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January, 2021 Meetings at noon at Green Meadow Country club; lunch served at 11:30 Email: mkiwanis@charter.net; Website: www.maryvillekiwanis.org Dedicated to building a better community by focusing on service to children and youth

PRESIDENT’S KORNER

Happy New Year Maryville Kiwanians. As you know, the Board of Directors voted on December 28th to cancel our Kiwanis in-person January meetings. This was a difficult decision, but with the large increase of new covid-19 cases in Blount County and with the forecast by health officials that the pandemic would continue into the new year, the cancellation was the best thing to do. There was a strong feeling among the Board this is the proper position for us to take, as it was our civic responsibility. Our plan is to have a Board meeting on Friday, January 22nd at noon at the GMCC and make a decision on the meeting plan for February. An email will be sent to you announcing this decision. It is our hope that we can resume to in-person and zoom meetings on February 2nd. We urge all members to abide by the CDC and local health

department guidelines and encourage your family members, friends, and neighbors to do likewise. Also, we encourage you to get your vaccination. In December, our club was very active in several community activities. For many years, Doug Hill has handled the decorating of a Christmas tree at the airport for Imagination Library. Due to his ankle surgery, he was unable to do this in 2020, and thanks to Patsy Russell, Wanda Davis, and Heather Larson the tree was decorated. For doing this, the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority made a $100 donation to Imagination Library. Under the leadership of Patsy Russell and team Leaders Debra Jones, Julie Miller, and Wanda Davis, we participated in the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. Five angels were selected, boys and girls ages 6 to 17, and approximately $140 in toys and clothes were given to each angel. Many members contributed $20 to this project, and we received more than was needed, so the surplus was given in a Salvation Army bucket. Thanks so much to everyone and especially to the ladies who did the shopping. For years, our club has rung bells for the Salvation Army red bucket program. Bobby Burke was again our leader and did an excellent job. We rang for four days and all of our two-hour time slots

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PRESIDENT’S KORNER (continued) were filled by Maryville Kiwanis members. Most members rang for two-hour periods on two days. Also, Circle K members rang one day and had an extraordinarily successful day. I don’t know how much was collected by our Kiwanis Club, but I have been told everyone will be quite happy. Results will be announced at our next in-person meeting. Thanks so much to Bobby. Patsy and Jeff will give us an update on the results of our Pancake Breakfast at our next in-person meeting. IMPORTANT – Please do your part in supporting the Covid-19 guidelines of wearing a mask properly (covering both your mouth and nose), keeping socially distanced, and avoiding gatherings so we can help stop this pandemic. I want to get back to something close to normal as soon as possible.

Doug Craig

Briefs Governor’s Dinner Due to pandemic concerns the annual KT District Division 5 Governor's Dinner which was to be held on January 16 has been postponed. You will be informed later if we are able to reschedule it. Governor David and Mrs. Colter have had a challenging year in which to serve but are are doing everything they can to keep schedules “normal” in abnormal times. Glad Tidings From Doug Craig on December 22: SPECIAL NEWS Stephanie and Samuel Tipton are the proud parents of a new son, Waylon Crawford Tipton, born on December 21st at 12:11 PM. He was 7 lbs. 8 oz. and 20.5 inches. Stephanie and Waylon are doing fine. In searching our club records, Robert Russell says this is the first time in our history that one of our members has given birth. Congratulations Stephanie and Samuel! MORE GOOD NEWS Our wonderful board made all Maryville Kiwanians look good at their Board of Directors meeting on December 11. Someone on the board learned that a Special Needs child at Prospect school needed a helmet to protect his or her head from frequent falls. The school provides a helmet, but the child has to leave the helmet at the school at the end of each school day. The child’s head needs protection always, and our board voted to cover the cost of a protective helmet (approximately $178): money well spent, for sure. Alas Amanda Nowak has tested positive for COVID-19. Please keep her in your prayers as we know that symptoms may not soon fade if one is hit with too much virus from a carrier not wearing a mask. Amanda is one of our corporate members from the Blount County Public Library.

