Kiwanis Club of
1955
Early this year, the Kiwanis Club of
A group of
Further meetings were held once a week for several weeks until this group, of Kiwanians—to—be, got to know Kiwanis and each other.
As a result of these meetings the following announcement appeared under the heading “BIRTH NOTICES”:
“To Mr. and Mrs. Kiwanis International, a Club, North London, on June 23, 1955, at the Knotty Pine Inn, a little brother for the London and Forest City Clubs. All 28 members are fine, thanks to mid-wives Ernie Halpenny and Bourke Mc
Past International President (l9 Fred G. McAlister, the accredited Kiwanis representative, was also a guiding light and tower of strength to the “baby”.
Preparations were being made for the great night in September---Charter Night---under the guidance of John Robarts.
Also, during this time, the names so prominent in our Club today were being proposed for membership by the “originals”, many of whom are still with us and going strong.
Charter Night was held September 8, at
Hotel London. The night was complete with a “glittering array of Kiwanis
royalty” at the head table. The officers were installed by Lieutenant Governor
“Bert” Bond of Division 3, which our Club was assigned to. Thirty nine members,
including officers, were now on their own. The long awaited Committee Chairmen
kits arrived shortly thereafter and desperate searches for suitable
fund—raising projects were instituted. Suggestions ranged all the way from
taking over the miniature railway at
John Robarts was
an active charter member of this Club and a member of our first Board of
Directors. His name appears constantly in the minutes as the proposer of various items which were duly incorporated into
the by—laws of this Club. Jack
The Boys and Girls Work Committee was the
first committee to get under way. Our continuing project of helping at
Dr. Art Vogelsang’s S.O.B. campaign swung into high gear the night of October 19, with all members pledging to grow or look for Star of Bethlehem bulbs.
The official visit of Lieutenant Governor “Bert” Bond took place October 27. It was a pleasure to hear his talk on the Aims and Ideals of Kiwanis.
The first Annual Meeting was held November 3 with the officers for 1956 being nominated and voted in.
“Senator” Roberts gave a fascinating address in December on “Toll Roads”. He is still using the same speech now (196/f), but it comes out Pipe Lines.
The meetings held during the months of June, July and August were used to advantage by the Kiwanis Education Committee to stress the ideals and ideas of Kiwanis. The speakers were Kiwanians who are well versed in their subjects. Jack Nash, Dr. Ernie Reid, Harry Crolr, “Woody” Woods, Bill Riddell, Murray Brown, Harry Hyatt, Ernie Jackson, Frank McLachlin, Chuck Fenn and Don Wright.
We also heard from other speakers; Norman Alexander, S.D. Chipman, Vern McKillop, Rev. Angus MacQueen, John Halcrow, Bob Learn, Tony Jamroz, Clarence Peterson and Dr. George Jenkins.
All in all this was a busy, exciting year, which saw the Club well and truly launched under the good leadership of President Ernie Wilton.
1956
On
Halpenny, Division 2A, instaLled the 1956 officers with “dignity and despatch.” At this point, our Club was changed from Iiivision 3 to Division 2A.
The first Ladies’ Night was held March g, at the Knotty Pine; John Feightner, with Ray Correll, Al Emsley and “P O’Brien, was largely responsible for its success. The speaker was Joan Fri Lchard.
The scheme of having a different Bulletin Editor every week was begun this year and seemed to work very well. (Do we hear a motion?) The decision to support Eager Beaver baseball was reached and, of course, this is still a good project with us. Ed Smith got them started with a personal gift of three baseball bases.
Efforts of all members were directed toward the presentation in March of the Don Wright Chorus. The omens were not right, or something, and it was a bitter pill for the Club to swallow when the final result showed a net loss. But as the Bulletin Editor pointed out; “lt’s better to try something and do nothing———than wish we had tried.”
Dr. Art’s S.O.B. campaign got under way, in earnest, in April. This project, caught the fancy of the public and gave us much valuable publicity.
A meeting of note was held April 17 at the Hotel London when Kiwanians from Division 2A and.3 met to hear international President Jackson Raney speak on the subject “Build as Free Men”.
On April 27, the “Kiwanis Special” pulled
out at
After a lot of legal undercover—work by
“Solicitor Sam our Club was Incorporated, Ma3r 9, and became officially known
as “The Kiwanis Club of
The Club was actively engaged at this time
in the selling of
The quarterly meal assessment was first considered in July. Fl nes were dispensed with arid the passing of the “Sunshine Pot” was started. it was also decided that all speakers would he presented with a Certificate of Appreciation. Ed S stamp campaign was swinging along. Whatever happened to all those stamps?
In August the Club actually went out and cheered on the North London Kiwanis Browns, our entry in Little League Football. We even served them hot dogs and ice cream. Have we done it since?
The Club turned out again, this time at
In September we took on the parking project at the Lords’ games. Everybody was so busy making like traffic policemen that Stan Nelson, he says, was not informed that LFen would he no dinner ‘ at the “Naughty Pine”, and seven fellows showed up from another Club for an Interclub; however, the project showed a good profit and all was forgiven.
A most enjoyable meeti ng was held at the Crumlin
R.G.A.F. Station on September 6. w/c Beggs, S/L Ashton and S/L
Fitzpatrick were our hosts. On November 1, a reciprocal meeting was held at the
Knotty Pine when students from
The annual election of officers was held November e with President itan, who carried out the election of 1957 ofFicers, in the chair.
