Volume LXXIX               Number 27           May 17, 2024  

 

Jim “The Hammer” Ammons brought his son, Jamie, who has just started his new career working for Scouting America, formerly known as The Boy Scouts.  Jamie is himself and an Eagle Scout and should be a great fit for his new leadership role in scouting. Jamie is engaged to be married later this year.

In keeping with our long-standing Kiwanis tradition, we failed to approve President Al and Vice President Jim to attend the Kiwanis International Convention in Denver in July.  Guess what?  They are going anyway.  We essentially invented the rigged election.

 

Richard Everett reported on two great interclub visits this past week. On Tuesday 9 Kiwanians attended the Hope Mills interclub and on Thursday 5 traveled to Angier for an interclub.  Next antiques road show will be June 12 to beautiful Spring Lake, where there is no spring and no lake. Go figure.

 

Membership Chair, George Hendricks, announces our next new member orientation will be held May 30 in the training room of Holmes Security on Ray Ave. beginning at 7:30 PM.  We have 6 new members for orientation.

 

This week Terrific Kids committee members will be travelling across the county to distribute our annual Terrific Kid of the Year awards at 60 Cumberland County elementary schools. Members check with your school liaison to confirm the date and time of the awards ceremony.

 

Jay Gothard announced this year’s Kiwanis Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, October 12. Mark your calendars now to support this important fundraising event.

 

Secretary Bob won $41 in the 50/50 raffle.

 

All board members who were eligible for a second term were re-elected as follows:

Five new board members elected Friday are as follows:

Kiwanis lost a great member this past week in Jerry Teele.  Jerry was a Life Member, distinguished Past President in 2000 and later served as club secretary for several years.  Jerry was a Hixon Fellow, Walter Zeller Fellow, and VanStory/Maxwell Endowment Society member.  Jerry was born in Shelby, NC and began work as an accountant for Arthur Anderson after graduating from his beloved University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Jerry came to Fayetteville to work for another Kiwanian, Frank Barragan, Sr. in the accounting department of North Carolina Natural Gas. Jerry rose through the ranks at NCNG, eventually becoming the Chief Financial Officer of one of the largest gas utility companies in the southeast.  After NCNG merged with Piedmont Gas, Jerry started a new career as a financial adviser with Morgan Stanley, a position he held until his retirement due to declining health.  Jerry was a great friend to many, loved to attend Tar Heel sporting events, play golf, tell jokes and visit his vacation home in Blowing Rock. Let’s have a great Kiwanis turnout to honor this great member and great human being. The funeral is Tuesday, May 21 in the chapel at First Presbyterian Church beginning at 2 PM.  The family will receive visitors prior to the service beginning at 1 PM.  Jerry would be very pleased if members would honor him with a contribution to the Kiwanis Endowment Fund at Cumberland Community Foundation.

 

Russ Jones introduced Chip Lucas, Executive Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) for Cumberland County Schools.  CTE provides great career opportunities for students not seeking to pursue a four-year college education by providing training, credentialing and experience in technical and skilled trades in critical demand in today’s changing workforce and economic landscape. Lisa Childers and George Hendricks serve on the advisory board for CTE in Cumberland County.  CTE students have the highest graduation rate in the school system at 98%.  Many graduate from high school with critical credentialing to start their post-secondary careers. Cumberland County has the second highest credentialing rate in the North Carolina school system.

 

Have you heard the hit country song, “I Don’t Look Good Naked Anymore”?  I can relate.  Last week, I was standing nude, looking in the bedroom mirror and I was not happy with what I saw and said to my wife, " Honey, I feel horrible. I look old, fat and ugly.  I really need you to pay me a compliment."  Mary quickly shot back, "Well, I’d say for someone your age your eyesight's darn near perfect." 

 

John Holmes 988-8040

jholmestarheel@gmail.com