KIWASSEE KIWANIS
  MIDLAND, MICHIGAN

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At the May 26 zoom meeting, Midland City Manager Brad Kaye gave a rundown of how the City is handling the devastation caused by the recent flood. The main agenda item for the May 19 zoom meeting was the election of officers for the next fiscal year. The chairs of the Junior Youth, Community Service and Senior Youth committees reported on their activities for the current fiscal year. Member Al Forster gave a rundown of his activities during the current crisis. It was mentioned that websites such as Bridge Base Online and Trickster Cards gave a way of playing online games with distance friends and relatives. At the May 12 zoom meeting, Michael Sharrow, Superintendent of the Midland Public Schools talked about how the school system is handling the current pandemic and what problems they still face. At the May 5 zoom meeting, Wendy Brand of the Vibrant Health Nutrition Center spoked about the importance of nutrition to a person's health. Her organization offers a free Introductory Class on health nutrition. Also member Rudy Phillips spoke about some of his volunteer experiences with the American Red Cross in responding to disasters.

The highlight of the April 28 zoom meeting was a talk by Holly Miller, Executive Director of the United Way of Midland County, on how local service organizations are responding to the COVID-19 virus. The 211 website has resources and support. At the April 21 zoom meeting, Lydia Watson, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer of MidMichigan Health talked about problems in handling the coronavirus situation. The April 14 meeting was a Zoom video meeting. Member Betsy Sullivan spoke on ways to handle your physical and mental health when under quarantine. Member Rachel Baker spoke on her quarantine experiences. Member Bruce Rayce spoke on some of his life experiences. The April 7 meeting was a Zoom video meeting. Members spoke on their quarantine experiences.

The meetings for March 17, 24, and 31 were canceled because of the coronavirus epidemic. Andy Bacigalupo, responsible for the culinary arts program at Windover High School, gave a rundown of some of his experiences at the March 10 meeting. Also, three members (Ethan Carn, Olivia Kaminski, Fatimah Kahn) of the Dow High Key Club talked about experiences at the recent state convention and other activities. Midland County Chief Deputy Clerk John Keefer spoke about election security procedures at the March 3 meeting.

The speaker for the February 25 meeting was John Head, Regional Head Start Manager, Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency (NEMSCA). John spoke on the value of the "OKIE" suits that a grant from the Kiwassee Foundation helped him purchase. At the February 18 meeting, Michael Sawicki, Pastor of Aldersgate Church and President of the Board of Directors of the Reece Endeavor, spoke about the Endeavor's mission of providing homes for individuals with special needs. The February 11 meeting was our annual Valentine's Party. Entertainment was given by Glenn Isenhart, drums; Michelle Dehate, vocals; and Clayborn Stewart, guitar. The program of the February 4 meeting was a talk about the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio and the Mid-Century Modern Midland project. It was given by Craig McDonald, director of the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio.

The January 28 meeting was an update on our fund raising activities. The program for the January 21 meeting was a talk on the Community Outreach Resource Extension project of The Rural Community Health Network. Laurie Brown, Community Health Worker, at Floyd Elementary School was the speaker. Joy Buchanan, community connections liaison for the Midland Daily News, spoke about her work at the January 14 meeting. At the January 7 meeting, members participated in a service project where they cut donated jeans. The cut jeans will be turned into tote bags to carry books given to young children as prizes by the Grace A. Dow Library.

The December 17 meeting was the annual Club Holiday Party. A Christmas Jazz Trio consisting of Glen Isenhart, Michelle DeHate, and Clayborne Stewart provided the entertainment. Glyn Hunt, Ticket Sales Associate for the Great Lakes Loons, talked about upcoming activities for the Loons at the December 10 meeting. After the meeting, there was the annual Kids Holiday Party at Central Park Elementary School Auditorium. At the December 3 meeting, plaques were given to sponsors of our Golf Tournament and Midland Waves project. The were Bayside Home Care, Dr. Mark Cadotte, Dow Chemical Employees' Credit Union, Eastman Party Store, Garber Chevrolet, Midland Brewing Company, Midland Sprinklers and Maintenance, Midland Towne Center Storage, Tri-Star Trust Bank, Valley Electrical Contractors, and Xalt Energy. Also, Brian Goodwill, chair of the Human and Spiritual Values Committee, presented members the opportunity to decorate wooden dolls that would be given by the Salvation Army in their toyshop distribution of Christmas gifts for children.

An overview of the services of the Midland County Health Department was the presentation at the November 26 meeting. Allen Bloch, a registered sanitarian, and Sandy LaPrad, RN, community health nurse, were the speakers. Roger Briggs, President of the Kiwassee Foundation, presented the annual report for the Foundation at the November 19 meeting. He then asked each table to brainstorm suggestions for support for the coming year. An overview of the Dow College Opportunity Program was given by the Program Director Mike Sobolewski at the November 12 meeting. The November 5 meeting was the second of two in which committees presented their goals for the new fiscal year.

The October 29 meeting was the first of two in which committees presented their goals for the new fiscal year. The October 22 meeting featured Dennis Pilaske, Executive Director of the Chippewa Nature Center, giving an overview of current activities at the Center. Devon Peasley, Operations Coordinator, Adoption Option, talked about the services of his agency at the October 15 meeting. At the October 8 meeting, President CarolAnne Guillemette gave her vision for the new fiscal year. As October is the start of the new fiscal year, member Alex Rapanos who is the new Lieutenant Governor for Division 10 of Michigan Kiwanis opened the October 1 meeting with an installation of our new slate of officers. A preview of our Candy and Nut sales starting in November followed.

