Dr. John Hallwas (on left) noted author and distinguished professor emeritus at Western Illinois University was the featured guest speaker at our first meeting of the new Kiwanis year that began October 1.
John said he now has 24 books in print, the latest is "Dime Novel Desperadoes" about a group of local outlaws known as the Maxwell brothers. He compared the brothers to the Jesse James gang in that they were both notorious outlaw gangs and nationally famous. The Maxwell brothers started out as horse thieves in Fulton County. Later, Ed Maxwell stole a suit of clothes in Blandinsville and was sent to Joliet. In his book, John felt he was able to "get inside the heads" of the Maxwell brothers from notes and articles he found. He thanked fellow historians in several states and surviving family members he was able to track down for their assistance in the book.
Next week will be installation of new officers and directors as our new Kiwanis year "officially" begins. New Lt. Gov. Pat Stout will conduct the ceremony and Tim says the dinner will be "upgraded." He invited members to bring spouses and guests to the meeting.
October 21 the speaker will be Tim Weaver on "Haunted Tours of Macomb" and on October 28 Sue Melton of The Diamond Den will be featured.
President-elect Tim Moss presided over the first meeting of the new Kiwanis year.
John Moon led us in singing "Onward In Kiwanis."
Chuck Nicholson gave the invocation.
Special returning guests were Dr. Gary Sash and John Elfrink. It was announced that both have submitted new member applications!!!
Tim announced October birthdays. Congratulations to Jerry
Carlson, George Kelso and Chuck Gilbert and Happy Birthday!
Jerry offered another chapter of his life story, so far. He joined Kiwanis
several years ago and said has been providing updates ever
since. This week was "Chapter 11" which included a reference to a
burning barrel transformed into a living room fireplace at his parents home.
Tim reported on the board meeting last week where two donation
requests were approved. One was $500 to Lincoln School and another donation to the Performing Arts Society.
Peanut Days will be the weekends of October 24-25 and October 31-November 1 at both Hy Vee and Wal Mart between the hours of 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM Jeremy said sign up sheets will be passed around next week.
Tim says we will be updating our club bylaws and he hopes to vote on the changes by the end of the month. Jeremy said the only change will be the number of
board members. Ted Pawlias suggested applying for non-profit
status. Tim said there were a couple of different ways of
approaching that and they'll work on that.
We received a banner patch for our $650 donation to spastic paralysis.
Tim asks that members to be sure to check the new club member directory so we have current names, addresses and phone numbers for everyone.
Jeremy - had $2 - one for Tim on the start of a new year -
another for Owen Thompson who volunteered his time when we loaned some of our pancake equipment to a local soccer club. Jeremy said that Owen offered
technical support and represented Kiwanis.
Owen - Dr. Gary Sash has repented and has left Rotary to join
Kiwanis. Another for Debbie Vandemark who helped repaint the Kiwanis
playground sign. More painting has been finished at the Salvation
Army.
Jane Morrow - happy to be back. She said that her husband
Dennis was home last weekend and she's getting ready to leave on another trip.
The 50/50 Drawing was won by Rick Bulger and he donated his share back to the
club.
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