OPENING:  Martha Crockett’s beautiful music set the stage for our special luncheon.  Pres Jim Ackland’s gracious Swan Song began as he recognized our lunch staff for their attentive service this past year.  We then sang God Bless America under the direction of Ed Moulton and accompanied by Martha.  Pres Jim led the flag salute and Chuck Gulick gave the invocation. 

A BIT OF BUSINESS:  Bob Wallace led the club election to fill the final two positions of club secretary and board member.  Bill Scherkey (secretary) and Jeb Long (board member) were unanimously elected.  Since there have been several changes since our first elections in May, Bob reviewed the 2004-2005 lineup:  Daryal Gant, President; Paul Westmoreland, President-Elect; Frank Ragazzi, Vice President; Bill Scherkey, Secretary; and Howard Backer, Treasurer.  Board Directors serving a final year (of the two year term) will be Clyde Hemphill, Bill Watts, and Diane DellaValle.  Board Directors beginning their two year term will be Bob Martin, George Lutes, Melinda Thompson, Lloyd Welch, and Jeb Long.  

GUESTS & MEMBERS WE HAVE MISSED:  Ed introduced his interclub harem – Hilda, Margaret, Asta and Marie; they were visiting from the Hollywood/Los Feliz Kiwanis Club.  Patsy Christianson introduced Brenda Wiktorski, a realtor who recently returned to the La Cañada area.  Don Mazen was introduced by Chuck Gulick.  Pres Jim introduced his lovely wife, Jo – who in turn introduced their good neighbor Bob Woodburn.  Hi Nieghbor was our musical welcome for all our guests.

HAPPY/SAD BUCKS:  Mike Lienenger had $5 Happy Bucks because LCHS was recently named a National Blue Ribbon School (one of only six public high schools in California).  This year more students took more AP tests than ever before and 80% passed the tests.  Add to that eleven National Merit Scholarship semi-finalists and a 52 – 0 win over Glendale HS by the football team, and Mike was one proud principal!  At Mike’s side was Supt. Sue Leabo who was equally proud.  Bill Scherkey was happy to spend a week with his grandson in Minneapolis; after Sam’s birthday party with eight 3 year old children, Bill was ready to come home and get some rest.  It was worth $5 to Daryal to again thank Clyde Hemphill, Mary Gant, Carl Christenson, and George Lutes for the tremendous job they did on the Wine and Gourmet Food Tasting event.  Pat Anderson was Very Happy  the new La Cañada Flintridge website was launched after a two year collaboration between the Chamber and the City.  Check it out at

  LaCanadaFlintridge.gov 

Jim Edwards had a USC challenge to Stanford fans who are currently celebrating two big football victories.  Ed Moulton was SOOOO Happy for Sue Leabo’s intervention on his granddaughter’s behalf, he gave $100 Happy Bucks and then got a big hug from Sue.  Frosty spoke for all of us and gave some Happy Bucks for Pres Jim’s great year as our leader.   Pat Anderson had a Sad Buck because Paul Bobzin’s business building was covered with graffiti recently, but Happy because the graffiti would be removed for free.

FROSTY’S CHALLENGE:  Frosty had us all laughing with his well-told story of three elderly sisters.  His able challengers were Bachy Bachmayer and our guest Bob Woodburn.  After three good rounds of laughter, the bag of nuts went to Bob and the cheering was for Frosty.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Howard Backer encouraged us to attend the October 5^th installation dinner for our new Kiwanis Lieutenant Governor.  Pat Anderson had us give a hand to Allen Perry Jr. and Paul Toffel, as they are both going to be Men About Town at the Chamber’s fundraiser and men’s fashion show.  Pat also announced the start of the Café Court, an area at the north end of our Farmers Market on every Saturday where you can sit and eat and visit with friends.  Ed was trolling for poll worker volunteers; the $80 stipend can be donated directly to our club.  Mary Gant showed another Valley Sun article about our Wine and Gourmet Food Tasting.  Thanks again to Clyde and George for the great booklet; remember to frequent the restaurants which supported our event and let them know you are from Kiwanis.  Frank Ragazzi said season ticket sales are a little slow, but everything else is lined up for the beginning of our Travelogue series that begins October 16.  Bachy asked us to remember Children’s Hospital.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  Next week we are DARK at noon.  The Installation Dinner will start at 6:30 p.m. with a no host bar.  Please support your new slate of officers and board members; call Howard Backer if you haven’t already signed up.

FROSTY’S SLA UPDATE:  We were saddened to hear that Frank William’s wife, Mary, died earlier this week after having a serious fall.  Frank’s son and daughter-in-law have been living with Frank and Mary, so Frank will continue to have some in-home support.  Vi Ragazzi has been in the hospital.  Dick and Shirley DeGrey and Joyce and Pat Flynn would still enjoy phone calls.

PROGRAM:  Pres Jim’s Swan Song was a great recap of our entire year, highlighting our many and various projects and the members instrumental in each.  He also described how we raised the money to support each of our projects and who spearheaded each fundraising event.  It was an amazingly long list and made us all proud to be part of this Kiwanis Club.  Thank You Pres Jim for leading us through this amazing year.

Pres Jim Ackland

50/50 DRAWING:  Frosty may not have won the bag of nuts for his joke, but he did win the drawing today.

CLOSING:  Ed led us in Hail Kiwanis.