KIWASSEE KIWANIS
MIDLAND, MICHIGAN

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Our December 27 meeting was hold at First United Methodist Church. Our Bill Lauderbach spoke on U. S. Economy and the Financial Markets. Mike Bean of the Midland Partnership for Drug Free Youth spoke on Seven Habits for Highly Effective Teens at our December 20 meeting. Our Holiday Party was December 13 at Trinity Lutheran Church. The Midland Holiday Ensemble, directed by Dave Winegardner, provided the program. Our December 6 meeting was our annual Kid's Christmas Party at Eastlawn School.

Debbie Keys from the Midland Community Diaper Bank told about the work of her group at the November 29 meeting. The work of various Kiwanis foundations was the topic for the November 22 meeting. Bill Burk reported for the Kiwassee Kiwanis Foundation. Wendell Meyer reported on the Kiwanis of Michigan Foundation. Penny Ecarius reported on the Kiwanis International Foundation. Jon Lauderbach, Circuit Court Judge of Midland County was the speaker at our November 15 meeting. The Kiwanis International ELIMINATE project for the elimination of Maternal Neo Natal Tetanus was the main topic at the November 8 meeting. Also, we had a chance to hear from Trish Abalo, President of the Dow High Key Club, and Kara Metz, Lt. Governor of the Michigan District of Key Clubs. They spoke on activities of their organizations. Our service committees presented their plans for the current fiscal year at our November 1 meeting.

At our October 25 meeting, Dick Dolinski, President of the The Legacy Center for Student Sucess. spoke about a number of projects in which the Center is involved. Our October 25 meeting Our October 18 meeting marked the start of our annual Candy & Nut Sale Fundraiser. The work of the Salvation Army was the topic of our October 11 meeting. Captain Matt O'Neil was the speaker. At our October 4 meeting, newly elected president Penny Ecarius gave her inaugural speech highlighting her goals for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

A summary of the past fiscal year's activities by outgoing President Vicki Briggs was the focus of our September 27 meeting. Summaries of the activities of our various committees for this past fiscal year were the topics of our September 13 and September 20 meetings. At our September 6 meeting, we heard reports from the recent Kiwanis International and Michigan District conventions by delegates Penny Ecarius, Roger Briggs, and Martha Briggs.

Tim Nash, Vice President of Strategic and Corporate Alliances, Northwood University was the speaker at our August 30 meeting. A copy of his talk is available on the Northwood University Whitepapers website. At our August 23 meeting, Boy Scout Spencer O'Hare spoke on his Eagle Scout community project of designing and contructing replacement fencing along the rail trail. At our August 16 meeting, Jordan Ritchie, Regional Development Specialist, Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, gave a presentation of Girl Scout activities in our region. Some of the work of Family & Children Services was the highlight of our August 9 meeting. Janine Ouderkirk, Chief Executive Officer, was the speaker. At our August 2 meeting, Laura Farrel, an intern with Campus Crusade for Christ, told about her work with the organization at local universities and colleges.

Our July 26 meeting was a preview of our Travel and Adventure Series for the coming year. An in-depth summary of the work of four of our committees was the program for the our July 19 meeting. At our July 12 meeting, Senior Pastor Ed Doerner of the Messiah Lutheran Church gave a challenging message concerning kids in Midland County and their problems and possibilities and the need for support. He spoke of the Journeys Coffee House that has been set up on Main Street to give a place for families to share fellowship.

At our June 28 meeting, Erin Lauderbach talked about the work of the Midland County Great Start Collaborative. Mike Woody, Director of the Midland Community Tennis Center gave an overview of activities of the Center at our June 21 meeting. Our June 14 meeting was our annual Steak Fry at Emerson Park. Activities of local Boy Scouts was the topic of our June 7 meeting. Bryan Nastase, Chief Executive of the Lake Huron Area Council Boy Scouts of America was the speaker.

At our May 31 meeting, members Kristi Clark, Martha Briggs, and Alex Rapanos told about the new Aktion Club that Kiwassee is sponsoring. Our May 24 meeting was a Membership Roundup. Paul Barbeau, President and General Manager of the Great Lake Loons discussed the history and the current status of the team and the ballpark. The election of officers for the next fiscal year was the primary topic at our May 17 meeting. Newly elected officers are: President: Penny Ecarius; President Elect: Roger Briggs; Vice President: Gordon Rogers; and Board Members: Cindy Marks, Millard Kent, and LaVerne Myers. Also at the meeting, Jen Coleman spoke about the Tri-City Kids Triathlon to be held on June 23rd. Gaye Terwillegar of the Midland Area Partnership for Drug-Free Youth commended Dick Skochdopole as the Community Hero of the Year for his work with the youth of the community. Carol Rumba portrayed Penelope Pennywise from the local production of Urinetown which is competing in a national theater competition. Our annual Pig Auction was our May 10 meeting. It was held at the Salvation Army. At our May 3 meeting, Heather Fisher, Director of Pregnancy Resource Center of Mid-Michigan, gave a history of her organization and its work.

At our April 26 meeting, President Vicki Briggs talked about World Service Projects sponsored by Kiwanis International of which our chapter has been a contributor. The current project is the The Eliminate Project. Beverlee Wenzel, Executive Director for THE ROCK Youth Center, brought us up-to-date on activities of the Center at our April 19 meeting. At our April 12 meeting, Ralph Wirtz, Managing Editor of the Midland Daily News, spoke on the current status of the newspapaper industry. Stephanie Szostak, Horticulturist for the City of Midland, was the speaker at our April 5 meeting. She spoke about a joint project of the City and Kiwassee to renovate three planting beds in Stratford Woods. Also, Alexa Meir and Kayla Grotsky of the Dow High Key Club commented on the Key Club District Convention for which Kiwassee supported their attendance.

Our March 22 and March 29 meetings were devoted to mid-year reports from our President and Committees. Craig Weidner, Director of Fund Development for Eagle Village told about the Village and its programs at our March 15 meeting. Girls from the Village served home made cookies for dessert. At the March 8 meeting, April David and Elizabeth Lumbert, volunteer leaders for Camp Warm Hearts in Gladwin County, told about the Camp and its purpose. Darlene Chivinski, Flint Division Director for the March of Dimes, spoke about the work of her organization at our March 1 meeting.

John Young, Vice President of Public Relations and Enrollment, Northwood University, gave an overview of the mission and scope of the University at our February 22 meeting. Chippewa Nature Center Senior Naturalist Janea Little talked about Animals Facing Winter in Michigan at our Valentine Party at the Center on February 15. Marilyn Rease of the Mid-Michigan Community Action Agency spoke about the work of the Agency at our February 8 meeting. They sponsor the annual Walk for Warmth on the 26th of February. Summaries of our Travel and Adventure and Nuts and Candy fund raisers were the program for our February 1 meeting.

At our January 25 meeting, Roger Briggs Sr. talked about the Science Volunteer Program that has been active in several local elementary schools. Cathy Chang, Associate Pastor, Memorial Presbyterian Church, spoke on Children and Religious Pluralism at our January 18 meeting. At our January 11 meeting, Dick Dolinski of the The Legacy Center for Student Success explained the Youth Master Plan for Midland County. Superintendent Carl Ellinger of the Midland Public Schools talked about the vision of, performance of, and challenges facing the school system at our January 4 meeting.