This year we had as guest speakers the following
persons: Harry Rockey, Leonard Johnson, Neil Pocock, Demi
Kent,
Hyde, Major John Bryan, George Strathopolous, Dr. George
Jenkins, George Foster, Rev. Harry Rodney, F.H. Howard,
George Loveday, Ralph Duffus, Jim Gentleman, Joan White,
Peter Til Bill Pillsworth, Dr. Bill Banghart, “Chuck”
Fenn, Hal McKriight, Fred McAlister, Rev. Canon Merrifield,
Dr. A.B. Lucas, Rabbi Ben Friedberg, Ty Noble, Rev. E.R.
Stanway, Bourke McDonnell and Earle Shelley.
Stanislaws “3R’s” Cushman steered the Club through its first full year of operations “smoothly and with despatch”. Seems like we’d better call this guy “Despatch Cushman”.
“A wonderful, slightly crazy year the man says.
1957
On January 3, the Executive was duly installed by Lieutenant Governor Jim Smith. Installations were inspected and passed by approximately 30 inspectors. Report— Satisfactory”.
The now—famous “mystery program” made another appearance, as this dismal quatrain proves:
Each Thursday night you kaow ahead
What the program’s going to be;
But this week, brother, if you want to know
You’ll have to come out and see.
Ray Correll was banned forever from introducing a speaker; the stamp project was dropped (because of the untimely death of Ed Smith); our Club was shellacked at the Guelph Club’s Bonspiel.
The decision to sell First Aid Kits was made in February, and it was resolved to enforce the attendance rules on members who miss four consecutive meetings——— the “Axe period”.
Another successful “Ladies Night” was held at the Knotty Pine, March 14, with Earle Terry as guest speaker.
Members were out in force on April 24 for the Charter
Night of the Thames Valley Club and also for the Cancer
Fund Canvass the same month. Our Club assisted the Boys’
Work Council with the YN—.YWCA Fair and the Soap Box Derby.
“S.U.B.” Vogelsang pushed through the following constitutional amendment: TTWhen the blessing is asked preceding, the meal, it wild be regarded as arrant profess ionalism if a minister member shall prolong the blessing unduly. Such behavior shall be liable to a moderate Line at Uhe discretion of the SecretarytT.
President Rick took off on a trip to
This year will he remembered as the start of our very successful, weekly sin. The team of Doug and Ray came into being and has been “Going” every since.
The usual fumbling attempts to get road signs contin— iied through the year. What a disappointing anticlimax it will he if we ever do get them.
On April 11 we were honored by having Lieutenant Governor Jim Smith meet with us on the occasion of his official visit to our Club.
During the summer months we sent regular work parties with Jack Timbrell to the Talbot Street Nursery to build, repair and paint buildings, fences and equipment.
On July 11, we held the first outdoor meeting of the Club at Jack Branton’s Farm. Members participated in “swimming”, barbecued spareribs and a beverage.
The London Lords parking project was again
in full swing and “Big Ed” Dickison was outselling
all other members in the tulip bulb department. And, oh yes, the First Aid Kits
were bringing in the bucks out at the Queens Park Police Car Check. We had so
many projects going in the fall that two motorists found tulip bulbs in their
First Aid Kits and three members of the London Lords had to send to
“Jerry” Stansfield was elected Lieutenant Governor, Division 2A, for 1958 at the O.Q.P4. Conventionin Toronto.
On November 7, Stan Cushman, as chairman of the nominating committee, took over the annual meeting for the election of the Officers for 1958.
Our donation to our Little League Football Team was acknowledged with thanks, as was our transportation of the boys from the Protestant Orphans’ Home to a baseball game at Lahatt Park-—-only two of the many community projects which our Club was engaged in.
Two very successful exchange meetings were held with’ NATO students from the Air Force. (in October 10 we met at Crumlin Air Station and on December 12 they returned the visit and met with us at the Knotty Pine.
During the year the Club heard from such speakers as:
Rev. Cecil Jardine, Dr. Ivan Smith, Doug Earthy, Carmen
Lindsay, Chris Forberg, Rev. C. McCarroll, Tom Beck, Ernie
Warwick, Dr. Waud, Leslie Grey, Thelma McDougal, Gil Walker,
Major Mackness, Arthur Robinson, Rudy Bos, Staff Sgt. Fred
Bruce, Fred McAlister, Glen kilmer and R.W. Harris.
All in all, a fun—filled satisfactory year under the good leadership of Rev. Rick Stewart.
1958
Lieutenant Governor “Jerry Stansfield launched a new rocket at the
A very enjoyable Ladies’ Night was held
February 27 at the
The Ways and Means Committee introduced something new to the Club in donating a “boost” which was drawn for during the meeting. The committee would be pleased to receive boosts for future meetings. Any offers?
The official visit of Lieutenant Governor “Jerry” Stansfield to our Club was April 3. He gave us a very enlightening and instructive address on Kiwanis in general and our Club in particular.
April 24 was the annual Lieutenant
Governor’s Inter— Club, held this year at the Knotty Pine Inn. The speaker was
Ralph 0. Keyes, Past Governor of Michigan District, who spoke
on the work of Kiwanians in
A Banner, designating the “Home Club” of Lieutenant Governor was presented, by oUr Club, to Lieutenant Governor “Jerry”. This is the property of our Club and is to be presented annually to the home Club of the Lieutenant Governor of Division 2A.
A new feature was added to our Bulletin; a short biography and picture of each member was to be published on the back each week. Lack of co—operation forced cancellation of this interesting project. The.generous attitude taken towards the “Sunshine Pot” and the boosts, is going a long way towards correcting our financial lack of balance. A continued effort in this direction for a while longer will probably see us reach our aim. A new case to hold the “Flying Saucer” name plates was unveiled.
The Governor’s Ball was held jointly, by
Divisions 2A and 3, on board H.M.C.S. Prevost,
The first round of talks
were held with the Public Utilities Commission on what we should do with