Well, another Fourth of July in Kingston is under our belt, and the wonderful weather helped make this celebration of the country’s birthday even better than usual.
Kiwanis Past President Pete DeBoer and his Fourth of July team made sure that everything worked smoothly and safely.
The music was superb and included the Navy Band and many other musicians. People danced at the Port of Kingston and Tiny Town for four days. I’ve never seen so many people enjoy the Kingston Fourth of July like I did this year.
The fireworks were spectacular, again because of the generosity of our business owners and citizens, and the parade managed to edge out two ferries.
Wendy Armstrong was selected as winner of the Helen Meredith Award, given to community members by the commodore of the Kingston Cove Yacht Club (Pete DeBoer) for community service in Greater Kingston. She rode in the parade in a Miata driven by Deni Lee, along with Pat Bennett-Forman who was selected North Kitsap School District’s Teacher of the Year.
Dave Muller of Windermere Realty was selected as Kiwanian of the Year for all the things he does for Kiwanis, above and beyond what is expected. He rode in the beautiful red Kiwanis Mustang convertible that you can possibly own for just a $10 donation. Tickets are available all over town.
The berry sales are about over, but you still have a shot at blueberries before July 28. The strawberries and raspberries were a great success, so if you missed out be sure to get on the “fruit wagon” next year.
You may have noticed that the signs promoting Kiwanis, Rotary and the Veterans of Foreign Wars as you come into town and off the ferry are clean and freshly painted. This is accomplished by a longtime community supporter, volunteer and retired American Marine Bank manager Bob Dixon.
Bob drives a school bus for the NKSD during the school year, but makes sure that these signs are in perfect shape before the Fourth of July parade. Not everyone gets to ride in the parade, but we have many folks that support our town behind the scenes. Bob travels the United States in the summer on his motorcycle and takes some incredible pictures, which he has shared with our Kiwanis members on more than one occasion.
It’s still tough for many of our neighbors to make sure they can feed their families. Don’t forget the Kiwanis food drive at IGA and Albertsons on Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
We meet at the Oak Table Café each Thursday at 7 a.m. Come on down and visit us and get involved in a club that supports children as their No. 1 priority. If interested, call our president Pat Bennett-Forman, (360) 697-4849; or me at (360) 297-4462.
— Bob Lee writes the Kingston Kiwanis column for the Kingston Kiwanis Club. Contact him at glencarin@aol.com
