Meet Your Kiwanians

Barb and Bernie Campbell introduced themselves as the newest Kiwanians in the Tuesday Meet Your Kiwanian program.  Barb and Bernie are both natives of northern Indiana.  Barb is a native of Kewana and graduated from Rochester High School.  Bernie is a native of Gary Indiana and graduated from Merrillville High School.  

Barb had careers in Banking with Merchants Bank, Education with Mt. Vernon, and Technology with Mt. Veron before starting her current  career with an Educational testing organization NWEA.  Her first marriage was to a firefighter who was killed in the Indianapolis Athletic Club fire.  

Bernie graduated from Ball State University with a Business Education degree.  He taught and was later an administrator at Mount Vernon schools.  He met Barb while at Mt. Vernon schools.  They married and blended her family of 1 daughter with his family of 3 children.  

Both shared some of the adversities that they have been through in life which they believe all people suffer but they chose to be a survivor rather than a victim.  Both are involved in with the Community Foundation.  Bernie is the Volunteer Youth Board Coordinator with the Foundation,  He is also a member of the Hancock County Sheriff's Merit Board, and is a volunteer with Hope House.  They attend Park Chapel Christian Church.

Kiwanis Christmas Party

Scot and Karen Kleine in their Christmas finery

Michelle Spriggs and Donna Owen illuminated the festivities

President Barb Kauchak and Marcy presented Chresha with her Christmas present

David Crider displays his "prize lingerie"  he won in the charity auction

Steve Burt holds the last Easter Candy Carrot he "won"

Bernie and Pam Campbell were the most successful bidders in the charity auction.  Bernie is holding a nutcracker.

Greenfield Firefighters Cadet

Firefighters Corey Breese and Brett Towle 

The Greenfield Fire Territory Cadet program was established 10 years ago with 5 students.  Ten year later there are 17 students in the program representing students from all the county high schools.  Corey Breese and Brett Towle, firefighters from the Greenfield Fire Territory described the Cadet program and answered questions for Kiwanis,

The program begins each year during the first week of school and lasts until the last week of school with the Senior night program.  The cadets meet the first and thirds Thursdays of each month.  The program is an opportunity for the students to learn about the operations of the Fire department and determine if it might be a potential career choice. 

The cadet program is open to all students who are 15years of age or older, complete an essay, have recommendation from a teacher or guidance counselor,  maintain a 2.0 or better grade average, and complete an agility test.  The cadets train each month learning the use and proper location of equipment, how to take vital signs, and CPR.  They also train in search and rescue.  In May of each year the cadets participate in Hero competitions with other cadets.  Greenfield is currently the defending champion of the Hero Competition. 

Hancock Hospice Care

Katherine Murray, Bereavement and Chaplain at Hancock Hospice Care with Kiwanis President Barb Kauchak

Katherine Murray of Hancock Hospice Care spoke Kiwanis about Hospice Care and the Hospice Unit at Hancock Regional Hospital.   Hospice is medical care provided to individuals face a life-limiting illness.  Hospice also provides support to the families of those individuals.Hancock Regional Hospice has serving Hancock and surrounding counties since 1996.  

Hancock Regional Hospital, provides service at your home or under the care of the compassionate hospice staff  24 hours a day, every day of the year. And we provide hospice services regardless of your ability to pay. Services include:

• Nursing and medical services
• Symptom management and relief
• Family support and education
• Caregiver respite services for up to 5 days a month
• Homemaking services
• Nutritional counseling
• Social work services
• Grief and emotional support
• Spiritual care

For more information see www.hancockregionalhospital.org/healthcare-services/hospice-care/  or call  (317) 468-4522.

Sandy Miller's China Adventure

Sandy Miller, a Kiwanian told the club members of her land and cruise trip to the Republic of China. Her trip included visits to the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, Tibet, the Ming Tombs, Tiananmen Square, The Three Gorges Dam, Weehan, and Shanghai. 
The trip to the Great Wall required a 2-mile trek to get up to the wall and of course a 2-mile trek back down. Tiananmen Square is large enough to accommodate one million people. She also remarked on a hotel oxygen lounge that provides 50% more concentrated oxygen than in the rest of the hotel, the densely populated cities, the smog in Weehan, and that Shanghai was like New York City on steroids. While in China she was served Chicken feet, Pig, noodles, opera cake, and Peking Duck.

Season of Sharing

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Scott Kleine,Kevin Selmier, Bob Gullion and Dan Riley with the last load from Greenfield Intermediate Schhol.

The Season of Sharing began for Greenfield Intermediate School.  The school Builder's Club  collected food for the Hancock County Food Pantry.  A work crew from Kiwanis picked up the food and transported it to the Food Pantry.  Aside from our regular weekly collection, the Food Pantry could use your special gifts at this time of  year.

