Dearborn Outer Drive Weekly meeting at Park Place - 6:15 PM We welcome new members! P.O. Box 2142 Dearborn, MI. 48123 www.dodkiwanis.org RETROSPECTIVE EDITION: April 1, 2014 2013-2014 Officers Roger Frank President Jim Rugenski President-Elect Rosa Scaramucci Vice-President Brad Schoolmaster Immediate Past President Dan Greenwell Treasurer Bob Bryer Secretary Board of Directors 2010-2013 Kyle Goodwin Mark Somers John Matthews PeggiePedenelli 2011-2014 Clay Herrst Fred Brandenburg Gene Smith Len Walkusky 2012-2015 Walt Talamonti Tim Ford Ted Bilan It was a very special night as we welcomed spouses and guests for our Valentine s dinner at Park Place. With a thankful attitude, we all read a group prayer together to open the meeting. We recently announced a new slate of officers, and it was approved by the membership. Rosa Scaramucci will continue to do her excellent job as vicepresident, Scott Murdoch will take the President Elect s duties, and Jim Rugenski will be the President. Big shoes to fill after Roger Frank s stellar year as President! Above from left to right are President-Elect Jim Rugenski with his wife Debbie, President Roger Frank with his wife Jan, and Vice-President Rosa Scaramucci with her husband Wrangler Walt behind her. There were many other spouses who joined us for the Valentine s meeting, and we are always glad to have them join us at Park Place! Remember, they are welcome anytime to enjoy our excellent guest speakers with us! With all the crazy weather this winter, along with the effects of the cold, I have been so busy that the formal newsletters have been on the back burner for a bit. Our club communication has been more like inter-office memos. For those of you who missed the meetings, this newsletter will give you a retrospective going back to December, with many extra pictures to bring all of you who receive our newsletters up to date. A special shoutout to Dr. Jim Beard, Tom Laroy and others who wrote to tell us they missed the formal newsletters. While we know you guys can t be with us at the meetings, we want you to know that you remain important to us. After all, we served side by side together serving others for a lot of years! I hope you enjoy this retrospective, and I will do my best to get the newsletter back out more timely in its full format again. The winter may have taken its toll on our winter gear, cars, and heating bills, but it didn t put a damper on our spirit of service! There are many projects in the hopper that are rolling out shortly, and we will keep all of you informed on what is happening. In the meantime, THINK SPRING!
Dearborn Outer Drive Kiwanis Newsletter April 1, 2014 page two Christmas Party at Westpointe BBQ! Roger Frank Talk about Festive Fun! The final meeting of the year was a huge gathering of family and friends at Westpointe Barbeque on Michigan Avenue. It s always wonderful when we are joined by our spouses, and especially to see the wives of members who are no longer with us, like Jo Bondie and Laurine Griffin. All are welcome! We capped of a great party by sharing our holiday spirit at the Senior Bingo party at Hubbard. Brad, Carrie, Landon & Calvin Schoolmaster Bob & Eunice Buzby Walt & Rosa Scaramucci Dan Greenwell Scott Murdoch Dennis & Peg Pedenelli Marge & Bob Bryer Carol & John McFadden Fred & Barb Brandenburg Len Walkusky Clay & MaryLou Herrst
Dearborn Outer Drive Kiwanis Newsletter April 1, 2014 page three Jan Frank Laurine Griffin While we were waiting for our barbeque orders, we ordered a drink and sang Christmas carols, led by President Roger Frank. Everyone who came brought cookies with them for the Senior Bingo party. It was a great way to finish another year of service to the community. President Roger Frank singing Mark & Jennie Somers Linda Hartley Sue Smith Miriam & Rick Mikulak Jim, Carl, & Debbie Rugenski Jo Bondie John & Doris Matthews Warren & Linda Hartley Lutz Reiter President Roger Frank awards a medal and plaque to Vice President Rosa Scaramucci to the delight of everyone present. Dave Lake
Dearborn Outer Drive Kiwanis Newsletter April 1, 2014 page four Rosa Scaramucci Receives J. Douglas Alexander Award! Vice President Rosa Scaramucci The Highlight of our Christmas party came when President Roger Frank awarded a J. Douglas Alexander award to Vice-President Rosa Scaramucci! Rosa was surprised and delighted at the same time. The J. Douglas Alexander Award for a gift of $750.00 was created to honor another Past District Secretary of 16 years who was very instrumental in expanding the goals of the District and The Kiwanis of Michigan Foundation even further. The recipient receives a plaque and a medallion for the gift. A brass plate will be placed on the permanent plaque in the District office. Christmas Bingo party at Hubbard & Sisson Manor! Mark & Jenny Somers pulled out all the stops for our annual Christmas Bingo at the Manors! The tables were laden with beautifully wrapped gifts, special items and gift baskets. One of the most sought after prizes were the Christmas Teddy Bears! They were a huge hit, as you can see from the pictures below. With all the homemade cookies and goodies brought in by the members, the seniors had a wonderful event. You have to admit the bears were very cute. I m sure some of the ladies were thinking of their grandchildren when they got them, but one thing is certain.they brought us all a lot of smiles! Special thanks goes to Mark & Jennie Somers, who spent hours selecting and wrapping all the Christmas gifts this year. It was greatly appreciated by all.
