Serving the Children of the World
the Online newsletter of Capital District Kiwanis International

David Maloney, Editor

December 2006

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Presidential Reg. Div. 5 , 19

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Div. 9, 12, 14

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Div. 13, 16, 21, 23

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Club Standings — how did YOUR club do?? Find out here:
October club standings (.pdf format)

This issue at a glance:

Bob’s Builders: Remembering “One Can Make A Difference … and that One is You!”

Gov. Bob Cressy

Joyous Greetings to each and every one of you! December brings us full swing into the Holiday Season with Hanukkah and Christmas upon us, and Nancy and I wish you a very happy holiday with family and friends. The season brings forth many gatherings and joy.

It is a time to reflect on the Objects of Kiwanis, particularly one of our Objects which speaks to giving from our hearts to those in need during this season of plenty. The first Object of Kiwanis International is “To give primacy to the human and spiritual, rather than he material values of life.” When the Thanksgiving turkey dinner barely off the table, it’s disconcerting to see so many people lining up at 5 AM on 'Black Friday' for a day of ‘extreme shopping’ and the pursuit of material things. I’m thankful we as Kiwanians take time to focus on the primacy of the human and spiritual values of life.

We do reflect this first object of Kiwanis and a true spirit in America, evidenced by opening our meeting with a patriotic song, the pledge and a prayer. Especially in this season, we find Kiwanis Club members offering acts of kindness and service to those in need. Many clubs are involved in “Toys For Tots”, winter coats for children, buying, preparing and serving holiday dinners for the hungry, visiting nursing homes and ringing the bells for the Salvation Army. We reach people of every age from our ‘Young Children Priority One” projects, to parties with our elderly citizens in need of some holiday cheerfulness. Thank you for what you do on a daily basis for your communities and children, especially at this time of year.

One of the most rewarding responsibilities of a Governor of the District is to conduct our “Governor’s Official Visit” to each Division. Of course, one of the main purposes of these visits is to have the Kiwanians and guests from that division get together for an evening of fun and social interaction. Bonds of friendship are strengthened, discussions of successful club projects are exchanged and often ‘deals’ are struck to do projects jointly between and among clubs. Joining together on service projects broadens the impact and scope of your project, and projects Kiwanis service into a larger community. The visits are a great catalyst of information, inspiration and motivation to all. Simply put, they are an evening of fun between friends.

What a pleasure it is for Nancy and me to visit with all of you. We continued in November with a visit to Lieutenant Governor Brian Wilson’s Division 23 at the Poquoson Yacht Club. Brian and Ann Wilson hosted a full house including their guests John and Pam Dohnt from Adelaide, Australia. With Nancy’s Canadian and Brian’s Australian heritages, it was like a small meeting of the Commonwealth. Great fun! In order, we next had terrific visits with LG Betty Bell and her Divisions 18 & 24 team at Willow Oaks Country Club in Richmond and then Division 22 with LG Bud Zimmerman hosted by the St. Mary’s Club in Lexington Park, Maryland.

On Saturday November 11th, after the 47th annual Veteran’s Day tribute and wreath laying ceremony hosted by the Bethesda Kiwanis and the American Legion Post #105 of Bethesda, the Governor’s Home Division 17 lead by LG Betty Gardiner hosted a gala with some gag gifts for Bob’s Builders, and we sang spirited patriotic service anthems in honor of our veterans. Next, PG Warren Kane chaired the combined LG Tony Gee’s Division 20 and LG John Beere’s Division 10 in our visit with President Alan Tonelson’s Arlington as the host club. Well done! See more on about this event in this month's "Around the Capital District with Governor Bob and Nancy" page.

The last of eight division visits for the month was none other than Division 8 with LG Jon Rife and Rita held in three parts: Monday, Nov. 27th with the clubs of Wise, Coeburn, and Norton, Tuesday luncheon with Abingdon and President Bob Craig, then an evening with the six remaining clubs hosted by the Grundy, VA, club. District Trustee and PLG Jack White did a great job as host and area guide. Great fun!

I’d like to tell you in detail about each and every one of the visits, but that is not possible of course. Please click on the new feature “Around the District with Gov. Bob and Nancy” to see some of the photo highlights. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words. Also, check out the ‘Governor’s Schedule’ on the Cap Dist site for upcoming events, including the eight Regional Mid-Winter Conference dates and locations.

I must say in closing a few words in praise of frequent President’s or Divisional Council Meetings (PCMs/DCMs). Some divisions have them monthly where geography permits, but all are advised to have them as often as possible, hopefully at least bi-monthly. The strongest clubs are those which interact and exchange ideas with each other. This is shown by the President’s Council Meetings that precede the social hour and dinners at official visits. After many years in Kiwanis and many PCM/DCMs, it never fails to astound me and fill me with pride when I hear of the many wide-ranging service projects rendered thorough our Capital District. For those of you yet to hold your Governor’s Visit, please write the date in your calendar and be sure to join in the fun.

I’ll close by again wishing you a very happy and safe holiday season from Nancy and me. Remember: “Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers, dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time."
Kiwanis Leadership Development Program
Thomas A. Varner, Chair Training & Education Committee

The District Training and Education Committee are nearing the halfway point in the inaugural year of the new Kiwanis Leadership Development Program for club leaders. For the most part attendance has been average for this training. One of the reasons for this is that clubs have not elected their President-Elect or as we are trying to get everyone to say 2007-2008 Presidents.

