Kingston celebrated another great Fourth of July with wonderful weather and, of course, our parade with Sheriff Boyer in front with the sheriff’s honor guard, many floats, marching bands, and lots of trucks.
Our Kiwanis Club also marched, making sure there was plenty of candy to go around.
We honored our Kiwanian of the Year, Dahlia Malin, for all her good work in support of our mission to work with young children and our seniors. Dalia and her husband, Glen, are relatively new members that jumped right in and got involved right away. Dalia took on a number of important committees and leadership roles, making sure a number of our fund raising project went smoothly and without a hitch. Her husband, Glen, proudly drove Dahlia in the parade in his Mercedes convertible.
Kiwanis member Dave Wetter and his crew of other Kiwanis members, such as Glen Malin, Dave Mueller, and Rick Eveleth, along with the young backs and muscles of NKF&R firefighters, spent a few days putting Tiny Town together and then taking the buildings down for next year’s celebration. Things really became interesting and really busy when our firefighters had to answer a call. We definitely need some new and younger members!
Of course, the fireworks and many other Fourth of July attractions would not have been possible without Kiwanis member Pete DeBoer and the Fourth of July committee. Pete has been chairperson of this committee for more than 10 years, so next year Scott Anderson will be at the helm; we wish him good luck!
“Scotty” has a team of really hard-working and anxious volunteers determined to keep Kingston’s Fourth of July celebration the “Best in the West.”
We had a successful delivery of our strawberries and there should be lots of tasty jam around town. Our raspberries and blueberries will be delivered before the end of the month. I hope everyone who loves fresh fruit that didn’t get a chance to order some will be on the lookout next year for order forms. It’s a great fundraiser. In last month’s article, I highlighted three exceptional Kingston High School students that benefited from this project. It’s a “sweet deal.”
We elected our new board for next year and they will be installed at a dinner in October. They are:
- Eric Roth, president.
- Rick Eveleth and Dave Muller, vice presidents/programming.
- Deni Lee, secretary.
- Dahlia Malin, treasurer.
- Bob Lee, MaryLou Iverson, and Jane Mack, trustees.
- Immediate past president, Pat Bennett-Forman.
We still need a president- elect, but I’m sure we will have someone step up soon.
We have some really interesting folks at our meetings that share success stories and discuss needs in our community and throughout the world. At our last meeting, Jed Selter, Kiwanis and Rotary member, reminded us how fortunate we are to live in our wonderful country.
Jed is also known as “Duffy” the clown and is executive director of “Caring Clowns International,” a group of clowns that entertain and raise money for needy kids. I have the good fortune to be a member of this group.
Duffy recently returned from Peru where a group of volunteer doctors and nurses literally rebuilt many children’s faces that suffered from deliberating and life-threatening deformities. It was truly amazing to see the success stories and the before and after photos of these children, and how a group of Caring Clowns kept big smiles on children and staff together.
Caring Clowns Inter-national is having a benefit dinner and auction Oct. 25 at the Sons of Norway in Poulsbo. Please call 360-697-3546 for tickets and information.
Our Kiwanis Club is looking forward to a rewarding and fun-filled summer. If you are interested in our Kiwanis family, and possibly joining our group, please call president, Pat Bennett-Forman, 360-697-4849; or me at 360-297-4462.
