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The La Kawañian

February 4, 2004
Barry Riedel, Editor

Opening: Shirley DeGrey entertained us with some lovely piano music. President Jim Ackland opened the meeting and we all gave Shirley a great big hand. Ed Moulton led us in “This Is My Country”. Chuck Gulick led the pledge. George Lutes gave a thoughtful invocation.

Guests: Bill Bodell introduced Fernando Rivera of Castle Realty. Ken Lowe introduced his Key Clubbers—Christine Dui, Justin Chi and Rex Lin, all of the Communications Department at LCHS. Mel Wilson presented our two servers, Nancy and Patty, who fix the food that we enjoy at lunch.

Songs: Ed Moulton led us in "Hi Neighbor”.

Howard Backer reminded us—after bestirring us to give him a round of applause for not handing out bills on the first meeting of the month—about the up-coming Mid-Year South Cal-Neva meeting on February 21, 2004 at 8:00AM at the Burbank Hilton, right across from the entrance to the Burbank Airport—can’t miss it. Registration is at 7:30 AM. The Club pays for the registration and Howard will happily bill us for the interclub lunch. All officers, directors and committee chairs should attend.

Jim Ackland gave the happy report that two of our sponsored youth have been busy in the community. The previously barren corner of Berkshire and Oak Grove was planted by the K Kids—with George Lutes in command—and the Builder’s Club with Karl Johnson’s leadership. One of the young men could not make the Planting Event—which took all day—on account of a new dog, so George talked Mom into coming! Mark Alexander helped out by giving advice and by getting the City of La Cañada Flintridge to foot the bill for the plants and tree.

Unexpected Surprise Announcement: Dana Schwartz of Descanso Gardens suddenly appeared at the door with a sinister announcement that the president’s gavel had been abducted and was being held for ransom. She laid out three conditions for the gavel’s return: 1. President Jim Ackland pay a $20 ransom; 2. He wear the gavel around his neck for the next 3 meetings and 3. He would promise to better safeguard the gavel in the future. Jim acquiesced to the demands.

Birthdays: Howard Backer had one on February 3 and took the opportunity to regale us with Red Skelton’s tips for a happy marriage. Howard vowed to join the Century Club if a member could answer the question: What is the #1 cause of divorce. Daryal Gant promptly responded “Marriage!” and Howard could not duck the contribution.

Tom Stafford had his 72^{nd on February 5 and donated one buck for each year.}

Ed Moulton led us all in a “Happy Birthday” that Howard said he would have paid $10 to miss.

Happy/Sad Bucks: Clyde Hemphill was sergeant –at-arms. Diane DellaValle gave two: one for going to Merry Olde England with her daughter—the first vacation they would take alone without benefit of husbands and family; and No. 2 for her birthday on March 23 (make a note) for which a friend bought “excellent” tix to the Rod Stewart concert.

Joan Peters gave five happy bucks to be back in the U.S.A. again after a trip to Italy and Europe. Karl Johnson gave for his wife and he closing on 2 properties they had been waiting for. Joel Smith gave for the ’69 Camaro that finally got taken away after his son had stored it in Joel’s garage since he graduated from high school 18 years ago.

Jack Dawson gave for the frightful event that transpired when Barbara had 40 lovely women over for lunch and locked the dog in the study and then could not open the door. Jack had to come home to take the door off but the pooch was locked in for a couple of hours.

Don Corbett joined the Century Club for his 15th wedding anniversary one week ago and also gave for giving up his old Explorer for a new Forerunner.

Daryal Gant told us about his annual physical when his doctor told him he was as healthy as a horse and “half as smart”. Then those of us who were pinless gave a little to the pot.

Frosty's Challenge: Frosty Boyd told an “old maid” story. Bill Watts one-upped him with a cop story and Jack Dawson followed with another cop-and-missing-wife story. The “deaf husband”. Remember? Jim Ackland gave the prize to Bill Watts.

Announcements:

Feb. 17 Tues Dinner 6:15PM, Jewel City Club, Clancy's Restaurant, 219 N. Central Ave. Glendale

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

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

More Announcements: Bachy Backmayer reminded us about the Children's Hospital. Barry Riedel nudged us about the upcoming Travel Adventures program Canadian Rockies show Saturday February 14 at 7:30PM (pre-show entertainment at 7:10PM). Diane DellaValle told us not to forget the “Dine-Around” on April 24. Sheila Cook announced that next week’s program would be the Rose Queen and Court. Dick DeGrey let us in on the up-coming selection for honoring a La Canadian of the Year lunch. He and Chuck Gulick are in charge with help from Karl Johnson in stuffing envelopes. Every year 140-180 people attend our luncheon right here at Descanso.

50/50: Karl Johnson reminded us that the winner gets an opportunity to pick that little special ball out of the bag or else the pot gets bigger. But the winner still has to sell tix the next time. The pot was $60 and Bill Scherkey won but could not get that little special ball out of the bag—only the white one—so the pot gets bigger yet.

Program: Tom Stafford introduced Patrick Larkin, the new Chief Executive of Descanso Gardens. Patrick is from Green Bay Wisconsin where he formerly was director of a botanical gardens and before that, the Smithsonian.

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

Dates to Remember:

Wednesday, February 11: Rose Queen and Court

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

Saturday, February 21 : Mid-Year South Conference

Saturday, March 20: Total K Day

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

Saturday April 24: Dine-Around

Quote: “Nine-tenths of wisdom consists in being wise in time.”

-- Theodore Roosevelt, speech, June 14, 1917