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PRESENTATION

Food insecurity has become a terrible result of the pandemic for far too many families. Most of our food distributing organizations such as Community Food Connection are struggling to keep up with demand. Their supplier, Second Harvest Food Bank, which relies on donations to try and keep up with the demands of the crisis, is in need of help. Maryville Kiwanis member Michael Torano strategizes development for Second Harvest and on December 1, 2020, happily accepted a check for $5000 that will help feed thousands of people in this time of high unemployment and sometimes frightening expenses. Among the thousands who’ll have some meals, are thousands of children, so we are living up to our one child, one community mantra. Remember when Bob Ergenbright would lead us in the chant “One child, one community,” to help us get inspired? His efforts are still being felt, right? Michael’s ultra-polite, ultra-enthusiastic persona works the same way and helps so many!

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WE RANG THE BELLS NEAR CHRISTMAS DAY, AND…

Then ringing, singing on its way The world revolved from night to day

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime Of peace on earth, good will to men

For many years now, Maryville Kiwanis has helped the Salvation Army raise the funds that enable the organization to help countless individuals, many of them children. The Salvation Army raises thousands of dollars from the generosity of passers-by, attracted to the smiling bellringers, the big red kettles, and the loving tradition of generous giving. For Maryville Kiwanis, Bobby Burke started out being the white-bearded Santa helper who brought hot chocolate to those ringing the hand-held bells in the last (and coldest) two-hour shift. Eventually, Bobby became the chair of our bell-ringing activities. He had quite a few shifts to fill: many of the volunteers rang bells for shifts on more than one day to make sure that we did as much as we could for the excellent cause. Final word on how much Maryville Kiwanis collected has not yet arrived, but we will know as soon as COVID-19 fades and we can meet again in relative safety. Masks were required but are in hands for some photos. At left below Heather and Denn Larson drew folks nears with a silver bell and big smiles. Below right club President Doug Craig took a solo shift to be sure all bell ringing was covered.

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WE RANG THE BELLS (continued)

You just know Bob and Linda Ullom are smiling behind their masks! You can see it in their friendly eyes.

Geoff Cusick and Robert Russell hide warm smiles beneath their cold weather garb. Geoff’s ears look cold, though. Their masks keep their noses warm…another good reason to wear one!

Steve Frana and Regina Jennings are old hands at being jolly bell ringers.

Linda Ullom, Wanda Davis, and Bobby Burke add cheer to passing shoppers’ lives.

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INTERCLUB EVENTS ROUND OUT THE MONTH

Attending an interclub gives each member who attends a more-rounded sense of what it means to be a devoted Kiwanian. On December 3, 2020, interclubbing allowed six of our members to broaden and strengthen their relationships with our sister team at Alcoa. They are, L-R: Lt. Governor Pete Davis, Bobby Burke, Peter Towle (interclub chair for 2020-2021), Maryville Kiwanis President Doug Craig, Heather and Denn Larson.

Ouch! We Goofed We all know what is oft quoted, “The road to H*** is paved with good intentions.” The editor must apologize for omitting an important name in the December Kourier. Because she was not in the photo, Heather Larson was not mentioned. I apologize. Having new members like Heather Larson and Wanda Davis follow in the enthusiastic footsteps of Patsy Russell is a really wonderful situation for Maryville Kiwanis. Please imagine that smiling face on the left of the first photo in the article on bell ringing is in the picture with the Imagination Library book decorated tree. The editor is embarrassed at how many well-intentioned pavers might be appearing on that bumpy road ahead of her.

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Making Christmas Brighter For Five Fortunate Kiddos Following Patsy Russell’s extraordinary leadership gifts and guidance, five Maryville Kiwanis Salvation Army “Angel Tree” teams formed with the purpose of providing Christmas gifts for some lucky kids from six to 17. Members, whether part of a team or not, were asked to supply $20 gifts, if possible, so that each child would have approximately $140 worth of gifts on Christmas morning. Members were so generous that we had some money left over to add to one of our bell-ringing red “kettles.” We had teams led by Candy Daugherty (whose team included Terry Brahms, Doug Craig, Pete and Wanda Davis, Stephanie Tipton, Lynn Tittsworth, and Peter Towle); Debra Jones (counting Bobby Burke, Steve Frana, Steve Kiefer, Michael Torano); Julie Miller (including Steve Frana, Bobby Perkinson, Brenda Sellers, Suzanne Stockfische, Bob and Linda Ullom); Patsy Russell (with team members Wilson Borden, Bill Henry, Dale Henry, Regina Jennings and Robert Russell); and Anna White (including Jon Dockery, Howard Kerr, Heather and Dennis Larson, Dick Poling, Emily Mantooth, and Leanne Mayhall). When Maryville Kiwanians get their minds set, wonderful things happen, and five young people may never know who the angels were, but their lives were made brighter, happier, and more comfortable. All of our bell ringers must have helped our teams of angels get their wings. Unfortunately, Patsy Russell’s team members were apparently not available for a photograph.

