We had a good turnout on the eve of Snowmageddon Part II. How cold was it? It was so cold that the lawyers and politicians had their hands in their own pockets! It was so cold the chickens were lined up outside KFC. It was so cold, my plumber had his pants pulled all the way up! It was so cold……well you get the idea. President Stephen rang us in and welcomed our guests, Tom Austin and Cath Rathbone, who incidentally will be our program next week. They are both prospective members. We sang Happy Birthday to our Sock Czar, Trishia Moreno. Happy birthday, Trish! It was good to see Coop and Woman in the flesh.
Announcements
Two R’s Winebarger reminded the Reading is Fun committee that we need to complete our first reading as soon as possible. More books are on the way for the spring. If you have not renewed your Cumberland County Schools background check you need to do so each year now. Go to CCSMentor/Volunteer Registration to complete this.
Garry also reminds us that Reverse Raffle ticket sales are in full swing for our 33rd annual Reverse Raffle on March 13. Tickets are $100 each for a one-in-30 chance of being among the top ten winners.
We voted for the E.J. Wells Cup winner to present at Awards Night on February 20. Congratulations to Russ Jones and Phil Harris Jr. on being outstanding citizens worthy of this prestigious award.
Hal Broadfoot continues his quest to “idiot proof” our Program of the Quarter ballots for 2025. He lamented, however, that this club has the most clever idiots in Kiwanis International! Anyway, if he can make sense of these ballots we will vote on Program of the Year next week.
The next social is on February 19 at Mike Pleasant’s beautiful cabin in the city on Walstone Dr. Scott McInvalle is bringing pulled pork shoulder cooked on his Big Green Egg. Directions will be provided in the invitation.
New member Kelli Taylor won big bucks $72 in the Reverse Raffle. Preacher offered to spend it on Duke apparel for me, but I declined her generous offer.
Sign-ups for Awards Night continues through next Friday, February 6. This year’s event is at Gates Four Golf and Country Club at 6:00 PM. The event is free for members and their guest. There is no lunch meeting on this day.
Update from the Chairman
President Stephen introduced the Chairman of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, Kirk deViere [pronounced DEV-EE-AIR, Stephen]. Kirk was on hand to give us an update on a staggering list of challenges and opportunities the board is dealing with right now. As a state senator, Kirk worked across party lines with Republicans like John Szoka, and Diane Wheatley to secure $476 million dollars in state budget dollars for Cumberland County. As Chairman, Kirk has once again worked to break down the barriers by forging cooperation between city and county government for the benefit of taxpayers. Among the many projects they are working on, clean water for Grays Creek continues to be at the top of the list. Expanding sewer infrastructure across the county and fully funding the Board of Education’s budget request for the first time in decades are also top priorities. By working with the school system and Ft. Bragg, all dependent children residing on Ft. Bragg may now attend any school of their choosing in Cumberland County. Kirk also teased that there are 5 proposals under consideration for the former site of the performing arts center that will add exciting new entertainment and dining options for the downtown district. Stay tuned on for more details in the coming weeks.
Parting Shot, Senior Citizen Musings
Map Quest and Google Maps really need to start their directions on #5. I may be getting old, but I’m pretty sure even Kirby White knows how to get out of his own neighborhood.
Sometimes I look down at my watch three times and still not know what time it is.
Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Saturday night more kisses begin with two glasses of wine than Kay.
Why is it I can’t find my car keys, my cell phone, my wallet, my driver’s license, or my glasses, but I have no trouble at all finding the snooze button on my alarm three feet away way in 1.7 seconds with my eyes closed, first time, every time?
I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger.
So, I was at the bar last night and a waitress screamed "Does anyone know CPR?” and then I said, "Hell yeah, I know the whole alphabet."...Then everyone laughed and laughed….well everyone except one guy.
But despite my advancing age I still got it. Last night I almost had a threesome. I only needed two more people!
