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The La Kawañian

December 10, 2003
Barry Riedel, Editor

Opening: Martha Crockett entertained us with some wonderful piano music. Ed Moulton led us in "God Bless America". Paul Westmoreland started and ended the pledge. Bob Martin gave us some Latin lessons for "invocare" to give voice and leading to thankfulness and grateful acceptance. Also he gave us "we are grateful" in Japanese.

Guests: Silvia Kirkorian introduced a retired CPA and member of the Pasadena Pops: Tom Leday. Carl Christensen introduced his wife Irene Christensen. Ken Lowe spoke to us of Key Club ladies: Jean Benjauthrit, our contact person for the club, then Shereen Aclan (no relation to our President), an officer in the club and Melissa Lertsmitivanta. Jim Ackland informed us that Jeanne plays a Vietnamese percussion instrument. Melissa plays the violin with only one string and his daughter is in the choir. George Lutes intro'ed Lt. Gov. Joe Thompson who stood up and told us about the big meeting this Monday--the DCM meeting, Division Council Meeting. It's at the Verdugo Hills Hospital cafeteria. The next project is to feed all the people working on the Kiwanis float. Patsy Christianson got greeted warmly. Hal Crockett introduced Martha Crockett who got another big hand. Dick DeGrey introduced Shirley DeGrey. Hal Thomas introduced Julia Thomas. We sang an a capella "Hi Neighbor" which led to further singing of "Joy To The World" and "The First Noel".

Birthdays: Matt Regan remembered he had one December 5. He came especially to announce to us his birthday! Ed Moulton led a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday".

Happy/Sad Bucks: Elizabeth Georgeon joined the Century Club for the birth of a grandson 9 lbs and 11 oz. Patsy Christianson gave us a wonderful story with a big wind-up about Karl Johnson getting run over by his own car. Dick DeGrey gave a happy buck for Jack Dawson who is so nice he arranged a Happy Birthday party for Shirley DeGrey this Sunday. Everyone invited! Barry Riedel gave a down payment toward a Century Club for his son's new car. Jack Dawson had a sad buck for Bob Holst and his wife who were in a serious auto accident. Bob Holst passed away Wednesday morning. Ed Moulton informed us the services for Bob Holst will be private. Bob Holst was always very active in collecting newspapers from the elementary schools. Ken Lowe heaved a happy buck for his wife being home. Bill Scherkey gave a happy/sad buck with a story about the Mighty Trojans basketball team playing against Bill's alma mater who trounced them. Howard Backer gave one for his wife's birthday in January. Howard bought her a new Toyota Camry only have of which was a gift because of community property. George Lutes gave one sad buck for a difficult introduction. Daryal Gant gave a happy one for he and Mary's trip to the Grand Ol' Opry and on Sunday afternoon three honky-tonks in a row. Mary Gant gave a happy buck for being back. She was missed! Matt Regan threw in a donation for his birthday (he just turned 30). He got a surprise party a couple days later by his parents with his picture on the cake with more hair on his head than the picture of Matt as a baby. Tom Gilfoy gave a happy/sad buck for selling out the Pasadena Civic last Saturday for a great concert. Sitting at the table was the sponsor of that event, Jack Dawson. The sad part is that Tom had the flu and couldn't be there.

Frosty's Challenge: Frosty Boyd led off with one about the proverbial "attractive young lady" that produced groans. Daryal Gant took up the gauntlet with a doctor joke that produced about the same quantity of groans. Elizabeth Georgeon told an Adam and Eve joke that got some laughs. Allan Perry, Sr. tried one about a little boy in the bathroom. By acclaim Elizabeth Georgeon won.

Secret Greeter: Hal Crockett and the lack of a pin brought forth some dollar bills. Even Hal gave!

President Jim Ackland was going to give a report about the last board meeting but decided not to. “Children of the World--Priority One" was his subject. Last Thursday night we had a report about Flintridge Prep of which Joan Peters gave us a reprise. Joan Peters got a big round of applause for her work with the Flintridge Prep Key Club. For November started with a canned food drive, then they solicited turkeys that they cooked on the day before Thanksgiving in the school kitchen. On Thanksgiving morning they prepare food boxes for families that they deliver. This year they served 10 families with blind children. Then they went to the Harvest Ministries and prepared food there and sent 10 turkeys to Union Station. For turkey and canned food drive there were 640 service hours involved. The donation of the food involved 15 students and another 75 hours of service. They also provide refreshments at the Travel Adventures. In the next couple of weeks they will be promoting the Sheriff's Vial of Life. Good work! Another big round of applause went around for Joan and her work with the Key Club.

Announcements: Mike Leininger announced that those who are attending the Interclub should come down the access road and park on the tennis courts at the High School. Matt Regan gave us the news about the Vial of Life program. He is trying to get more from the Sheriff's Department. If you need more, call Matt, he will get them to you. The Toy Drive has 2 more weeks--it's more of a food drive through the Sheriff's Department buying Ralph's certificates for needy families. Matt has donation sheets and Howard Backer can bill you. Guest Tom Leday announced the Pasadena Pops has a tremendous season planned for this coming summer. If you haven't already signed up, please do so or give Tom Leday your name for the mailing list. Daryal Gant had everyone raise their hand who had already attended an interclub. Encourage those who have not to attend an interclub.

Dec. 9 Tuesday 12:00 Noon, Hollywood Los Feliz Club--Acapulco Restaurant, 4444 Sunset, Hollywood

Dec. 11 Thursday 12:15PM, LCF Key Club, LCF High School, East Balcony

Dec. 18 Thursday, Lunch, 12:00 PM, Highland Park Club, Police Museum, 6045 York Blvd, Highland Park

Jan. 2, 2004, Friday, Lunch, 12:00 Noon, Pasadena Club featuring our new Int'l President, location to be announced.

Daryal Gant told us that about 30 of us have already attended; by January it should be 40-45.

Diane DellaValle reminded us about Shirley DeGrey's birthday party. Try to get your response to Diane by Wednesday. Karl Johnson planted a seed that we should ask family & friends to collect cartridges, pull tabs and glasses. Carl Christensen told us Monday night 12/29 is Feed the Floaters night. Sign up sheet will be available.

50/50 Raffle: Our guest speaker Gordon Clune drew Tom Gilfoy's number!

Jim Ackland declared that he has been a member for 28 years and never won once.

Sheila Cook notified that the bell choir from the church will be led by Ed Moulton at Descanso for the next meeting.

Program: Sheila Cook introduced Gordon Clune who spoke to us about living in primitive conditions (no, nothing to do with the sewers!). PBS did a program "The Frontier House" on his family living as a pioneer immigrant family lived.

Closing: Ed Moulton led us in "Hail Kiwanis".

Remember—next time in Descanso!

Quote: “The concept is very interesting and well-formed but in order to earn better than a ‘C’ the idea must be feasible.” A Yale University Management professor in response to Fred Smith’s paper proposing reliable overnight delivery service. Smith went on to found Federal Express.