News That Concerns Kiwanians
and Their Families |
SPECIAL INSTALLATION EDITION
Venue: Hector’s Restaurant & Lounge
Attendance: 14 members, 1 honorary member, 21 guests
Invocation: Rev. Paula Gile
Pledge: Steve Loughlin
Song: Don Nelson
Guests:
Karen Abraham - Key Club Advisor
Melissa Beane - wife of Jeff
Jackie Bonafide - wife of Phil
Brig Clarke - Lt. Governor New England District 5
Joe Collie - past member, past president and past Lt. Governor
Tony Collings - mentee of Bill Gile
Susan Denoncourt - wife of Dennis
Rev. Paula Gile - wife of Bill
Paulette Loughlin - wife of Steve
Rosemary Murphy - wife of Larry
Honorary member Sue Nelson - wife of Don
Jennifer Winslow - wife of Brian
MEET THE HEAD TABLE |
L to R: Outgoing Pres. Michelle Michaud; Past. Pres. Scott Laurent;Tony Hollings (mentee of Bill Gile); Rev. Paula Gile;
Incoming Pres. Bill Gile; and Lt. Gov. New England District 5 Brig Clark |
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin |
MEMBERS AND GUESTS |
Left Column: Front to Back: Past Pres. John Walker, Past Pres. Phil Bonafide, Past. Pres. Larry |
Murphy and Past Pres. Don Nelson |
Right Column: Front to Back: Muff Kruse, Jackie Bonafide, Rosemary Murphy, and Sue Nelson |
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin |
L to R: Jeff Beane, Melissa Beane, Kara Stanley, Betty Ballantyne, and Past Pres. & Past Lt. Gov. Joe Collie
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin
L to R: Paulette Loughlin, Steve Loughlin Jennifer Winslow, Past Pres. Brian Winslow, Sue Denoncourt, Past Pres. Dennis Denoncourt
Photo by Betty Ballantyne
Key Club Guests:
Alexyan Dethvongsa – President
Josh Chandler – Treasurer
Olivia Conley
Dakota Cross
Lindsey Drouin
Heather Ausevich
Lexys Bladecki
Olivia Conley
Danielle Friend
Isabella Lovering
Lydia Tucker
Members of the Laconia Key Club
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin
Master John:
Past President John Walker served as the emcee for the evening.
Johnnie Walker Red
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin
Prior to the installation of new officers, incoming President Bill Gile was awarded the George F. Hixson Fellowship.
(NOTE: Named for Kiwanis International’s first president, Hixson Fellowships are awarded to donors who give $1,000 or more to the Children's Fund. It’s a way of recognizing people who have contributed significantly to Kiwanis’ history of generosity. In fact, clubs and Kiwanians often give in honor of another person or organization—recognizing others’ help and commitment with a Hixson Fellowship. awarded to members of Clubs who make a $1,000 donation in their name, for work done for the benefit of Children).
When announcing Bill Gile as the winner of the George F. Hixson Fellowship, John Walker reported that Bill and his wife, Paula, relocated to Laconia, right about the same time the Mentoring program at the Middle School was getting on its feet. At that time Bill “was already at the school looking for kids who could benefit from his brand of mentoring. He was assigned a great kid who is now a fine young man and who is with us tonight. Tony, thank you for being here this evening.”
“Even after Tony moved to Franklin and enrolled in Franklin High School, Bill continued his mentoring, driving to Franklin every Friday to continue his relationship with Tony. Tony earned his GED-equivalent last spring, and is working for a year before beginning the culinary arts curriculum at NHTI.”
“Besides the mentoring angle, we have all seen how Bill has approached his job as the Key Club advisor. I know he spent at least two nights in his car during the homeless awareness events, while the Key Clubbers slept in cardboard boxes on the HS lawn. He spearheaded projects with the Club, and generally just made himself available whenever and wherever needed.”
Congratulations Bill on your special recognition!
From the President:
President Bill briefed the Club of a slightly different format beginning on November 13th. Meetings will commence at 6 PM from now on, and there will be two meetings per month, the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month. The first meeting of each month will include a program; the second meeting will be strictly a business meeting. Bill also advised that the annual Key Club homelessness awareness event is next weekend, Friday night, October 20th. Again, this year, the event coincides with a Putnam Fund performance at the high school.
Bill thanked Meredith Michaud for her leadership this past year and acknowledged that during Meredith's tenure, the Club raised over $30,000, more than has been raised any year since the end of the motorcycle raffle at Bike Week.
