Marietta Kiwanis Club
On Sept. 27 the annual installation dinner for the Marietta Kiwanis Club was held. Officers for 2011-2012 are: Sarah Drake, president; Ann Hontz, president-elect; Tom Hushion, vice-president; Inez Bowie, treasurer; Linda Eddy, secretary; Louise Holmes, immediate past-president. Board members are: Joanie Washburn, Michelle Secrest, Jeanette Hale, Elvin Tenney, Douglas Orr, Cissy Henry, Rick Peoples and Nancy Broughton. At the dinner, Pat Amrine was honored as Kiwanian of the Year. An induction of new members was also held. New members are: Marcia Stewart, Chad Gardner and Joe Lemon.
Kiwanis members were involved in many activities through the second half of 2011. In July members volunteered at the Sweet Corn Festival and the Broughton's Ice Cream Social. In August the Muskingum River shelter on Gilman Street was cleaned. Members helped chaperon a Right Path Dance for local middle school/high school students and the end of the year block party held at the Marietta Aquatic Park.
Waterford High School Key Club was organized and the first meeting was held on Sept. 23. On Make A Difference Day, Oct. 22, Kiwanians and Builders Club members painted tiger paws on the driveway of the Marietta Middle School. Also in October, Marietta Kiwanis Club helped sponsor Halloween in the Park. Members donated candy and Key Club members participated in games and activities.
On Nov. 10 Kiwanians prepared food for the Marietta High School teacher breakfast as part of Key Club Week activities. Also, members installed the Christmas light display on the gazebo on Ohio Street. December projects included donating children's hats and gloves for the Marietta College Christmas on Campus sponsored by the Marietta College Circle K Club, bell ringing for the Salvation Army at Kroger's, and sponsoring a family for the Community Action Secret Santa project. On Dec. 3 a Local Impromptu Movable Evening (progressive dinner) was held at the homes of Tami Selon, Jeanette Hale, and Tom Hushion. This event was held to recruit new members to Kiwanis.
Donations made by the Marietta Kiwanis Club included: Pioneer Preschool for health/safety and literacy materials; Firefighters Local 442 for smoke detectors to be given to kindergarten students; and Friends of the Museum for Hometown History on Wheels. Funds were donated to sponsor Storybook in the Park to be held on June 16, 2012 at the Washington County Public Library. 24 care packages were donated, packed and shipped to Marines in Afghanistan.
An upcoming project is the 58th Annual Pancake Days to be held Feb. 3 and 4, 2012 at the First Congregational Church, 318 Front Street, Marietta. Tickets are $5 in advance and $6 at the door. To purchase tickets, contact Nancy Broughton at 374-2298. Tickets are also available at People's News and The Marietta Times. This event is a major fundraiser for the Marietta Kiwanis Club and all profits are put back into the community.
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Weekly meetings for the Marietta Kiwanis Club are held on Tuesdays at noon at the Gilman United Methodist Church on Gilman Avenue, Marietta. For more information or to join the club, please contact Linda Eddy, Kiwanis Club secretary at 373-9205.