TEAM JULIE

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More Angel Tree Teams

TEAM ANNA

TEAM CANDY

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More Angel Tree Teams

TEAM DEBRA

MEETING NOTES December 1, From Robert Russell’s meeting minutes: Our meeting gathering welcomed three guests, three visiting Alcoa Kiwanians, 26 in-person members, and seven Zoomers, for a total of 39 attendees. Robert Russell played a tape of “America;” we said the Pledge of Allegiance; and Tom Coulter gave the invocation. Ron Teffeteller collected Happy Bucks for the day. President Doug Craig presented a check for $5000 to Second Harvest to Michael Torano, our member and representative of Second Harvest. The amount will be matched by an anonymous donor and that $10,000 will supply thousands of meals to folks who, in this dreadful pandemic, are facing serious food insecurity or outright hunger. Howard Kerr told us that wreathes at the Boys & Girls Club had sold out: the club earned $4200 from the wreaths. Bobby Burke was still requesting folks to sign up for bell ringing, and Steve Frana & Doug Craig explained that they would be ordering engraved bells for $10 for a more substantial or sonorous ringing sound. Patsy Russell reported on the Angel Tree Project. Dr. Tim Thurston, Chair-for-the-day, introduced our speakers Tiffany Dowdy, High School Admissions Coordinator and Col. Tim Thurston, II, (ret.),

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MEETING NOTES (continued) Director of Community Partnership Development at South College in Knoxville. Tiffany and Tim came to tout many of South College’s educational opportunities and college programs offered to high school graduates. They emphasized that America has the best education system in the world and offers more opportunities for a low-cost or free education than systems in other parts of the world. Having the chance to graduate from college gives graduates much better odds of having financial security and life fulfillment than does a person with only a high school education. A completed college education represents an average 14% return on a student’s investment. Because Tennessee has visionaries like Randy Boyd, author of the Tennessee Promise program, high school graduates can benefit from the Hope Scholarship and Tennessee Promise and can have many credits when they enter college by participating in and passing Dual enrollment classes. Those programs can all be used at South College, which as a proprietary, for-profit college is able to offer many different degree programs. South College has been around for 139 years and has helped countless graduates to better lives. It has five campuses: two are in Knoxville, and the other three are in Nashville, Asheville, and Atlanta. The college also offers online classes, which are a Godsend in COVID-19 times. Students have the opportunity to choose from among 60 different programs that range from professional certificates, two-year (Associate) degrees, Bachelor degrees, Master’s Degrees, and PhDs. Being ready for many online offerings has made South College an excellent choice for its students in the COVID pandemic, whereas many schools of higher education have not managed to balance the C.D.C’s protocols as readily with students living on their campuses. South College’s professionals pride themselves, as they should, for living up to their motto, “Where dreams find direction.” December 8 When our club met for its second time in December, Secretery Robert Russell reports, 45 people attended either in person or by Zoom. Attendees thought their way through one verse of “America” played from a tape. They all pledged allegiance to our flag (some still wearing their masks) and Tony Thompson gave the invocation. Bobby Burke asked for more people to sign up for our annual Salvation Army bell ringing. An envelope was passed to collect money to give as gifts to the Green Meadows Kitchen staff. Bob Ullom gave the House report. Robert Russell, Chair of the Day, introduced Becky Huckaby, Vice President of Public Relations at McGhee Tyson Airport, to give us a Zoom presentation updating us on the “state of the airport.” While 2019 was the busiest year ever for the airport, it saw an abrupt downturn in March of 2020, due to COVID-19, and the situation is still very bad. Leisure travel is down, of course, but much business, government, and international travel has nearly stopped. Starting in July, 2020, Knoxville lost five direct flights.There was a brief upturn in

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MEETING NOTES (continued)

seats occupied from April 1 to Sept, but the surge retreated at the outset of fall. Airports all over have produced industry air travel estimates and believe they will not be back to pre-COVID use until 2023 or possibly even later. TSA, McGhee Tyson, and the Air industry “have developed safeguard for passengers that include an almost-cashless and paperless operation and sanitation standards.” Things will eventually regain normal conditions, but on any given day, nothing can take away from how very attractive and welcoming our user-friendly little airport is.

