National Clothesline

Wisconsin Fabricare Institute’s state convention and tabletop exhibit, which took place Feb. 11-13 in Green Bay, WI, made Valentine’s weekend a time education, recognition and socialization for WFI members.

Attorney Daniel Finerty’s presentation on defending unemployment claims Saturday morning got members thinking and gave them answers to questions on the topic.

Cheryl McCollum from the Wisconsin Bankers Association gave an eye-opening talk on the fastest growing crime in America — identity theft. She provided simple and effective ways to avoid becoming victims.

At a hands-on presentation by IFI’s Lorraine Muir, attendees broke into groups and worked on problem garments, which got everyone involved.

Green Bay Packers quarterback coach Darrell Bevell rounded out the convention, describing coaches’ and players’ schedules during the regular and off seasons.

Saturday afternoon’s tabletop reception gave cleaners a chance to see the newest wares of allied trades members. The reception was followed by the education and programs auction. Nearly 150 donated items were auctioned, which netted $23,290 for WFI's education programs and events.

On Saturday evening, conference attendees recognized Virgil Lauth and Jerry Butz, who were inducted into WFI’s Hall of Fame by Arlene Tutkowski, Hall of Fame committee chairperson and past president.

IFI President Dan Martino and Jim Fitzgerald, Jr. discussed the Herb Fitzgerald Scholarship program. WFI was able to offer two $2,000 scholarships this year for those planning on attending IFI’s finishing seminars. The winners were randomly drawn from all the applicants who met the qualifications. Racquel Springfield of Classic Cleaners in Wausau, WI and Diego Torres from One Hour Martinizing in Milwaukee, WI, were the scholarship winners.

The WFI Hall of Fame, established in 2001, honors the men and women who have served the industry in Wisconsin in some unique and distinguished manner over a period of many years. The Hall of Fame Committee selects one or two people for induction each year from the nominations sent in by WFI’s membership.

Virgil Lauth has lived his whole life in Beaver Dam, WI. He started working for Beaver Cleaners in the late 1940s as a junior in high school, learning all phases of the business from its owners, Gib Omick and Elmer Schram. Upon his return from the armed forces in 1953, Lauth went to work for Vanity Cleaners in Milwaukee, WI, commuting the 50 miles each day.

In 1958, Lauth had the opportunity to purchase Elmer Schram’s interest in Beaver Cleaners. Ten years later he bought out his partner’s interest as well.

Virgil understood the importance of giving back to the industry early in his career. He was a member of the WFI and served as a board member, quickly moving up to president, a position he held for an unprecedented three years. During his term, numerous changes unfolded in the association.

Lauth said he has no regrets and in some ways felt destined to be a drycleaner back when he first worked at Beaver Cleaners in high school. He put in many long hours over the years and his business supported his family of seven children.

Jerry Butz grew up on a farm in St. Cloud, WI, as the youngest of eight children. His father, a successful farmer and entrepreneur, thought there were other ways of making money besides farming and set up his sister, Olive, in the drycleaning business as Royal Cleaners in DePere, WI. Soon, Jerry’s brothers, Don and Ken, joined Royal Cleaners. Jerry, however, attended St. Mary’s Spring Academy in Fond du Lac, WI, and later worked for the Kohler Company.

After returning from the Navy in 1958, he married his wife Karen, who knew she would end up in the drycleaning business when marrying Jerry. That day came when Jerry received a call from his brother, Gordy, looking for help with his Clothes Clinic operation in West Bend, WI.

On a cold New Year’s Day in 1962, Jerry and Karen Butz moved to West Bend using a borrowed stake truck with no top cover, in the middle of a snowstorm.

Jerry Butz and Clothes Clinic was a member of the WFI and IFI for many years. As president of the WFI, he was a driving force for enactment of legislation that created Wisconsin’s Drycleaners Environmental Response Fund (DERF) program.

Jerry and Karen enjoyed traveling, so they joined the International Drycleaners Congress. Jerry served as vice president of IDC’s North American Midwest Region.

The Butz’s five drycleaning locations have been good to their family, according to Jerry. Whether in good times or bad, they are always learning how to better serve their customers because that’s the way this business is.

April will be the perfect time this year to do a little Spring cleaning, especially since the Ohio Cleaners Association has planned a pair of educational seminars that month designed to help drycleaners brush up on their spotting and finishing skills.

First up, the association has enlisted the Laidlaw Corporation and the EJ Thomas Company to present a spotting class on April 5 and 6.

The program will run from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. each night and take place at Fox Cleaners, located at 4333 N. Main St. in Dayton, Ohio.

Mike Achin, director of chemical products for Laidlaw, will serve as instructor. The class will outline the proper use of chemicals, the use of digesters, mineral oil baths, and many tricks that can save you time and avoid costly claims.

The course is designed for cleaners with either a basic or advanced experience level. Class time will be split between instructional and hands-on at the spotting board.

The cost will be $35 per OCA member and $50 for non-members. Those who wish to find out more details or to register for the class, should contact Ed Share of Laidlaw at (440) 241-8628 or Steve Smith of Columbus Lace at (614) 444-7847.

Also on the upcoming agenda from OCA is a shirt finishing seminar planned for Tuesday, April 26 at the Machinex Corporation, 11445 Rockfield Court, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Jane Zellers, who has over 30 years of drycleaning experience, will conduct the course.

She will discuss a variety of topics, including: dressing a shirt on the press properly to avoid touch up; proper equipment layout to get maximum productivity; quality standards; shirt production per hour; and the importance of proper lot control.

She will be demonstrating on new Sankosha shirt units provided by Machinex.

Registration for the program begins at 6: 30 p.m. The seminar will follow from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

There will be no fees for OCA members and their employees who attend the class; however, non-members and their employees must pay $40 each.

The Kentucky Fabricare Association will presents its annual Dennis Vogt Memorial Golf Tournament on Thursday, May 12 at Polo Fields in Louisville, Kentucky.

The tournament will start at noon, but golfers should plan to arrive at about 11:30 am. Lunch will not be served.

Following a day of golf, KFA will host a social reception at 5:30 p.m. in the clubhouse. At that time, contest awards and door prizes will be presented, including a traveling trophy.

Hors d’ oeuvres and cocktails will be served.

There is no cost for golfing for new members who join IFI/KFA on the day of the tournament. Otherwise, registration for an individual player costs $100.

Sponsorships are also available at the following rates: $100 for hole sponsor; $400 for team sponsor; and $450 to sponsor a hole and team.

To register, visit KFA online at www.kycleaners.org and download a form in PDF format. For more information, contact the association at (502) 223-5322.