Once everyone has had Session One, they will understand that the Club Bylaws require this person to be elected at the annual meeting 18 months before they take office. Put another way, the 2007-2008 Presidents should have been elected in April/May of 2006. Many of the leadership positions in Kiwanis are done in this way so that the new leader has a chance to learn, to prepare, and to meet her or his peers.

If a 2007–2008 President is going to miss their own Region’s training opportunity, there is a schedule of other opportunities listed on the District Web Page.

This training is important to the leaders, to their clubs, and to the future of Kiwanis. 1,000,000 members by 2015 is a dream that will become reality if all clubs work towards this goal. Yes, much of this will be achieved with new members and new clubs, but also with growing and revitalized clubs. This training will present tried and true methods and techniques of keeping your members and growing. Your club elected you so they could count on you. Give them the best you have by attending your Kiwanis Leadership Development Program training sessions.
Jim Wilkins Receives Hixson
Greg Davy

Jim Wilkins has been there since the beginning, when the Kiwanis Club of Grafton installed him as its first president when it formed in 1991 with 25 members, a position he held for two years. As the club's faithful secretary for 10 years, he has meticulously recorded the club's many activities while participating in them as well. Recently Wilkins' long-standing service to the club was rewarded with Kiwanis International's highest honor: The George F. Hixson Fellowship medal, bestowed to those Kiwanians who best exemplify Kiwanis' ideals of service to the community.Wilkins is the director of maintenance and facilities support for the York County School Division, and is a Yorktown resident.George F. Hixson, for whom the award is named, was Kiwanis International's first president, serving two terms from 1916-1918. The award was established in 1983 to honor Kiwanis members who perform distinguished club and community service. (Upper right Bill Monroe, right, president-elect of the Kiwanis Club of Grafton, congratulates Jim Wilkins on his being awarded the George F. Hixson Fellowship award. Left Jim Wilkins displays his George F. Hixson Fellowship medal.)
Kiwanis Club of Suburban Frederick Pays Tribute to Vets

Dave Maloney
November 11th was Veterans Day. Several members of the Kiwanis Club of Suburban Frederick who are also military veterans shared their personal stories during a recent club meeting as a tribute to all veterans of the U.S. military. Veterans from WWII, the Korean War, or from the Viet Nam and Granada eras touched on the highlights of their military careers. In attendance at the event were veterans (L to R) Ellis Stroup, Dave Maloney, Charlie Mertz, Glenn Magaha, Jim Wiggins, Ed Crawford and Phil Pople.
Kiwanis Club of Wilmington Works to Form AKTION Club

Richard Holmes

The Kiwanis Club of Wilmington, Delaware is embarking on a drive to form two AKTION clubs, community service groups composed of adults who live with disabilities. It provides an opportunity to develop positive self esteem, listening and speaking skills and leadership ability. Four members of the club recently attended an open house at Delaware Elwyn Institute in an effort to recruit possible members.
An AKTION club can be sponsored by a Key Club or a Circle K Club. Business and professional people can also be sponsors. The Capital District goal: Build at least 3 new AKTION clubs by September 2008. The Elwyn Institute AKTION advisor will be Lee Derr, pictured 2nd from right with Board Member Paul Miller, Key Club Coordinator Charma Bell and member Dick Holmes. Efforts are also under way to form an AKTION group at The Opportunity Center, Inc.
Salisbury School Key Cub Visits Sponsoring Club

David Landis

The current leaders of the Salisbury School Key Cub attended the weekly Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines/Ocean City meeting. Earlier in the year, the local Kiwanis Club sponsored the new Salisbury School Key Club which is a high school club for Kiwanis International. Erin McAfee, the Salisbury School faculty advisor for the Key Club, reported on the programs that Key Club was doing, like the UNICEF drive at Halloween which collected over $150 Halloween night. Key Club members in attendance were President Daniel Harwell, Vice-President Won Choi, Secretary Liz Griffith (see picture attached of Kiwanian (L to R) Tim Collins talking with Club Secretary Liz Griffith while Kiwanian Steve Rosen looks on) and Treasurer Liz Powell. It's rewarding to talk to the young adults and hear of their efforts to serve the community.
Kiwanis Club of Mercury 64 Installs Officers for 2006-2007

Amy Thorstad

The Kiwanis Club of Mercury 64 installed their Officers and Board of Directors for the upcoming year at a dinner celebrating the club's 44th Anniversary. A lovely sit down dinner was held at Sterling's Steakhouse in Norfolk and over 35 members and their spouses were in attendance. Awards were given out for perfect attendance which included one member, Dr. Bernie Friedland, being recognized for 44 years of perfect attendance. In addition, Amy Thorstad was named Kiwanian of the Year 2006. The new officers are pictured above from left to right, Immediate Past President, Monte Correll; Vice President, Roland Taylor; Secretary, Frank Dulong; President, Lorie Vega; President Elect, Amy Thorstad and Treasurer, Harvey Margulies.
Kiwanis Club of Old Town Presents Flag
Doug Butler

Doug Butler, Secretary of the Kiwanis Club of Old Town (Winchester, Va) presents a gift of a U.S. Flag to Jackie Nicholas Hott, Executive Director of the Godfrey Miller Historic Home and Fellowship Center, 28 S. Loudoun Street in Winchester. The flag gift is part of a new Community Service Project set up to distribute flags to local places of historic interest. The Fellowship Center is used by citizens of the area for special meetings of community interest. The Center provided this new meeting place for the recently organized new Kiwanis Club.
Colonial Heights Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast
Jim O'Connell
The Colonial Heights Kiwanis Club conducted it annual Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, November 4th at the Colonial Heights Middle School. Cooking pancakes are from right to left Morgan Thomson, Scott Davis and Jeff Faries. All proceeds go to community charities and needy families over the holiday season.
District Go-To-Church
Booker McManus

Governor Robert Cressy has announced that the annual Capital District Kiwanis Go-To-Church will be observed at the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel, Annapolis, Maryland, on Sunday, April 22, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. Brunch will follow at the Officers and Faculty Club, U.S. Naval Academy. The cost for brunch is $25.00 for adults, $12.00 for children six to twelve and $2.00 under five years old. Please remit by Monday, April 16, 2007. Checks payable to Booker McManus.

