Speaker Finders/Speakers/Dates of Interest.

January
1/3   – No meeting
1/10 – Board Meeting
1/17 – Leroy Goodwin - Tour St. Mary Nutrition after dinner
1/24 – Kevin Glass - John Andreoni, Outdoor Writer
1/31 – Vic Von Blon - St. Marys Mayor Pat McGowan
February
2/7   – Board Meeting
2/14 – Don Johnson - Division II Meeting @ St. Marys
2/21 – Stan Davis - Hope McKnight, Arts Place - Collective Center
2/28 – Doug Moran
March
3/6   – Board Meeting
3/13 – God, Flag, and Country
3/20 – Robin Willoughby
3/27 – Jim Elking

April
4/3  -- Board Meeting
4/10 – Kathy Bayles
4/17 – Milt Miller
4/24 – Allison Brady

Kiwanis News   

St. Marys Mayor Pat McGowan addresses Kiwanis

Janurary 31st Meeting:

The Kiwanis Club of St. Marys welcomed Mayor Patrick J. McGowan as their guest speaker. Mayor McGowan is a native of St. Marys. He is the youngest of three boys. He is a graduate of Memorial High, has a BA and MBA with undergraduate work at Antioch and graduate work at the University of Phoenix. Mayor McGowan talked a little about his diversified 40 years in business; Power Generation – coal fired, solar, wind, hydro, destruction of chemical and nuclear warheads, Lucas Oil Stadium, Prairie State Energy Campus and so much more. After being gone for thirty years, he always knew that his strong ties to St. Marys would bring him back.

The new Mayor is looking forward to many challenges during his term. The City is currently seeking to fill two very important positions; safety and services director and economic development director. He says they are taking their time in filling these positions as they are so critical. Mayor McGowan has been meeting with department heads to review the budget, ranking projects, and keeping true to a five year plan. His first month in office has been busy and he knows that although the City is healthy he still has a lot of work ahead of him. He has a vision for growth with plans that include the continuing relationship with JobsOhio, advertising literature, digital signage and so much more. The policy of this mayor will be one of hands on with an open door.

Guests Included:
Mayor Patrick J. McGowan, City of St. Marys
Randy Fisher, Executive Director United Way of Auglaize County
Mike Burkholder, Editor The Evening Leader
Dan and Brenda Manning, Owners and Operators The Outdoorsman 

President Randy reminded the group of the upcoming Webinar events beginning Tuesday, January 31st at 8:00 p.m. with The Impact of Charitable Giving and Fundraising Ideas on Tuesday, February 7th at 8:00 p.m. Randy informed everyone that he has been involved in previous Webinars and they have been very informative. Anyone interested can certainly log on.

Randy also brought up a reoccurring issue of the St. Marys Business Expo which will be held on Saturday, March 10th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the USWA Local 200 Union Hall hosted by St. Marys Community Partnership. The application is due on February 24th. Randy indicated that he will contact Mr. Jeremy Holtzapple, SMCP President, for more information and report back to the club at the next meeting on Tuesday, February 7th.

Kathy provided the update on the current health conditions of both club members Doug Moran and Leroy Goodwin. Cards were distributed for both. Please keep them in your prayers.

A sign up sheet was circulated among the members for the upcoming Division II Meeting. This is such an important meeting and everyone is encouraged to attend.

John Andreoni, speaking about lake issues. Brian Little being inducted.

January 24 Meeting:

The Kiwanis Club of St. Marys welcomed guest speaker, Mr. John Andreoni who is a retired St. Marys school teacher and presently teaches at Edison College. In looking out over the club members, he joked that most were either students or parents of students he has known over the years. It is obvious that he truly has a passion for teaching but it is also obvious that he has a passion for writing, as well. He explained to the group that K. C. Geiger first asked him to write and submit weekly articles to the newspaper. He started writing his articles in 1969 but did not sign his name in the beginning. He said that came later. Mr. Andreoni shared with the club that he watches and learns and learns by observing. John told the club that he grew up as a self proclaimed “canal and lake rat”.

John explained his technique in compiling his books. He starts by taking a decade of articles and extracts interesting ones that defined that particular decade. He gave a brief overall description of the first decade he compiled, the 1970’s. Some of the articles of that decade included the goose refuge in Celina, the ODNR closing of the park, recycling, KC Geiger Park, Buckeye Trail and the gas shortage. Other 1970’s events were Issue 2 to outlaw leg hold traps, the bitter cold in 1977 and the blizzard of 1978. The 1980’s were also eventful as fishing became more scientific, the many fishing tournaments held on the lake, the many changes that took place with the West Bank Development, Windy Point, Sunday hunting, the drought of 1988 through 1990 which resulted in the lake’s low water levels and so much more. These events all bring back different memories and this was obvious from the faces in the audience.

