The new 2010-2011 Kiwanis year began without our President and First Vice President.  Second VP, Jeff Behrens, ably steered the ship with the assistance of immediate past President, Adam Bain, called into action probably more quickly than he had anticipated.

      The first announcement reminded us that Dining Tour books are available and should be gobbled up for their regular, low $35 price.

      We were also informed that Transitions Mental Health had given us a written thank you for the grant provided to them recently.

      Daryl Empen and Liz Loveless brought guests, and representatives of the Alleman High School Key Club came with Father Mirabelli.

      Happy Dollars included special recognition dollars in honor of our own longtime member and past President, Lee Schenck, commemorating her 45 years in the banking industry.

      Liz informed us that the NAMI event this past weekend brought in a total of $2,465 from the area Kiwanis Clubs, which included the high number of $850 from our own Club. 

      In Fun and Fellowship, Joe Beatty won the preliminary prize, which he graciously donated back to the Club.  The Kartel won the opportunity to go for the grand prize, which Gary Miner managed to win.

      The program was given by Jeff on a very interesting hobby he has of building kayaks.  Jeff started his presentation with a brief explanation of the thought process that went through his mind as he was graduating from college and considering what role he might play in the work force.  He had always had an interest in woodworking and eventually found himself taking on the project of building his first kayak.  Jeff expanded his presentation with a series of slides showing the various stages of construction, how the construction process proceeds, and how the finished product comes out.  Among the various questions he answered was one which resulted in his response that while kayaks such as the one he recently built might cost not less than $5,000, he expended only approximately $450 on the project.