August Meeting Updates .....

August 28 Meeting -- "What is compounding?" Answer by Kim Nolte, Parmacist: "A method of preparing customized medications to help meet unique physician and patient needs." 18 members and one guest - Alex Bingman of KMZA Radio listened and asked many pertinent questions. A thank you note was read from scholarship winner Daniel Kruse. A reminder that all members are invited to attend as the board wrestles with the upcoming club year's budget on Wednesday, September 2nd at Gus Restaurant at noon.

August 21 Meeting -- Brown County Commissioner Warren Ploeger brought the 15 members and 1 guest (Terry Smith) up-to-date on the construction of the new Brown County Jail. Secretary read a thank you note from Amber Hatfield for our Relay for Life donation.

August 20 Interclub Trip -- Del Larson, Interclub chairman set up a visit to the Sabetha club. Those attending were: Del, Carl Nelson, Yola Bee Strobel and Janice Smith. Very good food and interesting speaker. Wish you could have been with us!

August 14 Meeting -- Vice President, Fonda LaFrenz welcomed 5 Kiwanians from Sabetha (Paul Tedman, Ralph Tennel, Dan Wenger, Bob Huber & Doug Witaker) and her guest, Terry Smith. She also gave a report on the State Convention she attended last weekend in Kansas City. 15 members were in attendance to hear Sue Korthanke, Director of Vintage Park, give an update on her facility. An additional 6 members signed the committee assignment sheet for next club year.

August 7 Meeting -- Club secretary Janice Smith gave a brief synopsis of the August 5th Board Meeting and passed around the committee signup sheet for the upcoming 2009-2010 club year. Beckham Smith introduced the new Morrill Public Library Director, Eric Gustafson. Janice read "Once Upon A Time...." reminding everyone to 'always be positive and to be deaf when people tell you that you cannot fulfill your dreams'! 12 members were in attendance.

August 1st Kiwanis "KIDS FUN DAY AT THE PARK FIESTA"

"This is great! And it's free!" was the comment heard many times from children and parents attending the 2nd Annual Kiwanis "Kid's Fun Day At The Park" held August 1st at the Hiawatha Kiddie Korral located at Noble Park. 244 hot dogs, chips, pop and ice cream were served. Old-fashion games of bean bag toss, ring the bottle, croquet, hopscotch, hillbilly golf, and miniature golf were available. In addition, Petals the Clown made balloon animals and flowers, the Good Deeds Mini Horse Club gave carriage rides, and DeeAnn Hinkle painted many faces. Hiawatha Kiwanians thank all that assisted in putting on this fun day including Hiawatha FFA Club and Boy Scout Troop #313, the many businesses that donated merchandise; as well as those in attendance that contributed to the 'free will' jar that goes towards providing high school senior college scholarships. It was a great way to celebrate the end of summer vacation before the kids go back to school. See you next year....

July Kiwanis Meetings .....

July 31 Meeting -- We were very happy to welcome our guests today -- Kansas Kiwanis Division 2 Lt. Gov. Dan Gaumer and 4 fellow Lawrence Kiwanians; and former Hiawatha Kiwanian Bev Sunderman. Troy Boswell introduced his speaker - Joni Spellmeier, Director of RSVP of Northeast Kansas. Joni described the many volunteer programs they provide .... Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Medicare Consultants, Intergenerational Programs, Cyber Seniors, Classroom Buddies, Nutrition Sites, Pen Pals, Visitation, Transportation, Freezer Meals for Seniors, Red Cross Bloodmobile, Newsletters, Telephone Companions, and Meals on Wheels to name a few. They are looking for volunteers in the Hiawatha area -- if you are interested please call Joni at 785-562-2154. And remember, you can turn these volunteer hours in to Janice Smith to report on the monthly Kiwanis reports. Discussion of preparations for tomorrow's Kiwanis Kids Fun Day at the Park was finalized.

July 24 Meeting -- 17 Kiwanians and 1 guest, Haley Edwards, listened to Julie James' presentation on the NRCS Conservation Earth Day Celebration held for area elementary school-aged children in April at the lake. Julie was introduced by Fonda LaFrenz.

July 17 Meeting -- Laura Fortmyer, volunteer with Second Harvest and in conjunction with North Brown County Food Pantry located at First Baptist Church in Hiawatha, was introduced by Chad Bachman. If anyone is interested in donating or working at the 'pantry' please give her (467-8041) or the church (742-3423) a call. 14 members were in attendance.

IN MEMORY OF RANCE HIXSON -- born June 6, 1940 in Hiawatha, Kansas to Dudley and Dorothy Herman Hixson, Rance died July 10, 2009 at Maple Heights Nursing Center at the age of 69. He joined Kiwanis on May 18, 1965 and served in many capacities including president, vice-president, and board member for many years. He was also instrumental in forming the Hiawatha Kiwanis Foundation so that money FROM the community would be used to support the children IN our community. He was a strong leader for the City of Hiawatha as a member & treasurer of HFED for many years helping in bringing new industries to town, and assisting in the restoring of street lights for the city. His love for his grandkids, Studebakers and whistling while walking is well known. Rance is survived by his mother, sister - Janiece (Ken) Spencer, wife - Janet, children - Pam (Terry) Smith and Eric (Kerry Hixson), grandchildren - Jena, Cody, Ryker, Cassie, Jared, Dillon and Haley, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and a granddaughter. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hiawatha Kiwanis Foundation (see Foundation members on the right of this page).

July 10 Meeting -- Ted Starr introduced Jim Bush to update members on the Francis Sewell Plamann History Center (formerly know as Hiawatha Clock Tower Building). 17 members and 2 guests - Daycee Binkley and Melissa Quinn - were in attendance.

