Capital City Kiwanis

Jan. 14- Jan. 20 Newsletter

Jan. 7 Meeting Recap

Song: Bill Stracener
Pledge: Carlos Ortiz
Prayer: Max Constantin
Introductions: George Simoneaux
Jackpot: Lost - Ben Brown, Allan Brent;
Not Eligible -Esteban Herrera

Last Week's Speaker - Tonette McMorris

Tonette McMorris spoke at the Jan. 7 meeting about the Baton Rouge, La., Big Buddy program. The Big Buddy program has operated in Baton Rouge for over 25 years. The Big Buddy program comprises several projects including the mentoring program and the out of school time program.

The purpose of the mentoring program is to provide children in need of a special friend with a caring adult or teen role model. A volunteer can get involved at several levels. The Traditional Big Buddy relationships involve an adult getting together a couple times a month with a certain child. School aged mentoring programs provide contact with the children at several elementary schools in the area. Also, several churches in the area have similar programs. The program can use volunteers even if it is for only 20 minutes a week.

Another program is the out of school program designed to provide children with the opportunity to participate in positive activities and rich learning experiences in a safe environment during the out-of-school times throughout the year. In addition, in-school programs provide children in inner-city schools with character building activities, hands-on science instruction, leadership development courses, and Junior Achievement programs.

The Big Buddy program will be hosting the Burger Bash at Catholic High on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets will sell for $10 and $50. All proceeds go to the Big Buddy Scholarship Fund.

Capital City Kiwanis experienced a great loss last week with the death of H.P. Walker. Walker was a long time member of the Capital City Kiwanis and he served as the club's bulletin editor for over 50 years. Please keep Walker and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Announcements

Capital City will be the Division 8A host club for the Governor's visit on Wednesday, Jan. 21. The meeting will be held at Drusilla Seafood from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. The buffet will begin at 11:45 a.m. The January board meeting will be Tuesday, Jan. 13, at the Lamar Building at 5:30 p.m.

Mark Estorge, guest of David Cresson

Congratulations

Amy Starnes had a baby boy, Stewart Mark, on December 28, 2003.

David Cresson Jr., who was born about four weeks ago, is doing fine.

The speaker for Wednesday, Jan. 14, will be Denny Burkhead. Burkhead is the former head of the Baton Rouge FBI office.

The speaker for Wednesday, Jan. 28, will be Bill Kuehn. Kuehn is the executive director of Youth Oasis/ B.R. Alliance for Transitional Living.

The best way to predict the future is to invent it.

--Alan Kay

With the beginning of a new year, it is always nice to reflect upon the past. The Capital City Kiwanis has come a long way since its beginning in 1946.

When the club first originated, meetings were held at the top floor of the Heidleburg Hotel, which is now the Capital House. At one time, CCK had about 120 members and the board considered limited club membership.

Cliff Comeaux is currently the only surviving charter member. Allan Brent and Bob Rosenthal were among the first members after the club's inception. H.P. Walker joined the club in 1954 and prepared the bulletin from 1955 until 2003. He became club president in 1986.

The Capital City Kiwanis sold Christmas trees beginning around 1951 until 10 to 12 years ago. In the beginning, businesses in the area stepped aside to let the Kiwanis sell trees. Once Home Depot began selling trees, the Kiwanians were put out of business.

Happy Birthday

Philip K. Jones---Dec. 24
R.A. "Dick" Roberts---Dec. 31
Pat S. Brown Jr.---Jan. 7
Doug Macpherson---Jan. 12

Newsletter Team

Ben Brown, Editor, riptidebcb@hotmail.com
Mandy Michel, Copy Editor
Aimeé Shultz, Designer