We continue to have good attendance on Fridays, and we got a bit of a late start as our caterer was running behind.  It was worth the wait!  The meals continue to be very great so absent Kiwanians come on back and enjoy good food and fellowship on Friday.  Guests were our old friend Maddie from the Terry Sanford Key Club, John Malzone’s grandson, Kent Risk and Tim Pope, both of whom are completing membership applications. We have a load of announcements as all committees are in full swing, so I’ll get right to it.

 

Congratulations to hizzoner, Stephen Stokes, who has been appointed by Governor Stein to the Superior Court bench to fill the unexpired term of Judge Claire Hill.  Congratulations, Stephen.

 

Garry Two R’s reports we have just 8 tickets left for the Virtual Reverse Raffle which will be held this Friday.  The math is simple.  We sell 300 tickets, and we net $20,000 for club projects to change the world one child at a time.  If you haven’t gotten your ticket yet or if you want to increase your chance of winning from 1 in 300 to 1 in 150 call Two R’s or Coop for a ticket.

 

The March Board Meeting will be back at Scrub Oaks on Ramsey St. Thursday, March 13. All members are welcome. Happy half hour starts at 6:30 PM and the meeting starts promptly at 7 PM.  I will be providing a lavish spread of appetizers to include Captain Wafers with butter and whatever entrée Will Gillis orders.  Come early because Will may try to eat his own shrimp this time.

 

Our next social will be Thursday, March 27 starting at 5:30 PM at Carolina Ale House on Glensford Dr. Thanks for hosting General Jay and Camillo! Bring a spouse, a friend, a neighbor and/or a potential member.  These are lots of fun.

 

Dig in your desk drawer for any Kiwanis memorabilia, old pictures, documents etc. and get them to Cheryl Gleason.  Cheryl is going to scan and archive these precious old documents to start building a historical record for the club.

 

Richard Everett (three E’s not four) announces our next interclub will be an interesting one.  We will be traveling to Harnett County for a tour of Harnett Health along with the Harnett Club.  The hospital there is going to feed us.  They are now part of the Cape Fear Valley system. We will depart from the Kiwanis Rec Center at 10:30 AM Tuesday, March 18 and Richard needs a minimum of three other souls to count this as an interclub. Let me repeat, FREE LUNCH!

 

President Jim reminds us to mark your calendar for Saturday, April 5 for Kiwanis Little League opening day.  More on this as the date approaches.

 

Another trip around the sun this week for Wade Byrd (who), Bobby Bleecker and Stephen Stokes. Happy Birthday, guys.

 

Secretary Bob reports we have 32 members with an outstanding dues balance this quarter.  Please take care of that today.  Don’t make me name names…..

 

Lisa Childers used her Kiwanis Moment to pay tribute to George Quigley, who was her great friend and mentor at the Cooperative Extension Service.  George and Grace McGrath were graduates of the very first Master Gardener class.  I don’t have enough ink to print the number of organizations and charities George was involved with.  He was arguably the most prolific volunteer this community has ever known. George was also a distinguished past president of our club.  George was best known for the role he was born to play, Ebeneezer Scrooge, at the Dickens Holiday Festival. Lisa told the story that she had to agree to join Kiwanis before George would pass on her application to head the Extension Service. That move turned out to be great for both our club and the Cumberland County Extension Service. Lisa is one of the most respected leaders in her field in North Carolina and is the most recent winner of the Stewart Cup for the most outstanding Committee Chair of the Year. Thanks for a great presentation, Lisa!

 

President Elect Stephen introduced Sgt. Caldwell, Tommy Hodges and Duncan Hubbard from the Cumberland County Crimestoppers board.  The Crimestoppers program here is one of the oldest and most successful in the state, having recently won an award for excellence from Southeastern Crimestoppers organization.  Last year they received 3200 calls yielding 1500 tips. Cash awards were given to 36 individuals whose identities are forever kept confidential.  Several Kiwanians have led Crimestoppers over the years to include Stephen, R. B. Goforth and John Malzone.  They depend on their annual BBQ fundraiser during the Dogwood Festival to raise 100% of their reward budget.  Please mark your calendar and buy a ticket on April 25 at the Harris Teeter parking lot.

 

Mary and I did some end of life planning this week.  I told her I decided I wanted to be cremated.  She made me an appointment at Rogers and Breece next Tuesday.

 

See you Friday!

John F. Holmes

910-988-8040