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Hancock County Children's Choir

 

From Left: Emilia Grunden and Hailey Bruner, Choir members; 

Lisa Heady, HCCC Executive Director  

Lisa Heady, Executive Director of Hancock County Children's Choir (HCCC) told Kiwanis about the choir.  It is a choral performance and education program dedicated to create musical opportunities for youth through the performance of a variety of musical literature including classical, cross-cultural, folk, patriotic, pop, sacred, and secular genres of music.  Students in the choir are taught vocal production, diction, music theory, music history and appreciation, Solfege (sight singing), poise, stage presence, public speaking, and etiquette.  Our interactive programs instill valuable life skills, challenging our students to learn, grow, mature, develop self-confidence, and shine!

Emilia Grunden, a high school senior and Hailey Bruner, a sixth grader, both members of the choirs performed Over the Rainbow.

The choir raises money using October as the month of giving.  Each choir member is asked to raise $100 by garnering contributions or from work efforts for contributions.  The choir also receives corporate and personal contributions as well as grants and sponsorships,

For more information see  hancockcountychildrenschoir.org

J. Evelyn Confections

Jayne Hoadley, owner of J. Evelyn Confections spoke to Kiwanis about her candies which are made completely by hand. We are located in the Greenfield Chocolates building. The business is at 15 W. Main Street, Greenfield, IN.  She began making chocolates in 2008.

Jayne spoke about the making of fine chocolates and different flavors of chocolate and other ingredients.  She specializes in truffles, caramels, toffee and assortment of other sweets.

Her website is http://www.jevelynconfections.com. 

Sister Cities Program

Back row left to right, Susan Geesa, Board member; Nikki Baker, Board Member, and Reuban McCracken, Math Teacher and chaperone.  Front Row, left to right; Megan Roberts, Student; MacKena Baker, Student;and Charli Stegal, student

Kiwanis heard from board members, chaperones and students who particpate in our Sisiter Cities program with Kakuda, Japan.  The Sister Cities program began in 1990 when Mayor Keith McClarnon traveled to Kakuda Japan to visit city officials and company officials from Kehin.  Since then over 300 people have traveled to Kakuda from Greenfield and an equal number of Japanese students have visited Greenfield. 
Each of the students related their experiences and impressions of travel and Japan..  One noted that her host family consisted of four generations living under one roof.  All complimented the Japanese culture of hospitality.  Another noted that they sat on the floor to eat.  All were grateful that many Japanese speak English better than they speak Japanese. 
For information on becoming involved with the program or to join their Facebook page go to http://www.sistercitiesofgreenfield.org. 

Time to ReMEMBER

When you joined Kiwanis it is probably because another member asked you to join them in our fun.  It  is time ReMEMBER who your freinds are and invite them to join us in all our fun.

Amber Semersheim, Hancock County Community Fdn.

Amber Semersheim, Advancement Officer for Hancock County Community Foundation told Kiwanis about the over 270 funds totaling over $37.5 million that the Foundation stewards.  2017 was the 25th year of the Foundation's service to the County, 

The foundation provides funding for more than scholarships to those entering college,   The Imagination Library program will provide an age appropriate book to all qualifying children who are residents of Hancock County. Books are delivered monthly to the home, and in the name, of the enrolled child…in other words, children will receive their very own book from the time their parents register them until the enter school.  The Foundation also has funds for Women's Resource Center, Love INC., and many other community organizations.

There are many funds and and ways to contribute to the Foundation.  For more information see givehcgrowhc.org.

State Senator Mike Crider

Kiwanis President Barb Kauchak witn Senator Mike Crider

Indiana State Senator Mike Crider spoke to Kiwanis about his roles in the Indiana State Senate and his background before seeking elected office.  Mike grew up in Shirley and attended Eastern Hancock schools.  He was accepted after school into the Conservation Officer program of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. He retired from that position and became Security Director for Hancock Regional Hospital and then sought his current seat in the Indiana Senate.  He was elected in 2002 and has now served in six legislative sessions. 
Mike spoke of his security experience at the Hospital as having been a good training for his legislative career, in that he experienced the beginning of the opiate crisis first hand in the emergency rooms of the hospital. 
He chairs the Homeland Security and Transportation committees.  He is the ranking member of the Veteran Affairs committee.  He is a member of Mental Health, Appropriations, and Rules committees.  He was author of  Jenny's Law which changed the stature of limitations on rape.  He also introduced a bill that required 5,396 unprocessed sexual assault kits be processed and the results be checked against a felony DNA database.  The bill passed during 2018. 
Senator Crider represents the 28th Senate District, he is married and has two sons. He lives in Hancock County and also represents parts of Marion and Shelby counties.