Clarion
Publication Date: May 9, 2006
Volume 57, Issue 8
At its annual meeting on May 16 the club is expected to elect David Kozak as President and Mark Vollinger as President-Elect to serve as its top officers for the 2006-2007 Administrative Year.
David has been a member of this club since 2004, having previously served Kiwanis since 1995 with the East Burke and WCC Clubs. He is a Vice-President of Sun Trust Bank (Commercial Portfolio Specialist) and is currently serving this club as President-Elect / Program Chairman and as Foundation Director. He, his wife Nikki and daughter Lindsay live in Mountain View.
Mark has been a member of this club since 2001, and is currently serving as a member of the Golf Tournament Committee and Chairman of the Adopt-a-Highway Committee. He is in sales with Cramer Lumber Co.; his wife's name is Kim and they have two sons Jonathan and Michael.
Other nominated officers and directors include Rick Hammer, Treasurer, and directors Bill Barkley, Bruce Blackburn, Dr. Harrison Jahn, Danny Seaver, Ron Simmons (all two-year terms) and Richard Thompson (to serve a one-year term and filling a vacancy left by Brad Saine, who resigned due to a job change.)
Our congratulations to all and a Big Thank you to Immediate Past Pres, Tom Shields and his Committee for an excellent slate of nominees.
Golf Tournament Set to Roll
By the time you receive this issue, essentially all preparations will have been completed for this year's all-important Golf Tournament. Remember - Monday, May 15 at LHCC's Catawba Springs Course. Lunch at 11:30 am and Tee-off at 1:00 pm sharp. Volunteers will report in by 11:00 am. Remember to thank Co-Chairmen Tom Devlin and Frank Willis and their committee for their "success-oriented" strategy.
Tony Cox Installed |
Our newest member Tony Cox, a native of Greer, SC, was officially installed on April 25 by President Helen Devlin and Lt. Governor Dr. Grimes Byerly. Through Dr. Tom Warren, Tony's sponsor, we learned that Tony is an engineering graduate of Clemson University and the University of Texas, where he earned his Masters Degree. He is also a 23-year veteran U. S. Naval Engineering Officer, retiring with the rank of Commander. Currently, Tony is Catawba County's Director of Energy Conservation and Information. He, his wife Lisa and two teen-aged daughters, Hannah and Emilee live on Ione Baker Road in Hickory. A BIG WELCOME to Tony Cox! |
Recent Programs
April 11 - All Catawba County candidates for Sheriff in the May 2 primary vote were invited to attend a forum and make a five-minute presentation on their objectives and qualifications. The following candidates and/or representatives made a presentation: Al Hoover, Mike Ledford, Dee Hunt on behalf of his father Steven Hunt and David Huffman (on the following Tuesday). We thank each candidate for his participation.
April 18 - The evening's program was presented by several members of CVCC's Circle K Club, highlighting the year's activities and thanking their Faculty Advisor Linda Baker, Kiwanis Liaison Leader Tom Shields and the Club for its support. Among their members taking part were Pres.-elect Deidre Talbert, District Gov.-elect Josh Bledsoe and Webmaster Dale Hamilton.
April 25 - Representatives from the HHS Key Club participated in their commemorative program highlighting the year's activities. Faculty Advisory Danny Seaver (recently named Life-time Advisor for his 25-year service record) devoted his preceding weekend to learning the intricacies of PowerPoint software, which was used for the club's highly effective activity photos and numerous awards from the District Convention. Program presenters included: Chris Lott, Nikki Lynn, PaGra Yang, Padre Yang and Aryn Hicks, all of whom took the opportunity to thank Danny, Helen Devlin - Kiwanis Liaison to the club - and the Hickory Club for their leadership and support.
May 2 - Dr. Ric Bandnett, recently appointed Superintendent of the Hickory Public Schools, traced his background and desire to "disconnect" from high school as a means of introducing himself and also to focus on the major emphasis of his administration - improving retention and graduation rates throughout the system.
As the child of a single mother (who wouldn't let him disconnect) living in the projects of a large city, he never felt he truly belonged, despite his being in the top ten percent of his class. His decision to serve in the Air Force with a stint in Vietnam eventually led him to realize his love of teaching and the pursuit of a career in education. As principal of Long View Elementary, he also remembers Terrific Kids' sales pitches from members Ken Kleva (who introduced the speaker) and Al Lee, and how much these and similar youth programs help targeted kids become "connected." Hickory is so fortunate to have a Superintendent of Dr. Bandnett's caliber.
May 9 - Jack Bowman, Volunteer Coordinator for the Catawba County Science Center, excitedly reported on the $3.5 million soon-to-be-started expansion, which will include saltwater and freshwater aquariums and a Konica-Minolta 60-seat planetarium. The 50% expansion to 35,000 SF will utilize space from the former Alternate HS.
Bowman, who was introduced by David Kozak, encouraged anyone with available time to volunteer for some of the many jobs associated with the Science Center.
Announcements
- Thanks to four Kiwanians (Chairman Mark Vollinger, Helen Devlin, Dr. Harrison Jahn and Tom Shields), two Key Clubbers and a CVCC Circle K'er, a successful cleanup campaign of 3rd Avenue NW was waged on April 17.
- Congratulations to Helen and Tom Devlin on son No. 2 Patrick's graduation from East Carolina University with a degree in biology. Two down and one to go!
- Dr. Bill Straka was the recipient of Paul Speagle's reverse birthday gift - 91st for Paul.
- The club recently purchased, stamped and delivered 336 student dictionaries to all 3rd graders in the Hickory school system. Participants in this project included Helen and Tom Devlin, Dr. Harrison Jahn, Eric Johnston, Ken Kleva and Bill Parks.
- Congratulations to Landon and Nila Lane on the birth of their first grandchild in Greenville, SC.
- A big commendation to Teresa Foster for directing her Ace of Spades Winnings to her church tithe and $500 to her MS Walk.
- Margaret Sorrell and Helen Devlin along with several youth clubbers carried the load for the club's participation in the Family Health Fair. Among other things, they provided 130 ID photos and a similar number of fingerprints.
- Best wishes to Deanna Pennell, who is on a maternity leave of absence.
- It was good to see Dr. Sanford Steelman back with us after several weeks of absences due to a severe back problem.
- The Kiwanis Club of Hickory celebrated its forthcoming 85th birthday with a congratulatory letter from KI Pres. Steve Siemens, ice cream and cake, party caps and the singing of Happy Birthday.
- For those absent on May 9, ask Pres. Helen about details of her "empty box" speaker's gift on the previous Tuesday.
Upcoming Programs and Other Events
May 15–(a Monday)–15th Annual Kiwanis-sponsored Golf Tournament at Lake Hickory CC’s Catawba Springs Course–(PM Play Only)
May 16 - Jim Correll, Director of the Greater Hickory Classic Golf Tournament
May 23 - HHS Key Club Seniors' Recognition
May 30 - Bill Wiggs, Past District Governor, speaking on the CDKF-1200 program
June 6 - To be announced
June 28 - July 2 - 91st International Kiwanis Convention, Montreal, Canada
The Quote:
“Someone's boring me. I think it's me. ”
–Dylan Thomas (1914-1953)