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Club member Bill Austin works on Discovery Park of America

Bring a Friend Day -- February 29

Club makes Eliminate donation

Jessica Fortner -- Teacher of the Year

Kiwanis One Day -- Help out at We Care Ministries

Club member Bill Austin works on the Discovery Park of America that will open in 2013 in Union City

Bill Austin works on Discovery Park of America

SQUARING IT AWAY — Discovery Park of America volunteer committee members
for the yesteryear village planned on the grounds of the 50-acre complex in Union City’s
northwest quadrant have been hard at work preparing the “housing” for the original water
wheel that was salvaged from an actual grist mill in Virginia and brought to Union City
via the Sevieriville area several months ago. Bill Austin (left) utilizes a rawhide hammer,
while Wilbur Brewer checks a recently chiseled hole with his square. The two are
completing their work using tools that, in many instances, would have been familiar to
the men who constructed the original grist mill. (See the complete story and more pictures at nwtntoday.com under the friends and neighbors tab for January 25.)

Feb. 29 Designated as Bring a Friend Day!

The Board of Directors of the Martin Kiwanis Club has designated February 29 as Bring a Friend Day. All members are encouraged to invite a friend, former member, or prospective member to join us for our regular Kiwanis luncheon that day. Club member and former Division 1A Lieutenant Governor Misty Menees will present a special program about Kiwanis that will be of interest to everyone. Help your club by participating in this activity!!

Martin Kiwanis Club saves the lives of another 180 babies and their mothers!!!!

By skipping a meal in December 2011 and sending the money saved ($270) to the Eliminate Project, and by sending another $54.70 from change collected at meetings, the Martin Kiwanis Club has protected 180 babies and their mothers from the deadly maternal/neonatal tetanus virus. In some third world countries this disease has a fatality rate near or at 100%, so these funds will definitely save many lives. Club members, give yourselves a pat on the back and keep up the good work! To learn more about the Eliminate Project and what you can do to help, go to the website www.theELIMINATEproject.org .

Jessica Fortner named "2010 Teacher of the Year" by the Martin Elementary School K-Kids.

Ms. Jessica Fortner was recently named "2010 Teacher of the Year" by the Martin Elementary School K-Kids. Ms. Fortner teaches Fifth grade at MES. Those on hand to congratulate Ms. Jessica are: (front row) Missy Saunders, Bryce Pettit, Jonathan Summers, Lilly Shannon, Bubba Skeen, Emily Grace Bell, and Jessie Deal; (2nd row): Jacob Floyd, Joshua Floyd, Ms. Jessica Fortner; (back row): Madison Brown, Kizer, Riley, Allie Abbott, Olivia York, Ainsley Freed, Rachel Powers, and Mattie West. Sponsored locally by the Martin Kiwanis Club, K-Kids is a "student-led" community-service organization, which operates under school regulations and draws its members from the student body. For questions about K-Kids or the Martin Kiwanis Club contact Lana Carpenter by clicking here .

2012 Kiwanis One Day Community Project

Kiwanis One Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 21st this year. It is a special day in which Kiwanians get together to fulfill an important community need. Our club has voted to spend One Day at We Care in Martin. We Care Ministries was created to help the less fortunate citizens of Martin. They have a food bank and Thrift Store and assist families in need who can’t pay their utility bills. We will be sorting clothes, putting donations on the food bank shelves, and checking electronics before they are sent to the Thrift Store. We will be passing around signup sheets closer to One Day. (Sue Lasky, “One Day” chair)

Kiwanis "One Day" is conducted by the entire Kiwanis family including Key Club members, Builders Club members, K-Kid members and Aktion Club members. Past projects include roadside trash pickups and the construction and maintenance of an outdoor classroom at Martin Elementary.

Christmas stockings delivered to hundreds of needy children -- 2011

Kiwanis, Sodexo, and UT Martin combined with We Care Ministries to fill several hundred Christmas stockings which were given through We Care to needy children to make their Christmas a special one. Thanks to Charley Deal for once again heading up this project! Way to go Charley!