December 15 After hearing the forst verse of “America,” the 50 people who attended (nine of whom zoomed in) pledged allegiance to our flag and listened to Lee Ann Mayhall’s invocation. Candy Daugherty collected Happy Bucks. Patsy Russell updated the group on the pancake breakfast and the Christmas angel project. Bobby Burke gave a report on all the wonderful but chilly days of bell ringing. Stephanie Tipton asked for a Leave of Absence for maternity leave. Candy Daugherty requested help finding good programs, a job that has become decidely difficult in the pandemic. Bobby Perkinson, our Chair for the Day, became the emcee for our annual Christmas Program. He announced that Maddie Gravitte would read the Christmas story from the Bible. Readings of that same sacred scripture were shared with Maddie all around the world within the next ten days.

Next, Bobby introduced eight-year-old Emery Burchfield who read Clement Clark Moore’s A Visit from Santa Claus known more widely as The Night Before Christmas. Then came Maddie Gravitte and Zoë Styles singing some special Christmas carols for the crowd. Soon, after parking his sleigh on the GMCC roof, along came Santa (who, though looking a little like Steve Frana and possibly needing a little help with his color coodination, really shared all kinds of jolly holiday and UT spirit). Accompanying Santa were his helper elves Patrick and Gabe Collins, who have clearly been eating enough vitamins to make them taller than most elves. They, too, were jolly and holiday inspired, perhaps by the good readings they heard. The trio distributed gifts according to their naughty and nice list, and as usual, the crowd strongly approved the gifts of coal that a few received. The meeting ended with a wonderful gift: Katrina Gravitte led the whole masked crowd in singing beloved Christmas Carols. All who could be there in person went home in a better, more fitting spirit of Christmas, and those of us who couldn’t get there were very sad to miss our annual Christmas fun.

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MEETING NOTES (continued)

Quotable Thoughts Brad Paisley: Tomorrow is the first page of a 365 blank book. Write a good one. Christopher Milne:

Maddie Gravittte reads the “real” Christmas story. Young Emery Burchfield impresses all listeners on how well she reads.

Zoë Styles and Maddie Gravitte sing special Christmas songs.

Santa in his Tennessee Christmas uniform, accompanied by his grandsons Patrick and Gabe Collins.

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Maryville Kiwanis 2020-2021 Events Calendar Created by Secretary Robert Russell

Weekly: Tuesday Noon at Green Meadow Country Club

October April 11th 19th Annual Golf Tournament @ GMCC 9th BOARD MEETING @GMCC (12pm) 10th ‘Adopt’/TB cleanup (8:30am) Kiwanis One Day

DCM November May 3rd Club Elections (Tuesday noon)

4th Division 5 Prayer Dinner, Knoxville 14th BOARD MEETING @GMCC (12pm)

TBA

IL Sign-up at Alcoa Wal-Mart (10a-6p)

December June

11th BOARD MEETING @GMCC (12pm) 24-27 KI Convention-Salt Lake City, UT

January July 22nd BOARD MEETING @GMCC (12pm) TBA Adopt-A-Highway Litter Pickup (8:30am) DCM

9th BOARD MEETING @GMCC (12pm) 11-16 Youth Leadership Adventure Camp TBA Adopt-A-Highway Litter Pickup (8:30am)

DCM February August 12th BOARD MEETING @GMCC (12pm) 19-20 K-T Regional Meeting-Alcoa, TN

13th BOARD MEETING @GMCC (12pm) 21st Adopt-A-Highway Litter Pickup (8:30am) 5-8 K-T District Convention, Berea, KY

March September 12th BOARD MEETING @GMCC (12pm)

10th BOARD MEETING @GMCC (12pm) 28th INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS (6pm)

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KEY DATES Date Event Time Location January Interclub with Alcoa Club 11:30 to eat Airport Hilton 12:00 to meet January 22 Board of Directors Meeting 12:00 to meet Green Meadows Country and eat Club GMCC), Alcoa January 16 Governor’s Dinner Postponed AIRPORT HILTON

KLUB KALENDAR

Date Speakers/Program/Chair of the Day

Invocation Greeters Not until we have a

proven Covid-19 vaccine All meetings

Canceled for the month of January due to COVID

infections.

