Clarion
Publication Date: December 6, 2005
Volume 57, Issue 3
Seasonal Opportunities for Service
During this approaching Christmas Season there are more opportunities than usual for service to our fellowmen. Certainly, continued support for the still desperate victims of recent natural disasters is very much in order, but as Kiwanians we need to also renew our support in Serving the Children of the World.
Among the current opportunities afforded by Kiwanis are:
Salvation Army Bell Ringing duty slots on all December Saturdays at Wal-Mart. If you haven’t signed up, see Revs. Stanley Stiver or John Woodard; and don’t forget to bring your personal check and drop it in the kettle to help provide funding for the Army’s Christmas Cheer for the needy.
Plan to attend your club’s Christmas party on December 13, invite guests and support Long View School’s instructional supplies fund.
Move Peanuts! As of this writing Committee Chairman Ken Kleva has placed all remaining cases. If you need more, pick up individual bags from other members. This is the club’s only community service fund-raising project prior to next spring’s golf tournament, so it is most important that we make our profit goals. We are indebted to TGH Trucking of Newton for transporting the peanuts and to Cramer Lumber for temporary storage. Please turn in proceeds promptly.
Welcome New Member Scott Garmon
Sponsored by Dr. Tom Warren, Burke County native Scott Garmon was officially inducted into the club on November 8 by Pres. Helen Devlin assisted by Immediate Past Pres. Tom Shields.
Scott is owner/manager of the relatively new uptown retail shoe store Foot Solutions, specializing in orthopedic and prescription footware, but he also carries extensive lines of conventional shoes. He lives on 6th Avenue NW with his wife Emily, who also attended his installation meeting. We welcome you both to Kiwanis and look forward to becoming better acquainted.
Recent Programs
November 8–The club’s long-time friend and facilitator Donna Mull brought the evening’s program featuring a number of Kiwanis-sponsored campers from this past summer’s contingent to the Betsey Penn/Justis 4-H Camp near Reidsville.
Introduced by Committee Chairman Dr. Tom Warren, Catawba County Extension Director and 4-H liaison agent Ms. Mull introduced five of 18 sponsored campers who were outstanding examples of those learning social skills and improving self esteem through “fun” activities. We heard from campers who had never experienced horseback riding, archery shooting nor canoeing.
November 15–Marvin Zerden, deferring to his wife Elaine, asked her to introduce his friend Dr. Herbert Stoutenburg, speaker for the evening.
Dr. Stoutenburg highlighted his interest in improving “agricultural and mechanical applications” in line with the mission statement of his Alma Mater, Illinois State University, the nation’s first Land Grant College. ISU had extended its mission to far eastern countries, including Vietnam, and it was during a period in the late 1950’s following the withdrawal of the French and preceding our country’s entry into its war that he and his family spent two years in Vietnam. He was a member of an ISU team, seeking to advise the struggling government in becoming self-sufficient. He was impressed with the country and its people, but saddened over the failed effort. However, he still considers the experience an important highlight in his professional career.
November 22–Deborah Johnson of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Catawba County thanked the club for their support of the program. She spoke of the hardships that children often endure when going through the legal system after abuse has been reported. The Center in Conover provides a place where the various agencies come to visit the child and conduct one joint interview in a non-threatening atmosphere. Pres. Helen presented the Club’s check to CAC.
November 29–Dr. Tom and Dee Warren presented a slide program showing scenes from their 2005 Medical/Dental Mission Trip to Honduras in late summer. The ten-day trip, sponsored by the Parkwood Baptist Church of Gastonia, involved a team of 42 dedicated people, including six physicians. The team ministered to 2,262 patients in a remote village and dispensed 10,102 prescriptions. During the daily devotional services, 154 professions of faith were accepted.
December 6–Karen Barthel, Director of Youth and Family Services for the non-profit Conflict Resolution Center, gave members an overview of the expanded services provided by her organization. Started in 1997 as a mediation service to help relieve the court’s caseload, it has now expanded to the 3-county area as a community-focused mediation, education, problem-solving organization. A more recent initiative is finding success at HHS’s Teens Helping Teens program.
Announcements
We regret to announce that Corki Jones, a five-year veteran of Kiwanis, has submitted her resignation, citing an unbelievable work load as the City’s Library Director. Very reluctantly, the Board has accepted her request. Corki was very much an active Kiwanian, embracing, among other interests, Terrific Kids at Oakwood, participating in Highway Cleanups, hosting the club’s website and providing a number of memorable programs. We will greatly miss you (and Gary, too).
President Helen has initiated an effort to publish a new club directory. To make sure all information is correct, each member is asked to fill out a current info sheet, blanks of which are available at each meeting for the next few weeks. Please make a special effort to update and turn your sheet over to Secretary Margaret.
Ron Simmons reported a successful interclub meeting with the Catawba Valley Golden K Club, meeting at Pine Crest.
We were delighted to see Rev. Stanley Stiver returning from a debilitating fall; our thanks to Tom Shields for his thoughtful assistance in bringing Stanley to our November 29 meeting.
Linda Baker and Dick Washer announce the arrival of a new grandson and a new granddaughter, respectively. Congratulations to both of you!
Richard Thompson was the recipient of Dr. Bill Shuford’s reverse birthday gift.
Congratulations to Marsha Woodard, wife of Rev. John, for having been named Outstanding Catawba County School Principal of the Year.
Your Editor is indebted to Teresa Foster for her excellent notes covering the November 22 meeting.
Congratulations to Tommie and Harrison Jahn on their 50th wedding anniversary, and best wishes to Harrison for a speedy recovery from his recent hip replacement surgery.
Congratulations to Matt Barkley for outstanding performances by his sons Daniel and Gabriel at the State Karate Tournament.
Our condolences to Marvin Zerden and his family on the passing of his brother Howard on December 4.
TAKE NOTE:
Our December 27 meeting will be canceled. Regular meetings will resume on January 3.
Upcoming Programs and Other Events
December 13–Christmas Party for members, spouses, guests and kids, benefiting Long View Elementary school supplies fund.
December 20–Members will relate their most interesting or memorable Christmas. Be prepared to share.
December 27–Meeting Canceled
January 3–Headmaster Colin Stevens, Patterson School
January 10–Wendell Cramer speaking on “Who Moved Our Trees?”
February 3-4–Mid-Year District Conference, Kingston Plantation, Myrtle Beach, SC
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!
–Luke 2: 14