The La Kiwanian The Weekly Bulletin of the La Cañada Kiwanis Club Serving the Children of the World
Wednesday,  May 17, 2006
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time.
The Kiwanis Club of La Cañada meets every Wednesday at Noon – Visitors Welcome Van de Kamp Hall in Descanso Gardens  –  1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada, CA  91011

Upcoming Events

May 24 La CañadaN OF THE YEAR Wednesday Lunch Meeting at Descanso May 26 SOAP BOX DERBY REGISTRATION Friday Evening at St. Francis Parking Structure  May 27 SOAP BOX DERBY All Day at Michigan Hill May 29 FIESTA DAYS HAMBURGER BOOTH Monday Afternoon at Memorial Park May 29 FIESTA DAYS HAMBURGER BOOTH Monday Afternoon at Memorial Park May 31 KIWANIS MEMBERSHIP REFRESHER PROGRAM Wednesday Lunch Meeting at Descanso June 1 BOARD MEETING 7:00 p.m. Thursday Evening at Citibank Click on the following button to view the long term calendar

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2006 – BILL WATTS GUEST EDITOR

 

The Prez sez . . .

  “A life not lived for others is not a life.”
                                                                           John Wooden  

“Kiwanis is the name and Serving the Children of the World is our game”

It was a sultry and warm Spring day and the flowers at Descanso Gardens greeted us with smiling faces.  Comradery was evident as we greeted one another at our resplendent meeting site. Hidden in the crowd, like a Judas, was the “Secret Greeter” who later would betray those who had not shaken his hand and thus subject them to a fine.  Gown up Scouts graced our presence including our own Harriett Hammons who was in full summer scout uniform (Bermuda shorts).  Her blouse was covered with so many merit badges and awards you could hardly see the cloth.  We were to find out later that Harriett has been the recipient of the “Silver Beaver Award”, the highest honor in Scouting.

 The melodious music of Tom Burrows flowed throughout the room like a soothing massage for the mind.

The Flag Salute was dedicated to our Veterans, especially those who didn’t come back, by Bob Martin who was outfitted in WWII combat ready gear including helmet, cartridge belt and canteen.

Spunky 90 year young Ed Moulton led us in “God Bless America” and lovely Linda Magarian presented the invocation.

Breaking our usual M.O., next Jim Ackland presented the slate of officers and directors for the new Kiwanis year.  Each choice was heavily applauded and Frosty Boyd made a motion that the slate be unanimously approved. It passed.

Scott Fuller was the master of the cash box as acting President Steve Hagerty trolled the audience for fines.  No Birthday or Anniversary boys were in attendance so he went on and announced that we would have 2 Frosty Challenges, the second would be awarded a great prize.  Hands waved in the air as Kiwanians were anxious to unload their jokes.  The first challenge was a challenge to interpret with slight laughter.  Not making any funds that way Steve went on with fines for no pins and of course the “Secret Greeter” who was Clyde Hemphill.  Still trying to extract more moola was the fine for “no K pins” and then on to Happy/Sad bucks.  Steve was the first with bucks for attending the Northridge Soap Box Derby and announcing that only 50% of that clubs volunteers showed up to help ware as we get 100% participation.  Jack Dawson (who was seen earlier showing off his tummy scar from his bypass to Paul Westmoreland) gave a buck for something about Carl Christensen driving his truck.  Howard Backer (who denies the rumor that he was so shocked at winning the drawing that he thought he had a heart attack) was Happy that even though he was carted to the hospital by ambulance last week his heart is fine and also that he won’t be treasurer next year. (Position open, any takers??)  He was so Happy in fact he joined the “Century Club”. Clyde Hemphill had a happy buck for President Paul Westmoreland who was happily sitting in the audience.  Clyde wondered what Paul was going to do next year.  We then had another “Frosty Challenge” which was won by Carl Christen who received a “unique” prize.  In an unusual twist Steve Hagerty called on Paul Westmoreland to recite the Kiwanis Defining Statement which Paul did perfectly.

GUESTS:

Included Bob Bittinger representing Kiwanis International and Irene Welch spouse of Lloyd. 

