Mark Wheeler (on left) performed a variety of songs at our annual Christmas party and dinner meeting which was held this year at the Sapphire Restaurant in downtown Macomb.
Mark says he has been interested in music and ministry since the 1970's. He is the assistant pastor of Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Macomb.
Mark started by singing an original song he wrote called "Cajun Christmas" and then, with vocal assistance from the Macomb Kiwanis Club chorale, "Silent Night", "What Child Is This", "Angels We Have Heard On High", "The First Noel" and "O Come All Ye Faithful."
Mark assists the Salvation Army by volunteering for their red kettle drive performing as he collects donations.
He invited everyone to join him at Cafe Aroma in Macomb Friday nights during their "open mic night." He usually sings from 6:00 until 8:00 PM. Cafe Aroma is located next to Vineyard at 301 University Drive.
For more information on Mark, including samples of his singing, visit his music site or his gospel site.
State Senator John Sullivan had been scheduled to be our main speaker. However, he had to cancel due to pressing state business and bad weather conditions. We hope to get him back at a future date.
President Tim Moss presided and Owen Thompson gave the invocation.
Tim said everything went well at last Saturdays Kiwanis Childrens Christmas Shopping at K-Mart. We picked up 40 children, gave each $25 to spend and helped them select and wrap presents for their families. The $25 came from our club and Citizens National Bank. K-Mart provided free gift bags and breakfast for the children as well as the wrapping paper and Santa stopped by to visit with them after shopping. Special thanks to the many non-Kiwanis volunteers who helped out including members of St. Paul's Church.
Debbie Vandemark thanked everyone that has helped ring the bell for the Salvation Army. Our final opportunity this year is December 19 from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM at Farm King.
She also mentioned that the club Board of Directors has approved adding Edison School to our Picture Book of the Month program. Debbie said "Kiwanis members take turns reading to a class one day a month and that book is then donated to the school library." We will continue to also read at Lincoln School.
We need to get one more Interclub in before the end of December. Debbie is working on making those arrangements.
Jay Carter is looking for volunteers to help out with the Scholastic Bowl Saturday, January 10. The Macomb Rotary Club is the sponsor, but they are expecting many more students to participate and need extra assistance. They are looking for volunteer timers and score keepers. Jay will have more details at our January 6 meeting.
Tim presented Kiwanis District 19 Lt. Gov. Pat Stout (on right) a check for $300 to help cover some of his expenses as he travels throughout the district.
Tim thanked Susan Thompson for making the arrangements for our Christmas party dinner meeting and she announced there were special gifts for members and their guests at each table.
Guests joining us this week were Ted Pawlias's girlfriend Donna, Rosemary Carlson, Rhoda Butler, Betsy Nicholson, Nancy Harp, Jan Sash, Pam Huston and Alice Moss.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: There will not be regular club meetings December 23 and 30 because of the holidays. Tim has reserved a table at Ponderosa for an informal Round Table meeting December 23. "Round Tables are not formal meetings, just opportunities where we can meet together socially and catch up on any Kiwanis business that needs to be discussed. Meal costs for the meetings will be paid for by each person attending and not by the club. Attendence will be counted as attendence at a regular meeting" he said.
No Happy Buck$ were collected because of the special nature of this weeks meeting.
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