KiwaNews: Mar. 1, 2007

By: Bob Carpenter, Secretary     941/629-5238    carp813@comcast.net 

 ¨  SNOW FENCE CREW NEEDED FOR CROWD CONTROL: Bob Naylor reports that we have another easy fund raiser presented to us again. He needs a crew Friday, Mar. 18 at Gilchrist Park to install fencing for the National Art Show. Exact times will be announced at the Mar. 15 Kiwanis meeting. This event is being held by the Visual Arts Center of Punta Gorda. See Bob to sign up now. A take down date will be announced.

¨  MEMBERSHIP DRIVE: Chairwoman Robin Lindecamp will be setting up a Membership Drive table Friday, Mar. 9, at the PG Tentatorium. She needs help to man the table. Please call her at 769-5211 or e-mail rlindecamp@charlottestatebank.com. Thanks.

¨  KIWANIS FAMILY KAR SHOW: Sam Harris says he has tentatively set Feb. 23, 2008 for next years show. It’ll be our 3rd Kar Show and successful fund raiser.

¨  CHS KEY CLUB NEWS: I received word from Kiwanis International that they received the Key Club roster and paid membership fees. The club is now officially on “ACTIVE” status once again after being “Inactive” since Hurricane Charley. Congrats to JJ Gerow of Sponsored Youth and his committee members for making this a reality much sooner than expected.

¨  AQUI ESTA CLEANUP: The next Community Service cleanup on Aqui Esta is set for Saturday, March 10. Chair Marilyn Larkin asks members to meet at Bill Klossner’s church at 8:30am. Bring gloves!

¨  CENTRAL FLORIDA TORNADO RELIEF: The Florida District of Kiwanis is asking clubs and members to assist those counties hit by the killer tornados recently. Donations go to the Florida District Kiwanis Foundation to administer to those counties in need. Pres. Pedro will ask members today to make a donation along with a club donation, to help those in need, as they helped us after Hurricane Charley. We’ve been there before and our thoughts and prayers are with them.

¨  CLUB GETS NEW BANNER: Last week, I received the new banner from Kiwanis International and presented it to President Pedro. We are one of the first in the world organization to order one. This new banner features our club name, district, division and 1925 charter date, with happy children…...which is what we do.

¨  CHECK PRESENTATIONS: Last week Chuck Gerry (CS), presented Debra Gesner a $150 check for the Salvation Army. Debra said she’ll rejoin in September. She told me 2 of the 3 buildings will be demolished soon for new ones after Hurricane Charley. Then, Bill Kopp presented a $600 check on behalf of YS to Dennis, the American Legion Post-103 Commander, on behalf of U.S. Cleveland, for 2 boys to go to Boys State.

¨  PUNTA GORDA CITY EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH: Mike Rooney presented a plaque from CS to Jennifer Molnar of PGFD. Chief Rob Hancock accompanied Jen and spoke highly of her work on the Fire Dep’t.

¨  PORT CHARLOTTE KIWANIS FUNDRAISER (INTERCLUB): A special noon meeting Tuesday, Mar. 13 at Outback. Pres. Robert Tally said for $10 you get a steal lunch and great fellowship. Sheryl Flavin has advance tickets which are a must. With 4, you get Interclub!

¨  POPCORN MEISTER: Member Oscar Dorr, his wife and daughter, brought their new popcorn machine to our Kiwanis Family Kar Show and turned over $100 to our Club in donations. Thanks!

¨  ANNUAL BOY SCOUT CAMPAIGN: On Feb. 1 we kicked off our annual BSA Friends of Scouting fund raiser to help our local Boy Scout Council and support the Scout Camp in Charlotte County. Pledge cards were issued; please attach a check payable to “BSA” and keep the small stub for a tax deduction. You can also pledge on the card; check when you want the Scout Office to send an invoice in one payment, or in 2-3 or 4 installments. In 4 weeks we have collected or pledges of 6,050 toward the $7,800 goal.

Some members wanted the option to donate directly to local scouting groups instead of the Council campaign. A reserve account was set up with the Youth Services Committee. These funds will be allocated by YS upon request by local scout organizations. Please give your check directly to YS Chair Sam Summers, payable to “ Punta Gorda Kiwanis.”

¨  PNM LIST: Here’s the list of PNM’s brought to lunch the past few months and Membership needs to know their status. Chair Robin Lindecamp said the next PNM Education Lunch is Tuesday, Mar. 6, 11:30 a.m. at River City Grille. Applications are needed now for Bobby Diehl (Harris); Bibi Ullah (Boehm); Mark Geach (Ginter) and Julius Palmero (Rooney), Rob Hancock (Naylor) and Ed Miller (Hicks).

¨  DIVISION-18S PRAYER BREAKFAST: This annual event will be held Saturday, April 21, 8am at the Port Charlotte Elks Club.

¨  TODAY’s PROGRAM: Ass’t Punta Gorda City Manager Kathleen Dailey on Punta Gorda overview.

¨  LAST WEEK: BSA Troop-5 scoutmaster and new camp ranger Ed Miller, spoke about boys learning safety in shooting and archery at the Boy Scout Camp in Charlotte County.

¨  SPEAKERS: March co-chairs are Walt Evans and Emily Henson: Mar. 8, CC Red Fish Baseball Team GM and Dir. Groups Sales; Mar. 15, TBA; Mar. 22, TBA; Mar. 29, TBA. Speaker Monthly Chairs ahead are: April, Rose Ramsey; May, Marilyn Larkin; June, Robin Lindecamp; July, Kaley Miller; Aug., Gene Murtha; Sept., Bruce Hughes.

¨  BIRTHDAYS LAST WEEK: None.

¨  ANNIVERSARY’S LAST WEEK: None.

¨  WELCOME BACK LAST WEEK: Degroot, Garrett, Fabian, F.Desguin, Crispin, Pence, and former member Debra Gesner.

¨  GUESTS: Debra Gesner, Gegg Dorr, PNM Rob Hancock (Naylor), Jen Molnar, CHS Key Clubbers Lauren Tholemeier (Sgt. of Arms) and Linda Gaarder (Key Club Editor).

¨  50/50 WINNER: $59, Sue Craig.

¨  PUNTA GORDA POSTER: Ralph Jordan is chair and has a great gift idea. You can get one at Nolan Family Insurance, Cayo Costa Dental, SunTrust (318 Tamiami Tr./Emily’s office), The Welcome Center (I-75/Exit-161), Bill Martin State Farm Insurance, Peace River Wildlife Center, C.C. Chamber (Punta Gorda Office), P.G. Chamber, Caruso Bay Gifts and Accurate Accounting (Joan Greene’s office). Local artist Ron Bates donated his 16x24 color poster artwork to our Club as a fund raiser.

¨  ALUMINUM CANS: Members are asked by Community Service to bring aluminum cans for The Peace River Wildlife Center. Please double-bagged cans and put in Dan Garrett’s car.

¨  CELL PHONES: Community Service is still collecting used cell phones then given to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. They are deprogrammed and can only call directly to 9-1-1. They are given to groups like CARE and distributed to abused women to get help if the need help. Please bring your phone and charger; give to Roger Enger.