Past President Pat Anderson introduced her guest Pat Magoffin, her assistant at the Chamber, who would later be interviewing Vets (who were asked to stay over for a pic). This of course was followed by “Hi Neighbor” which extracted hardy audience participation.

President, Paul Westmoreland introduced his guest Elaine Alexander.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Ed Moulton hustled tickets for the A.M. Kiwanis club’s French toast breakfast; Pat Anderson was happy to announce that this years Fiesta parade would be professionally televised and later presented on Charter Cable and that she also had tickets for the BBQ dinner etc; Joel Smith told of an added feature of this years Soap Box Derby was an opportunity for anyone to ride the Derby car down the hill for a mere $50 donation; Carl ChristensenSaid he needs help setting up for the SBD and would pass around a sign up sheet; Bachy Bachmayer asked us to drop some bucks in the table pot for the Children’s Hospital; Diane DellaValle said next week’s meeting will start at 11:30 and reservations for any guests are a must !!!

Also the charge for a guest will be $20 and members will have $7 billed to them ($13+7=$20).

THE PROGRAM:

Introduced by our own “Good Scout”, Harriet Hammons, were Terry Duffy & John Maeda.

John (who was a great speaker) updated us on Scouting.  The Scout programs serve over 4 million young people; he said “young people” and not Boys, as girls age 14-21 are now a part of scouting.  John has been in scouting for 24 years after graduating as a Police Science major at San Jose State University.  He decided quickly that he didn’t like police work and went into Scouting.  He praised the parents and community of the Verdugo Hills Council for their strong support.  He said when asking for donations the first question anyone asks is “what are the parents doing to help”? The Verdugo Hills Council is one of the most racially diverse in the area.  Scouting is changing with the times with computer sciences and other up-to-date programs offered to Scouts.

As slide presentation was then shown on the “Rocket Academy” for Cub Scouts.  A weekend adventure program where an actual rocket is launched.

THE END:

We “Hailed Kiwanis  

P.S.   DON’T FORGET NEXT WEEK’S MEETING IS THE “LA CANADIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD”.  RESERVATIONS FOR GUESTS ARE A MUST.  THE COST IS $20

OFFICERS for 2005-2006

President – Paul Westmoreland  ~  President-Elect – Steve Hagerty

Vice President – Diane DellaValle  ~  Secretary – Bill Scherkey  ~  Treasurer – Howard Backer

Immediate Past President – Daryal Gant

DIRECTORS for 2005-2006

Nick Berkuta   ~   Carl Christensen   ~   Clyde Hemphill   ~   Mike Leininger

Jeb Long   ~   George Lutes  ~   Linda Magarian   ~   Melinda Thompson   ~   Lloyd Welch

CLUB COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN & ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS for 2005-2006

Attendance – George Lutes   ~   Finance & Investment – Karl Johnson   ~   Historian – Bob Martin Hospitality & Welfare – Frosty Boyd   ~   House – Mel Wilson   ~   InterClubs – Steve Hagerty

New Member Acquisition and Retention – Jim Ackland   ~   Membership Records – Bob Wallace

Music – Ed Moulton   ~   Newsletter – Melinda Thompson   ~   Parliamentarian – Clyde Hemphill

Programs – Diane DellaValle   ~   Publicity – Open   ~   Sick-Lame-Ailing - Frosty Boyd

Social – Harriet Hammons   ~   Spiritual Aims and Human Understanding – Charles Broberg

Web-site – Jeb Long

FOUNDATION COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN for 2005-2006

Children’s Literacy Project – Harriet Hammons   ~   Community Services – Mike Leininger

Fund Raising – Open   ~   International Understanding – Hal Crockett

Soap Box Derby – Joel Smith   ~   Travel Adventures – Bob Wallace

Wine and Gourmet Food Tasting – Open   ~   Youth Services – Bachy Bachmayer

- Sponsored Youth -

LCHS Key Club – Ken Lowe   ~   Flintridge Prep Key Club – Joan Peters   ~   Builders Club – Open

K-Kids – George Lutes & Steve Hagerty  ~  Terrific Kids – Pat Flynn and Deborah Weirick

Website:  http://lacanadakiwanis.org