KIWANIS KEY                                                October 2, 2026

With the unfortunate absence of newly seated President Jay who was out of town at his mother’s memorial service, President Elect George rang our Friday the 2nd of October meeting to order. Kirby led us in the pledge and singing and Kim Thomas gave a meaningful blessing.  The prayer list this week includes Barbara Porter’s daughter-in-law Nicole, Robbie Talton’s wife Deanna, Charles T Haigh, Sue Warren, Norwood Bryan and Henry Tyson’s baby daughter – Darby Katherine.  

BIRTHDAYS – Bruce Brown on 27 September, George Hendricks on 1 October, and Rick Daniels on 2 October.

NEWS FROM TODAY’S MEETING – Remember we will meet at Hay Street UMC downtown on 16, 23, and 30 October due to elections.  Farm City Celebration will be at the Kiwanis Rec Center on November 20th.  Lots of Piiiiiiiies will be given away.  Board of Directors will meet at a location TBD Thursday the 15th.  There will be a regular Friday meeting at the Rec Center next Friday the 9th.               

ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT –The club’s annual golf tournament will be on Thursday, 8 October at Cypress Lakes Golf Course.  The tournament this year will be in memory of Don Price and to raise funds for our Kiwanis Endowment as well as support our other children’s programs.  Special thanks this year to Mark Fisher and the car dealers here in Fayetteville.  Mark solicited over $30K in donations this year from the car dealers and companies with whom they work.  Also, a very special thanks to Bob McAmis, Ad Winters, George Turner, Diane Parfit, Worth and Felecia Smith, Jason Poole, and Kali Zeigler.  Even though they do not play golf, they paid for and sponsored teams of players that included police officers, veterans, military spouses, relatives and friends.  Finally, as one of the co-chairs of the tournament this year, a special thanks to all those who paid for or provided raffle prizes and paid for Hole Signs.  As in years past, every golfer will win a raffle prize.  We have set an all-time record this year with over $50K in gross proceeds.  This is more than double any previous year.  Thanks again to all who have participated.       

READING IS FUN – Garry Winbarger has resurrected our Reading Is Fun Program this year and has done a magnificent job procuring books and getting them to all the readers.  If you are a reader for a class, PLEASE make sure to schedule your fall reading and then keep Garry posted when completed.  If you are NOT a reader and would be willing to help, please contact Garry.  He can be reached at 910-309-7900.  This is one of our two signature programs within our club, and every member should be involved.  Several of our readers are reading to more than one class, and more readers would be welcome. 

PROGRAM  –   Following cancellation of the originally scheduled speaker, President Elect George’s wife Kelly gave an outstanding program concerning nursing in the public schools in which she served for 31 years.  She described the service as running a miniature emergency room taking care of both physical sickness and injuries as well as coping with students whose parents were not very helpful in getting kids needed treatment.  Thanks to  Kelly and George for pulling a rabbit out of the hat and providing a very good program.

WORDS FOR THE HEART – “Kindness can be contagious – help spread it around.”  (anonymous)

Respectfully – Bruce “Back The Pack and we need a new coach” Brown, Ph. 910-485-2672 or bruce.brown@brownandais.com