Outgoing president Roger Moll gave a review of the year's activities at the September 24 meeting. At the September 10 and September 17 meetings, committees gave a review of their activities for the fiscal year. Member and District Lt. Gov. elect Alex Rapanos gave a review of the 2019 International and Michigan District Kiwanis conventions at the September 3 meeting.

At the August 27 meeting, Bev Wenzel, Executive Director of the The Rock gave an overview of the organization's Discover You program for helping youth development. An outline of the Tall In The Saddle program that gives children of special needs the opportunity to experience horseback riding was the topic of the August 20 meeting. Betsy Evans, chairperson of the leadership committee, was the speaker. Betty O'Neill, Director of Fund Development for Family and Children's Services. gave a overview of the work of her organization at the August 13 meeting. At the August 6 meeting, Julie Wiseman, a member of the Midland County Human Trafficking Task Force, spoke about human trafficking and the work of her task force in preventing it.

Gina Provenzano, conductor of the Midland Community Orchestra, talked about the mission of the orchestra at the July 30 meeting. The orchestra was started by the late Bob Ralston, a former Kiwassee member. At the July 23 meeting, Michell Waskevich, Executive Director of Safe and Sound Child Protection and Advocacy, spoke about the work her organization is doing to combat child abuse. Terry Hanley of For A Brighter Tomorrow spoke about the mission of his organization at the July 16 meeting. At the July 9 meeting, Esther Williams, Executive Director of the nonprofit Midland Recyclers gave a rundown of the mission of her organization. Jimmy Greene, CEO of the Greater Michigan Construction Academy, gave a review of the Academy's function at the July 2 meeting.

The June 25 meeting was our annual cookout at Emerson Park. At the June 18 meeting, David Ramaker, President of the Michigan Baseball Foundation, gave an overview of the mission of his organization and some of its accomplishments. Jenn Kirts, Director of Programs for the Chippewa Nature Center, talked about some of their programs at the June 11 meeting. At the June 4 meeting, Roger Briggs, President of the Kiwassee Kiwanis Foundation, gave an update on the Foundation's activity. Also, Barb Swierzbin and Michelle Beeck of The Legacy Center for Community Success gave a review of the concern of the effects of E Cigs (electronic cigarettes) on youth.

At the May 28 meeting, Nicole Alexander, Organizational Chair of Region 5 of the Veterans Community Action Teams, spoke about the work of her organization in supporting our nation's veterans. The areas of support are employment, education, healthcare, and quality of live. At the May 21 meeting, Sharon Mortensen, President & CEO, and Emily Schafer, Development Officer, of the Midland Area Community Foundation about "Ready for School" Preschool Scholarship Fund that is now open at the Foundation. Tris Steele, Manager of the Midland County Fair, told about the history and mission of the Fair at our May 14 meeting. At the May 7 meeting, the election of officers for the 2019-2020 fiscal year was held. Also, member Betsy Sullivan summarized plans for the Kiwanis for Kids Charity Golf Outing scheduled for Monday, July 22, at Snow Snake.

The April 30 meeting was our annual Pig Auction. It netted $572. An update of the Boy Scouts organization was the topic of the April 23 meeting. Speakers were Stephanie Bird, Unit Service Executive Director, and Tom Oleniacz, Program Director, of the local Heartland District. Dennis Caney, a member of the Board of Directors of Midland County Search and Rescue, spoke at the April 16 meeting on the work of the organization in searching for missing people. Camp Fish Tales was the topic for the April 9 meeting. Executive Director Shannon Forshee and Board Member Kurt Ieuter told about their efforts to bring outdoor learning experiences tor those with special needs. At the April 2 meeting, former coach Kurt Faust elaborated on the STEP UP Coach program in which he has been involved. It strives to make better communities by using coaching principles of positive interactions and healthy competition.

Membership Development was the topic of the March 26 meeting. The newest members told a little about themselves. Older members talked about how they became members. Member Fred Honerkamp at our March 19 meeting shared memories of his experiences in the Vietnam War and how it changed his life. Two members of the Dow High Key Club spoke at the March 12 meeting. They talked about recent activities of the Club and the newly formed Go Green Club that works on recycling. They were Abby Carn, outgoing president, and Grace Pnacek, club member and a founder of the Go Green Club. Featured at the March 5 meeting was reviews of our two major fund raising activities -- Midland Waves and Candy and Nuts Sales.

Kathy Brown, Youth Services Director of the Grace A. Dow Library spoke at the February 26 meeting. She talked about the Jeans-to-Totes project -- a collaborative project between the Library and Kiwassee, renovations to the library needed because of the 2017 flood, and services the library offers. At the February 19 meeting, Member Brian Goodwill tested members with a quiz on historical items related to Valentine's Day. The February 12 meeting was canceled because of the weather. Member Kathy Allen, Executive Director of the Personal Assistance Options talked about the work of her organization at the February 5 meeting.

The January 29 meeting was canceled because of the weather. At the January 22 meeting, Chelsea Davis, Recreation/Building Supervisor/Facility Rentals, and Sheleigh Nicolai, Family Services & Transportation Supervisor, of the West Midland Family Center gave an update of some of the programs at the Center. The January 15 meeting was canceled because of the weather. Member Dee How spoke about the local 4H organization at our January 8 meeting.

5/27/2020