John told the group that there has been a great deal of changes over the years. These are just some of his observations, attitudes and opinions. He commends the efforts of all the organizations that have worked tirelessly to restore the lake. He spoke about the Alum treatments currently being done in the lake. He truly has seen a lot of changes over the years. If you would like to know more of these events and to purchase John Andreoni’s books, please visit his website www.fordabirds.com. His books are also available on Amazon, e-books and other resources.

The Kiwanis Club of St. Marys officially inducted their newest member into the club, Mr. Brian Little. Mr. Jack Kuffner handled the duties of the official induction while Brian’s sponsor, Mr. Kirk Speckman handled the official presentation of the Kiwanis certificate, badge and pin. Jack Kuffner explained the history of Kiwanis. What the club has done, what they are currently doing and the vision for the future. Jack spoke about the volunteerism and how Kiwanis gives back to the community, the Division, the state, the nation and globally. How, as we all work together, we can accomplish so much. Brian was asked to tell the club a little about himself and he explained that he is a Sergeant with the Auglaize county Sheriff’s Department. He served in law enforcement in Cincinnati for eleven years and has been with the Sheriff’s Department for over eight years. He and his wife have a son and a daughter. He is on the School Board and is very involved in the community.

Greg Ferrall, Owner and Operator St. Marys Nutritional Foods giving
tour to Kiwanis Club of St. Marys

Janurary 17 Meeting:

Greg and Kendra Ferrall, Owners and Operators of St. Marys Nutritional Foods, welcomed the Kiwanis Club of St. Marys to a tour of the facility located in The Gathering at 153 East Spring Street. Greg explained to the group how the process began about two years ago when he was approached by the CIC and Steve Mackenbach to move into the former First Financial Bank building. Greg and his wife Kendra have successfully combined the St. Marys Nutritional Foods portion of the business with the spa treatment side of the business. It has certainly been a labor of love and is still a work in progress.

The combination of these two successful businesses in St. Marys has resulted in an extensive selection of vitamins and supplements, therapeutic massages available, Terry W. Webb, D.C., Chiropractic Physician/Certified Acupuncturist and so much more. This facility also offers a great place to stop and pick up a choice of juice drinks, a salad prepared with all organic ingredients and other nutritional and great tasting food selections. They have a vast array of organic products and can accommodate so many different preferences depending on allergies or health concerns. Do not forget to stop in and try their all natural peanut butter and honey. They also have bulk items available.

The St. Marys Nutritional Foods facility offers such a wide variety of different services. If you have not stopped into the new location, please put it on your list of things to do. What they have to offer is well worth your time.

January 10, 2012 - Club Meeting & Board Meeting

Drew two winners for January Gasoline Raffle Cards - Bill Safford, Bellbrook, OH - Denny Dedrick, St. Marys, OH   

New Member, Brian Little to be inducted on January 24.

Minutes of Board Meeting to be posted after approval. 

Board Meeting – December 13, 2011

St. Marys Firefighters requested a donation towards the rescue mannequin. Kirk Speckman made a motion to donate $200, 2nd by Vic Von Blon, motion carried. 
American Cancer Society Relay for Life, kick off, Bowl-a-Rama is requesting $50 from ten different sponsors. Doug Moran made a motion to donate $50 for the Bowl-a-Rama - 2nd by Jason Vanderhorst, motion carried.
Mr. Steinbrunner, St. Mary City Schools, spoke to the club a few weeks ago about the new E book program at the school. It is replacing the old reading is fundamental program. RIF lost federal funding do to all the budget cuts. This was tabled for more information.
Received a letter from Kara Sharp asking for a donation to the Memorial High School After Prom. It was noted that the $100 check we gave them last year was never cashed. Will contact Kara and she what her needs are.
Club received a thank you from WOEF board for the 12 $100 book scholarships.
Received a request from the Family Life Center asking for a donation. Kirk Speckman made a motion to donate $100, 2nd by Jason Vanderhorst, motion carried.
Received thank you from Joseph Jacks. Club donated funds for his project. He built four picnic tables for the new shelter house north of High St. Joseph sent a nice thank you with pictures.

The Annual Dinner and Installation of Officers (Tuesday, October 4th) proved to be a fun filled evening for all who attended. Kevin Glass welcomed all the club members, spouses and honored guests. He also recapped his last year as Club President. He spoke about all the wonderful community events that the Club had been involved with and how honored he had been to serve the past two years as president. He introduced the new Lt. Governor, George Doyle. George explained what his vision for Division 2 is for the next year and spoke briefly about the Eliminate Project. George then inducted the 2011-2012 officers and welcomed the new board. The changing of officers took place and the new Club president, Randy Henkener, spoke about what is ahead for the Club, how we intend to achieve these goals and his appreciation to lead this group. Randy introduced Thomas A. Knapke, PhD, at Wright State University. Dr. Knapke told the group about the opening of the new dormitory and many new changes at Wright State. Dr. Knapke then introduced the Kiwanis Scholarship Awardees both past and present. Randy closed the evening by awarding the lovely table decorations provided by Glass Wealth Management. It was a delightful evening.