With only 12 active members, the East Burke Kiwanis Club is like a family -- a very busy family that changes a lot of lives for the better.
The club's focus is raising money to sponsor programs for youth in the local and worldwide communities. Soon the club will celebrate its 20th anniversary with an event to raise funds for its programs.
The event, scheduled for May 31, noon-4 p.m. at Connelly Springs Town Hall, is free and open to all. There will be live and silent auctions of sports memorabilia and other items donated by local merchants, live music, entertainment for kids, and sales of hot dogs, drinks and desserts.
Club founder Wendell Cramer said the No. 1 goal of Kiwanis is to take care of the world's children. The East Burke club applies that philosophy through such projects as:
• The Kiwanis Angel Tree program that provides Christmas gifts and meals to underprivileged families.
• Working with the Burke County Health Department to make sure children receive vaccinations.
• Sponsoring the East Burke High School Key Club and rewarding one outstanding Key Club member each year with a scholarship.
• The club also sponsors the Terrific Kids program at Hildebran, Ray Childers, Valdese, George Hildebran and Icard elementary schools.
Although many people have heard of Terrific Kids -- surely you've seen the bumper stickers -- many don't realize that Kiwanis in Black Mountain started the international initiative to reward good behavior in the schools.
Max Johnson, East Burke club president, said Terrific Kids is not about who has the highest grades. "Terrific Kids is not an academic program, it's a `good kids' program," said Johnson. Teachers nominate students who have shown excellent or improved behavior, said Johnson. The students are recognized at a school assembly and members of the East Burke Kiwanis Club present the awards.
Much of the funding for these programs is raised through the group's annual Pinto Bean Supper, which always takes place on election night in November at Hildebran Baptist Church. The supper has been a tradition in Hildebran for almost as long as the club has been in existence.
Club members Harold and Vicka Weaver, married 10 years now, went to the supper on one of their first dates.
"People in the community that never come out for anything else will come out for the Pinto Bean Supper," said Harold Weaver.
Indeed, the supper sells about 800 tickets each year. And the fact that coordinating such a large event is overwhelming for a group of 12 has contributed to the club's desire to increase its numbers.
Hildebran engineer Jimmy Dameron joined the club several years ago when he moved back to the area after college. A friend persuaded him to attend a meeting and he was hooked. Dameron said he used to be very shy, but his community work with the club helped him become more outgoing.
"Some of the best people I've met I've met through Kiwanis," said Dameron. "We are united by the same goals and interest in helping people."
But Cramer pointed out that the group is not for those who aren't willing to roll up their sleeves and work. "We're not a social club," said Cramer. "We're a service club."
According to the Kiwanis International Web site, the word Kiwanis comes from an American Indian expression that means, "we share our talents." If you are interested in sharing your talents with this group, members meet at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at the Connelly Springs Town Hall at 1030 U.S. 70. They always have a catered meal and usually have guest speakers.
Although most members now come from Hildebran, they welcome people from Valdese and other parts of the county.
They also need volunteers to help out May 31, especially with the children's events.
For details or to volunteer, call Vicka Weaver at 828-397-3402.
Statewide exhibit honors students
The Western Piedmont Community College art department, already known for its programs and instructors, has the work of three students featured in the annual Community College Art Exhibit in Raleigh.Mark Poteat, Western Piedmont Community College art coordinator, said he is pleased that the selected pieces represent three different aspects of the college's art programs: a photograph done with digital effects and animation technology by Robert Lanphere, an acrylic painting by Laurie Tess Blackler and a piece of fish pottery by Margaret Price from the Professional Crafts program.
"These students demonstrate a high level of dedication and academic achievement in their respective areas of study," said Poteat.
The exhibit, now celebrating its 10th year, is sponsored by the N.C. Community College System and honors the talents of community college students throughout the state. This year, there are 143 pieces of art that represent all 58 community colleges in the state.
The exhibit is in the Caswell Building of N.C. Community College System at 200 W. Jones St. in Raleigh and is on display until December 2008.
For details or to arrange a tour of the exhibit, call Chancy Kapp at 919-807-6962 or Peggy Beach at 919-807-6964.
Patients take on challenge course
Patients from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center recently tackled Western Piedmont Community College's challenge course as part of a recreational therapy "outdoor adventure" experience.
It's part of the therapy program sponsored by the Medical Center in partnership with Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks Department and recreational therapists. Five adults with physical disabilities resulting from multiple sclerosis, cerebro-vascular injuries, strokes and spinal cord injuries visited the college's outdoor challenge course and tackled such obstacles as cargo nets and zip lines.
Students of the college's therapeutic recreation program ran the session as part of their training.
Cindy Konarski, Western Piedmont Community College therapeutic recreation instructor and challenge course coordinator, said the event was inspirational. She related how one of the participants, a man with disabilities who used a wheelchair, climbed a 45-foot cargo net using only his upper body strength.
Konarski said the course was built for training the therapeutic recreation students and is regularly used by groups from Broughton Hospital and the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center. But it is available for use by people with or without disabilities.
For details on the challenge course or the Therapeutic Recreation program, contact Cindy Konarski at 828-438-5577 or ckonarski@wpcc.edu.
Discussing German heritage
If you have an interest in our county's German influences, be sure to attend the next meeting of the Burke County Genealogical Society.
At the meeting, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday at the new Burke County Courthouse Annex, at 201 S. Green St. in Morganton, author Robert Carpenter will give a presentation on "German Religious Heritage West of the Catawba."
Carpenter, a Bessemer City resident and genealogy enthusiast, has authored "Carpenters A Plenty" and "The History of Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church."
The meeting is free and open to the public and will conclude with a book swap and social time with refreshments. For details, contact Gale Benfield at 828-437-5638, ext. 205.
