SPECIAL BIKE RODEO EDITION

Date of Meeting: May 18, 2021

Venue: Virtual via Zoom

Attendance: 10 in attendance: 7 members and 3 guests

MEMBERS AND GUESTS:

Kiwanis Members:
President Meredith Michaud
Betty Ballantyne
Phil Bonafide
Ray Chambers
Bill Gile
Steve Loughlin
Kara Stanley

Guests:
Dean Anson – guest speaker
Zach Dea, guest of Meredith Michaud
Tara Shore- Meredith Michaud

KIWANIS MEMBERS:
GUESTS:
Screen Shot Photos by W. Stephen Loughlin

President Meredith Michaud called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.

INVOCATION & PLEDGE:
The invocation was performed by President Meredith and the pledge of allegiance was led by President Meredith.

BIKE RODEO:
President Meredith gave a recap of the Bike Rodeo which she deemed a success. Approximately 60 children plus family members attended. Kiwanians participating were Bill Gile, Steve Loughlin, Meredith Michaud, Don Nelson, and Kara Stanley. Future club member, Zach Dea, also participated. We were pleased to be joined by Kiwanis District Governor, Dennis Murphy, and Rebecca Collins-Murtagh of the Hooksett Kiwanis club.

The Laconia Police Department, the Laconia Fire Department, the Salvation Army, the Boys & Girls Club, Piche’s Ski & Sport Shop, the Belknap County Sheriff’s Department and the LHS Key Club assisted with the fittings of the helmets, safety inspections, bike registrations, painting and handing out of stickers, popcorn, and drinks. The Salvation Army donated 30 new bicycles and of which two were donated to Hookset Kiwanis for their Bike Program. Laconia School Board member Laura Dunn attended with her child and was very appreciative of the event.

For a pictorial summary of the Bike Rodeo scroll down to the bottom of the page.

BIKE WEEK:

The Kiwanis Club will be selling water and soda on the Weirs Beach Boardwalk during Bike Week which runs from June 10th through 20th. Bill Gile will be chairing the event. Each member has been assigned specific soda items for purchase. Bill worked out a deal with Shaw’s on a purchase and donation of 90 cases of water. Scott Laurent will be storing the items at his trailer located at his home and handling set up and tear down.

Volunteers are needed to work each shift. The hours are 10 am until 5 pm. A morning shift will be from 10:00 am until 1:30 pm and the second shift will be from1:30 pm until 5:00 pm. Sign up Genius has been set up to secure shift hours at our station. To sign up for a shift, please “click” here.

GUEST SPEAKER:

Betty Ballantyne introduced Dean Anson. Dean serves as the Chairman for the Laconia Conservation Commission. The City of Laconia's Conservation Commission was established in August of 1987 to promote and preserve the area's natural resources, and to protect and manage the City's watershed resources and wildlife habitat areas.

Dean expressed his desire to educate our members and the Key Club members on the value of volunteering especially as it relates to the environment in the state of New Hampshire. In the past, Dean worked with the LHS Key Club and noted their enthusiasm and hard work while donating to the community at Tardif Park in Laconia. (“Click” here to view the 2016 news story that includes a picture of Dean and the LHS Key Club.)

During his presentation, Dean discussed two serious concerns with our water: Milfoil and Chinese Mystery Snails. Both have been noted to be in Lake Opechee, Lake Winnisquam, and likely Silver Lake. His organization is looking to employ Lake Hosts at the Laconia boat ramps to make sure there is no mill foil on boats that are going in and coming out of the lake. He noted that 50 to 100 boaters a day use the ramp at Lake Winnisquam (off Water Street) and 15 to 20 boaters a day use the ramp at Lake Opechee (off Messer Street).

Ray Chambers questioned if the job was only for students as he believes it is likely many Taylor Community residents would have an interest. Dean noted the opportunity will not discriminate based on age. It was suggested that Dean invite Key Club Co-Advisor, Bonnie Ashworth, and Ivy Leavett-Carlson, the LHS chemistry teacher and former Key Club Co-Advisor, to their meeting.

Ray Chambers, a Taylor Community resident, reported that his wife, Paula, is a steward of a new committee whose objective is to reduce waste and recycle along with the growing of native plants for pollination. Paula’s group will be instituting raised beds, window boxes and pots with their residents. Dean stated, he would be available for feedback on their plans and encouraged Ray and his wife to attend a meeting of the Laconia Conservation Commission. They meet the first and third Wednesday at Laconia City Hall at 6:00 pm. For those who want to communicate with Dean, his e-mail address is deananson@aol.com. Tara asked Dean of his knowledge of the area at the time the Mills employed many and the affect on the area. Dean noted there is a video movie of its time. It should help Tara fill in the blanks of that era.

For information on the Laconia Conservation Commission, “click” here.

For information on The Lake Host Program “click” here.

MEMBER INSTALLATION:

We are happy to report that, on June 8th, the Laconia Kiwanis Club will be installing three new members: Zach Dea, Tara Shore and Bob Willey. The event, which will take place at Rotary Park (next to the Belknap Mill), will start at 6:30 pm with the installation scheduled for 7:00 pm. It is suggested participants bring their own snacks and lawn chairs.

GILDA'S CLUB NEW HAMPSHIRE:

President Meredith was approached by the Executive Director of Gilda’s Club New Hampshire. The organization offers free programs and services for men, women, and children impacted by cancer. It is likely we will arrange for a presentation by members of the group this coming Fall. More details to follow.

