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  MIDLAND, MICHIGAN

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The September 20 meeting was the first of two meetings where committees reported on their activities. Kiwassee President Kathy Allen spoke at the September 13 meeting about how Kiwanians can ask members of their community to become members of Kiwanis. At the September 6 meeting, member Bruce Rayce gave a presentation of the Kiwanis International Two for Two guide for growing club membership.

The August 30 meeting featured Michell Bahr, Director of Special Education for the Midland County Educational Service Agency, talking about what her organization is doing to help children with special needs. At the August 23 meeting, Matt Collins, Director of Communications and Events for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region, talked about the mission of his organization. Michelle Waskevich, Executive Director of the Safe and Sound Child Advocacy Center, spoke at the August 16 meeting about the mission of her organization to prevent child abuse and neglect. At the August 9 meeting, Laura Vosejpka, Executive Director of Creative 360 Stage Studios and Gallery, discussed the many activities of her organization. The speaker at the August 2 meeting was Kenneth Jolly, Professor of History at Saginaw Valley State University. He talked about a PERMAH wellbeing survey he took of Midland County residents.

John Searles, Superintendent of the Midland County Educational Service Agency, spoke at the July 26 meeting. A review of the activities of the Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan organization was the topic of the July 19 meeting. Lisa Schwietzer of the Jackson Regional Center and Katie Anaman of the Saginaw Regional Center were the speakers. At the July 12 meeting, Jenn Kirts, Director of Programs for the Chippewa Nature Center shared the different programs the Center offers to youth. Kevin Heye, Executive Director of the Greater Midland Community Center and Curling Center gave at overview at the at the July 5 meeting on the Center's plans for a new facility.

At the June 28 meeting, Kerry Fischer from the Midland County Department of Human Services spoke about her work in transitioning teens out of the foster care system. Kenneth Jolly, a Professor of History at Saginaw Valley State University, highlighted the June 21 meeting by having attendees engage in conversations on the meaning of "fit in" and "to belong". He then talked about a Midland County Diversity, Equity, Inclusion survey that questioned residents who they felt about fitting in and belonging. June 14 meeting was a steak fry at Emerson Park. At the June 7 meeting, member Bruce Rayce gave an overview of the foundations that Kiwassee supports: Kiwassee Kiwanis Foundation, Kiwanis Children's Fund, and the Kiwanis of Michigan Foundation.

Kiwassee member Major Brian Reed of the Midland Salvation Army spoke at the May 31 meeting about their SHARE Summer Day Care Camp program. The speaker at the May 24 Zoom meeting was Catrina Wiskur, Director of Midland Country Great Start Collaborative. She spoke about the mission of her organization: a network of service providers, parents, business and community leaders, and educators who work together to provide coordinated support for families of children from birth through age five. Vlad Vasylyk, a 16 year old exchange student from Kharkiv, Ukraine, spoke at the May 17 meeting. Vlad came to the United States through the Future Leaders Exchange Program and is now a junior at Dow High School. The annual Pig Auction was the activity for the May 10 meeting. Professional auctioneer Mike Furio made it more exciting. At the May 3 meeting Selina Tisdale, Community Affairs Director for the City of Midland, gave an update on the City's plans.

The program for the April 26 meeting was a talk on the After School Time Program for children at West Midland Family Center. It was presented by Kerianne Allemang and Leigha McLaughlin who work with the program. Charlie Schwedler, Executive Director of Midland Senior Services, was the speaker at the April 19 meeting. He talked about the many services his organization offers older adults. At the April 12 meeting, member Roger Moll spoke on the efforts of the Nomination Committee to get nominees for the next election. Members also had a hands on project of coloring homemade play dough balls to be used as sensory items for special needs students. At the April 5 meeting, Midland County Sheriff Myron Greene gave a rundown of the role of his office.

The March 29 meeting had two presentations. Members Betsy Sullivan and Martha Briggs gave an update on plans for the Roger Briggs Memorial Golf Scramble on July 25th. Member Bruce Rayce talked about Membership Development. Jackie Warner and Ashley Huston of the Midland County Center of the Community Mental Health for Central Michigan gave an overview of the Youth Intervention Program at the March 22 meeting. The program works with students who need special help with certain conditions. Also, officers Abby Yoo and Kayla Manley of the Dow High Key Club gave an upate of their activities. At the March 15 meeting, Michael Sobolewski, Program Director of the College Opportunity Program at West Midland Familly Center, spoke about how the COP program helps students handle the transition to college and to lead productive and socially responsible lives. The March 8 meeting was the kickoff of our annual Midland Waves flag project. Josiah Blackmore, owner of Red Threads Print House, spoke at the March 1 meeting about his business and also what prompted him to start the business.

Bill Koscsh, General Manager at Gratzi Restaurant in downtown Midland, was the speaker at the February 22 meeting. He shared an inside view of what his business has been through over the pandemic. The February 15 meeting was a party for spouses at the Trinity Church. Miriam Andrus, Library Directory of the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library was the speaker at the February 8 Zoom meeting. She spoke about the history of the library, how it has handled the devastation of the 2020 flood, and its current mission. The speaker at the February 1 Zoom meeting was Kathryn Tate, President & Chief Executive Officer of the The Legacy Center for Community Success. She spoke about studies the Center has done on Profiles of Student Life on local students. Also, member Dick Jellum gave a review of our recent Nuts and Candy sale.

Kara Stark, Principal at Central Park Elementary School, spoke about curent conditions at the school at the January 25 Zoom meeting. At the January 18 meeting, Jan Johnson, Sales Director at Primrose Retirement Community, shared information about many options older folks in Midland have to live comfortably as they age. At the January 11 meeting, a discussion was held on going forward in 2022 covering issues such as meals, meetings, and dues. At a Zoom meeting on January 4, Rob Scheer, founder and CEO of Comfort Cases, spoke about handling the needs of youth in foster care.

Click here for news from 2021.

9/20/2022