Seventy people attended the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Kiwanis of the Central Adirondacks on Sunday, September 26, at North Woods Inn, which included a social hour, buffet dinner, and presentations and awards. Carolyn Trimbach, outgoing president, presided over the evening. Assemblyman Marc Butler of the 117th District was in attendance and presented a Certificate of Merit and congratulations on behalf of the New York State Assembly.
A proclamation of congratulations was also presented from the New York State Senate.
It recognized that in September 1987, when the club was formed, it was one of the first Kiwanis clubs in the New York Division to register womenas members.
It was signed by state Senators James Seward and Hugh Farley.
The Kiwanis Club of the Central Adirondacks was formed on September 30, 1987 in OldForge with the New Hartford Kiwanis sponsoring.
The first president was John Hanford and the first secretary was Audrey Streeter.
When the club was formed, there were thirty-three members, of whom five were women.
It is significant that 1987 was the first year that Kiwanis allowed women members and are therefore is celebrating 25 years of Women in Kiwanis this year. The Club presently has 29 members, including eleven women, according to Carolyn Trimbach.
In honor of 25 years of Women in Kiwanis, the Central Adirondack Kiwanis Club is donating $25 in honor of each women member to the Kommunity Youth and Activity Center (KYAC).
Those women members are Diane Amos, Linda Bamberger, Sheila Brady, Deborah Carhart, Linda Gibbs, Linda Kurtz, Annette Mahoney, Jan O’Connor, Jane Slack, Anne Thornton and Central Division Lt. Governor Carolyn Trimbach.Also attending the celebration was David Booker, Past Kiwanis Governor and District Secretary, who congratulated the club on its achievements over 25 years.
Other guests at the Head Table were Past Lt. Gov. Carol Jones, Central Division; Past Lt. Governor Victor Fariello, New Hartford; Oneida County Legislator, David Gordon, 14th District, New Hartford; and Past Distinguished Governor Joseph Eppolito.
Representatives of clubs in the Central Division were from Boonville, Clinton, Frankfort, Lake Delta and Westmoreland. Installation of the Central Adirondack club’s new officers was also conducted for the year 2012–2013.
Jim Connerty was installed as president; Mike Griffin as vice president; Jane Slack as treasurer; Bill Baumann as treasurer. Outgoing president, Carolyn Trimbach was installed as Lt. Governor of the Central Division. Among Trimbach’s new duties will be attending the ceremonies at eight other division clubs to install officers.
“I’m supposed to visit them at least twice, but preferably three or more times a year to help any way I can,” she said.
New members Annette Mahoney and Linda Gibbs were introduced, in addition to John Swick and his wife Danielle, who were special guests of Kiwanis.
Highlights included the announcement by Doc Foley that Sheila Brady was Kiwanian of the Year and that Bob Van Slyke and Bob Baker were to receive the Distinguished Service Awards.
Baker, who was unable to attend due to illness, created and ran the successful Car Wash Fundraiser every year, and Van Slyke had served as the very busy and efficient Kiwanis secretary for seven years.
Foley said, “Giving out these awards to three very unique people— when I looked at their list of achievements I found a common thread.”
He noted that the honorees are not only excellent Kiwanians, they are leaders in their churches and their communities and other service groups.
“What I learned from that is this: if you want to run a successful project, find a busy person and you’ll be successful,” Foley said.
Bob Van Slyke and past president Chris Gaige were also recognized as retiring members.
Also recognized was Diane Amos, a Family Service Science teacher at the Town of Webb School, who is Key Club director at the school.
The Central Adirondack Kiwanis’ current activities include: Town of Webb School Key Club, Kommunity Youth Activity Center (KYAC), Town of Webb School Builders Club, Student of the Month/Year Scholarship Program, Key Leader Training, HOBY Leadership Training, Holiday Bazaar Booth, Winter Sports Challenge Snowshoe/ Cross Country Ski fund raiser for KYAC, Christmas for Kids Snodeo Fund Raiser, Christmas for Kids Holiday Gifts, Holiday Movie for Kids, Student Mentoring Program, Kiwanis ONE Day – Main St. Benches, Kamp Kiwanis Kamperships, Free Car Wash, Outdoor Youth Experience, Salvation Army Bell Ringers, Food Kart collection for Community Food Bank.