STORAGE:

The club recently vacated the storage area in Gilford which is owned by Irwin Automotive Group. However, Irwin’s has been kind to let us store our goods in the basement of their Hyundai dealership. Moving to this new storage area will be arranged after Bike Week.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:23 pm.

KEY CLUB NEWS:

The Laconia Kiwanis Club is proud to applaud LHS Key Club members Lydia Tucker and Aidan Eldridge. During the past year, Lydia was District Governor of the New England & Bermuda District of Key Club International and Aidan was LHS Key Club President. In addition to serving their community both have excelled in academics. Both Lydia and Aidan were recently acknowledged for the exceptional academic achievements on the Laconia High School Facebook page.

C

Can you find Lydia Tucker and Aidan Eldridge in the above photo? For details, "click" here.

New Leadership at LHS Key Club:

We are happy to congratulate Ella Muller as the new LHS Key Club president. Other Key Club officers include:

Vice-President: Madison Brooks
Secretary: Emina Ramic
Treasurer: Katie Westcott
Bulletin Editor: Cam Whitty
Members at Large: Bailee Laramie and Hannah Lowell.

CONGRATULATIONS to all!

A KIWANIS FAMILY WELCOME
L to R: Rebecca Collins-Murtagh (Hooksett Kiwanis Club member), Meredith Michaud (Laconia Kiwanis Club President), Kara Stanley (Laconia Kiwanis Club Treasurer), Aidan Eldridge (LHS Key Club President), Emina Ramic (LHS Key Club Secretary), Bill Gile (Laconia Kiwanis Club Vice President), Denis Murphy (Kiwanis International - New England & Bermuda District Governor), and Don Nelson (Laconia Kiwanis Club past president 2000-2001)
NEW ENGLAND & BERMUDA DISTRICT GOVERNORS
Denis Murphy, Kiwanis International - New England & Bermuda Dist. Governor and Lydia Tucker, Key Club International - New England & Bermuda Dist. Governor
BIKERS ENJOYING THE OBSTACLE COURSE
COMMUNITY HEROES
Members of the Laconia Police Department, the Laconia Fire Department and the Belknap County Sheriff's Department
LPD Sergeant Michelle Cardinal reporting for duty		Belknap County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Rob Nedeau, Belknap County Sheriff Bill Wright, and Theresa Wright
LPD Patrol Officer Sean McCormack adjusts a helmet.		LPD Sergeant Michelle Cardinal carefully fits a helmet.
Eyes of trust and appreciation		LPD Patrol Officer Sean McCormack with a happy biker
LPD Patrol Officer Sean McCormack instructs the participants on bike safety.		LFD fireman distributes bike stickers
LPD Patrol Officer Megan DeNutte and LPD Sergeant Michelle Cardinal		Belknap County Sheriff Bill Wright serves another patron
SALVATION ARMY WORKERS:
Salvation Army Captain Mike Davis with Becky Guyer and Kraig Koehler		Salvation Army cutie
Happiness is a NEW bike!
The Laconia Key Club is upstaged by a Photo Bomb Professional
A Boys & Girls Club volunteer greets participants		Abbie Horton puts on a happy face.
Piche's Ski & Sports Shop with tune-ups
SUPER HEROS aka Zach and Alex Dea
S M I L E S
Kiwanian Kara Stanley with her daughter, Caitlin		Meredith Michaud with her daughters, Abbie and Emma
Belknap County Sheriff Bill Wright captures a smile..		Theresa Wright's smile is captured.
TIME TO DRAW THE WINNING TICKET ON A NEW BIKE
Laconia Kiwanis Club President Meredith Michaud and LHS Key Club President Aidan Eldridge conduct the drawing.
AND THE WINNER IS...
Congratulations to Laconia resident, Nolan Churchill
Nolan Churchill proudly displays his new bike.		Happy mother and happy son
See You Next Year!		L to R: LPD Sergeant Michelle Cardinal and LPD Patrol Officer Megan DeNutte
BIKE RODEO SAFTEY DAY IN THE NEWS: Laconia Daily Sun - May 4, 2021 Laconia Daily Sun - May 11, 2021 Laconia Links - May 14, 2021

THANK YOU:
Many thanks to Karen Abraham, Betty Ballantyne, Bill Gile and Lydia Tucker for their assistance with this bulletin.

Tuesday - June 8th Venue: Rotary Park, at the entrance to Downtown Laconia
6:30 pm - Installation Meeting

Tuesday - July 6th
6:00 pm - Board of Directors Meeting - members invited to attend

NOTE: In order to get access to a future ZOOM meeting, you will need the Zoom Application.
To get access to the Zoom App, “click” here.
For assistance with the ZOOM meeting, feel free to contact Kara Stanley at 603-520-3233.
Meeting ID# 603-520-3233 Password: 03246

WANT MAIL?
If you are not on the Kiwanis Bulletin e-mail list (and would like to be) please give Steve Loughlin your e-mail address. Also, if you are reading this bulletin and are not presently on the mailing list (and would like to be), “click” here.

"Click" here to get back to the top of the page.

"CLICK" ON ANY GRAPHIC BELOW TO VISIT THE HOME PAGE OUR FINE PATRONS.