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The La Kawañian

November 12, 2003
Barry Riedel, Editor

OPENING:  Shirley DeGrey gave us a wonderful round of fine songs.  Ed Moulton led us in the Star Spangled Banner.  Bill Scherkey led the flag salute.  Chuck Gulick gave a nice invocation with a touch of Kiwanis.

New Member:  President Jim Ackland pointed out that this is a happy day since Paul Westmoreland was about to induct Mike Leininger with Sue Leabo as his sponsor.  Sue informed us that Mike Leininger is the principal of LCHS.  Raised in Long Beach, Mike went to Univ. of Utah where he was a football player.  He began teaching in Bellflower.  He came in 1987 as Vice-Principal.  His wife teaches at Palmcrest and his two daughters graduated from LCHS.  He is expecting his first grandchild in March.  He is a USC fan  Paul Westmoreland delivered a little talk on the goals of Kiwanis International and a welcome to Mike Leininger.  Ed Mouton led us in a rendition of "You're In Kiwanis Now".

Mike Leininger, Sue Leobo, and Paul Westmoreland

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Ed Moulton had a special announcement:  The subject of the announcement was here himself.  Bill Watts had an incident at the Disney Auditorium--a slight heart problem.  He went to Good Samaritan where he was interned overnight.  We all were very happy to have Bill with us.

The C(K)arls:  Jim Ackland reported on the board meeting last week.  We have two Carls:  Karl Johnson and Carl Christensen  Carl Christensen worked with the Key Club last week to untangled many feet of Christmas lights.  His wife Irene provided refreshments.  Karl Johnson collected contributions last year of about $2,000 from eyeglasses, pop tops and printer cartridges.  Karl encouraged us all to drink more beer and collect more pop tops which go to Ronald McDonald House.

Carl Johnson and his collected pop tops

Patsy Christianson added some words to that regarding her personal contact with the Ronald McDonald House.  She was impressed with the quality of the program and the buildings.  Keep turning in those pop tops!

Also from the board meeting:  Bob Wallace has agreed to take over the Gourmet Dinner and Howard Backer reported that we are in a very sound financial condition.  We decided to take another direction--on which Frosty Boyd reported.  One of our goals is more visibility for the club.  He showed us the "Vial of Life".  Anybody who is home-bound--not just seniors--will have two stickers, one for the front door and one for the refrigerator.  If the paramedics see the sticker they know to look in the refrigerator for the vial which contains all the vital medical information on the person.  Our goal is to publicize this program.  We are using the Key Club under the direction of Matt Regan.  Jim Ackland commented that this was a good opportunity to get involved with the Builder's Club, the Key Club and the Sheriff's Department.

Mel Wilson has the job in the House Committee to put patches on our banners.  On the Kiwanis Honors banner Mel put on a patch upside-down!  Mel commented that he could change it around. 

Visitors:  Captain Chavez gave an announcement regarding helping some families over the holidays.  The Fire Department is honoring the Marines in Iraq.  Members of Station 82 is sponsoring a golf event on November 24 at 9AM at the LC Country Club.  It's open to everyone at $100 per person to honor the Marines.  Sign up at 6:30AM on the date of the event or swing by Station 82 for a sign-up sheet.

Confessions, Fines, Etc:  New member Mike Leininger acted as Sergeant-at-Arms   Daryal Gant forgot about his birthday on the 14th--a significant one.  He just got through doing a Century Club but generously donated some more.  Bob Wallace had a "two-fer": a birthday and an anniversary this month.  He jointed the Century Club. 

Happy/Sad Bucks:  Sue Leabo gave a happy buck for Mike Leininger.  Sheila Cook gave two happy bucks, one because Ed Moulton was doing the program and two, because they are expecting another grandchild.  Jeb Long gave a happy buck for his presentation to 300 Germans in German who clapped for his talk. 

GUESTS:  Hal Thomas introduced his beautiful wife of 54 years, Julia Thomas.  Patsy Christianson gave some happy bucks for being a grandmother and for missing us all.. 

Frosty's Challenge:  Frosty Boyd told a little-old-lady joke.  Challengers were Jack Dawson with a talking-dog story.   Daryal Gant was reminded of a Bob Hope joke.   Jack Dawson won.

50/50 Raffle:  Dick DeGrey won!

Announcements:  Matt Regan announced the start of the La Cañada Kiwanis Toy Drive.  We will be helping the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Toy Drive.  They are looking to purchase $20 Ralph's gift certificates.  Matt is asking $10-20 per person to help out poverty-level families in the area.  Donations must be in by the Wednesday before Christmas by 1PM.  Diane DellaValle reminded us of the December 14 Christmas party at the Dawsons.  It will be catered.  Menu: green salad, rice salad, rolls with butter, hand-carved turkey breast and ham and pies.  Paul Westmoreland reported on the Membership Competition which will be closed out with the activities in October.  Winners to be announced unless you can figure it out yourself from the chart.

Carl Christensen announced that on Friday the 21st at 10AM three volunteers will be needed to put up Christmas lights at Granola Park.  Let Carl know.  Daryal Gant told us about the yellow sign-up sheets for the Interclub events.  Get that "yellow zit" off your badge!  "Be there or be square!"  Bachy Bachmayer reminded us of the donation tub for Children's Hospital.

Program: Chair for the Day Ed Moulton introduced Nan Burton who immigrated from South Korea at age 13, went to UCLA, married her husband Marty.  They live in LCF.  She has been contributing to several Korean newspapers and recently won first prize for an essay contest.  She was our choice for Honorary Kiwanian last July.  Nan is a "1.5 generation" American--not having been born here but having come at an early age.  She has a weekly column about a Korean-American housewife in a Korean newspaper.   She wrote her essay on her experiences escorting orphans from abroad to America.    She has gone to Bulgaria twice and to Romania. 

CLOSING: Ed Moulton led us in a rendition of "Hail Kiwanis!" to end the meeting.

P.S.:  Did you spot the error?  Let Barry Riedel know.

There are three kinds of lies - lies, damned lies, and statistics.
          -  Benjamin Disraeli, quoted in Mark Twain, 'Autobiography'