July 6th, 09
A very busy summer of events for Kiwanis Club members was reviewed at the July 6 meeting, beginning with the 4th Annual Hole-in-One Golf Shootout at the Municipal Golf Course. Qualifying rounds are planned for July 22 -24, 4-8pm, with the semi-finals and finals set for Monday July 27 at 6pm. Beginning July 31, the Minnesota-Dakotas District Convention of Kiwanis will attract several hundred Kiwanians and spouses from the three state area to Watertown’s Event Center and to the city’s tourist attractions and retail shopping. Local Kiwanians will staff the annual meeting as well as participate in it. On the following weekend of August 8 Kiwanis will set up as a food vendor at the 6th Annual Redlin Art Center’s Summer Event, featuring the Sawyer Brown concert. Kiwanis is organizing its first annual prayer breakfast on Friday August 14, where proceeds will be used to fund scholarships for pre-schoolers. Dr. Rick Melmer, Dean of Education at the University of South Dakota and former superintendent of the Watertown School District before serving as the secretary of the Department of Education under Governor Rounds, will deliver the keynote address. Alan Taecker was the member of the week. Deb Larson was Becca Larson’s guest. Kiwanis meets every Monday noon at the Elks Lodge.
July 13th, 09
Hy-Vee dietitian Danielle Miller explained her role and the functions of a supermarket dietitian at the July 13 meeting of Kiwanis Club. Introduced by Kami Canfield, Ms Miller, who holds a bachelors degree in Food & Nutrition Science, explained her many services including advising customers on nutrition and health education as well as on the preferred foods for addressing health issues such as allergies, high cholesterol, weight lose or low sodium. Hy-Vee as a company supports corporate wellness programs and Ms Miller is available to present wellness programs to businesses. Nu-Val, a new nutritional scoring system helps shoppers make better and more informed choices. The Nu-Val index, as explained by Ms Miller, rates the nutritional value of nearly every food product on a scale of 1 to 100. This index is displayed next to product pricing for easy reference by consumers. Kiwanis’ Hole-in-One Shootout is set for July 22-24 at the Municipal Golf Course, with the semi-finals and championship on July 27. Preparations for selling advertising for the Youth Soccer Association’s program have been initiated by Jim Boyd. Kiwanis is organizing its first annual prayer breakfast on Friday August 14. Proceeds will be used to fund scholarships for pre-schoolers. Dr. Rick Melmer, Dean of Education at the University of South Dakota and former superintendent of the Watertown School District prior to serving as the secretary of the Department of Education under Governor Rounds, will deliver the keynote address. Tickets are available from Kiwanis members. Adam Karst was a guest and Gene and Marilyn Hexom were visiting Kiwanians from Madison, SD. Kiwanis meets every Monday noon at the Elks Lodge.
July 20th, 09
The 4-H Saddle Up Club was reviewed by Betty Glosimodt at the July 20 meeting of Kiwanis Club. Introduced by Jeff Anderson, Ms Glosimodt explained how the program was started 15 years ago as a therapeutic activity for area kids with special needs to learn about horsemanship and fun gained from horseback riding. Today the Saddle Up Club has up to 14 kids who regularly ride horses borrowed from supporters of the program. A highly rewarding program for both the kids and volunteers, the club recently competed at the State Special Olympics Equestrian Competition and brought home more than 25 medals and ribbons. Among several goals, the club hopes to set up permanent arrangements to utilize the facilities at Joy Ranch. The Kiwanis-organized Hole-in-One Golf Shootout is set for July 22-24 at the Municipal Golf Course, with the finals on July 27. A winning hole-in-one would take home $500,000! Kiwanians are preparing for the Minnesota-Dakotas District Convention at Watertown’s Event Center, July 31 – August 2 and for participating as a food vendor at the Redlin Art Center’s Summer Event on August 8. Kiwanis is organizing its first annual prayer breakfast on Friday August 14. Proceeds will be used to fund scholarships for pre-schoolers. Dr. Rick Melmer, Dean of Education at the University of South Dakota and former superintendent of the Watertown School District prior to serving as the secretary of the Department of Education under Governor Rounds, will deliver the keynote address. Tickets are available from Kiwanis members. Dr. Grant Anderson attended at as guest. Kiwanis meets every Monday noon at the Elks Lodge.
July 20th, 09
The SD Department of Social Services agency Service to the Blind & Visually Impaired (SBVI) was detailed by Dawn Brush at the July 27 meeting of Kiwanis Club. Blind since birth, Ms. Brush explained that her agency’s mission is to provide individualized rehabilitation services that result in optimal employment and independent living outcomes for the blind and visually impaired. Ms Brush pointed out that there are many devices available to assist and support independent living. These devices range from a guide dog or white cane to gadgets that assist with reading and pouring liquids to talking watches and thermometers. Ms Brush emphasized that getting employers to recognize that the blind and visually impaired make great employees remains a major hurdle, as 70% of the blind remain unemployed. President Karyl Somers reported on the Minnesota-Dakotas Kiwanis Convention that will be at Watertown’s Event Center July 31-August 2. Kiwanis is organizing its first annual prayer breakfast on Friday August 14. Proceeds will be used to fund scholarships for pre-schoolers. Dr. Rick Melmer, Dean of Education at the University of South Dakota and former superintendent of the Watertown School District prior to serving as the secretary of the Department of Education under Governor Rounds, will deliver the keynote address. Tickets are available from Kiwanis members. Jeff Dunn reported on the Hole-in-One Golf Shootout, and Becca Larson reviewed plans for Kiwanis setting up as a food vendor at the August 8 Redlin Art Center Event. Kiwanis meets every Monday noon at the Elks lodge.
Written by Tim Oviatt