Dearborn Outer Drive Kiwanis Newsletter April 1, 2014 page five Jo Bondie As we finished up our dinners from Westpoint Barbeque, we headed out to the Christmas Bingo. So, with Brad still finishing up his rib dinner, we brought in our celebrity bingo caller: none other than Jo Bondie! She did a great job calling the numbers until Brad arrived to take over. As you can see we had a full house! Brad Schoolmaster Also helping out Mark & Jenny Somers were Kiwanians Bob Bryer, John McFadden, Clay Herrst, Jim Rugenski, Warren & Linda Hartley, John Matthews, and the Schoolmaster boys, Calvin & Landon. We were also joined by John Matthews s son, Philip. It was great to see all the smiles tonight. We really did have a great time with them. While the guys were busy with all the bingo winners, the rest of us were busy in the kitchen arranging all the special delights brought in by the members. Special Thanks to all of you that brought cookies! Among the prizes were very large and beautiful poinsettias. They turned out to be as popular and the Teddy Bears! With so many bingo gifts for them to choose from, it was a hard decision. Nobody left without a gift tonight.
Dearborn Outer Drive Kiwanis Newsletter April 1, 2014 page six The excitement rose in the room as Bingo caller Brad called out the numbers for the Grand Prize of the evening: A huge basket full of treats and goodies! The grand prize winners are pictured on the right. Afterward, we all sang Christmas carols, including our favorites. The photos don t do the treats justice! Believe me; they tasted as good as they looked, though. DOD has the best bakers in the business! Special kudos to Mark & Jennie Somers for another very successful Christmas Party!
Dearborn Outer Drive Kiwanis Newsletter April 1, 2014 page seven TOY DRIVE FOR SALVATION ARMY Dearborn Outer Drive participated in the Salvation Army Toy Drive before Christmas as well! Not only did we pass along a big check, but all the members brought in brand new age-specific toys for them to pass out as Christmas gifts. Kathy Smith puts her heart and soul into this every year so the kids have a wonderful Christmas. Clean House and Help our Projects at the SAME TIME! Start collecting your gently used treasurers that you are no longer using, and donate them to our DOD Kiwanis Garage Sale! Don Dodge has generously offered the use of his garage for it. The official dates are May 15, 16 and 17! Our May 13 meeting will be a Youth Protection Training session. We will be inviting other clubs and Church groups to join us. With our work with children, our Key Clubs, and Safety Town, it is important that you are aware of all the guidelines. This is not just for the kids, but your own protection as well! Don t Miss It! The Annual Kiwanis Spring Divisional Luncheon and Awards Ceremony for Divisions 4 and 5 Saturday, April 05, 2014 First United Methodist Church of Wyandotte 72 Oak St.,Wyandotte, MI 48192 Officer Training 9:30 am Luncheon Assembly & Registration 11:00 am Division Caucuses at 11:45 am Luncheon 12:00 pm Cost: $15 per person
Dearborn Outer Drive Kiwanis Newsletter April 1, 2014 page eight CLUB CALENDAR April 1: April 8: April 8: April 15: April 15: April 22: Board meeting at Park Place (No fooling) Meeting at Buddy s Pizza on Michigan Ave. Bingo! at Hubbard East Key Club Installation at Park Place Bingo! Sisson Manor Roundtable - No Meeting In Our Prayers Former member Geoff Powers, who passed away in Arizona. Kathy Smith, who has undergone four of six chemo treatments, and will undergo radiation daily for a month after that. Pat Smith, Kathy s mom, is also recuperating from a hip problem. Nadine Szopo, who had pins put in her hip after a fall at home, and is recuperating nicely. Ted Bilan, who is home from Beaumont Hospital after having his artificial hip replaced for the second time. Unfortunately, a longitudinal crack was discovered in the femur that will delay any physical therapy until it heals. Roger Frank, who had to undergo a 3 rd surgery to remove a pin from his foot that had become infected. He bravely still comes to the meetings! Jim Rugenski, whose snow blower expired in the Great Blizzard of 2014. We will know more of what happened after Dr. Jim performs the autopsy on it. It is great to see Kathy Smith back with us at the meetings! She offered a heartfelt thanks for all the calls, letters and encouragement she received. She wants us to continue to pray for all on the list on the left. Welcome back Kathy! The Dearborn Kiwanis Club They recently lost long time member Bob Itin. There was a memorial service for him on March 23. Bob Itin was a staunch Kiwanian for their club, and proudly served our community for years. Pay the smiling man at the little table by the door as you come in to Park Place. Meeting at Buddy s Pizza next week! Newsletter written by Dr. Jim Have You Invited Someone to Kiwanis Lately?