Click Here for Photo & Newsletter Archive 

The La Kawañian

The La Kawanian

January 28, 2004
Barry Riedel, Editor

Opening:  To the strains of Martha Crockett's piano stylings we greeted each other and chatted until President Jim Ackland announced "Lunch is served!".  We all gave a big hand to Martha.    Ed Moulton led us in "America the Beautiful".  Don Davidson led the flag salute.  Karl Johnson gave a lovely invocation about peace.

George Lutes sadly announced that his friend Ron Barber's body was found in the Angeles National Forest.  There is a service on Friday at 3PM at the La Cañada Presbyterian Church with a reception afterward.  Ron was a member of the AM Kiwanis club. 

Jim Ackland thanked Jim Edwards who is on the Mountain Rescue Team. 

Guests:  Howard Backer introduced Harriet Hammons, wife of Phil, a former member. 

City Manager Mark Alexander introduced two staff people from the Public Works Department,  Mary Goytia and Jasen Christensen.  George Lutes informed us that Mary and Jasen came and spoke to the Key Club.

Bob Wallace introduced a guest from the Glendale Club, Mike Dyer.  Dick DeGrey introduced his bride, Shirley DeGrey, the daughter of a famous attorney in Los Angeles.  Hal Crockett introduced the lady tinkling the ivories, Martha Crockett.   Ed Moulton led us in "Hi Neighbor" after a solo performance by Jack Dawson. 

Jim Ackland told us we are trying something new.  For the last two Tuesdays we have been meeting with representatives with the AM Club to see how we can best be of service to children of the world and of our community.  It is an opportunity to use our unique talents to have a program that will be workable, enjoyable and to give us the opportunity to meet other Kiwanians.  The President of the AM Club Dave Hemstreet told us all about it.  He spoke about the motto "We Build".  He would make it "We Build--Together".  That's the idea behind trying to come up with a joint project with the two clubs.  They are looking for a project that is different from the ones we have now--that won't conflict with existing programs--and a project we can all have fun in supporting and get more membership involved.  They are asking for ideas to come up with a project. 

Howard Backer announced the Mid-Year Conference South on Saturday February 21 at the Burbank Hilton.  It starts at 8:30AM.  We need sign-ups.  The club will pay for the registration.  There is a Rose Float Breakfast, an Inter-Club luncheon and a special event in the evening.  All the officers, directors and committee chairs should attend. 

Happy/Sad Bucks:  Jack Dawson informed us that they had 45 people at his house, plus another 12 with Paul Westmoreland, talking about the opera and Soap Box Derby.  Barry Riedel gave a happy buck for his son's birthday.  Jim Ackland gave a buck for the good work on the bulletin.  Clyde Hemphill gave for the joint club initiative.  Pat Anderson had two bucks:  one for a double whammy sad buck--her 282,000-mile Cadillac finally bit the dust--and second for her central heating system going out.  Her happy buck was for Jack Dawson.  Mark Alexander confessed that he didn't come to last week's lunch because he was at his alma mater watching the 2003 USC football team receive their National trophy--9 for each member--and 1 to make ten for next year.  Jim Edwards gave for USC-UCLA in basketball game and volleyball on Friday. 

Frosty's Challenge:  Frosty Boyd told one about a Marine in an auto accident.  Three interviewees for the aide position.  No ears.  General.  Remember it?  Dr. Alan Perry Sr. responded with one about two buddies.  Ralph.  Artie.  Wife.  Maid.  Got that one too?   Two for a dollar?  Jog that memory?   It was a tie--two doctors swapping jokes.

Clyde Hemphill noted that there was something different about the tables.  Cupcakes with a candle.  What was it for?  "It holds up the candle", said Jack Dawson.  Jim Edwards mentioned the anniversary of the "Twinkie defense".  Rody Stephenson speculated aloud about the 100th anniversary of Madame Butterfly.  Dick DeGrey wondered if it was in case Edison went belly-up and we needed some light.  Jim Ackland said that on the 21st of this month, Kiwanis had a birthday--89 years old.  The cupcake with the candle is to celebrate the Kiwanis anniversary.  In Detroit Michigan the first club was formed on January 21.   Bill Wiederkehr passed around the bucket for contributions from those who didn't know.

Announcements:  Silvia Kirkorian has the invocation sign-up sheet.  Karl Johnson asked for eyeglasses, cartridges and pull-tabs.

“March 20 will be Total K Day”, Clyde Hemphill announced.  We need help.  Mark it on your calendars.  Hal Crockett had a special announcement--reminding us about contributions to Kiwanis Intl.   If you contribute, you get a nifty "Because I Care" sticker for your badge.  Bachy Bachmayer reminded us about the Children's Hospital buckets and read a thank-you for the gift of slightly over $1,500.  It will go to help out the occupational and physical therapy departments of the hospital. 

 

Interclub Opportunities:  

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

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

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

Bob Wallace was awarded the Round Robin patch for the banner for last year.  He gave thanks to everyone who went to the meeting, including chairman Jim Ackland.   

 

Girl Scout Troop 709 gave us a thank-you patch for lighting up Glenola Park.

 

Karl Johnson gave an update about the changes in the raffle. You win an opportunity to draw a white or orange ball out of a bag.  White means the pot continues to grow.  Orange means you get one-half of the pot.  Things might get exciting when the pot gets big.   Silvia Kirkorian drew Pat Anderson's ticket who drew a white ball.  First time she ever won.  But Pat's a winner anyway.

 

Silvia Kirkorian introduced Rody Stephenson, a former JPL'r who spoke to us about opera and Madame Butterfly.  Rody introduced the Director of Education for LA Opera, Dr. Stacy Brightman.

Closing:  Ed Moulton led us in “Hail Kiwanis”.  Didn’t he?  Or did he? 

Dates to Remember: 

  1. Saturday, February 14:  Travel Adventures “Western Canada—Far and Wild”

  2. Saturday, February 21 :  Mid-Year South Conference

  3. Saturday, March 20:  Total K Day

  4. Thursday April 1:  Wine Dinner—“Dining for Youth”—at Brookside, social hour 6PM. 

  5. Saturday April 24:  Dine-Around

 

Quotes:  “Oh, to be seventy again!” [At age 92, upon seeing a pretty, young woman]

n Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.