Kiwanis Club celebrates 90 years in Fort Scott

The Kiwanis Club of Fort Scott, chartered in July 1921, celebrated its 90th anniversary Oct. 4 at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center with a delicious buffet dinner catered by Midwest Dining.

About 75 guests were in attendance, including Kiwanis state and regional officials, namely past Kansas District Governor John Martel and past and current Lieutenant Governors Janette Mauk and John Shields.

Other guests included Bert Lewis, Fort Scott High School Key Club sponsor, and Carol Lydic, Fort Scott Pioneer Kiwanis Club past president.

Hors d'oeurves were served while guests visited and enjoyed piano music by Fort Scott Community College student Ben Williams.

Guests were called to their tables by master of ceremonies Mark McCoy, and commenced with the stout-hearted singing of "Smiles," "Home on the Range," and "God Bless America," accompanied by the rousing rhythm of Kiwanis' own Jerry Elliott, followed by prayer and enjoyment of the meal.

Bob Eckles, past president, welcomed visitors and guests, and gave a brief summary of Kiwanis' regional and international service. This included the Kansas District Victory Junction Camp project, a camp cabin to be built for children with serious health issues, enabling them to enjoy camp at this new medical facility to be built in Kansas City. Here they will meet with other afflicted children and qualified medical staff in an exciting atmosphere with many fun activities.

The Fort Scott club also supports the international project, in partnership with UNICEF, of eradicating maternal neonatal tetanus, a fatal disease to mothers and infants in more than 30 countries worldwide.

Eckles said he was invited to join Kiwanis by Earl Dosstter, a member who had served not only Kiwanis, but his lodge, his church, the hospital, The Beacon, and the community actively and passionately.

Otis Thomas recognized individuals and corporate sponsors who have supported Kiwanis Club projects over the years, making successful the many fundraisers which serve local youth.

New officers for the club were installed by Division 3 Lieutenant Governor John Shields of Parsons. These were president, Clayton Tatro, president-elect, Robert Nelson, vice president Gerald Hart, treasurer, Philip Gorman, and secretary, Dale Johnson. Each was in turn charged by Shields with the duties of their office.

In conclusion, Tatro reviewed some of the projects implemented over the past year. These included scholarships for high school and college students, events for children at Christmas and Easter, support to reading projects at local elementary schools, the Project A.R.T, History Day, 4-H and Key Club.

Kiwanis also supported sports programs including intramural football, Little League baseball, and the Hurricane swim team. Social services supported included The Beacon, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Keyhole, and the USD 234 indigent fund.

Fundraisers making these projects possible were the annual Pancake Feed, a biscuit and gravy concession stand at Airport Day, and a concession stand at the USD 234 elementary end-of-school carnival.