National Clothesline

Long-time cleaner Ken Lindeman joined the ranks of the Wisconsin Fabricare Institute’s Hall of Fame during an awards banquet presented by the association in Kohler, WI.

Arlene Tutkowski, WFI Hall of Fame Committee chair and past president, publicly welcomed Lindeman into the Hall of Fame fold. He joins 13 other individuals who have previously earned that distinction.

Each year, WFI selects one or two exceptional cleaners for the honor from a list of nominations sent in by its members.

The Hall of Fame was established in 2001 to recognize the men and women who have served the Wisconsin drycleaning industry in a unique and distinguished manner over a period of years.

Lindeman certainly qualifies. His origins in the industry trace back to more than 50 years ago when he joined his father, Walter, at the family’s Lindeman’s Cleaning operation in Green Bay, WI.

The elder Lindeman founded the business in 1951 and son Ken learned the tricks of the trade from him, as well as from attending courses held at the National Institute of Drycleaning (now known as the International Fabricare Institute).

Armed with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, Ken Lindeman continued his studies over the years, participating at numerous conventions, clinics and seminars throughout the industry.

When his father passed away in 1968, he took charge of the family business, striving to maintain its tradition of high quality standards.

He grew the business over time to include five dry stores in addition to the main plant.

He also played an active role for many years on WFI’s Board of Directors. In 1977, he became the association’s president and focused his efforts on increasing participation and membership numbers, a goal he successfully achieved by sending teams of directors to different areas in the state to discuss with non-members the benefits and importance of being affiliated with an association such as WFI.

Lindeman also contributed to the industry in other ways, as well. In the 1970s, he was instrumental in organizing the Green Bay Dry Cleaners Guild, a group formed with the purpose to educate cleaners and bond them together to solve common problems.

In 1998, he retired at the age of 67, after spending 46 years of his life in the industry. Lindeman’s Cleaning, Inc., however, still thrives under the leadership of Dennis Schmitt, who is quite familiar with the Lindeman standards of quality and has promised to carry on the tradition.

Two students will receive financial help in improving their drycleaning education due to theefforts of the Wisconsin Fabricare Institute.

The association is providing two $2,000 scholarships this year through the Herb Fitzgerald Scholarship Fund.

During the WFI annual convention last month, the two winners were randomly drawn by Jon Meijer, IFI’s vice president of membership/marketing, from the applicants who met the qualifications of the scholarship program.

The winners were Jason Whitley of Best Cleaners in Madison and Eric Konwent of One Hour Martinizing in Hartland.

The Fitzgerald Scholarship Fund was established more than 10 years ago when Jim Fitzgerald, Sr., Leo Rausch and Betty Fitzgerald retired from the Herb Fitzgerald Company in Butler, WI. Instead of retirement gifts, the trio requested donations to the fund in their honor.

In recent years, the fund has been kept alive through the efforts of Jim Fitzgerald, Jr., who organizes the Fitzgerald Scholarship Golf Classic fundraiser, which has resulted in the offering of two scholarships.

For more information, call WFI, (414) 529-4707

The Minnesota Cleaners Association will be urging cleaners to “Try Something New” at its annual convention, scheduled for March 25-26 at the Medina Entertainment Center in Medina, MN.

Attendees will have an abundance of options to choose from as MCA has planned a busy itinerary, kicking things off on Saturday morning with a Boiler Exam from 8:30 to 9 a.m. Cleaners must pre-register with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

The association will also host its first educational seminar the same morning at 9:30 a.m. when Mike Porter discusses “Marketing Beyond the Coupon.”

Porter has worked in marketing and communications for over 20 years, implementing a wide variety of successful strategies for companies such as Net Perceptions, RTW, International and the Minnesota High Tech Association. He has also taught at both St. Cloud State University and the University of Minnesota.

During his hour-long presentation, he will provide marketing tools specifically designed for the drycleaning industry.

During lunch, from 11 a.m. until noon, MCA will host a meeting where cleaners can offer feedback regarding the association’s affiliation with IFI. It will be moderated by MCA Vice President Dan Parker.

Afterward, cleaners will have the afternoon free to enjoy one of several fun outings, including a trip to Medina Lake, a bowling excursion and a trip to the Albertville Outlet stores.

In the evening, cleaners can enjoy dinner, a live auction, and entertainment from comic hypnotist Norm Knight.

On Sunday morning, attendees will learn some “Energy Saving Tips” from 10 to 11 a.m.

Afterward, the Allied Trade Rotating Round Tables & Tabletops will be exhibiting from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

MCA’s final seminar of the weekend follows as Norine Larson presents “Customer Service for a Young Workforce.”

Larson has over 25 years of experience working with young people.

Specializing in adolescent education, she is the recipient of two Master’s Degrees. She will offer attendees practical ideas to increase productivity.

In the afternoon, MCA will host a Black Tie Casino event featuring Blackjack, Red Dog, Pai Gow Poker, Texas Hold ‘Em and Casino War.

There are a couple of hotel options located near the Medina Complex. Rooms at the Medina Inn (right next door) are $69.99 per night for attendees who call prior to March 10 and mention their affiliation with MCA. The phone number is (763) 478-9770.

There are also accommodations available at the Best Western Kelly Inn—located 5 minutes east of the Medina Complex. The nightly cost is $74 per night for those who call (763) 553-1600 and mention MCA.

Full registration packages for the MCA convention are available at $175 per person, which includes admittance to all seminars. For more information, call MCA, (952) 426-1670 or visit www.minnesotadrycleaners.org.

IDLA, Street to host spotting seminar in March

On Saturday, March 24, the Indiana Drycleaning and Laundry Association and R.R. Street will host a spotting seminar with help from professionals Ken Jones, Nick Gagliano, Darrin Haiges and Jim Grosham.

Attendees can earn points that are required for IFI’s Award of Excellence program. Registration is $50 for the first IDLA plant member attendee and $40 for each additional. Otherwise, the cost is $75 for the first person from a non-member plant and $55 for additional personnel.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with basic spotting being taught from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and advanced spotting and alternative solvents presented from noon to 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

For more information, call IDLA at (800) 401-0703.