Kiwanis Club of Historic St. Augustine

Newsletter – 25 May 2006

President’s Message:

Lou Nester chaired the Nominating Committee, and with only a little begging announced the slate offered by the Committee: Vice President-Dave Thompson; Board Members-Jake Thompson, Bob Corson, and Lou Nester. Thanks to one and all who agreed to serve, and we will vote on this list and will, of course, take nominations from the floor. Thanks Lou, for chairing the committee. We will vote this meeting on the new officers.

Division Council meeting next Thursday night in Jax. The District Gov. won’t be there, so we should get in and out at a reasonable hour. Need at least 4 to go so we can talk to each other and help stay awake.

Just to let everyone know, the tent was found, so you can stop looking for it.

Don’t forget the massing of the colors on Monday. We usually make a good showing, go plan to be there and remember those who died in the service of our country.

Coming Events: [Advise the editor of events of interest at 797-4332]

29 May 2006: Memorial Day observance at the military cemetery on Marine Street with Massing of the Colors. Ceremony begins at 1100 hours; those participating should be there by 1030 hours.

1 June 2006: Division Council Meeting at 1800 hours at JU. Details to follow.

2 June 2006: First Friday Art Walk, check out the local galleries and taste the food and wine.

5 June 2006: Regular monthly board meeting to be held at The Allegro. The meeting will start at 1700 hours. There is much to discuss, so be prompt and be prepared to share some ideas.

Guests: None last week, but look for Gary to be here this week.

Programs: (Check the website for your speaker assignment date.)

LAST WEEK: Doug Hernandez introduced H. P. Tillis, a great American, who served over 40 years in the military (must be a model for our own Ray Quinn who did get to the meeting because he knew H. P.). He gave a very inspiring speech, and gave such good examples, ones that we all can live by. These were truly great “war stories.” In addition, we honored our Student of the Month, this month from St. Gerard campus, Sadie Whitlock. She was introduced by Mrs. Wolfe who gave her usual sales pitch for the school. This gal is working three jobs, is an A-B student, and is about 7.5 months pregnant. (It truly is a wonder how well this program turns lives around. Mrs. Wolfe really does deserve a lot of credit. Talk about someone who can tell “war stories!”)

THIS WEEK: Chief Hedges has the duty.

NEXT WEEK: Steve Fricke will bring someone to tell us something.

⅓-⅓-⅓ DRAWING WINNERS: Our student of the month, Sadie Whitlock, had her number drawn so she got this prize plus the savings bond, and Dave Thompson was a lucky winner too. (He didn’t get a savings bond, however.) Congrats and mix those tickets up better next time. Buy your tickets early and often.

Late Breaking News:

FLORIDA DISTRICT CONVENTION--Please mark your calendars for August 24-27. All new members, seasoned members, officers and Board members should plan to attend this annual event for Florida Kiwanians. For those who have been to past Florida conventions, you'll agree that these conventions include a lot of great workshops, speakers, and our election of October 1st District officers--and there is still time for fun, so bring your families. Our club secretary will be getting info on the Convention frequently; and it will be in your Florida Kiwanis magazines--or go to www.Floridakiwanis.com. Do yourselves a favor and plan to go!

I know that it is getting warmer and summer is almost here, but don’t get complacent, because we are working on a couple of more projects and we will need you be raring to go. Peanut Day is a Division-wide endeavor that we will be involved with this year.

I mentioned the Preakness last week, and the favorite broke his leg. He is lucky to be living in this day and age; otherwise he would have been summarily shot. The good news is that it sounds as if he will recover and will live to make a dollar or two in stud fees.

I haven’t watched any of it, but I understand that the NBA playoffs have been very exciting with most games going down to the last minute. The Clippers are in the Western Conference Finals? Guess that Jay Leno will have to find something else to make fun of.

Quote(s) of the Week:
"As we spread freedom around the world, I think there is concern, judging from much of what we see going on at home, that we're losing a sense of what the pillars are that hold our own free society together. If we're losing our compass at home, can we really spread the word abroad? This is a subject blacks know well. It's why the marriage issue struck as responsive chord as it did in this community. We know from what we have seen in our own communities that when core traditional values collapse, when the integrity of families collapses, when life becomes cheap, when property has no meaning, there is no freedom." —Star Parker

"In recent weeks I have had several conversations regarding my recent book, in which I express optimism that Europe will rally to a defense of her historic culture in the face of radical Islam's brazen cultural intrusion. I am repeatedly told to give up on Europe, that they have lost the will to resist the alien yearnings of the radicals. And it is true that there are plenty of examples of European acquiescence... [T]he will to resist probably will not come from the top down. It will not be the elected leaders or the senior bureaucrats or the elite media or prestigious academics who will provide the stiff backbone—neither in Europe nor in America. If there is strength left, and I believe there is—it will come up from the people. So the signs of change are more likely to be found in the modest precincts where the common people and tomorrow's true leaders do their work and speak their piece—not in the formal pronouncements of governments." —Tony Blankley

"If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the General Welfare, the Government is no longer a limited one, possessing enumerated powers, but an indefinite one, subject to particular exceptions." —James Madison