KIWASSEE KIWANIS
MIDLAND, MICHIGAN

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A preview of a Kiwanis in Midland TV show was the main agenda item for the December 26 meeting. It was a joint meeting with the Midland club. The show will be aired on MCTV in the coming weeks. December 19 was our annual Christmas Party with spouses. The Good Company musical group and the Kiwassee Band provided entertainment. Connie Macek talked about the importance of literacy and reading in early childhood development at our December 12 meeting. December 5 was our annual Christmas Party for Kids. It was held at Carpenter School for 1st and 2nd graders.

At our November 28 meeting, Tom Valent, Dean of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School, give us some history of the school and how it teaches prospective Santa Clauses. Reports from the Kiwassee Foundation and the Kiwanis of Michigan Foundation were the topics of the November 21 meeting. At our November 14 meeting, several committees give their plans for the year. Our November 7 meeting was the first of two where committees present their goals for the coming year.

A wrought iron bench in honor of George and Ginny Morrison was dedicated at Heritage Park in a ceremony on October 24. A gift of the Kiwassee Kiwanis Foundation, it is located next to the H. H. Dow Historical Museum. It was crafted by local artisans in the Carriage House of the Park. George was a founding member of Kiwassee. Ginny continues to be a long-time active member.

Our October 31 meeting combined some presentations on the November 7 election items and on opportunities for service during the coming months. Maggi Steele, 1st grade teacher at Adams School told about the Post Card Program which Kiwassee helps support. Sat Mathur, formerly a Director of the Sports Authority for India, talked about religion in India at our October 24 meeting. Our October 17 meeting was an introduction to our fund raising Nuts & Candy sale which will start in November. The new Midland County Universal Preschool Pilot Program sponsored by Success by 6 and the Midland County Educational Service Agency, in parnership with other groups, was the topic of our October 10 meeting. Alan Oman, Director of Success by 6 was the speaker. Division 19 Lt. Governor Jim Stone performed induction ceremonies for the new officers at our October 3 meeting.

September 26 was a continuation of end-of-year committee reports. We also heard from Midland High School Key Clubbers Ben Mercur and Colleen White on their club activities. Our September 19 meeting was the first of two in which we heard end-of-year committee reports. Reports were heard from the Audit, Club News & Publicity, Fund Raising, Senior Youth, and Club Meetings committee. Our September 12 meeting had two presentations on activies for which Kiwassee has given support. Eric Donker, a student at Midland High School, told about her experiences at the World Affairs Seminar at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater. Meridith Isome enlivened us on Camp Fish Tails, a summer camp at Pinconning for disabled people. The new Midland minor league baseball team was the topic of our September 5 meeting. Paul Barbeau, Vice President and General Manager of the Great Lakes Loons, was the speaker.

At our August 29 meeting, Barbara Senesac, Professor in The Department of Teacher Education & Professional Development of Central Michigan University told us about her experiences with students on teaching assignments in the Dominican Republic. August 22 was a Kiwassee Orientation Meeting where members were invited to ask questions about the club. We also welcomed 3 new members. On August 15, Linda Cline, Co-chair of the Midland Crop Walk, reported on plans for the 2006 walk. Kiwassee is a co-sponsor of the walk which is scheduled for October 1. Jack Higgins, chair of our Travel and Adventure fundraiser, introduced this year's program at our August 8 meeting. The series starts October 24 with a film about Lewis and Clark. Basil Clark, Professor of English at Saginaw Valley State University, talked about fitting into different cultures at our August 1 meeting. Also, some of the participants in the Salvation Army Summer SHARE program entertained us with some songs. Justin Neuman, Youth Leader for the Circle of Health Partnership told us about the new START group (Students Tackling Alcohol and Resisting Temptation).

There were several presentations at our July 25 meeting. Four Midland youth, Stephanie LaRue, William Beacom, Alex Carney, and Kevin Carney spoke about a campaign against hunger which they are initiating. Called 1/24, they are planning to have an event in Midland next summer to publicize the need. Stephanie showed an original video. Jennifer Chandler, Community Relations Director for the new Bickford Cottage assisted living facility in Midland, spoke about the need for assisted living and the plans for the new facility. Chuck Blanchard, Arbury Financial Services, talked about financial considerations in assisted living. Midland County's preparation for a possible influenza pandemic was the subject of our July 18 meeting. Fred Yanoski, Public Health Preparedness Coordinator, was the speaker. July 11 was our annual picnic at the Pinecrest Home. There was no meeting on July 4

At our June 27 meeting, Midland County Sheriff Jerry Nielsen spoke on the County Jail Bond Proposal which will be on the ballot on August 8. On June 20, Gaye Terwillegar, Executive Director for the Circle of Health Partnership, gave an update of the group's activities. Our first Kiwanis for Kids Charity Golf Classic was June 19. A special thanks to our sponsors and to all who participated. Laurie Hardy, Volunteer Services Coordinator of the local American Red Cross chapter spoke at our June 13 meeting on T.W.I.S.T. (Teens Working Interactively Showing Teamwork), a program to help the community through youth volunteer activities. June 6 was our annual cookout at Emerson Park.

