Walt Adams:

Star Radio Sunday, Jazz Brunch, it’s time for our Power of Potential. Each week we talk with Chris Lyons, the Executive Director. Good morning, Chris.

Chris Lyons:

Good Sunday morning Walt, how are you, my friend?

Walt Adams:

Doing good, Chris. We here we are coming up on the big croquet tournament, and longtime supporter of AIM Services, Brett Armstrong will be joining us as our special guest today on the Power of Potential. First, one of the things I’ve been saying to people, here we are getting back to some kind of normal and how blessed we are and thankful that AIM Services has been able to not only get through the pandemic, but also prosper.

Chris Lyons:

Absolutely. We’re so grateful to have things back to the way they were and do the good work at AIM, help out the Baker Memorial tournament and Brett, what a great guy. Good friend, good AIM supporter, two time croquet champion. I’m very, very grateful to be able to participate in his golf tournament. We can help with the scholarship, funds really looking forward to it.

Walt Adams:

Truly, Chris. And it’s such a joyous occasion with people just really happy to reconnect.

Chris Lyons:

Yeah, I think the big word here is mindfulness and gratefulness. We’re really on a good path here, people helping people. I’m so glad to give Brett a platform to talk about croquet at Aim, and the good things he’s doing, and I’m looking forward to playing some golf with you.

Walt Adams:

Really looking forward to that, Chris, he’s rather confident thinking he’ll have a three-peat and win the championship at croquet, get their bragging rights for a third champion.

Chris Lyons:

Yes. You know, he and his son are a dynasty. But I have to tell you, Walt, the bigger they are, the harder they fall.

Walt Adams:

Right. A lot of competition coming to the event. Tuesday, August 3rd, Gavin Park is the place to be. The event begins at three details at aimservicesinc.org.

Chris Lyons:

No question about it my friend, looking forward to it, and so grateful for you.

Walt Adams:

You too, Chris. Thanks so much. We’ll check in with Brett and we’ll talk to you again next week.

Chris Lyons:

Be well, my friend.

Walt Adams:

Brett Armstrong joins us. Brett and his son Brett Jr. were the winners of the croquet tournament the last couple of years in a row. We have him on the phone with us right now. And Brett, I know that you’ve been practicing and are psyched and feel pretty confident for a third repeat?

Brett Armstrong:

Yes, we’re definitely ready for our three-peat this year. We’re psyched and we’re ready to go.

Walt Adams:

We were unable to play last year and had things stalled. Were you able to continue to practice or are you a little rusty?

Brett Armstrong:

Actually, we lost our national ranking because we didn’t play for over a year.

Walt Adams:

True. And your son is coming in from Boston to join you again?

Brett Armstrong:

Yeah. He came in today. He’s playing the golf tournament that’s on Monday and he’ll be back for the croquet tournament.

Walt Adams:

Oh, that’s great. Now that’s true, you do organize a golf tournament that Aim helps to support that as well. And that is the Bill Baker Foundation Golf Tournament. How’s that looking for you this year?

Brett Armstrong:

Well, we’ve got a record crowd, 146 people playing this year, so we’re just looking for some good weather.

Walt Adams:

Our special guest, long time supporter of Aim Services, Brett Armstrong. 146 golfers, well, that sounds great. Bill Baker, our basketball coach of Mohonasen High School and a mentor, certainly would be proud to know that his foundation continues. And tell us a little bit about what the foundation does?

Brett Armstrong:

Well, we provide grants to teachers or educational opportunities that aren’t included in regular school budgets and might not normally be afforded to these students, so there’s a lot of interesting projects that have come out of it. We’ve donated over $250,000 to the school so far.

Walt Adams:

Oh, that’s something we’ve been proud of, helping kids who wouldn’t normally have those opportunities and who knows where that takes them and brings them thanks to the Bill Baker Golf Tournament. Well, looking forward to that, and I have not touched the club in a couple of years, but that ought to be entertaining.

Brett Armstrong:

Sure.

Walt Adams:

I know you guys have had some close calls in winning the last couple of tournaments, but it sounds like your confidence has not waned.

Brett Armstrong:

No, I think we’re primed, we’re ready to go this year. So we’ll see what happens.

Walt Adams:

And both you and your son are both athletes. You know the importance of the funding that comes from AIM Services regarding not only helping support people with disabilities, but also traumatic brain injury, which are many athletes are faced with. You’ve been a staunch supporter of AIM Services and the programs that we do each year and I wanted to say thank you for your support and continued dedication to the cause.

Brett Armstrong:

Well we’re looking forward to it. My son has worked with autistic children now for about 10 years, so he has some experience in that field as well, and looking forward to being here this summer at the croquet tournament.

Walt Adams:

Going to be some players gunning for the title, but if you should win a three-peat, perhaps you take home the trophy once and for all?

Brett Armstrong:

Oh, you can count on it, put it in the bank.

Walt Adams:

All right, there you have it. A bold statement from our past champion of the AIM Services croquet tournament and garden party, Brett Armstrong. Thanks, Brett.

Brett Armstrong:

All right, take care, Walt.

Walt Adams:

That was cool. Talk to you soon.

Brett Armstrong:

Yep.

Walt Adams:

And you’re certainly welcome to join us for croquet on the green tournament and garden party and picnic in the park Tuesday, August 3rd at Gavin Park. For ticket information, or to find out more about the services that AIM provides or to join the AIM team, go to aimservicesinc.org for the power of potential.

Learn more and get your tickets now for Croquet on the Green.