Dedication Honors Airees -- Kiwanian S. K. Airee and his wife Shashi honored by UT Martin and the Airee children
October 2011

Dr. S.K. Airee, professor of chemistry and physics at the University of Tennessee at Martin, and his wife, Shashi were honored with a bench and lamppost dedication on Saturday, October 8, as part of the UT Martin homecoming festivities. The Airees' commitment to education led to the creation of the S.K. and Shashi Airee Endowment, a scholarship awarded to a chemistry student each year. Dr. Airee is pictured with his wife and three children, Richa, of Huntsville, Alabama, Hans, of Durham, North Carolina, and Anita, of Knoxville; who created the endowment.

Watch a video of the event.

Kiwanian Misty Menees Promoted at Edward Jones

Martin Kiwanis Club member Misty Menees has been promoted to senior branch office administrator at the University Commons branch of Edward Jones. Misty has been with Edward Jones for four and a half years. A branch office administrator is responsible for the daily operation of the office. According to an article in the Weakley County Press, to "be named a senior branch office administrator, an individual must meet specific training requirements, demonstrate exceptional performance when completing office responsibilities, handle the complex tasks associated with running a high-volume office, and typically must have at least five year's experience with the firm." Congratulations, Misty!!!!!!!!

Martin Kiwanis Makes Donation to Backpack Program
November 2011

Lana presents donation to backpack program

The Martin Kiwanis Club recently made a $400 donation to the Weakley County Backpack Program. Pictured is the Weakley County Backpack Program Treasurer Jake Bynum and Martin Kiwanis Club President Lana Carpenter.

Mother of Club Member Bethany Smith Dies Dec 3, 2011

Mrs. Viola James "Vi" Smith, age 82, of Palmersville, TN, died Saturday, December 3, 2011 at Regional Hospital of Jackson in Jackson, TN. Mrs. Smith was born on April 22, 1929 in Obion County, TN to the late Joe and Myrtie James. She was a member of Union Chapel Church of Christ. She is survived by one son, David (Ann) Smith of Palmersville, TN; two daughters, Linda (Joe) Donoho of Springfield, TN and Bethany Smith of Martin, TN; 5 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

RAMSEY RECEIVES ZELLAR FROM LT. GOVERNORS AND BOARD

Immediate Past Governor Linda Ramsey accepts her Diamond Level Walter Zeller Fellowship from Past Governor Dennis Oliver. The Zeller was announced as a gift from her team of Lt. Governors and District Board Members at the District Convention in Tunica. The actual award was presented to her during the Tri-K Board Meeting in Jackson, Miss. For information on the ELIMINATE Project and the Walter Zeller Fellowship:www.theeliminateproject.org or www.kiwanis.org/foundation.

James Westmoreland, Jr., son of former Martin Kiwanian James H. Westmoreland and his wife Harriet, killed in car accident Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011

54-year old James Westmoreland, Jr., oldest son of James H. and Harriet Westmoreland, was killed Wednesday afternoon in a car accident. He had been deer hunting in the Martin area and was on his way to his brother Bob’s house in Selmer for the annual Westmoreland family Thanksgiving Day dinner when he ran off the road near Pinson. They say that he slumped over the wheel, ran off into the median, crossed back over both lanes and hit a tree. After some organs were removed for organ donation, he was cremated. There was a memorial service held today, Monday, Nov. 28, in Athens, GA, where he worked. Jim Westmoreland and Bill Austin sponsored me (Otha) into the Martin Kiwanis Club in 1978. After leaving Martin to take a job at Tennessee Tech, Jim became very active in the Kiwanis club in Cookeville and eventually became Governor of the Kentucky-Tennessee District of Kiwanis. Jim and Harriet remain good friends of Bill and me, as well as to many in the Martin area. Please remember the Westmoreland family in your prayers as they try to cope with this tragic loss.

