At the Oct. 21st meeting of the club Ass't Treas. Gary Mattson gave the assembled members the good news about the Dinner Auction. At this point, it appears that we have netted ca. $7500 for the evening.

Yes, it turned out better than we expected and, for certain, better than we deserved. Pres. Gil did a great job as the evening's MC, and even with the declining quality and quantity of prizes available there was lively bidding on most items and the folks in attendance had a great time.

Fast Eddie was a hit on the keyboard as usual and comments on the meal ran from the positive to the enthusiastic.
Folks from Purchases Sales, who have been long-time donors to the Dinner Auction, were winners of the money raffle - it seemed fitting.

It's the general consensus that Kathy Kwierant, a new member and unacquainted with the auction, somehow got the right people together to pull it off. Kathy was given a vivid round of applause (in absentia) at Thursday's meeting. Richly deserved.
This year's "net" was about 2/3 of last year's, which was lower than the year before. While this year's event could be considered a "success", that has to be considered in the context of a really bad year for the club, and declining participation on the part of the club members as well as the wider community.

A lot of the members who worked frantically during the last week before the auction to just get the event off the ground, are wondering aloud if the agony is worth it or whether there are more effective ways of raising the funds for young children, for youth, for community projects, and for the promotion of human and spiritual values.

As service clubs in our area struggle to exist, we still seem to have some energy and some commitment amongst our membership, but it's pretty certain that we need to get busy on bringing new, creative, active members into the club; AND to make whatever adaptations to the changing times that we need to make in order to make membership a fun and fulfilling experience.
Let's do it! _______________

The Dinner Auction sort of kicks off Kiwanis' busy season. We have the nut sale to complete with deliveries being made in November. There is the Goodfellow Paper to assemble, sell ads for, and to sell, and finally, in December the preparation for the Christmas Basket program.

Pres. Gil, in order to provide some incentive for school classes to bring (and collect) cans of food for the Christmas baskets, got a commitment from the movie theatre owner to provide free movie tickets for the winning classes . . .. that is, those that collect the most cans.

Can pick-up is scheduled for Dec. 10th, and Goodfellow Paper Sales are set for Dec. 10th and 11th at appropriate locations.
The "store" for the Christmas baskets is also "open" on Dec. 10th, and is overseen this year by Rick LaRouche.
Basket packing wil take place on Dec. 16th and deliveries on Dec. 17 - 18.

There is plenty to do for all club members in this busy season. Contact Howard Cheney (989-939-8671) or Gil Zachariah (our club president, 989-732-9344) to find out what you can contribute in the way of time or energy for the season's club work.
At the Dec. 9th club meeting, Sue Smethhurst, Volunteer Center Director, will spend time with the club telling us about how families are chosen or adopted for the Christmas baskets by families and by businesses. ______________

NOTE: Hazel Ashworth was hospitalized at Otsego Memorial with a minor stroke (it's "minor" when it happens to someone else), and is doing well. She'd appreciate visitors and, once again, thanks to Dr. Jim Davis.

CLUB NOTES
NUT SALE: So far all the news is good and order blanks for the members were passed out at the Oct. 7th meeting. At present, the only nuts available (for members or anyone else) are those displayed by local merchants who agreed to accept them for us. GOOD LUCK!!

$220 in the kitty for the Ace of Spades. It's getting so it's worth attending meetings . . . for a lot of reasons (at least 220 of them).

SPECIAL NOTE FROM THE TREASURER:
All club $$ business is to be transacted only at the Thursday meetings, and checks will be issued only at meetings.

ACTIVITY CALENDAR (CLIP AND SAVE)

October 28 - Regular meeting, program is Carl Hilling, Gaylord Schools Superintendent

November 4 - Regular meeting, Board meeting
November 11 - Regular meeting, A program on Reading for Young Children by Zonta members
November 18 - Regular meeting, Sheriff Jim McBride and deputy discuss and demonstrate the "Breathalyzer"
November 25 - No meeting! HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING!!

December 2 - Regular meeting, Board meeting
December 9 - Regular meeting
December 10 - Can Pick-up at schools, beginning of Goodfellow Paper sales, and Christmas basket "Store" opens
December 11 - Last day of Good fellow Paper sales at appropriate locations
December 16 - CHRISTMAS BASKET PACK!
December 17/18 - Christmas basket delivery

Mark your personal calendars now for the times and dates you're going to help this busy Kiwanis season.


GIL'S CHALLENGES TO THE MEMBERS

1. Each member bring in one new member.

2. Each member come up with a good, new community service project.

3. Committee chairpersons hold frequent committee meetings.

4. Project head should attend regular meetings, or have representatives present during their projects

5. Each member make at least one inter-club.

6. Each member make at least 70% of meetings.