Security: Since Tuesday, September 11, 2001, the security requirements have changed at the U.S. Naval Academy. The following rules apply for those entering the Yard.

• All who enter the Yard must have photo identification, e.g., a driver’s license or work place identification.
• Drivers with a Department of Defense decal may enter the Yard.
• Drivers with Handicap stickers may enter the Yard.
• Those who know the area well may park near the Yard and enter through Gate #3.
• All others attending should proceed to the Navy Football stadium and park at parking Lot Blue. A shuttle will be available for your use beginning at 9:30 a.m.

All who plan to attend should arrive NLT 10:00 a.m. in order to ensure that everyone is seated for the processional. Should you have questions please contact me by phone at 410-544-5786 or via E-mail at bmcmanus@covad.net.

Kiwanis Club of the Peninsula at Oyster Point Sponsors Builders Club

Suzi Edwards

The Kiwanis Club of the Peninsula at Oyster Point sponsors the Builders Club at Hampton Roads Academy in Newport News, Virginia. Students participate in service projects, social events and school spirit activities. Recently they prepared gift bags for Halloween to present to the students at The Japanese School which meets at Hampton Roads Academy on Saturdays to study that country's language and culture. (Pictured at the event (left to right) are: Linda Sawyer, Hampton Roads Academy Builders Club sponsor; Katie Schwarting, treasurer; Zach Braig, president; Gemma Pansch, vice-president; and Dru Bowman, Builders Club Administrator for Capital District Kiwanis Clubs and member of the Oyster Point Kiwanis Club.)

Poquoson and Tabb Clubs in MPS Walk

Vivian Tanzer

4th annual Mackenzie Grace Clarke 5K Run/Walk for MPS (mucopolysaccharidoses) was held on 14 October 2006 in Poquoson, Virginia. The Poquoson Kiwanis Club and The Tabb Kiwanis Club, including Lt. Gov. Brian Wilson worked together to help with the fundraiser.

Kiwanis Club of Winchester Holds Pancake Days

Bill Jeunette

What began as a once a year, small but popular local event, has grown into one of the major social events in the Winchester/Frederick County area. The Kiwanis Club of Winchester, Va. sponsors two Pancake Days, usually in early November and again in early April. This is an all day affair with doors opening at 7:00 AM and continuing till 7:00 PM with a constant flow of eager pancake and sausage lovers at the tables. Over the years as growth has demanded the club has adapted to that growth. Preparations begin within weeks after the close of the latest event, all aspects of the event are analyzed and where improvement or change is required the committee moves in that direction. The club has, over the years, upgraded the grills, ovens, serving lines and kitchens operations. Additional grills have been added as well as commercial mixers and holding ovens for the baked sausage. Preparations for the event start early on the Thursday before and work continues till late evening after the event for clean up and storage of the club’s equipment. A local church provides their school gymnasium as the venue for the event. If you are worried about long lines, yes there are those but the average waiting time is less than 20 minutes and your seated and ready to enjoy your meal. If the first trip through the line was not filling enough there is always seconds at the same price. The event encompasses our entire Winchester Kiwanis family, Action Club, Circle K, Key and Builders Clubs, as well as many family members of Kiwanis. Is this a worthwhile effort for the community? It is if you consider that each pancake day produces an average of $25,000.00 or $50,000.00 a year for Community Services funds, it is worth all the hard work and dedication of the entire Kiwanis Family. It is also a tribute to the citizens of the area for their hardy support of this valuable event that helps their community in so many ways.

Kiwanis Club of Wilmington Kids' Reading Program

Richard Holmes

For the fourth straight year, the Kiwanis Club of Wilmington has partnered with READ ALOUD Delaware and Wilmington Head Start Inc., in a project called Give Kids A Reading Start. It's sponsored by the club's Young Child, Priority One Committee. Six members of the club visited the Concord Head Start site and read stories to the children. They also handed out bags with two books for every child to take home and keep forever. Every Head Start youngster in Wilmington (there are about 500) will receive one of those bags. Over the past four years Wilmington Kiwanis has donated over $15,000 to the program, given out over 4,000 books to young children, and read stories to over 15,000 youngsters. (Pictured is club member Harold Shaffer reading to the children.)

Montgomery Village Kiwanis Sells Ornament

Liz Jackson

Montgomery Village Kiwanis is holding a fundraiser selling the 2006 White House ornament. Proceeds go to First Book of Montgomery County & Manna Food fighting hunger, feeding hope. This item makes a wonderful Holiday Gift, only $20.00. For more information. Contact Liz at 301 840-0314.

