|
FEBRUARY, 2010
PAST ISSUES:
Past issues are available by clicking on Archives at the bottom of the
Newsletter page.
DEFINING STATEMENT:
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers
dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING: We again
participated in the Souper Bowl of Caring to collect food items for the
Food Bank at the Presbyterian Church. This year we donated over 250 pounds of
food items and $158. Nationwide almost four million dollars has been donated by
2,481 groups to many different food banks and agencies. Thanks to Marcos and
Dowling for co-coordinating this event and to all members who donated food or
cash.
DICK & MARGE BLAIR MATH MINI-GRANT:
Several of our members attended the Okeechobee Educational Foundation mini-grant
awards ceremony on Jan 25. The OEF awarded over $30,000 in mini-grants for the
largest mini-grant awards ever thanks to matching funds from the State of Fl. We
presented six, $500 mini-grants. Five grants went to North Elementary and one to
Seminole. Several teachers joined together to apply from each school, so each
grant will benefit more than just one classroom. Dick & Marge's daughters, Rikki and Marge,
attended the ceremony and thanked the Club for honoring their parents.
SCHOLARSHIPS: Our scholarships this
year will presented in memory of Gene O'Neill. Chairman Frank Irby has also
added extra credit to the scoring system for Key Club membership. Scholarship
night at OHS will be in May.
2010 SPEAKER SCHEDULE: The 2010
speaker schedule is posted on the website. Please check for your date and
contact speaker chairman, Jay Zeller, with any questions.
PROGRAMS: Jay Zeller continues to do
a great job coordinating the programs and our members have invited some
wonderful speakers. Recent programs have included: Jan 14-Lt Col Charles "Buck"
Maclaughlin, Avon Park Air Force Range; Jan 21-Dr Albert Bravo, MD; and Jan
28-Frank Irby on his hunting trip to Scotland & Dowling Watford on the Battle of
Okeechobee. Future programs include: Feb 4-Presbyterian Food Bank; Feb
11-Theresa Chandler with YMCA; Feb 18-Greg Kennedy with DEP; and Feb 25-Lt Gov
Mike Farley.
PANCAKES: The Feb, issue of
"Kiwanis" magazine had an article entitled "The Art of Pancakes" with examples
of how different clubs conduct their pancake breakfasts. At the end of the
article was a quiz to evaluate how effective your pancake breakfast is. Ours
ranks right at the top for "Keep on flipping".
IN THE NEWS: Jerry O'Bannon was
pictured with Mayor Kirk in the Okeechobee News receiving a plaque for his many
years of service to the City's Pension Board.
CONGRATULATIONS: The Boy Scouts have
formed a Big Lake District comprised of the communities around the lake. Ray
Worley has been selected as District Chairman. Congratulations Ray, and best
wishes to the Boy Scouts. Dowling Watford celebrated his 60th birthday and
received several "wonderful" gifts from some of our members (Depends, Viagra, a
book from the year he was born - the Bible, a invention from that year - fire,
etc). At the Jan 28, meeting, Dowling read a letter from his legal council
threatening a suit for "leaving him speechless for once".
RECOVERING: Toni Doyle is recovering
from serious neck surgery. Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery!
WORDS OF WISDOM: Everyone seems
normal until you get to know them. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try
missing a couple of car payments. There are (2) theories to arguing with
women - Neither one works.
IMPORTANT DATES (also see
Events):
Feb 4: Souper Bowl of Caring
Feb 11: Board Meeting (following the
regular meeting) (postponed from Feb 4)
Mar 4 : Board Meeting (following the
regular meeting)
Mar 13: Zone Conference (Orlando)
|