From the Members:
Outgoing Secretary Martha Kruse presented perfect attendance pins to Bill Gile (two years), Betty Ballantyne (three years), and Steve Loughlin (11 years). She also noted that Kathy Calvin had 14 years of perfect attendance. Muff announced that Joe Adrignola will be presented a Legion of Honor award for 30 years of membership at our November 13 meeting. The Kiwanian of the Year award will also be presented at that meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS: |
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Paula is honored to present Bill with his special award |
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin |
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L to R: Tony Collings, Bill Gile, and Paula Gile |
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin |
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Bill Gile proudly displays his plaque with outgoing |
President Meredith Michaud (left) and Paula Gile |
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin |
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Lt. Governor Brig Clarke begins the Installation Ceremony. |
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin |
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Outgoing President Meredith Michaud (left) and outgoing |
Secretary Muff Kruse are recognized by Lt. Gov. Brig Clarke. |
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin |
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Newly installed President Bill Gile is congratulated by Lt. Governor Brig Clarke |
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin |
Perfect Attendance Recognition |
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Bill Gile is congratulated for two years of perfect attendance |
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin |
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Three years of perfect attendance for Betty Ballantyne |
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin |
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Steve Loughlin proudly accepts his pin for 11 years of perfect attendance |
Photo by Phil Bonafide |
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Muff Kruse shows the Legion of Honor placque Joe Adrignola will receive on November 13tht |
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin |
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President Bill Gile addresses the group |
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin |
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Meredith Michaud receives her Past President plaque from President Bill Gile |
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin |
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NOW AND THEN: Current Lt. Governor Brig Clarke with 2008 Lt. Governor Joe Collie |
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin |
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FORMER PRESIDENTS: L to R: John Walker (2014-2016), Meredith Michaud (2016-2017), Larry Murphy (2002-2003), Phil Bonafide (2001-2002) and Joe Collie (2005-2007) Past presidents not pictured but in attendance: Dennis Denoncourt (1985-1986), Scott Laurent (2012-2013), Don Nelson (2000-2001) and Brian Winslow (2008-2010) |
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin |
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Smiling Chicks |
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin |
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Betty Ballantyne proudly shows the book she purchased |
from author and fellow Kiwanian, Muff Kruse. |
For more details on Whispers on Winnipesaukee scroll to the bottom of the page. |
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin |
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Goodnight! |
Above photo by Phil Bonafide |
POPCORN ANYONE?
Kiwanis President Bill Gile was on hand, October 20th, to assist the Laconia Key Club with their annual Sleep-Out in front of Laconia High School, where students sleep outside in boxes in order to raise money and awareness to the growing homelessness problem. The early part of the evening coincided with a music concert at the high school sponsored by the Laconia Putnam Fund. Those attending the concert were treated to complimentary popcorn handed out by members of the Laconia Key Club who accepted donations for their cause.
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L to R: Alexyah Dethvongsa (Key Club President), Karen Abraham (Key Club Advisor), Aidan Eldridge (Key Club member) and Bill Gile (Laconia Kiwanis Club President). |
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin |
TIME OF THE SEASON
Kathy Calvin was dressed in the spirit of the weekend as she posed with Steve Loughlin in downtown Laconia during Pumpkinfest.
Photo by Paulette Loughlin
THE P's HAVE IT!
Past Presidents Paul Cotton and Phil Bonafide were spotted at the Woodside Commons located at the Taylor Community on October 12th enjoying a presentation put on by the Laconia Putnam Fund. Paul was proud to wear his Red Sox hat when he came to hear Marty Appel, the former New York Yankee Public Relations Director and author of over 20 books on baseball including “Casey Stengel: Baseball’s Greatest Character.” (An audio of that presentation can be heard by “clicking” here.)
Paul Cotton is the only Laconia Kiwanian to serve as President of the club in two different centuries! He was president during the 1991-1992 year and then again during the 2004-2005 term.
Past Presidents Paul Cotton and Phil Bonafide
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin
THE LANDRY'S SAY HI!
Roger and Pam Landry were recently spotted at BJ’s in Tilton.
Roger Landry joined the Laconia Kiwanis Club in 1994 and, thanks to his dedication and hard work, was named Kiwanian of the Year for the 2008-2009 term. He later served as President of the Club in 2011-2012.
Roger and Pam now reside full time in Maine and return to Laconia weekly to oversee their business in Laconia and Meredith. Although he is no longer a member, Roger continues to support the Laconia Kiwanis Club and he appreciates receiving and reading the Kiwanis Bulletin.
Pam and Roger Landry extend best wishes to their friends in Kiwanis.
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin
READY FOR PRIME TIME:
Whispers on Winnipesaukee has arrived!
Whispers on Winnipesaukee, a children’s book written by Laconia Kiwanian Muff Kruse, tells the story of a girl's visit to Lake Winnipesaukee and its many islands. She has many questions about the islands, loons, the Native American history of the area, why we shouldn't’t feed bread to the ducks, etc. Her adventure includes a loon rescue, a hike on Bear Island and a sighting of the MS Mount Washington.
The book includes pages for journaling and for drawings, and is fun for grandparents and children of all ages.
It is available at The Loon Center in Moultonborough and Innisfree, Bayswater Books in Center Harbor (10 minutes down the road from Innisfree), at the Gilford Country Store (across the street from Patrick’s Pub), and at Sunflower Natural Foods. It is also available in Concord at Gibson’s Books and at the Audubon Nature Store. For a personally inscribed copy, you can email Muff by "clicking" here.
For more details on the book, you can hear Muff Kruse and Phyllis Stibler, the illustrator, interviewed on WEMJ radio’s Open Mike with Pat Kelly (recorded 10/19/17) by “clicking” here.
Monday -
November 13th Venue: Hector's Restaurant & Lounge - 53 Beacon Street West., Laconia
6:00 pm - Club Meeting - Guest Speakers - Clare Persson and LPD Officer Eric Adams - Subject: Stand-Up Laconia
Monday -
November 27th Venue: Hector's Restaurant & Lounge - 53 Beacon Street West., Laconia
6:00 pm - Board of Directors Meeting - all members welcome to attend
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