President Chester A. Arthur’s Tiffany White House. The 2006 White House Christmas ornament honors the administration of the 21st President of the United States Chester A. Arthur (1881-85). Having served just six months as vice president to James A. Garfield, Arthur assumed the presidency in September 1881 when Garfield succumbed to the wounds inflicted by an assassin’s bullet. He brought to the White House a luxurious style that signaled the nation’s return to prosperity after the economic troubles of the late 1870s. The design of the 2006 ornament is inspired by the period motifs and rich décor of Arthur’s White House, which will be forever distinguished by the early work of famed American artist and decorator Louis Comfort Tiffany. The North Portico of the White House is depicted in the center beneath an American bald eagle. The two translucent ovals flanking the center depict the American dogwood blossoms that Tiffany incorporated in a large screen of red, white, and blue glass, which stood in the Entrance Hall until the turn of the century. The naturalistic leaves that comprise the gold-plated outer wreath of the ornament are derived from murals painted in the Entrance Hall. The honeysuckle details (“anthemia”) in the inner oval frame are adapted from the high Victorian decoration of the East Room.
Kiwanis Club of Old Town Teaches Future Voters

Doug Butler

Tom Lloyd of the Kiwanis Club of Old Town (Winchester, Va) shows students how to operate the voting machines during KIDS VOTING in Winchester. A total of 5,435 students voted in Winchester during the November 7th project.
Lancaster County Middle School Builders Club Makes $500 Donation

Willis Burton

The Builders Club of the Lancaster County Middle School recently made a gift of $500 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central Virginia. The presentation to Lynn Benson, Events Manager of the Foundation, took place at the breakfast meeting of the Northern Neck Kiwanis Club on Wednesday, November 8. Eight youths attended for breakfast along with their leader, Karen Jakobsen, and her parent assistant, Lynn Gaddy. The presentation followed an impressive talk and video by Ms. Benson detailing the many varied wishes that the Foundation has been able to grant. Kilmarnock is located in Region 4 where there were 28 wishes granted in the last year. The very active Builders Club has raised money in a great variety of ways, from car washes to window washing to dances. The local youth are sponsored by the Kiwanis Club with member Paula Milsted serving as coordinator. Shown in the picture are Ms. Benson, Builders Club President Shane Hammell and Ms. Jakobsen.
Gov. Cressy Visits Div. 23

Vivian Tanzer

On November 6th, Gov. Bob Cressy and First Lady Nancy attended the official Governors visit to Division 23. The visit was hosted by the Poquoson Kiwanis Club at the Poquoson Yacht Club. Past Governor Yvonne Holly passed the Governor's banner to Gov. Bob Cressy (left). Lt. Gov. Brian Wilson presented Gov. Bob with a donation of $500 for The Capitol Foundation in Gov. Bob's name (right).
Hampton Roads Region Midwinter Conference

Vivian Tanzer

Save The Date! Governor Bob and First Lady Nancy want you to join them at the Hampton Roads Regional Midwinter Conference "Building for the Future" to be held January, 13 2007 at Old Dominion University Webb Center from 8 AM-2:30 PM. As a Service Project, we ask that you bring a new or gently used book appropriate for 0-6 year olds.
"2006 Woman and Man of the Year" Named By the Arlington Inter-Service Clubs' Council

Jim Thomas

Two members of the Kiwanis Club of Arlington were named Man and Woman of the Year by the Inter-Service Club Council on Nov. 15, marking the first time in history of the awards program that representatives of the same organization simultaneously received the awards. Debbie Powers and Ed Nolen (right) were honored not only for their work with Kiwanis, but for volunteer efforts throughout the community, in the 52nd annual awards luncheon, held at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

Powers, the deputy coordinator of the county government's Office of Emergency Management, was cited for her pioneering leadership of the Kiwanis Club. She was the club's first female member, and later served as its first female president. Powers helped organize the club's 75th-anniversary gala this past spring, and, with fellow Kiwanian Tom Parker, was a driving force behind the Kiwanis Club's $75,000 contribution in support of the Children's Rain Garden at Powhatan Springs Park. Her work in county government has included stints as liaison to a number of community events and task forces, from Arlington's bicentennial celebration to the County Fair.

Nolen, who is retired from the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee staff, is a past president of the Kiwanis Club, and is adviser to the Yorktown High School Key Club. In addition, he is a former president of the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) and is vice president of the Arlington Interfaith Council, where he represents Resurrection Lutheran Church. He also has been active with Vanguard Services Unlimited and the Arlington County Democratic Committee.
The Kiwanis Club of Harrisonburg Virginia Establishes a Builders Club at Thomas Harrison Middle School

Gerald Taylor

The Kiwanis Club of Harrisonburg is proud to announce the establishment of a Builders Club made up of middle school students at Thomas Harrison Middle School in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The Club is pleased to have the support of Thomas Harrison Principal Betsy Dunnenberger. The Builders Club's Objectives are: to provide opportunities for working together in service to school and community; to develop leadership potential; to foster the development of a strong moral character; and to encourage loyalty to school, community, and nation. A picture of the Charter Presentation is presented below.

The Thomas Harrison faculty advisors to the Builders Club are Kim Schlabach and Virginia Healy. Officers include President Isaac Rohrer, Vice President Olivia McCarty, Secretary Ryan Kline, and Treasurer Ali Byrd. The Club is working on the following fundraising and community service projects: playing with children at Roberta Webb Day Care Center, collecting and distributing magazines to the Price Rotary Senior Center, and a bake sale. (Pictured above is the Presentation of Charter to Thomas Harrisonburg Middle School Builders Club by Kiwanis Club of Harrisonburg Virginia, November 14, 2006.)

