The La Kiwanian The Weekly Bulletin of the La Cañada Kiwanis Club Serving the Children of the World

Wednesday,  August 30, 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

September 6 DESCANSO GARDENS UPDATE David Brown, Executive Director Wednesday Lunch Meeting at Descanso September 7 BOARD MEETING 7:00 p.m. Thursday Evening at Gouda's and Vines September 13 WORLD WAR II VETERANS Lt. Norm Stevens Wednesday Lunch Meeting at Descanso September 17 WINE AND GOURMET FOOD TASTING Sunday Afternoon at LCF Memorial Park Click on the following button to view the long term calendar

 

The Prez sez . . .

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

Prez Paul gave a warm welcome to all the new school teachers, principals, school board members, and district executives who were our guests for "Apple for a Teacher Day."

The Prez wanted to get some of his reminders and announcements taken care of right away before the fun started with fines and other challenges:

Our monthly Board Meeting is next Thursday, September 7.  This month the meeting will be held at Gouda and Vines on Honolulu Avenue in downtown Montrose.  A get together with refreshments will start at 6:00 p.m. and the board meeting will start at 7 p.m.  All board members and committee chairs are strongly encouraged to attend.  All other members are welcome.

Our own annual Installation Dinner will be on Wednesday evening, September 27, at Oakmont Country Club.  Social hour starts at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m.  A sign-up sheet is going around; there are three different entree choices.

Two days earlier, our very own Daryal Gant will be installed as the new Lt. Governor of our Kiwanis Division 3.  You know Daryal ... this will be a lively event ... and we all want to be there to give our support to Daryal.  Another sign-up sheet is going around for this event that will be held at Brookside Country Club.  Social hour starts at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. on Monday, September 25.

Joel Smith and his Soap Box Derby Committee can be proud that the U.S. Soap Box Derby Association named La Cañada as a special Soap Box Derby City again this year.  The Prez held up the plaque that will be presented to the City.
 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Bill Scherkey encouraged everyone to contact him for more tickets for the Wine and Gourmet Food Tasting on September 17th.  To make this fundraising event financially successful, every member needs to help "bring in the crowd." 

Pat Anderson had two events to promote for the LCF Chamber:  the Tri-Chamber Business Expo will be held on September 13, and the City of LCF will celebrate it's 30th anniversary at the Chamber mixer on September 21.  The mixer will be held at the Mayor's Discovery Park and start at 5:30 p.m.

Bachy Bachmayer encouraged everyone to support Children's Hospital.

Mary Gant showed off the new straw hats with La Cañada Kiwanis hat bands.  They are only $20 and will be perfect for the Wine and Gourmet Food Tasting as well as many other Kiwanis events.

Carlos Cortez encouraged support of the Boy Scouts annual Golf Tournament.

Nick Berkuta was selling the last ads in the program for the Wine and Gourmet Food Taasting.

THE PROGRAM

La Cañada Schools Superintendent and fellow Kiwanian Jim Stratton started the Apple for a Teacher Day program by thanking Prez Paul for not having a Frosty Challenge today.  Jim thanked our club for welcoming the new teachers every year.  The Apple for a Teacher Day luncheon is a tradition for the school district appreciates.  There are 22 new teachers this year even though enrollment is declining.  Jim had each school principal introduce their new staff members, and he started by introducing the new principal at Palm Crest Elementary - Anais Wenn.  Anais Wenn introduced the one new teacher at Palm Crest.  La Cañada Elementary Principal Ivette Ellis introduced three new teachers.  Donna Robinson has two new teachers at Paradise Canyon Elementary.  Wendy Sinnette, principal of the 7/8 Middle School, welcomed two new teachers.  The principal of LCHS, Damon Dragos, was busy last spring and all summer hiring thirteen new teachers and is still looking for another math teacher.  Anyone interested?  A quick bio was given for every new teacher, and the variety of backgrounds and experiences was amazing.  Jim wrapped up the program by saying the new teachers bring lots of new ideas and energy.  Depending on the school, between 15% and 40% of the teachers at each school were hired in the last five years.  Change is challenging and exciting.

