KIWASSEE KIWANIS
MIDLAND, MICHIGAN

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The December 18 meeting was our annual Christmas Party for spouses. Jim Huber, Music Coordinator, Midland Public Schools, told about the music program of the schools at our December 11 meeting. Our December 4 meeting was our annual Christmas Party for Kids. This year the party was at Eastlawn Elementary School for 1st and 2nd graders of that school.

At our Membership Roundup on November 27, Carl Ellinger, Superintendent, Midland Public Schools gave us an update on the schools. On November 20, Wendell Meyer spoke of the work of the Kiwanis of Michigan Foundation and Kathy Ellison spoke of the work of the Kiwassee Kiwanis Foundation. The November 13 meeting honored members who served our country in the armed forces. Twelve veterans related their experiences. A presentation of committee goals for the 2007-2008 year was the content of our November 6 meeting.

Our October 30 meeting focused on ideas and suggestions for growing our organization. Members Duane Brooks and Duane Townley spoke about their Bolivia mission trips at our October 23 meeting. Our October 16 meeting kicked off our annual Candy & Nuts Sales. Rachel Larimore, Chippewa Nature Center's Director of Education, told about their Nature Preschool at our October 9 meeting. At our October 2 meeting, Lieutenant Governor Jim Stone presided over the installation of officers.

Our September 25 meeting was the second of our year-end committee reporting sessions. At our September 18 meeting, Darren Smith, a student at Dow High School, and Linette Roussea, a student at Midland High School, told about their experiences at the World Affairs Seminar at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater. We also had year-end reports from some of our committees. Physical fitness was the theme of our September 11 meeting. Matt Smith, owner of Smitty's Iron Works, spoke. The coal-fired power plant proposed to be built in Midland by Mid-Michigan Energy was discussed at our September 4 meeting. Janet Vanderpool, manager of the development phase of the project, was the speaker. It is a joint venture of LS Power and Dynegy.

Phil Stephens, Senior Naturalist, Chippewa Nature Center, told us about the wild animals of Midland at our August 28 meeting. At our August 21 meeting, Kurt Faust, the Dow High School head football coach and a student counselor, talked about some of the problems teen-agers face in today's world. Our August 14 meeting was an introduction to the annual CROP Hunger Walk scheduled for September 30. Co-chair Linda Cline gave the program. August started with an introduction to our annual Travel and Adventure Program for 2007-2008. The first program will be October 23. Cal Hoerneman presented the details at our August 7 meeting.

At our July 31 meeting, John McKelvey discussed the proposed Toni & Trish House for the terminally ill. Mark Royer, Administrator for Pinecrest Farms gave us an update on the unit's status at our July 24 meeting. Greg Dorrien, Executive Director of the West Midland Family Center spoke on the activities of the Center at our July 17 meeting. July 10 was our annual picnic at Pinecrest Farms. The July 3 meeting was full of announcements and presentations. The Kiwassee Charity Golf Classic will net close to $5000 to be available for community projects.

June 26 was our annual cookout at Emerson Park. A special treat was a birthday cake celebrating our 40th birthday. The Midland County 4-H program was the topic of the June 19 meeting. Dave Thomas, coordinator, spoke. The Dow College Opportunity Program highlighted the June 12 meeting. Director of the Program, Terri Malek-Madani, was the speaker. The June 5 meeting highlighted Senior Youth Programs which Kiwassee has helped support. Speakers were Terrie Kaiser, Principal of Windover High School; Major Pat McPherson, Salvation Army Share Program; and Ben Wackerly, Camp Fish Tales.

The May 29 meeting featured Chris Tointon, CEO of the Greater Midland Community Centers, who spoke on activities and plans of the Centers. Election of officers for the 2007-2008 year was also held. Elected were: Dick Jellum, President; Al Klashak, President-Elect; Renee Yates, First Vice President; Cal Hoerneman, Penny Ecarius, JoAnn Glynn, Directors; Bob Wise, Director to complete a term. Jane Erickson, President Designate for the Kiwanis International Foundation spoke on the work of the foundation at our May 22 meeting. Our annual Prayer Breakfast was May 15. Jack Telfer, Editor of the Midland Daily News, spoke on his own personal faith journey. May 8 was our annual Pig Auction. It was held at the Salvation Army. Midland Mayor Bruce Johnson gave us a "State of the City" message at our May 1 meeting.

Bill Moneypenny, Chief Executive Officer of MITECH+, spoke on the need for business and education partnerships at our April 24 meeting. Midland's Big Brothers Big Sisters program was the topic of our April 17 meeting. Executive Director Susan Putnam was the speaker. At our Membership Roundup on April 10, Gary Hughes, Superintendent, Midland Public Schools brought up-to-date on the school system. President Duane Townley challenged us to develop a "new vision" at our April 3 meeting.

The Kiwanis For Kids 2nd Annual Charity Golf Classic to be held on Monday, June 18, was the feature for our March 27 meeting. Chair Renee Yates told us the planned events. Our March 20 meeting had Linda Landgrill, a flying instructor at Barstow Airport, tell about flying in Midland. The City of Midland Police Department Teddy Bear program was the topic of our March 13 meeting. Officer Craig Tate, Public Relations Officer, was the speaker. The Youth Leadership Midland Program was the topic for our March 6 meeting. Speakers included Suzii LeCross, adult mentor, and 3 graduates of last year's program: Jillien Oldenburg, Coleman High; Sarah Grey, Dow High; and Craig Tank, Dow High.

At our February 27 meeting, Susan Drumright and Carol Brown talked about the new Midland Area Bike Camp, scheduled to be held August 20 through August 24. The program is sponsored by The ARC of Midland. February 20 was Bring Your Pastor Day. The program featured Barbara Cohen, Coordinator of the Language Lab and Media Center at Saginaw Valley State University. She talked about experiences in preparing students for foreign language study and in bringing foreign language instruction to the University. One of the current teachers, Abdulfattah Fattah of Saudi Arabia, talked about his experiences in teaching at SVSU. Our annual Valentine's Party for spouses was our February 13 meeting. Member Carol Rumba of the Midland County Council on Aging gave a review of the Senior Services which the Council offers. A musical event completed the program. A song from the upcoming play I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, directed by Carol, entitled I Can Live With That, was presented by Trena Winans-Bagnal and Steven Holty, with Jan Sutherland, pianist. A review of our three major fund raising projects was the topic for our February 6 meeting.

Our celebration of our 40th anniversary began at our January 30 meeting when 3 past presidents, Max Bottomley('74), Dick Skochdopole('84), and Jim Heffel('93) reflected on their terms in office. Jim Hohmeyer, Director of the Music Society, talked about the history and plans of the Society and other arts activities in Midland at our January 23 meeting. Our January 16 meeting featured Judy Harris of the Midland Quilters. She talked about their efforts to supply quilts to needy children around the world. At our January 9 meeting, Nancy Brooks-Seifert, Director of the Education Outreach Program for the Alden B. Dow Museum of Science and Arts, told about some of the programs that the Museum offers to children, youth, and adults. Kiwassee member Major McPherson told us about the activities of Salvation Army in Midland at our January 2 meeting. He was happy to report that the Christmas Bell Ringing efforts had met the goal and thanked the members of Kiwassee for their help.

04/16/07