In addition to sponsoring the Builders Club at the middle school level, the Harrisonburg Kiwanis Club sponsors the Key Club at Harrisonburg High School, and Circle K at James Madison University. Kiwanis Sponsored Youth Co-Chairs are Bob Mead and Alex Banks.
Kiwanis Capital District Foundation Makes Gift

Paul Creamer

Recently a check for $3350 was presented to Johns Hopkins Childrens Center by the Capital District Foundation. Pictured are Dr. Norton Gettes, Lt. Gov. of the 12th Division of Kiwanis Capital District, Paula Shell, Development Coordinator for the Johns Hopkins Children Center, and Joseph Maranto, President Elect of Kiwanis Capital District Foundation.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines/Ocean City German Dinner

D.J. Landis

Thank You to all who attended and supported the 2006 Annual Kiwanis Club German Dinner on. Many days of hard work preparing the food were rewarded by a great turn out . Proceeds go to support the Kiwanis Scholarship Fund which awards scholarships annually to deserving senior students at Stephen Decatur High School. Your support is appreciated by the Kiwanis Club and the SDHS scholarship recipients. (Pictured are Larry Kearny & Dick Feeser cooking dumplings.)
New Kiwanis Circle K Club at George Mason University

Jeffrey M. Wolff

It gives me great pleasure to announce the official chartering of a new CKI club at George Mason University. The club chartered on October 31st 2006 with a paid membership of 47 members. The club is proudly sponsored by the
Kiwanis Club of Tysons Corner, Virginia,

Many people have worked very diligently towards the re-chartering of this club since it last existed on the campus of GMU over 10 years ago. A charter night is being planned for the Spring semester. The 2006-07 club officers are President Sarah Olson, Executive Vice-President Naima Malik, Service Vice-President Veronica Vivas, Secretary Melissa Kong, Treasurer Amanda Kong and Editor Sara Arain. This gives Capital District Circle K 34 chartered clubs, the largest number in recent history for the district.

"To ALL of you, a most hardy CONGRATULATIONS on the official chartering of the newest Kiwanis CKI Club," said Gov. Bob Cressy
Kiwanis Club of Old Town Helps Pets

Doug Butler

Anita Hill, President Elect of the Kiwanis Club of Old Town (Winchester, Va.) checks in a package of dog food from member Sherri Ambrogi during the club's Thanksgiving Dinner for SPCA Homeless pets. The Club has adopted this as one of their annual Community Service projects.

Smithfield Kiwanis Club Celebrates 30 Years of Service

Peter Stephenson

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. In Smithfield that is exactly what the Kiwanis Club has been doing now for over 30 years! The Smithfield Kiwanis Club was founded on September 22, 1976 and continues to play an important role serving children in Smithfield and Isle of Wight County.

The next two service projects are Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 9th and the Children’s Christmas Toy Store on December 12th and 13th. Everyone is welcome to have breakfast with Santa, which is held at The Smithfield Center immediately prior to the Smithfield Christmas Parade. Tickets are available now at The Smithfield Center, 220 North Church Street and the cost is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children. This event is also supported by the Smithfield High School Key Club and the Luter Family YMCA. Last year’s event exceeded expectations with 600 parents and children served. Past Club President Sue Ivy is chairing this project again this year.

Smithfield Kiwanians are also hard at work planning for the 30th annual Children’s Christmas Toy Store, where toys will be distributed to eligible families in need here in Isle of Wight County. The presents are free – courtesy of businesses and individuals who donate money to the Smithfield Kiwanis Club’s 2006 Children’s Fund. Donations earmarked for the Children’s Fund may be sent to the Smithfield Kiwanis Club, P.O. Box 143, Smithfield, Virginia 23431. Club President-Elect Craig Stallings is serving as chairman of this charitable project in partnership with the Luter Family YMCA. An estimated 350 children will be served this year through this effort. The largest donation received to date for this year’s Children’s Fund was from a $5,000 grant received from the McCormick Tribune Foundation through The Daily Press.

As the Smithfield Kiwanis Club celebrates its 30th Anniversary (left) we recognize five of our Charter Members who remain active today: Charlie White, Mac Cofer, Bill Laine, Bob Clay and Tom Ross. The club has approximately 60 members and meets for lunch every Thursday at the Smithfield Station. Smithfield Kiwanis Club officers for this year are: President Peter Stephenson, President-Elect Craig Stallings, Vice President Angie Lowry, Secretary Bill Wyrick, Treasurer Barbara Bryant and Immediate Past President Joe Puglisi. The five other directors serving this year are: Renee Bevan, Mac Cofer, Bob Cole, Kurt Falkenstein and Alan Nogiec.

For more information about the Smithfield Kiwanis Club please visit our new website www.smithfieldkiwanis.org. We look forward to serving the community for many years to come.
Fresh Idea on Helping the Food Bank

Joe Scardo

A Clintwood Kiwanis member came up with the idea of how to stretch resources to help the local Food Bank. The idea was to give up the group's traditional Thanksgiving meal and donate the savings to the food bank. Everyone thought it was a good idea as we usually have too much to eat during the holiday season while others less fortunate make do with less. Instead of our usual dinner of turkey and all the trimmings, we enjoyed a variety of soups and breads prepared by our members. The Clintwood High School Key Club also pitched in and donated from their cookie dough sales. Using money saved by forgoing the traditional meal, money from other fund raisers and money donated by the Key Club we were able to donate a total of $700 to the Food Bank for a Thanksgiving supplement to the usual food items.
La Plata Club Sells Ornament

Linda Parong

Right, La Plata Club members Linda Parong with Judi & Jim Gorney selling the Charles County '06 annual ornament (detail left) at the Waldorf Jaycees Craft Fair. The La Plata, Waldorf, and Charles County Clubs all participate in this project.
Kiwanis Club of Manassas' Heroes Appreciation Night

John Beere

The Kiwanis Club of Manassas held its 11th annual Heroes Appreciation Night on November 16th. Started in 1997, this program honors local law enforcement and fire & rescue personnel. The selection is left to the commanding officers and chiefs but many localities will follow the Kiwanis theme of service to children.