Upcoming Birthdays Mark Loudermilk January 7 Susan Knopf January 7 Bill Henry January 10 Candy Daugherty January 11 Bob Ullom January 23 Brandon Leitch January 24 Suzanne Stockfische January 24 Tom Coulter January 27 Bud Gangwer February 2

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Division 5 and the KY-TN District of Kiwanis International News We’re in hopes that none of these events are canceled because we’re still battling a pandemic:

Upcoming Event Local, International, District,

or Division Date of Event Event Location

Annual Governor’s Dinner

District/Division January 16 POSTPONED

Airport Hilton, Alcoa

Mid-Year Conference

Local Feb. 19-20, 2021 Alcoa/Airport Hilton

Division Council Meeting

Division March 29, 2021 Hampton Inn, City to be determined

Annual Prayer Dinner

Division April 22, 2021 Airport Hilton, Alcoa

Kiwanis International Convention

International June 24-27, 2021

Salt Lake City, Utah

Division Council Meeting

Division June 28 Hampton Inn, City to be determined

District Convention KY-TN District Aug. 4-8, 2021 Berea, Kentucky Division Council Meeting

Division September 28. 2021

Kiwanis International Inspiration

REACHING KIDS AFTER QUARANTINE

STEFANIE UHRIG , GERMANY DISTRICT PR COORDINATOR | JUL 02, 2020

Sometimes, things change. Events have been planned, donations have been promised to good causes - and suddenly, all events for the foreseeable future are cancelled. And still, kids need Kiwanis.

“Now is the time to help where children are most affected by the current situation,” says Jan Frischmann, president of the Erbach/Odenwald Kiwanis Club in the Germany District. So, they did. Luckily, the club had saved up some money for emergencies. The strategy: relatively small donations with big impact. That meant taking care of children living far away. “In Germany, we are lucky,” said immediate past club president Stefan Uhrig. “Often it is a question of donating toys to a kindergarten or school bags to children in need.” Which is important, he adds, but for kids in other countries, donations might decide between having food or going hungry or between getting the supplies they need to stay or to become healthy. Before the coronavirus struck, the club already had ties to two projects: one in Peru and one in Uganda. With their last fundraising event before the shutdown, the club raised €500 for Casa Verde, a children’s shelter in Arequipa, Peru. Two members who had visited the location have a godchild

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REACHING KIDS (continued) there and know the people responsible. Now the club gets regular updates on how the children are doing; the Erbach Kiwanians are relieved to hear that for now the situation is under control. Food is scarce, on the other hand, in a village in Uganda. An organization called Abaana Afrika has dedicated itself to building and maintaining a school for the children there. But the school had to close, and the children were sent back to their families. Given that the kids usually received nutritious meals in school, it is now a huge burden for the families to feed everyone — especially with most people confined to their homes and unable to work. With a donation of €500, the Erbach/Odenwald Club provided a month of food for seven families. Because of that donation and others, Abaana Afrika was able to provide food for all the families that needed it. With the lockdown remaining in place, however, more funds may soon be needed.

Of course, Germany itself is not without kids who need Kiwanis. When a local radio station reported on the needs of women’s shelters, the club acted. Speaking with the administrators of one shelter, the Erbach/Odenwald club found that one of the biggest needs was games — mostly board games. They purchased some from a local store, which gave them a discount. Club members also provided the shelter’s kids with a practical gift: Kiwanis-branded fabric masks, which the club had bought from their partner club in Schärding, Austria. “We wanted to support our fellow Kiwanians, of course,” Club President Frischmann says, “and the question of where to get masks was a widely discussed topic throughout Erbach.” The club also bought some for members. At one point, a store employee asked Uhrig where all these masks had come from. In a single day, she said, she had seen eight people walking around “with Kiwanis written on their faces.”