July 8th Board Meeting -- 7 board members finalized plans for the upcoming Fun Day At the Park to be held August 1st -- 10 A.M. thru 1:30 P.M. Janice Smith will have a work signup sheet at the remaining July Friday club meetings for Kiwanians to determine when they will be helping with Fun Day. Be sure to give her a call if you are unable to attend a meeting. Janice and Fonda were given $100 each to cover expenses to attend the Kansas District Kiwanis Convention in August. 15 Kiwanians volunteered 125 hours impacting 219 children during the month of June. June attendance was up 3% over the previous month, but 3rd quarter attendance was down 15%. Congratulations to 8 members having 3rd quarter 100% attendance: Chad Bachman, Jere Bruning, Joe Koechner, Peggy Kolb, Laurie Neeman, Carl Nelson, Janice Smith and Yola Bee Strobel.

July 3 Meeting -- Eleven members and 5 guests were present to view Chad O'Brien 's presentation on a mission trip to Port Arthur, Texas area sponsored by the Roanoke, Texas St. Peter Lutheran Church to assist in repairing homes damaged by hurricanes last year. Three adults and seven high school students participated. Beckham Smith introduced O'Brien. Guests were: Michelle, Kimberly and Brenna O'Brien, Tyler Bailey and Melissa Quinn.

2009 Business Excellence Award --

Hiawatha Kiwanis Club and Hiawatha Kiwanis Foundation received the 2009 Business Excellence Award in the NonProfit Division for Northeast Kansas at their June 19th Kiwanis Meeting from the Kansas Department of Commerce. HFED nominated Kiwanis and the award was accepted by Janice Smith, club secretary, and Carl Nelson, foundation president. HFED members Steve Smith and Sheila Schwalm also assisted in the presentation.

JUNE in review .....

June 26 Meeting -- Eric Oldham, Brown County Historical Society Director, received a $3,000 check from the Hiawatha Kiwanis Foundation to be used by 2 former school teachers to present a one day reenactment for 3rd graders across the county, using slate boards, chalk, etc. as in the 'olden days' in the old one-room schoolhouse located at the Ag Museum in Hiawatha. Jason Smith introduced Angie Crider who spoke on the start of Rainbow Communications with 8 employees to the present 50, company upgrades and constant changes in the communication business. Meeting was conducted by Peggy Kolb with 13 members present.

June 19 Meeting -- 15 Kiwanians and 4 guests were present as Hiawatha Kiwanis Club & Hiawatha Kiwanis Foundation were presented with the 2009 Business Excellence Award from Kansas Department of Commerce. Following a board update to members by Secretary Janice Smith, Beckham Smith introduced his speaker, Dr. Craig Mosher, Executive Assistant - Highland Community College. Dr. Mosher gave an overview of HCC. A thank you note was read from Heidi Diller for the donation received from the Foundation for Orff instruments to be used in the music department at Hiawatha Elementary School.

June 17 Board Meeting Synopsis -- 8 board members present. MAY information: 163.5 hours were volunteered by 25 Kiwanians impacting 212 children in our community. Attendance was down 10% from previous month; Those having 100% meeting attendance were -- Jere Bruning, Joe Koechner, Peggy Kolb, Laurie Neeman, Carl Nelson, Beckham Smith, Janice Smith, and Yola Bee Strobel. 12 members did not attend a meeting. A thank you note was read from Jeb Moore for the scholarship presented to him in May. Kiwanis “Kid Fun Day at the Park -- FIESTA” will be held August 1 at the Kiwanis Kiddie Korral west of Noble Field featuring hot dogs, ice cream and ‘old fashion fun games’ for the children. Board members reviewed information gathered at the May 29th club “committee meeting day” in preparation for the FIESTA. Fonda LaFrenz and Janice Smith will be attending the Kansas District Kiwanis International District Convention being held August 7-9 in Kansas City, Kansas. A synopsis of the 4 Proposed Amendments for Kiwanis Insternational was read with attendees of the Kiwanis International Convention in Nashville to make the final decision next weekend. Next board meeting will be July 1 at Gus’s Family Restaurant.


June 12 meeting– Heidi Diller, Hiawatha Elementary music instructor, demonstrated the small percussion instruments that Hiawatha Kiwanis Foundation purchased for the school. Pat Loyd and Eric Oldham assisted in the demonstration. Guests were Dayce Binkley and Jeanie Pemberton. 14 members present.

June 5 meeting– Mike Schmitt introduced Dustin Williams and Hilary Boye to speak on the SANE/SART Program -- Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner / Sexual Assault Response Team for the area. 12 members were present. Board meeting has been rescheduled to June 17th.

Hiawatha Kiwanis Foundation (HKF) Board update

Our last HKF Board meeting was 4/29/09. The Board heard three requests. We pledged funds to be used for the purchase of equipment to the Hiawatha Skate Park project. We donated to the Pony Express Big Brothers Big Sisters organization to help with research costs of getting more "Bigs" in the program. The third request was for musical equipment purchases for the USD 415 Grade School music department. HKF will be donating for the purchase of approximately 20 Orff instruments. Google "Orff Instrument" and you'll figure it out!
All three requests stay close to the Board's goals of assisting those groups who directly affect the community's kids.
Best regards, Troy Boswell, HKF Secretary.

"Terrific Kid" for 3rd Quarter of 2008-2009 School Year

Third quarter "Kiwanis Terrific Kid" is Aleece Arnold. She received her certificate, pencil, t-shirt and bumper sticker at the May 22nd club meeting. Her grandmother and mother are in the upper right hand corner of the picture. We are very proud of our Terrific Kids and know they will continue to be "terrific kids" both at school and elsewhere.