets are usually characterized by great food, good fellowship, an informative speaker, and extra prizes!!

Details about the 2010 banquet: (complete; see 2010 banquet report with photos in PDF format)

• Date: October 27, 2010.
• Location: Tukwila Community Center, 12424 42nd Avenue South Tukwila, WA 98168.
• Time: Setup 4:00-5:30 PM, Dinner 5:45 PM.
• Banquet theme: Mexican Fiesta.
• Cost: $10.00 per person (BECC members and invited guests only).
  Al Schy took payments and reservations at the Sept. BECC general meeting.
• Prizes: Door prizes were given away as usual!
• Thanks to the work of banquet chairman Michael Pepka prior to Mike's untimely death on October 8, 2010.

The 2009 banquet was held Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at the Tukwila Community Center. The theme was “All American, Red, White & Blue,” and the speaker topic was "The history and future of US minted gold coins and gold bullion," presented by Ralph Solomon of Redmond Rare Coins. See the story below.

Jon Enges provided the outstanding menu. The menu included Prime Rib, Halibut, Salmon, green beans, coleslaw, baked beans, beverages, dessert, etc. Certain members of the BECC who will remain anonymous were allowed into the kitchen to "taste test" the prime rib. Good Stuff!!

Jesse Torres was the Master of Ceremonies for this banquet. The early Bird prize was a 1909 VDB Lincoln cent. Jesse recognized the BECC members for their October Birthdays. In a twist of humor, Jesse announced that all BECC members with October Birthdays would go last in the buffet line instead of first!!

BECC VP Terry Kamm along with helpers Greg Smith, Dave Buehler and Del Cushing gave away several door prizes after Jesse started the meeting. Members received the usual entry prize of a 2009 Lincoln cent and 2009 Kennedy Half. In addition, several other door prizes were given away including mint sets, proof sets, currency, foreign coins, penny sets, tokens, medals and many others. Each BECC member walked away with a door prize!! The remaining door prizes were given away after the speaker.

Ralph Solomon of Redmond Rare Coins and his associate, Chet Smith, provided an in-depth speech on the history and future of US minted gold coins and gold bullion. Mr. Solomon showed a video of the Australian Perth Mint. Mr. Solomon also answered several questions in regards to buying and selling gold coins and bullion. For his efforts, Jesse, BECC President, awarded Mr. Solomon a Boeing medal in a special presentation case.

After the guest speaker, Mike Pepka arose to award the Jim Payne Memorial Service Award. The Jim Payne Memorial Award is awarded each year to a deserving BECC member. The award is given the BECC member that best exemplifies the qualities of our past BECC member Jim Payne, a cornerstone for the BECC. The committee that selects the winner consists of the last three winners of the award. The 2009 BECC Jim Payne Award was awarded to Dave Buehler!! Mike read that Dave has provided outstanding service to the hobby, helped with many volunteer activities and has served in many BECC executive and appointed offices. A special congratulations for his fine efforts, past, present and future!!

A special thanks to Del Cushing for taking photographs at the banquet. The Grand Door Prize was a valuable Lincoln cent awarded to a BECC member. Thanks to all the BECC members that helped clean up after the banquet. Thanks for all your help in making this year's banquet a tremendous success.

See 2003 to 2008 banquet summaries. | Return to banquet main page.