Club Secretary
The Presque Isle Kiwanis Club was chartered April 12, 1950, by the Bangor Club of Maine. The first regular meeting was held from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, 1950, at the Northeastland Hotel on Main Street.
Meetings are now a half hour shorter, running from noon to 1 p.m., but are still held on Tuesdays. Our meetings now take place at the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center on Main Street. Our board meetings are held the third Thursday of the month.
What gives Kiwanis members deep satisfaction is helping very special people, our children. Kiwanis International is a worldwide service organization that draws caring hearts together, conducting thousands of projects with a goal of serving the children of the world. More than 8,000 Kiwanis clubs respond to the unique needs of their communities.
The name “Kiwanis” means “we trade” or “we share our talents.” One of our longest endeavors has been the annual Talent Revue. Last fall’s event marked 57 years of showcasing local talent. Jan Kok has worked with the project from the beginning, playing the piano and helping direct the annual fund-raiser.
We have had as little as 10 members and as many as 65. Currently, we have 53 members.
Our club has 22 committees and run around 12 projects benefiting children and families. We give between 15 and 20 scholarships out a year.
Officers for 2008-2009 include: President Janet Kelle, President Elect Arthur “AJ” Clukey, Vice President Dave Garey, Secretary Susan Watson, Assistant Secretary Suellen Hill and Treasurer Deirdre McMahon. The Board of Directors include: Kathie Beaulieu, Nadean Hitchcock, Kim Jones, Dan Lee, Rose-Marie Louten, Penny McHatten, Timothy McMahon and LaNiece Winslow.
Club members are currently involved in a fitness program that translates the miles we exercise into miles traveled on a virtual map. When we’ve accumulated enough miles to reach a fellow club’s location, we correspond with them, sharing details about our organization. Many have reciprocated with information about their clubs and projects. This has provided a unique learning experience for all involved.
For more information about the club, visit pikiwanisclub.homestead.com.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
JAN KOK, director of the 57th annual Kiwanis Talent Revue, joins contestants and the audience in a round of applause after he performed “America the Beautiful” as all joined in to sing along during the fall 2008 presentation. Kok has directed the annual talent show for all 57 years. Pictured with Kok are Talent Revue participants, from left: Kelsey Gilson, Hannah Quinn, Nick Dominique, Alexis Bradbury, Kelly Smith, Shayna da Cruz and Julea Gorneault.