This year we honored 10 members from seven departments — five from law enforcement and two from fire & rescue. Some worked with at-risk youth while others performed life saving efforts. Several provided behind the scenes coordination and there were two who caught the bad guys.

Each recipient was presented with a certificate of appreciation. (Pictured are the recipients flanked by Club President Dennis Zahorchak (left) and event chairman, LTG John Beere (right).)
Salem, Downtown Roanoke and Botetourt Clubs Help Military Families

Gerald Brittain

The Kiwanis Club of Salem, Virginia, with assistance from the Downtown Roanoke and Botetourt Clubs, have come to the aid of the Military Family Support Center to help the families of our deployed National Guard and Reserve troops.

People forget when our Guard and Reserve are deployed overseas or out of the area, they leave behind families that often are struggling to get by on far less pay and without a partner at home to help when troubles arise. Many of these families are not in close proximity to a military base where they can get PX, JAG, Medical or other assistance.

The Military Family Support Center was formed to provide assistance to the families with these services and with access to needed items such as diapers, baby food, gift cards for staples, etc.

The Salem Kiwanis Club, with the assistance of the National Guard and the local Walmart stores arranged to have military Humvees parked at the stores and handed out flyers to customers asking them to purchase needed items and “Fill the Humvee” for our troops families. The Roanoke and Botetourt clubs were more than happy to lend a hand and work the Walmarts in their areas. In the three events held so far, the clubs have acquired and estimated $50,000 in donations for the families. A fourth event is scheduled for December 9 and, if people are as generous as last December, they hope to add close to $30,000 more to that total. The clubs figure it is their duty to sacrifice one day to help those who sacrifice so much for our freedom.
Kiwanis Family of Mitchellville Walk for the Homeless

Gerald Brittain
The Mitchellville Kiwanis Family, including Kiwanis Club, Bowie State Circle K, Largo High School Key Club, and K Kids of Woodmore Elementary School participated in the 2006 Fannie Mae Foundation Help the Homeless Program and Walkathon held November 18, 2006 on the Mall in Washington, D.C. The Kiwanis of Mitchellville family raised more than $2500 to support Family Crisis Center of Prince George’s County. The Center provides counseling, education, and support services for the women, men, and children affected by family violence. The Fannie Mae Foundation Help the Homeless Program raises awareness of and funds for Washington metropolitan area organizations that are working to prevent and end homelessness, with an emphasis on programs that help homeless people return to independent living. The Help the Homeless Program also fosters volunteerism in service to the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless.
Kiwanis Club of Rockville to Hold Annual Pancake Breakfast on Dec. 9

Elizabeth Homan
The Kiwanis Club of Rockville will hold its annual all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast on Saturday, December 9, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Montgomery College's Rockville Campus cafeteria, 51 Mannakee Street, in Rockville, Md.

Kiwanians are encouraged to bring their holiday spirit and families to the breakfast because Rockville Club member George Sauer will dress up as Santa Claus! Children who visit Santa will get a free souvenir photo to take home.

In the main cafeteria, we will have musical entertainment to entertain guests as they eat. At 8 and 10 a.m., Upbeat Unlimited, the Musical Theater Center's "roving ambassadors" ages 10 to 14, will perform favorite songs from Broadway. Bettie Jane's School of Dance Arts will take the floor at 9 a.m. with some talented toe-tapping numbers. Finally, our last group, Precision Tuned, will perform starting at 10:45 a.m. Precision Tuned is an adult male ensemble group that performed its four-part harmonies to thunderous applause at the recent Rockville Club's installation dinner.

The breakfast will also feature a bake sale of homemade goodies, such as Christmas cookies, breads, and cakes. This year, we'll be selling homemade gingerbread houses and sleighs made by our members.

All Kiwanians are invited to join in the fun and have all-you-can-eat at the Rockville Club's holiday pancake breakfast. Tickets are $6 in advance or $7 at the door. To purchase advance tickets, contact John Tyner at 301-468-2146.
Anita McFarlane Awarded Cap. Dist. Foundation Life Membership

Dr. Courtney L. Jones
Anita McFarlane, President of the Leisure World Kiwanis Club (right), was given the 14th Annual Capital District Kiwanis Foundation Life Membership Award recognizing the outstanding Division 17 Kiwanis Family member at a recent Division 17 meeting. Past Gov. John Tyner presented the award. As a leader in the club and Division as Young Children Priority One Chair, Anita initiated a Division-wide project that distributed 1800 posters to middle schools and licensed day care facilities throughout the county. The posters provided information on the Heimlich anti-choking maneuver. Anita's involvement started when she learned that a classmate of her grandson had choked on food at a cafeteria in Georgia. The child died because no one at the school knew this procedure. When the life squad came they worked on the child but to no avail. Mrs. McFarlane checked and realized that many day care centers and schools did not always have information or they had outdated posters. She vowed to do something about this, launched the effort, and saw to it that 1800 posters were sent out. Anita said she hoped that a child dying from choking would never happen again.
Pembroke Kiwanis 5K Race and Taste of Town Events

