April Newsletter

KIWANIS APRIL 2006

PLANT SALE: The first of the year’s big fundraisers is Saturday, April 29, at the Webster Groves Rec-Plex. Rich Wagner wants us to arrive by 7:30 a.m. – bring a two-wheel dolly if you have one -- to carry to plants from Harold Golightly’s truck to our room. Sales begin at 9 a.m.

A new wrinkle is that Kenary Park florist has donated some perennials – Siberian iris, a good ground cover – but we have to pot them. If you’ve got leftover pots (hanging pots included) from previous years, get them to Rich or to Suzie Scholin. If you’re separating perennials in your yard, bring in the leftovers for potting or for selling with bare roots. Our own plants will not be displayed until after Golightly’s have been shown.

Because the Spaghetti Dinner is May 5, the raffle for a wheelbarrow full of garden items will be a two-week event. Tickets will be sold at both fundraisers, and the winning ticket will be drawn post-pasta.

If you haven’t finished your raffle basket, or made a donation, now is the time.

SPAGHETTI: Bob Brockelmeyer distributed May 4-5 work assignments at the April 18 meeting. We seem to be short on workers, so ask friends or relatives if they can help. And sell those tickets! This could be the year’s No. 1 fundraiser. Rich Wagner’s signs are up around town, and they look great.

If you didn’t get your work assignment, call Bob ASAP.

SCHOLARSHIPS: Carol Brockelmeyer announced the four winners of Kiwanis college scholarships. Each is a Webster Groves High School senior and fits the description of being very needy and having above-average grades. They are: Phillip Carl Martin, Tierra Monae Edwards, Blair Elyse Sheppard and Richard William Mueller.

Carol and committee members Jeanene Mascia, Donna Kramer and Ken Maag each read all 42 applications. The field was then cut to 12 finalists, from which the four emerged.

BABY SHOWER: Dorothy Heltibrand conducted fun quizzes on baby animal names and flowers named for babies to get things rolling on our baby shower to benefit the Olive Branch program for young mothers. A number of gifts were donated – diapers, bibs, bedding, etc. – before we enjoyed cake and punch.

Gail Mohrmann directs the program, which provides for 8 girls at a time. Ages range from 12 to 21. Each must be homeless, pregnant or already raising one child. Most of the girls are from abusive families unable to help them with prenatal responsibilities. Gail teaches the girls what’s happening to their bodies and explains labor and deliveries. After a child is born, the direction shifts to showing the mothers how to feed and care for the child along with tracking its development.

The girls continue their schooling – they must feed and dress the baby, then take it to day care, before they board their school bus. Girls 15 and older must get part-time jobs during school and full-time summer jobs. They learn to be responsible for the infant, and for themselves. The girls learn to interact with the kids – and spanking is out. If a mother can’t abide by the rules, she and her child must hit the bricks.

Each girl has a room to her own for herself and child. She must keep it clean, learn to do menus and cook simple meals. The moms have curfews. It’s all part of learning to live a structured life, which they never had in abusive households. The state pays for the kids’ day care, but it’s the mom’s responsibility to get her child to and from the place on time.

Our baby shower filled many needs, but Gail says Olive Branch is always needs crib sheets, baby bottles, bibs and sippy cups

BIRTHDAYS AND MORE: President Joe Kramer listed the April birthdays in the room at the April 18 meeting. He had to – daughter Jessica was one of them. Also saluted were Courtney Harsh, Pam Cross and Bob McCoy. . . . President Joe announced some activities by neighboring Kiwanians: The Gravois club is host to a cookout at Hanneke’s Hardware in Affton April 21-22; the Crestwood-Sunset Hills golf tournament is May 8 at the Players Club; the Southwest club is dealing out a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament May 6.