At our May 30 meeting, Chris Tointon, CEO of the Midland Community Center, Inc, told how the Center is serving our community. Reports from the Kiwassee Foundation and the Kiwanis of Michigan Foundation highlighted our May 23 meeting which was held in the Widman Room at the Herbert D. Doan History Center because of the funeral of Herbert D. Doan. We also held our annual election of officers. May 16 was our annual prayer breakfast at the Salvation Army. Kiwanis International President Steve Siemens was the speaker at our May 9 meeting held at Valley Plaza. Other members of Division 19 were in attendance. May 2 was our annual Pig Auction. It was held at the Salvation Army.

Summer camp opportunities was the theme of our April 25 meeting. Carol Thompson of Memorial Presbyterian Church talked about their Operation Fun camping program. George Strom, Executive Director for Camp Neyati, explained their camping program. Senior Youth support for 3 activities was the substance of our April 18 meeting. Major McPherson of the Salvation Army told about the summer SHARE program. Carol Berger, Counselor at Windover High School, talked about the uniqueness of the school. Rick Shahin, teacher, and Emily Shao, student, of Dow High School talked about the World Affairs Seminar at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater which Emily will attend in June. At our April 11 meeting, Deb Stark and the Rev. Doug Janetzke of St. John's Lutheran Church told about Midland Mission 06 work project which is scheduled for June 18-24. April 4 was Mid-Year Report Time. President Jim Jocks gave us a review of club activies and plans. We also heard a report on the Michigan District Key Club Convention which the Dow High Key Club sponsored the prior weekend.

Programs for Youth was the theme of our March 28 meeting. Bev Rutten spoke on activies at The Rock Youth Center. Brian Bonotto talked on the Salvation Army Share Program. Midland County's Big Brothers-Big Sisters program was our March 21 program. Executive Director Terry Dusseau was the speaker. Mike Royer, the new administrator for Pinecrest Farms, was also introduced. He gave on update on the organization's plans. Alan Oman, Coordinator for the Midland County Success by Six Partnership, was the speaker at the March 14 meeting. He spoke on the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library designed to prepare children six and under for school. At our March 7 meeting, Nancy Seibert, Education Coordinator for the Alden B. Dow Museum of Science and Art, reported on recent activities. Over 18,000 people have attented the "Sue" and motorcyle exhibits so far. Adam Clements of the Dow High Key Club asked for volunteers to help with the upcoming Michigan Key Club Convention. Coordinator Peter Strong, and three members of the steering committee, Samantha Greenberg, Kyl French, and Jamie Knopp, told us about the Youth Leadership Midland Program for 2006.

Current Trends in Midland was the topic of our February 28 meeting. Jon Lynch, Assistant City Manager and Director of Planning and Community Development, spoke. Also, Maggi Steele, first grade teacher at Adams School told about her Post Card Program which Kiwassee helps support. Bring Your Pastor's Day was our February 21 meeting. Dr. Gamal Elashhab, Professor of Education at Saginaw Valley State University spoke on Islam. Our annual spouses Valentine Party was our February 14 meeting. Our February 7 meeting was a review of our major fund raisers. A preview of a proposed Golf fundraiser was given.

The upcoming Dow Corning Women's Tennis Classic at the Midland Community Tennis Center was the highlight of the January 31 meeting. Erin Mazurek, Associate Tournament Director, told us about the tournament and about the history and program of the Center. At the January 24 meeting, Christy Waldie, Outreach Coordinator for Midland County Office of Mid Michigan Community Action Agency, told us about the needs which the Agency attempts to meet. She stressed the importance of the Walk For Warmth this February 25th. The Legacy Center for Student Success was the program for our January 17 meeting. President Richard Dolinski gave a report on a recently completed survey of local "at risk" children. Nancy Siebert, Education Coordinator for the Alden B. Dow Museum of Science and Art, spoke on the Museum's upcoming exhibits at our January 10 meeting. She also talked about other continuing educational programs at the Museum. The history of Kiwassee's F.A.C.E. committee was the topic of the January 3 meeting. Dick Skochdopole was the speaker. The committee is now part of the Junior Youth Committee.

01/02/07