St. Johns Kiwanis
With Kiwanis District Lt. Governor Barbara Riegle highlighting the program, St. Johns Kiwanians observed the annual changing of leadership along with member recognitions and acknowledgments during the club’s annual installation dinner October 14 at The Dell.
Following dinner, out-going president Greg Teichman introduced new member Graham Filler who, later in the program, was inducted by Kiwanian Rod Fuller.
Program principals included, from left, Janelle Leonard who sponsored new member Graham Filler; Filler; Theresa Fedewa-Wells, Kiwanian of the Year; Rhoda Hacker, incoming President; Barbara Riegle, Kiwanis District Lt. Governor and Greg Teichman, immediate past president.
Most notable recognition of the evening went to Theresa Fedewa-Wells who was named as Kiwanian of the Year. In accepting the honor and accompanying plaque, Ms. Fedewa-Wells paid tribute to members of the club in general, whom she said were most supportive of her work in the organization and accommodative during a recovery period after contributing a kidney to her brother, Terry Cornwell. (Cornwell, a popular high school counselor and Kiwanian, is memorialized each year by a Kiwanis sponsored tennis tournament held during the annual Mint Festival.)
A litany of names was read for achieving perfect attendance through the years. From longest:
Rod Fuller, 34; Jim Gunther, 24; Joyce Crosby and Theresa Fedewa-Wells, 24; Laura Mullaney, 23; Marilyn Thelen, 20; Tony Huffnagel, 12; Hal Rice and Mike Zigler, 10; Nan Simons, 5; Tyler Barlage, 4; Rhoda Hacker, 3; Laurie Bishop, Marcia Peterson and Greg Teichman, 2.
Before a final benediction by Chris Bouck, Lt. Governor Riegle inducted incoming president Rhoda Hacker and president-elect Paul Opsommer. Other inductions included Kim Brzozowski, Secretary and Jim Gunther, Treasurer. Three new board members were installed; Joyce Crosby, Sharon Bassette and Curt Keck. Returning to the board are Nan Simons, Marilyn Thelen and Paul Opsommer.
In closing, Lt. Gov. Riegle praised the local club not only for its many community programs and initiatives, but for the overall spirit of the group. Kiwanis meets each Thursday morning at 7 a.m. at Clinton Commons.