New Member Andrew Hart Inducted October 12, 2011

Andrew Hart, Coordinator of Alumni Programs at UT Martin, was inducted into the Martin Kiwanis Club Wednesday October 12th. Pictured with Andrew is Martin Kiwanis President-Elect Lana Carpenter. Welcome Andrew!

Lana Carpenter Installed as President for 2011-2012

The officers for 2011-2012 were recently installed by Division 1A Lt. Governor Otha Britton. Shown here with Otha is the 2011-2012 President of the Martin Kiwanis Club, Lana Carpenter. Lana was Vice President last year and would have become president next year, but the 2010-2011 President-Elect asked to remain as President-Elect for another year as she deals with some serious medical problems that would have limited her ability to do her best as President of the club. Lana graciously agreed to jump forward one year and begin her service earlier than expected. Lana will do an excellent job and we welcome her as the new President of the Martin Kiwanis Club.

Mary Lee Hall Chosen as Kiwanian of the Year for 2010-2011

Mary Lee Hall - Kiwanian of the Year

Congratulations to Dr. Mary Lee Hall for being chosen Martin’s Kiwanian of the year. During the announcement of the award, it was stated that Dr. Hall is dedicated to serving the children of Weakley County through Kiwanis projects, is always the first to volunteer for any club program, and is willing to serve in any capacity deemed advantageous by the club. She is always upbeat, has a can-do attitude, and is a steadfast champion of new ideas. Dr. Hall is a true asset, not only to the Kiwanis Club and the youngsters it serves, but to the people of Weakley County and the University of Tennessee at Martin. Please congratulate Dr. Hall in person when you see her. She has truly earned the title of Kiwanian of the Year!

2011 "We Deliver BBQ" Fundraiser -- 902 tickets sold!

Martin Kiwanis Club members sold 902 BBQ lunches for the annual "We Deliver BBQ" fundraising project. Kiwanians pre-sold the lunches. Then on the Thursday evening before the event, several club members prepared cups of Cole slaw, and put cookies, plastic forks, napkins, packs of BBQ sauce, flyers, etc., in the bags. On Friday morning about 7:30, members came together again to make up the sandwiches, put them and the Cole slaw in the bags, roll down the bag tops, count out groups of lunches, and deliver the lunches. Mary Lee can really lay out and pat down those buns!!! We wondered if Sodexo was going to get the BBQ to us in time to make and deliver the lunches, but they made several trips bringing a few pans at a time and we managed to finish everything on time. Congratulations to all of you ticket sellers, and thanks a bunch to all who helped with the Thursday and Friday activities!!!! It was great fun and fellowship, even if Keith did break out in song. :-)

33-year member of Martin Kiwanis Club honored at retirement dinner

Otha Britton, a member of the Martin Kiwanis Club for almost 33 years, was recently honored by the University of Tennessee at Martin during a dinner for those who have retired from UT Martin.
Otha retirement award

2011 Louisiana, Mississippi, West Tennessee District Convention last hurrah for Governor Linda Ramsey, attended by several from the Martin club

The 2011 lamisstn District Convention is now history. Governor Linda Ramsey presided over the Tunica, Mississippi convention held at the convention center of Harrah's Casino. Many from the Martin Kiwanis Club attended, including, in addition to Governor Linda and a couple of spouses, Roberta Peacock, Allen Page, Evelyn Blythe, Terry Duncan, Tammy Hazlewood, Lana Carpenter, Jamie Summers, and Otha Britton. Although Governor Linda's term isn't officially over until October 1, the reins were passed to Greg Beard, Governor for 2011-2012. Otha was also installed as the Lt. Governor of Division 1A for 2011-2012. Linda and Otha were honored as Charter Walter Zellers for their donations to the Eliminate Project. A Walter Zeller fellowship donation saves the lives of 700 newborns. Jamie Summers was honored as Fireman of the Year for 2011, primarily for his work on the AED project. Way to go Jamie!!!

Click here to view some photos of the convention. The person sitting next to Linda in one picture is the new governor, Greg Beard.

Club Bulletins

October 12, 2011