Susan Long-Molnar
We are still celebrating from this year’s Pembroke Kiwanis Town Center 5K Race (left) held on November 11th — doubling our profits so that our net was almost $20,000 (this has been the entire amount of our charity club budget in years past!). Runner participation increased significantly to around 300 runners and walkers. The new endeavor, Taste of Town Center (right) which we held on Friday evening for the runners was a great success—with many restaurants participating from the area. This along with the great breakfast from Red Tavern, incredible door prizes, and live music has made this race a favorite of area runners! Hats off again to David Bogart and Apex Technologies, a long-standing club member and presenting sponsor, Race Director Mary O’Neill and the entire club for all the hard work to make this signature event!
Kiwanis Club of Olney Collecting Toys for Tots

Kelly Boswell
The Kiwanis Club of Olney will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. With each passing year, the demand from area organizations had increased. This year is no exception. If you would like to make a donation, please contact Mike Green 301-924-5374 or Marty Eley 301-774-0308.
Kiwanis Club of Roanoke Helps with View Shed Planting

Mike Loveman
Sixteen members of the Kiwanis Club of Roanoke participated in the semi-annual Blue Ridge Parkway View Shed Planting held on November 11, 2006 near the 125.5 mile mark on the Parkway. The purpose of this ongoing project is to maintain the scenic beauty of the Parkway by screening nearby residential and commercial developments with vegetative buffers. The plants that are used include both seedlings and balled and burlapped trees. At this most recent event, approximately 150 6’ balled and burlapped hard wood trees were planted. The planting procedures include: placing the trees in pre-dug holes, back filling, mulching, staking, and watering.

In addition to the members and guests of the Kiwanis Club of Roanoke were student members of Key Clubs from both the William Fleming and Patrick Henry High Schools in Roanoke, as well as more than 200 participants from other community organizations.

The November 11, 2006 event was the fifth consecutive View Shed tree planting project in which the Kiwanis Club of Roanoke has been directly involved in a leadership role. Members of the Club have also been actively involved in the year-round efforts of the Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway View Shed Planning Committee which organizes and implements the planting and screening program.
Brenda Garrett, Executive Director, Kiwanis Children's Council of Hampton Roads, Addresses Kiwanis Club of Hampton

Al Newton

The Council, which was formed in 1999 with a mission of identifying the unmet needs of children and families in Hampton Roads, created and maintains a website atwww.KidsPriorityOne.Org and information line (757) CHILDREN, designed to connect children and families with resources. The KidsPriorityOne program is an information and referral service specializing in child and families resources. The program is the result of a collaborative effort between representatives of local Kiwanis clubs, and public and private agencies.

Brenda emphasized that efforts are underway to completely overhaul and update the database-containing over 4500 agencies and programs across Hampton Roads. This is time consuming and expensive, but must be done in order to meet the needs of the thousands of parents and service professionals who turn to KidsPriorityOne each month searching for resources. Secondly, Brenda talked about the program's role in the early childhood education initiatives taking shape across Virginia, with Governor Tim Kaine's support. These efforts are directed at increasing the quality of care and education children receive from birth to age five. During these critical years 85 to 90% of children's brains are "wired". So the care they receive from parents and pre-school providers is critical to later success in life.
Kiwanis Club of Grafton and the Appalachia Service Project

Greg Davy

When she was a teenager, Brooke Everhart participated in some of the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) efforts in which local volunteers travel to depressed Appalachian areas to help disadvantaged families repair their homes and generally help improve their quality of life. "There are many excellent programs similar to this one that help people all across the country," Brooke says. "The big difference I saw in the ASP program was that, instead of going just for a day, pounding a few nails and going home, you stay for an entire week. You get to know the members of the family you are helping — their personalities, hopes and dreams. By the end of the week, we were all crying because we had to say goodbye. We stay in touch with the families we help, because we really care what happens to them."

For the members of the Kiwanis Club of Grafton who donate each year to ASP and receive a progress report from local representative Keith Bird (upper right), the reward is seeing tangible evidence that their donation has made a real difference. For Brooke and her parents Joel and Kathy, who are both Grafton Kiwanians, it has become much more than that.

"I realized after doing this as a teenager that I wanted to do more ... so ASP became a career for me," Brooke says. She now serves as field coordinator at ASP's home office in Johnson City, TN, where she oversees the activities in five counties in the Appalachian region. Brooke admits the administrative aspect of the job can be vexing at times. "But I know that, when the teams of volunteers actually get into the field and starting positively affecting the lives of people who really need it, it's worth all the trouble." (Upper left: Brooke, Joel and Kathy Everhart.)
Division One Hall of Fame

Doris R. Montgomery
During the last Division One Presidents Council Meeting of the 2005-2006 administrative year, Lieutenant Governor Doris Montgomery honored all Div. 1 Past Lieutenant Governors by inducting them into the Div. 1 The Hall of Fame.

It was a black tie event. After the induction all present toasted the Past Lieutenant Governors which sealed the induction. The PLGs received a medallion with the letter K and circumscribed with the words "The Hall of Fame." On the back was the PLG's name and the year served.

The display to the right shows those honored including Linwood Watson (also Past Governor), Preston Davis (Past Governor and Past International Trustee), Kenneth Tracy, Shirley Brown, Bernice Oden, Jay Vaughn, Jacqulyn Lowe, Joe Richard McCray, Marie B. Quick, Wayne B. Quick, Robert Cyrus. Photos not on the display include Donna Dean, Harold Jewels, and Robert Hughes.