HAPPY & SAD BUCKS

Tom Burrows thought it was fantastic - and worth a Happy Buck - that a big Kiwanis sign was directly behind the batter on the televised Little League playoffs.

Jim Edwards had a Happy Buck because USC was starting the football season.  He had a Sad Buck because the USC game will be in Arkansas and his wife is taking him to the UCLA game.

Clyde Hemphill was so relieved that the final Soap Box Derby details had been completed.  His Happy Buck was triggered by the return of all the Soap Box Derby cars from Ohio; all the cars are now in storage until next year.

Mary Gant had Five Happy Bucks for Harriet Hammons who once again orchestrated a wonderful Summer Social last Sunday.

FACTS AND FICTION

Music:  piano tunes by Tom Burrows and Jack Dawson leading us in God Bless America, Welcome Welcome, Happy Birthday, Hi Neighbor and Come On, Kiwanis

Opening: flag salute by Bill Watts and inspiration by Daryal Gant.  Daryal first explained the derivation of the word Kiwanis and then paraphrased the definition as "party animals."  He also read a poem written by incoming Kiwanis International President (and Californian) Nelson Tucker.

Welcome Back:  Jim Edwards didn't have much to say for himself, and Hal Thomas was glad to have recovered enough from his surgery to join us.  Hal started telling the Prez about his metal staples, but it was more than the Prez could absorb.

Guests: Chuck Gulick was joined by his wife Earline and family friend Judy.  Diane DellaValle introduced Ellie and Bob Wilderman who are transferring to our club from the AM club.  Jim Edwards introduced Bill Pexie, manager of the Metropolitan Water District.  Pat Anderson introduced the LCF City guests including Deputy Chris Deacon, Sgt. Randy Solstrum, President of the Chamber and fellow Kiwanian Joe Thompson, City Treasurer Don Voss, and Chamber employees Stephanie Brashears and Star Frazier.

Master of the Cash Box: Tom Gilfoy

Anniversaries:  Ken Lowe and Marjorie were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary today.  Many young teachers in the crowd looked amazed, and everyone clapped heartily.

Birthdays:  Dave Spence just celebrated his birthday on August 18 and joined the Century Club.  Dave asked Howard to bill Jim Edwards, though, since Dave claimed Jim owes him $100 for a golf club he sold him. 

Linda Magarian also celebrated her birthday recently - on August 21.  Linda said she didn't want to make a contribution to the foundation based on her age, since she doesn't count the years any more.  Instead, she grandly joined the Century Club.

Fines:  The Prez noticed a big photo of Mike Leininger in the Outlook ... and no Kiwanis pin in sight.  That started the fines for all those not wearing their Kiwanis pins. 

Kiwanis Defining Statement:  The Prez really had fun with this today.  He drew four names out of his jar before anyone could quote the Defining Statement correctly.  Jack Dawson barely said three or four words before he goofed and was booed down by the crowd.  Frosty Boyd was next, and we thought he had it!  Frosty didn't stumble until he reached the fourth from the last word.  Dave Spence received his chance next, tried to read the Defining Statement but was caught, and couldn't do it without that aid.  Bob Martin was the fourth person and in his beautiful voice recited the Kiwanis Defining Statement perfectly!  Do you know what it is? 

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time.

Fifty-Fifty Drawing:  Bill Scherkey won the drawing and will need to sell the raffle tickets next week.

This Week's Editor:  Melinda Thompson

 Summer Social Pictures

The Kiwanis Club of La Cañada meets every Wednesday at Noon
Van de Kamp Hall in Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada, CA  91011

P.O. Box 33, La Cañada, CA  91012

Website:  http://lacanadakiwanis.org