Kiwanis Key     
 
The Fayetteville Kiwanis Club         04/04/2025
 
Attendance at our weekly meetings seems to be picking up and that is a great sign for our club.
President “No Tie” Jim got us started and called on Kirby “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” White who led us in singing and the Pledge.
Camilo Estremadadoiro gave a heart-felt invocation.Please remember the following members in your prayers:Phil Harris, Sr., Bobby Bleeker, Robby Talton’s wife Deanna, Kallie Ziegler’s brother Paul, Debbie Best’s sister Kara Brittain, Barbara Porter’s daughter-in-law Nicole, Tom Keith and family, Fred Cutter’s Father-in-law Richard.We had several guests today: Terry Sanford High School Key Club President Lilly Garcia, Melanie Garner, John “The Italian Stallion” Malzone’s grandson Jonathan.
 
Club News
  1. New Service Project: We have started a new service project and one in which each club member can participate. As hard as it might be to believe, some of our students in Cumberland County Schools do not have some of the basic needs in life. We are collecting socks for elementary-age students. There will be a drop box at the Friday meeting every week through the end of April. Please do your part to help with this project.
  2. Terrific Kid’s Committee: The school year is coming to a close and that means that our year-end awards presentations will start soon. Diane “Read a Book” Parfitt encouraged all committee members to check their email for information on those presentation dates.
  3. “Bored” Meeting: Russ Jones is hosting the Board meeting this month, 04/10/2025 at Scrub Oaks. 6:30 Social and the meeting starts at 7. If you are on the Board, your attendance is expected but all members are welcome. Please let Russ know if you plan to attend.
  4. Cheryl Gleason reported that the April Social will be at the Sip Room on 04/24 at 5:30. These are always great events, so plan to attend and bring a friend.
Birthdays this week: Happy birthday to Ben Sutton 04/02, Mark “On Your Side” Hurley 04/03 and Cheryl Gleason on 04/05.
 
The Program
The program (introduced by John “The Italian Stallion” Malzone ) was given by local news legend Bill Kirby.
A fixture in the Fayetteville news landscape, Bill shared his perspective on some of the major “Happenings” in Fayetteville. In his initial remarks, Bill paid tribute to Ramon Yarborough for his significant leadership as the long-time editor of the Fayetteville Observer. Ramon had a big impact on Bill’s career and success.
Bill talked about the proposed Downtown Event Center, the Groundbreaking of the Cape Fear Regional Theater, the debacle with the work being completed at Mazarick Park and the new Fire Station on Bragg Blvd. His most memorable story was covering the funeral for the late Billy Graham.
Thanks Bill and John for a great program.
 
George Hendricks walked away with $33 from the Presidential Coercion Fund activity and promised that he was taking his wife to dinner at McDonalds….
 
Editor’s Note: Your Board of Directors is putting considerable time and effort into evaluating the operations of the club given the aftermath of the pandemic and how we “do Kiwanis”. Each of us joined this club for the expressed purpose of serving and providing growth opportunities for the children of this community. One of the ways that you can help the club is to ramp up your attendance, not only on Fridays but also in the work of the committees. It takes all of us to make this club a thriving civic club, what many call the best civic club in Fayetteville! Give some serious thought to your commitment this week.
 
Parting words:  You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.
Until next time,
Mark W. Rice