In attendance was '05-'06 Capital District Governor Yvonne Holley, Gov. Designate Robert Cressy and First Lady Nancy Cressy, Past Governor Warren Kane and wife Dale Kane, Regional Trustee Jonnie Mann and husband Gordon Mann, and Joseph D. Montgomery, husband of Lieutenant Governor Doris Montgomery of Division One.

Each year at the Division One Official Governor's Visit the outgoing Lieutenant Governor will be inducted into the Div. One Hall of Fame.

Past Lieutenant Governor Doris Montgomery hopes this is something special enough that all Divisions worldwide would honor there Past Lieutenant Governors. If anyone would like more information on the Hall of Fame, contact Doris at mdoris@comcast.net.
Aussies Lend a Hand to Kiwanis Club of Poquoson

Vivian Tanzer
For the past fifteen years, the Kiwanis Club of Poquoson has decorated the city’s main street with sixty-five American flags on days of national importance. Veterans’ Day was certainly one of those days. Problems arose however, when several key Kiwanians in this program where not available to help out.

When the word spread, help came from an unexpected source. John and Pam Dohnt of Adelaide, Australia, who where visiting Poquoson as guests of a local Kiwanis member, quickly volunteered to fill the manpower gap. Donning Kiwanis hats, they where on Wythe Creek Road at daybreak and again in the late afternoon mounting the flags. Due to their enthusiastic international assistance, local citizens where once again treated to the sight of “Old Glory” lining the main thoroughfare of Poquoson.
Poquoson Kiwanis Club Seafood Festival

Joe Discenza
The Poquoson Kiwanis Club completed a record barbecue sales event at this year's Poquosoon Seafood Festival. Club members cooked 1,750 pounds of pork and sold about 1,800 barbecue sandwiches and another 400 pounds of bulk barbecue meat at the 3-day festival (left). The event produced record sales of nearly $13,000 with a net profit of $8,538, a 15% increase from 2005.The seafood festival provides almost 20% of the club's annual service project revenues of close to $50,000, second only to the one-day barbecue event held independently in May each year. This effort requires the work of more than half the 81 active club members and sponsored clubs partner in both events. The Poquoson Middle School Builders Club assisted by preparing and serving free drinks and club volunteers helped the Poquoson High School Key Club sell cotton candy at an adjoining booth (right). The club donated unsold hamburger buns were donated to the food pantry at the Poquoson Parish Thrift Shop.
Colonial Capital Kiwanis Club Holds Toy Drive for Local Kids

Gil Curl
The Christmas holidays, usually a joyous time for most of us, are often far less joyous for some parents, especially when they cannot afford to purchase toys for their small children. The Colonial Capital Kiwanis Club’s annual “Toy Drive for Local Kids” addresses this situation by raising funds to purchase new toys for needy children in our community. This year’s campaign kicked off the weekend before Thanksgiving and continued through December 18.

The annual Kiwanis toy drive is Colonial Capital’s principal community service activity, and is widely recognized and highly regarded in our community. This year’s toy drive marks our 26th consecutive year of providing this service to our community.

We solicit donations from a variety of sources, but are probably best recognized by the general public for “shaking canisters” at several local shopping centers. We supplement these fund-raising efforts by sponsoring a golf tournament in early December, the proceeds of which support the toy drive. This year’s tournament will be held at the Williamsburg National Golf Course.

Working through local social service agencies, we identify needy families with children ranging in age from infants to twelve years. We then invite the parents of these children to come to a local toy store at a designated time to select toys for their children, and our club pays the bill. Last year, for example, we served 224 families, representing a total of 447 children, and purchased nearly $14,000 worth of toys in support of this community service project. We hope to exceed these levels this year.

The proven record of our annual toy drive draws overwhelming support from the community. Indeed, it is not unusual for a family who has benefited from this program in the past to contribute a few coins to our “canister shakers” when they encounter them at a later date, thus helping other families in a similar situation. Every penny helps bring smiles to needy children on Christmas. After all, this is what Kiwanis is all about – Serving the Children of the World.
Notes and News from the District Young Children: Priority One Committee

David Lurie

Greetings fellow Kiwanians! As we head through the holiday season, the District YC:PO Committee wanted to pass along a few reminders:

The Flu and THRIVE - The first quarter of the new year still has one month left and that means there is still time to promote and participate in our committee's first major focus of the year - Tackling the Health Risk of Influenza through Vaccination Education or THRIVE. The Kiwanis education program is still available to your clubs and even in December there is still time to get a shot and be protected this season. Remember there is NO flu shortage, but there are some distribution issues - especially for the flu shot for the kids ages 2-5 in some areas. Ask your club members and families to get their flu shots!

Did you know there is a recognition award for clubs who do outstanding Young Children: Priority One projects? Kiwanis International has a banner patch award program and you can get the forms from the Kiwanis International Web Site. Follow the instructions for how to get your club nominated and hopefully we will publish the names of some clubs and their outstanding projects here in this space soon.

The second quarter of the year is focusing on literacy and fortunately for us Kiwanians - Kiwanis International also has February as Read Around the World month. While not just a YC:PO project - this is a project that has endless possibilities for our club. Key Clubs are also doing a focus on reading in the next quarter of the years as well so there is even an opportunity to do a joint project not only for the YC:PO committee in your club but also for your Youth Services and Service Leadership Programs Committees as well. I am sure there is also some creative folks out there who can find a way to make an interclub out of a reading project as well! So while we are trying to stay warm during the winter - have your clubs think about a reading project for your club and warm some children hearts as well.

For those of who plan well in