June 1st, 09
Severe weather preparedness was Codington County Emergency Management Director Jim Sutton's focus at the June 1 meeting of Kiwanis Club. Sutton emphasized that everyone needs to have a response plan for nature’s most violent storms, as there is no time to think about a plan once a tornado or other severe weather is imminent. All adults, children as well as employees at businesses should know specifically where they should evacuate to when “take cover” warnings of threatening weather are issued. The lowest point in a structure such as the basement or an interior room or safe room if no basement is available are the safest areas against tornadoes, high winds and blowing debris. Sutton added that a NOAA weather radio provided an excellent alert inside homes, when it may be difficult to hear one of the 18 emergency sirens around town. Sutton said that because Watertown is 100 miles from the two nearest NWS radar stations in Sioux Falls and Aberdeen, he relies on weather spotters on the ground to confirm what is seen on radar. The Over 90's Luncheon will be Monday June 8 at Lunkers. Area seniors wishing to join the party should confirm their attendance with Betty or Laurie at 886-5876 by Thursday June 4. Kiwanis supported the Kegs for Christ WHS post graduation party with a $500 donation; president Karyl Somers reported on WHS senior Stacy Glanzer's acknowledgement for having been awarded the Kiwanis scholarship at Senior Awards Day and Becca Larson reported on the June 13 Uptown Festival of Arts and Crafts. Kiwanis meets every Monday noon at the Elks Lodge.
June 15th, 09
Codington County Extension Agent Chuck Langer analyzed this spring's weather's effects on lawns and gardens at the June 15 meeting of Kiwanis Club. Introduced by Brad VanMeter, Langer's yard and garden tips explained that the appearance of rust in some lawns was due to stress from the below normal temperatures, that web worms were responsible for dead spots in lawns, and pointed out that available grass seed mix was sometimes the cause for dead spots as it contained more perennial seed and less rye seed, which is much more tolerate of local spring temperatures. Mushrooms that are now appearing are a sign that "something" organic, perhaps a tree root, is as deep as four feet below the surface. Langer recommended ant dust for getting rid of smaller ants and pointed out that the larger carpenter ants can actually cause structural damage to homes and garages and should be controlled. The delayed arrival of summer temperatures has resulted in slower growing gardens, thus it may still be too early to apply mulch. An update on membership was provided by Jeff Anderson, and Curt Trego was the member of the week. Becca Larson is organizing Kiwanis' participation as a vendor at the Redlin Art Center Event on August 8, Mary Henning recently attended Kiwanis leadership training, and a thank you note was acknowledged from Golden Living Center residents for their participation at Kiwanis' Over 90's Luncheon on June 8. The Annual $500,000 Hole-in-One Golf Challenge is set for July 23-24 at the Municipal Golf Course. Kiwanis meets every Monday noon at the Elks Lodge.
June 22nd, 09
Key Club, the oldest and largest service program for high school students, was reviewed by WHS Key Club advisor Jeannie Hansen at the June 22 meeting of Kiwanis Club. Key Club is affiliated with Kiwanis and what makes Key Club so successful is the fact that it is a student-led organization that teaches leadership through serving others. Ms Hansen reviewed many of the community service projects that Key Club is involved with and include: helping at the Humane Society, conducting a mittens and hats drive and distributing them at the elementary schools, helping with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, assisting with the Boys & Girls Club Halloween party, cleaning ditches along a stretch of designated highway, decorating cookies with ATCO, and trick or treating for UNICEF. Key Club raises funds through lollipop sales during Ki-Yi week and coupon sales for Community Day in November. The goals of the organization include the awarding of two $200 scholarships to graduating seniors, sending members to the Kiwanis leadership camp and recruiting 8th and 9th graders into the club. In addition to its many activities, Key Club meets monthly to hear a speaker with a program of informational interest. Kiwanis Third Annual Hole-in-One Golf Challenge is set for July 23-24 at the Municipal Golf Course, with the championship on July 27. Club secretary Rita Wiese will attend Kiwanis’ national convention in Knoxville, TN and Doug Austin reported on his recent participation in the Ortonville, MN Kiwanis Club’s annual golf outing and fish fry. Kiwanis meets every Monday noon at the Elks Lodge.
June 29th, 09
Watertown’s Convention and Visitors Bureau director Karen Witt described the organizational process of bringing major conventions and events to Watertown at the June 29 meeting of Kiwanis Club. The addition of the Event Center has allowed the CVB to bid on many larger events that, prior to 2004, were too large for existing facilities. More than 600 realtors will be in Watertown for the annual Dakota Realtors Association in early September, followed by SD Senior Games, the SD Municipal League’s annual meeting and then the hunters begin to arrive. The next major indoor event in Watertown is the Minnesota-Dakotas District Convention of Kiwanis at the end of July. Ms. Witt said that she first bid on this meeting back in 2003, and now the reality of up to 400 Kiwanians and spouses from the three state area will provide both the local Kiwanis Club and the city of Watertown the opportunity of marketing and promoting the city and its attractions and facilities.Rita Weiss reported on her recent attendance at the Kiwanis International’s convention in Knoxville, TN. Kiwanis is organizing to be a vendor at the August 8 event at the Redlin Art Center. The $500,000 Hole-in-One Golf Shootout will be July 22-24 with the championship set for July 27 at the Watertown Municipal Golf Course. Susan Severson has applied to join Kiwanis, Jerry Shannon was Brad VanMeter’s guest and Jim Larson was Becca Larson’s guest. Kiwanis meets every Monday noon at the Elks Lodge.
Written by Tim Oviatt
