Current Events

Kirkland’s Harvest Festival is Saturday October 1st 2-4 at Juanita Beach Park. They are going to have to do it without Kiwanis Participation, as all the new powers to be, will be out of the country!
There is also a recycling event at Lake Washington Technical College on Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm.

Club Reports

Key Club’s are getting off to a good start this year. LWHS has more than 100 kids showing interest, but with that number they are a bit unorganized. Kathleen has been herding the troops. ICS had 50 plus at their last meeting. The next meeting will feature President Jim speaking to the group. ICS members wanted him to know that they are ready for Mr. Hutchison!

Matt, Matt and more Matt. Matt single handedly kept up Kiwanis’s involvement in Oktoberfest this past weekend. Working non-stop from 3 pm – 7 pm they never even gave him a chance to sample. Next week he will be handling the check in duties at our meeting while Tom flies over the pond to taste some Irish beer. Then Matt brought us up to speed on our Aktion club. October 16th will be the first meeting at Kenmore Lanes. Matt is so tired from all his volunteering that it is time to take a vacation, and he can’t make the 16th. Hopefully someone else will step up and help Darcie.

Upcoming Events

An upcoming project could be the Idea Project at Helen Keller Elementary. Many of us have passed the LWSD background check and would be able to volunteer. The idea is to teach kids how to deal/interact with persons with disabilities. Sounds like a great learning experience. (for all of us)

Speaker

Speaker Du Jour was our own Irene Hutchison along with her sidekick Amanda Childs. They brought us up to speed on the new Kiwanis website (which still is coming) and show off some of its cool features. I found all the moving pieces to be entertaining. In addition, there will be a photo gallery, a club calendar, and the ability to fill out an application online. The Keyhole will even be a part of it. Amanda’s background is in coding and her efforts have really helped the project take on a professional look.
Next Irene jumped to the augmented reality game she is creating for Kiwanis. Again, the content looked amazing, and we will see where it takes us. We did learn if the game ventured through a Kirkland Park, our city wanted royalties. Cheaper to go to Mars.

Have a great weekend everyone! Remember this lovely October weekend, especially in a few months when the rain and cold return. 50 days until Christmas tree set up!!!

Tom’s Inspirtation

Where to Go Without Leaving Home

I have been in many places, but I’ve never been in CAHOOTS. Apparently, you can’t go alone.
You have to be in Cahoots with someone.
I’ve also never been in COGNITO. I hear no one recognizes you there.
I have, however, been in SANE. They don’t have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have
made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work. I live close so it’s a short drive.
I would like to go to CONCLUSIONS, but you have to jump there, and I’m not too much on physical
activity anymore.
I have also been in DOUBT. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.
I’ve been in FLEXIBLE but only when it was very important to stand firm.
Sometimes I’m in CAPABLE, and I go there more often as I’m getting older.
One of my favorite places to be is in SUSPENSE! It really gets the adrenaline flowing and pumps
up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get!
And, sometimes I think I am in VINCIBLE but life shows me I am not.
People keep telling me I’m in DENIAL but I’m positive I’ve never been there before!
I have been in DEEPSHIT many times; the older I get, the easier it is to get there. I actually kind of
enjoy it there.
So far, I haven’t been in CONTINENT, but my travel agent says I’ll be going soon

Guests

We had one guest, our speaker, Kirkland’s Chief of Police, Chief Harris. We were all on our best behavior.

Birthdays

Angela Semerjiants, August 28thHappy Birthday Angela!

General Announcements

Dennis Welch is hosting our own Paul Richardson, in person, all the way from Michigan, at a
speaking engagement at St. John’s next Thursday Sept. 8th, at 6:30 in the evening. Paul will be
speaking about his life’s journey and I’m sure he will be inspirational and entertaining as always.
This is typically St. John’s “Men’s Night”, but all Kiwanis members are welcome and expected.
There will be a hamburger dinner before the talk so email Dennis and let him know if you will be
attending so he can estimate attendance. This is a great opportunity to get together and to see
Paul. If you have any questions email or call Dennis, 425- 827- 5475.

Carol Truex – As you may have heard we have an Installation Banquet coming up, September
16th, 5:30 pm at the Kirkland Woman’s Club. In addition to installing and recognizing new and past leadership, the banquet is our only fundraiser for our administration fund so come prepared to win fabulous prizes and win great auction items. There will be a great dinner of BBQ salmon, Walt’s Paella, pulled pork and lots of sides. Many of you have generously volunteered to help, donated auction items and side dishes, THANK YOU! This is our first in person banquet in the last two years and we look forward to seeing all who can make it. Tickets are $35 a person. If you haven’t already purchased a ticket, you may purchase on the “Join us for dinner and an Auction” payment
page https://kiwanis-club-of-kirkland.square.site/product/join-us-for-dinner-and-an-auction-/58
You can link to this page from the home page of the Kiwanis website https://kirklandkiwanis.org

Reports

Treasurer – Tom is reminding everyone to pay their upcoming year’s membership dues. He has
sent you all invoices. You can pay by mailing a check to him our click on the link in the email. Tom
also recognized Todd for the outstanding work organizing events in the community and getting the
Kiwanis name out there. And, finally, Tom gave a big shout out to Jim, Irene, Todd and Karen,
thanking them for attending and representing our club at the NW district convention in beautiful
Kennewick. This was Todd and Karen’s first exposure to the dry side of the state. Sounds like they
won’t be moving soon.

Convention Report – Irene had the opportunity to present our video game at the convention and
the audience was blown away. Once they understood the game and its potential there was a lot of
support. The decision to keep it our game or make it a Kiwanis International resource is a ways
from being decided but it was very well received. Great job Irene! Also, at the convention Tom was
recognized with the Outstanding Secretary award, congratulations! The club was recognized for
our participation in the Save Our Spectacles (SOS) program. Thank you Matt Gregory!

Marketing and Programs – Todd is querying interest in volunteering at Kirkland’s Octoberfest.
Most of you know what this is, food, drink, music, and dance. It will be held at Marina Park,
September 23-25. Let Todd know if you think we should participate and if you’re interested in
volunteering.

Fundraising – Kathy reported that the tree lot is moving right along. The trees and other products
have been ordered and we are looking forward to a great selling season. She is also investigating
having local Girl Scott troops or school organizations sing Christmas Carols at the lot. I think that is
a great idea!

Aktion Club – Matt shared that the club recently assembled 12 backpacks with school supplies
that went to students in need at Kirkland Middle School. He also shared that our member Ralph
Villavicencio dropped off 94 used eyeglasses that Matt will be sending on through the SOS
program to be refurbished and passed along to help those in need. Matt will be placing our See’s
candy tree lot order. If you would like to include a personal order let him know, right away. Online
ordering through Yum raising will begin in September.

Happy Dollars

John H – happy to have such a great secretary in Tom, always
recognizing other people never himself. Congrats on his award!
Hal – happy he ran in to our member Ralph Loveland at Juanita and they had a nice conversation.
We miss him.
Matt – happy to have presented at the Bellevue Rotary last Friday morning and escaped with no
tomatoes thrown.
Todd – happy he doesn’t live east of the mountains.
Irene – was very happy to have attended the convention with the dream team of Todd and Jim.
They represented very well.
Ron – was happy just to be there! We love you too, Ron.