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The La Kawañian

January 14, 2004
Barry Riedel, Editor

Opening:  President Jim Ackland brought the meeting to order.  We all gave a big hand to Martha Crockett for her piano music.  Ed Moulton led us in "Battle Hymn of the Republic" in honor of the upcoming Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day.  Bob Martin led the pledge of allegiance.  Barry Riedel gave the invocation.

Guests:  Ken Lowe presented the Key Clubbers: three freshmen--future leaders--who are running for office, including one tennis player and one golfer:  Christine Lee (golf), Jenny Lee and Susanna Yu (tennis).  Next Wednesday from 5-9 is Round Table Pizza night to support the Key Club.  Bring the grandkids!  January 21 from 5-9 at Round Table Pizza! 

Ed Moulton intro'd people on his left and right:  Theo Abelmann, wife of former member Bill Abelmann.  Bill Bodell--a former member and president of Montrose-La Crescenta club with his daughter Hailey (like the comet).  Pat Anderson introduced Terry Walker, President of LCF Chamber of Commerce--and Don Mazen.  Don was plugging his book on the history of LCF.  He just happened to bring some along.  Al Restivo and Jim Edwards were presented heroically to the club.  Hal Crockett introduced Martha Crockett--an excellent piano player.  Hal Thomas of B-17 fame introduced Julia Thomas who has filled out her application for the club.  Sheila Cook did the honors for Linda Taix--our speaker and Bob Ferguson--erg--Fitzgerald.  Ed Moulton led us in a cheery version of "Smile!"

And last--but not least!--Dick DeGrey introduced his lovely wife Shirley DeGrey.

Bill Watts was wearing a special hat for the occasion.  He explained that he is publicity chairman.  You get publicity through identity and we lack identity.  Nobody bothers to write up all the good things we are doing for the community, like the Key Club, the Paper Drive --there's a million of them.  Write up those events!  Bill was wearing at Soap Box Derby hat for the event in May. 

Jim Ackland elaborated that we do a lot of excellent projects.  Paul Westmoreland had a meeting on Soap Box Derby last night.  He and his committee will meet every two weeks until before the event when they will meet every week.  We have to sell ourselves like soap, Jim the ex-salesman went on to explain. 

Bachy Bachmayer explained about what we do in Youth Services.  The committee has the pleasant duty of distributing money to needy recipients.  We contribute to Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other community activities like Hal Crockett's drive to provide drug awareness pamphlets to the high school.  Another activity is the contribution to Children's Hospital.  Children's Miracle Network is a national Kiwanis sponsorship.

Next time when somebody asks Well what does Kiwanis do? say We raise money for children. 

Celebrated Events:  Bill Scherkey stood up to explain what was going to happen on the 19th, which happened to be his birthday.  The 9th was Bill and Melinda's anniversary--their 11th.  Bill joined the Century Club!  Ed Moulton led us in "Happy Birthday" for Bill Scherkey. 

Happy/Sad Bucks:  Paul Westmoreland gave for Jack Dawson contributing his home for the Soap Box Derby meetings.  Al Restivo gave appropriately for his 30th anniversary for Kiwanis.  Jim Edwards told us that USC has more than one sport:  USC women took the women's volleyball championship.   Jim gave for attending the interclub with the AM club and joined the Century Club for his birthday.  Daryal Gant chipped in for Al Restivo and Elizabeth Georgeon for attending interclubs.  Hal Crockett had 3 happy bucks for their granddaughter going to London to study.  Jack Dawson responded to Paul's kind words and informed that he did actually have some wine left in the house.  Clyde Hemphill put in a sad buck for the chairman of our publicity committee for not knowing that the Soap Box Derby has its own bright red shirts.  Pat Anderson had two very happy bucks for—first--crowning Miss Heidi Hanson “Miss La Cañada Flintridge” last night and--second--for the installation of the Chamber of Commerce last night--it was the biggest and best we have ever had.  187 people attended!  The Chamber has taken in 128 new business members this last year.  Barry Riedel gave for everybody who helped out on the Travel Adventure last Saturday night--Howard and Rhoda, Clyde Hemphill and of course Ed Moulton.  Dick DeGrey gave for the Chamber's new leadership.  Dick explained that Shirley DeGrey played Rossini's "William Tell Overture" all by her lonesome at the meeting.  Tom Gilfoy gave for Pat Anderson and the Chamber's success.   Howard Backer contributed--being third in line—bucks & kudos for the Chamber’s Terry Walker and Pat Anderson and for Saturday morning's wonderful Farmer's Market. 

Frosty's Challenge:  Frosty Boyd delivered a joke about a minister seeking funds for a new roof for the church.  Howard Backer protested on the ground that Frosty stole his joke.  Elizabeth Georgeon told one about a bus driver and a parish priest at the pearly gates.  Guest Theo Abelmann told one from her church club about a CEO and his secretary going to a hotel.  Guest Bill Bodell told one from his 9-year-old daughter about 5 people flying with 4 parachutes.  Dick DeGrey told a good news/bad news joke.   President Jim Ackland made an executive decision giving the prize to Theo Abelmann.

Interclubs:

   Jan. 28 Wed. 12:00 Noon , lunch Eagle Rock Club, Columbo Restaurant, 1833 Colorado       Blvd Eagle Rock

   Feb. 10 Tues Dinner 6:15PM , Jewel City Club, Clancy's Restaurant, 219 N. Central              Ave. Glendale

   Feb. 18 Wed. 7:30AM  La Canada AM Club, Church of the Lighted Window

   Feb. 24 Tues. 12:00 Noon Lunch, Montrose-La Crescenta Club, Le Betulle Restaurant,                    2383 Foothill

50/50:  Linda Taix drew Bill Watts' ticket!

Sheila Cook added a sad buck for mis-introducing Bob Fitzgerald with the wrong last name.  Sheila went on to introduce Linda Taix from Taix Exercise Studio who gave us a quick work-out.  Linda introduced Bob Fitzgerald—an ambassador from “50+”--who entertained us with some jokes and explained to us the secret to living to 120--exercise.

Sheila Cook presented Linda Taix and Bob Fitzgerald with some Kiwanis cups as tokens of our appreciation.

Closing:  Ed Moulton led us in “Hail Kiwanis!”

They Told Us So:  “A cookie store is a bad idea.  Besides, the market research reports say America likes crispy cookies, not soft and chewy cookies like you make.”  Response to Debbi Fields’ idea of starting “Mrs. Field’s Cookies”.