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Objects of Kiwanis

Kids are curious, lovable, and hilarious. They are also wild, impatient, and vulnerable. Kiwanis is looking out for kids in every corner of the globe with over 600,000 volunteers who serve their communities through local clubs.

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Maryville Kiwanis Board of Directors

Position Name Phone Email President Doug Craig 419-351-8405 dcraigut@gmail.com

President-Elect Debra Jones 6335-680-865 djones1245@hotmail.com Vice President Steve Frana 865-856-2516 Steve.frana@gmail.com Past President Pete Davis 865-773-5617 maryvillekiwanis.pete@gmail.com

Secretary Robert Russell 865-556-8747 mkiwanis@charter.net Treasurer Julie Miller 865-556-8506 jmiller@cbbcbank.com Director Bobby Burke—three years Director Dale Henry—three years Director Lynda Lin—three years Director Candy Daugherty—two years Director Jim Hands—two years Director Patsy Russell—two years Director Steve Kiefer—one year Director Dan Monat—one year Director Jeff Money—one year

PROUD SPONSORS OF...

at Heritage, Maryville, Eagleton Middle School, and

Montgomery Ridge Intermediate School

Key Clubs at Heritage and Maryville High Schools

Circle K Club at Maryville College

Volunteer State Aktion Club

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Division 5 Meetings Meetings at 12 noon (unless otherwise noted) TUESDAY Maryville Kiwanis, Green Meadow Country Club, 1700 Louisville Road, Alcoa, TN 37701 Newport, West End Baptist Church, 116 West End Street, Newport, TN 37821 Sevierville, Applebee’s, 207 Collier Drive WEDNESDAY Farragut*, Tn State Bank Building, 11470 Parkside Dr, Knoxville, 37934 Foothills**, Highland Manor Inn, 7766 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend Northside, Foundry, Worlds Fair Site THURSDAY Alcoa, Airport Hilton Hotel Knoxville, Foundry, World’s Fair Site Jefferson Co.* Perkins, I-40, Exit 417 Seymour,* Noon, First Thursday of every month, Live-It, 11935 Chapman Hwy, Seymour FRIDAY Norwood, Puleo’s Restaurant, 110 Cedar Ln., (I-75 exit 108 Merchants Dr.) Knoxville Morristown, Morristown Country Club *1st and 3rd weeks only **2nd and 4th weeks only

The Kiwanis Club of Maryville has a number of corporate memberships - companies with a commitment to have representatives present at our meetings and that have embraced our community and child-enriching causes, programs, and projects. You can find these Corporations in your Kourier each month and can locate them, along with their logos, on our website as well via the following link: www.maryvillekiwanis.org/corporate-members Advanced Catalyst Systems Life Care Center of Blount County Blount Partnership (Chamber of Commerce) Maryville City Schools Blount County Habitat for Humanity Newell Brands Blount County Public Library Boys & Girls Club of Blount County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Second Harvest Food Bank The Salvation Army DENSO Smartbank Great Smoky Mountain Council of Boy Scouts United Community Bank United Way of Blount County Great Smoky Mountain Council of Boy Scouts Vienna Coffee Company The Daily Times

They support us….Please support our corporate members!

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Maryville Kiwanis Website www.maryvillekiwanis.org

Here are all the pages you can access for information about Maryville Kiwanis and Kiwanis International with descriptions of what is on each page. Check out the important information and lots of photos. They can be viewed or downloaded from your phone, iPad or computer.

Home Members Only (member directory and other important documents to view or download) Board Members Only (board records and other important documents to view or download) Member Access Request Membership Information (facts, membership application, recruiting packet, more) Leadership (Board of Directors photos) Corporate Members (Links to our corporate members) Coming Events (list of coming events) Newsletters (view or download Kouriers, K-T Notes, KI Magazines) Photos (view or download photos of donations, member moments, speakers, activities, interclubs, read for success) Pancake Breakfast (slideshows and Powerpoints) Imagination Library (photos, slideshows and Powerpoints) Golf Tournament (champions, slideshow, more) Leadership Adventure (attendees, video) Service Leadership Programs (photos) Aktion Club Key Club Circle K Links (important Kiwanis related sites)

KOURIER STAFF Susan Jones, Editor; Pete Davis, Photographer/Layout; Robert Russell, Meeting Summaries