May 4th, 09
Milt Carter reviewed the history, status and future plans of the Watertown Youth Soccer Association (WYSA) at the May 4 meeting of Kiwanis Club. Carter, who has been affiliated with WYSA since its beginning in 1996, said that the key to the program’s success is the more than 100 coaches, assistant coaches and team parents who volunteer their time for WYSA. Today’s 568 players, ages 5-18, on 64 teams play five to eight matches in both the spring and the fall. Development of the ANZA Soccer Complex in 2002 gave the program a significant boost with the establishment of dedicated outdoor fields and equipment. Carter said the WYSA’s future development will depend upon the expansion of an indoor program using basketball courts as well as adding lights to two outdoor fields over the next year. Lighted fields will potentially allow Watertown to bid on hosting state soccer tournaments.Watertown will host the 92nd Minnesota-Dakotas District Convention beginning July 31 at the Event Center, with as many as 700 Kiwanians and spouses attending. Jay Bogen reminded members that the annual fertilizer sale continues and persons wanting to purchase the non-phosphorous fertilizer may contact him at 886-3601. Kiwanis’ annual Over 90’s luncheon is set for June 8 at Lunkers on Lake Kampeska. Registration details will be announced later in May. Kiwanis meets every Monday noon at the Elks Lodge.
May 11th, 09
Julie Ranum of the Redlin Art Center kicked off National Tourism Week at the May 11 meeting of Kiwanis Club. Ms Ranum emphasized the importance of tourism to the Watertown area and that this week's focus is to regroup and prepare to welcome tourists and work to give these visitors the best possible experience when visiting Watertown. The Redlin Art Center, the city's biggest tourist draw, has had 2.5 million visitors from all 50 states and numerous foreign countries since opening in 1996. A goal of the Redlin Art Center is to get visitors into Watertown to visit its other tourism destinations as well as shopping and restaurants. Ms Ranum reported that the last painting completed by Terry Redlin before his retirement is soon to be on display along with the famous artist’s entire studio. The Redlin Art Center's annual summer festival will take place August 8-9 and feature a variety of local entertainment along with the contemporary country western hit Sawyer Brown. President Karyl Somers reviewed the agenda for the July 31-August 2 Minnesota-Dakotas District Convention of Kiwanis at Watertown's Event Center. Becca Larson discussed the June 13 Uptown Festival of Arts and Crafts and the status of fertilizer sales. Rita Wiese reported that WHS senior Rachel Clark received the Joseph Messer District Kiwanis Award and read a thank you note for Kiwanis’ support for the WHS “After Prom” party. The Over 90’s Luncheon will be held on June 8 at Lunkers with registration details to be announced later in May. Kiwanis meets every Monday noon at the Elks Lodge.
May 18th, 09
Watertown’s Mellette House and the Mellette Memorial Association’s (MMA) upcoming “If Headstones Could Talk” was association president Prudy Calvin’s program at the May 18 meeting of Kiwanis Club. Ms. Calvin reminded her audience that Mellette House was one of four major tourist attractions in Watertown that hosted visitors from 34 states and 8 foreign countries in 2008. The home of Arthur C. Mellette, the last governor of Dakota Territory and South Dakota’s first governor, the Mellette House displays an impressive collection of pre-1895 furnishings, some of which belonged to the Mellette family. On June 6, the MMA will present “If Headstones Could Talk: A guided Tour of Mt. Hope Cemetery” – following a successful launch of this fund-raiser in 2008. The lives of six eminent citizens of Watertown’s past including Oscar Kemp of Kemp Avenue fame and Leander Delos Lyon, the first publisher of the Public Opinion, will be portrayed for visitors during a guided tour of the cemetery. Tickets are available from the Mellette House, which is open 1-5pm daily except Monday, as well as from the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce office and Past Times Coffee House and Deli. Pat Rittgarn, a Kiwanian from Fargo and co-chair of the July 31- August 2 Minnesota-Dakotas District Convention of Kiwanis being held at the Event Center, reviewed the convention agenda. Louis Canfield reported on plans to update the web site, Jay Bogen reported on fertilizer sales, and Tim Oviatt reported on plans for the June 8 Over 90’s Luncheon, which honors the area’s senior citizens who are 90 years old or more. Doug Austin introduced Matt Theophilus as his guest. Kiwanis meets every Monday noon at the Elks Lodge; however the club will meet on Tuesday May 26 due to the Memorial Day holiday.
May 26th, 09
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, passed by Congress in February, was the focus of Dustin Flatten's program at the May 26 meeting of Kiwanis Club. Many new tax credits and tax breaks are available to taxpayers this year, however the necessary regulations on this legislation are either very recent or yet to be published by the IRS, due to the complexity of tax laws and the timing of the legislation's passage. Flatten, a tax specialist with Hanson, Vilhauer and Raml PC, reviewed a number of tax refunds, deductions and credits available for 2009 taxes and for future years that many tax payers either may not be aware of or that require close scrutiny to determine whether a tax payer qualifies for the tax breaks. Provisions for tax breaks on unemployment benefits, new cars, post-secondary tuition and fees, for first time homebuyers, on home energy efficiency improvements and for businesses were outlined by Flatten. Kiwanis' annual Over 90's Luncheon will be at Lunkers Restaurant on Monday June 8. All Watertown area seniors 90 years or older are welcome and are asked to register their planned attendance by calling Wight, Comes and Sogn at 886-5876 for details and confirmation. President Karyl Somers reviewed the proposed Kiwanis slate of officers and board of directors for 2009-10 that will be elected on June 1. Becca Larson reported on the Kiwanis Skip-a-Meal donation and the June 13 Uptown Festival of Arts & Crafts, and Tim Oviatt reviewed the two upcoming city election forums on June 2 and June 9, organized by the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce. Kiwanis meets every Monday noon at the Elks Lodge.
Written by Tim Oviatt
