KIWANIS KEY
Friday December 19, 2025
President Stephen Wheeler, in a Christmas coat reminiscent of a Norm Sloan circa 1974 jacket, rung us in. Kirby White led us in song and pledge. President Stephen had a nice Christmas message of thanks for all that the members do for Kiwanis and the children. Max Ruppe gave a heartfelt (per President Stephen) “invitation.” The updated prayer list includes Kelly Taylor’s mother, Robby Talton’s wife, Deanna, Tim Dunn, the Phil Harris family, Barbara Porter’s daughter-in-law, Nicole, Charles T. Haigh, and Fred Cutter’s father-in-law.
Guests today included Fred Cutter, Sr., Ed Sameulan, guests of Fred Cutter, Jr., and Shannon Arnold.
Bell Ringing- Bob McAmis reported that we raised $$3345, $500 more than last year and he also reported that over the last ten years we have raised $28,000. Way to go Kiwanians! And thank you, Bob McAmis and all who made it out to Sam’s Club to ring the bell!
Awards Night: Jay Gothard reported that it will be held Feb 20 at Gates Four Country Club
PP Al Aycock reported that the Mid Winter District convention will be held in Charlotte on February 21, 2026.
Final report on socks donated by Kiwanis to the following elementary schools: West Area received 52 bundles of socks, Brentwood received 89 bundles and Cumberland Road received 51 bundles. A big thanks to Trish Moreno and her helpers.
Reading is Fun- Garry Winebarger is doing yeoman’s work (for you State “grads,” that means he is working really hard) reinvigorating this committee. 1270 books have been delivered to 25 Kiwanians to read at 39 classrooms for two readings this Spring. Thank you 2R’s!
Membership -Cheryl Gleason reported that the next social will be on January 15, 2026, at North South Brewery on Williams Street, 5:30-7:30 pm, sponsored by Bruce Brown and Fred Klinck. Be there or be square!
Birthdays: Lisa Childers, the Queen of Farm City, on December 15. Happy Birthday!
Do not come to Kiwanis Friday, Dec.26 or Friday, Jan. 2 or you will be here by yourself. Enjoy Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, New Years, or anything else you celebrate.
‘Guess the Kiwanian’ was axed because our program was going to run long…
Hal Broadfoot introduced our program, which was Fred Cutter on “The Theology of Gandalf. “ If you are not a Lord of the Rings fan, go read the books, or at least watch the movies. Your not- so- humble correspondent has read the books multiple times and seen the movies several times. [Nerd Alert], but certainly not on the level of Fred. J.R.R. Tolkien is a fantastic writer and Fred noted many of the Christian allegories contained in his books. You defeat evil with proper moral action is a recurring theme. If you want to find out about the morality crises, why pride and cowardice are the worst sins, why mankind can be “spiritually stupid,” the importance of natural law, and how LOTR reinforces and further exemplifies the message of God in the Bible, read the books or watch the movies or both. If you do not understand after that, talk to Fred on any given Friday. This was a fascinating and thought-provoking program. Thanks, Fred! If you missed it, please plan to come Friday, January 9, 2026, to see what great program will be happening then!
Will Gillis took home the 50-50 Raffle.
There is a January Bored Meeting on January 8 at Anchor Allies.
Happy Holidays to all you Kiwanians! Until Friday, January 9, 2026…
Ad Winters