Greenfield Youth Baseball Association

Kiwanis President Barb Kauchak with Greenfield Youth Baseball Association Board Member, Greg Roland

Greenfield Youth Baseball Association is an organization providing baseball opportunities for youth ages 7 Minor to Senior League for ages 15-18. For many years the GYBA has practiced and played at Riley Park on a limited number of fields.  The Greenfield-Central School system and Greenfield Parks entered into reciprocal leases whereby the school received a lease Mary Moore Park near the high school and Parks received  one on a 28 acre plot near Greenfield-Central Junior High.  That plot now known as Franklin Park is being developed into a baseball complex with 12 fields, a 5,000 square foot multipurpose building, playgrounds, shelters, a 350 car parking lot, and walking trails.
The Indiana Bandits Travel Baseball joined forces with GYBA and they currently have 8 fields partially complete.  They hope to start playing on the fields in the spring of 2018.  They need additional funds and volunteers.  For more information go to Facebook GYBA.

Meals on Wheels

Katherine Vahle, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels with Kiwanis President Barb Kauchak

Kathleen Vahle, Executive, Director of Meals on Wheels of Hancock County, spoke to Kiwanis about the mission and programs of Meals on Wheels. Meals are prepared for the elderly, those with disabilities, people who are unable to prepare meals for themselves, and those recovering from illness or surgery. Deliveries occur from Monday through Friday. There are options to receive short term or long term 2 to 5 times per week. Each client may receive one hot meal and one cold meal each day. More than 300,000 meals will have been delivered since 2001 by the end of the year 2017. Currently, there are about 900 deliveries per month.

Volunteers deliver nearly 20,000 meals per year to over 120 clients spending over 200 hours making 700 deliveries each month,. There are volunteers who also prepare and pack meals. The meals cost $7.50 per day with subsidies available on a schedule based on household income. The total budget of $147,000 is subsidized by about $23,000. The subsidies come from grants, the hospital, and fundraisers. A fundraiser by the Hawk's Tail Men's Golf Association will be held from Saturday, December 8th at noon until Sunday, December 9 at noon,

For more information call 317.477.4345 or go to MealsonWheelsOnline.org.

Kiwanis Halloween Party

Dan and Becky Riley were a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll.

Pumpkin decoration contest entries

Terry Beagle as one of the 40 dwarfs

Marcy Hoffman as a giraffe

Benie and Barb Campbell costume award winners

Welcome New Members

President Barb Kauchak and sponsor Pam Hayes induct new members  Barb and Bernie Campbell

Bernie and Barb Campbell later won the Halloween Costume contest.

Habitat for Humanity

Joel Reichenbach of Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity spoke to Kiwanis about the organization and the home they are building on Tague street in Indianapolis.  Their mission is stated as "seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. We envision a world where everyone has a decent place to live."

 

 Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity has served 875 families.  81 families have paid off their mortgage.  Each family is required to qualify for a mortgage and go through home ownership and financial management classes.  Once qualified they must perform 300 hours of sweat equity along with the Habitat team.  When they accept the house they are liable for the assessed fair market value of the home on a 0% mortgage. 

The house being built on Tague street in Greenfield is the second one in Greenfield.  Partners in building it include Willow Branch United Methodist Church, Elanco, the Fire Department and others.  The projects are funded through the mortgages, donations, and proceeds from the Restore retail operation,  To find more information about Indy Habitat go to http://indyhabitat.org/

NCAA

Carol Roland, Assitant Director of Travel and Insurance for the National Collegiate Athletic Association told Kiwanians about the the history and current operations of the NCAA.  She has been with the NCAA for 18 years and also is the scoring bookkeeper for the Greenfield-Central boy's basketball team. 

The NCAA represents 1,123 colleges and universities, 98 voting athletic conferences, and 39 affiliated sports organizations,  There are three divisions of the member schools.  Division 1 represents larger schools with a median enrollment of 9,743 undergraduate students.  1 in 25 Div 1 students are athletes, 56% receive athletic aid.  Div 2 schools have a median enrollment of 2,540 students with 1 in 11 students being athletes.  60% of Div 2 athletes receive athletic aid.   Div 3 has a median enrollment of 1,766 students.  1 in 6 Div 3 students are athletes and none receive athletic aid.  Div 3 has the highest graduation rate among athletes at 87%.

The NCAA insurance programs provide a variety of coverage for sports related injury and disability.  The travel programs are responsible for contracts, credit cards, reimbursement of expenses, and reviewing expense reports.  The travel arranged for all NCAA tourneys including the Final Four.  For more information see ncaa.org

James Whitcomb Riley

Barb Kauchak, Kiwanis President and Chris Mize, Museum Manager

James Whitcomb Riley Museum and Home (Lockerbie Street, Indianapolis)

Chris Mize, Museum Manager James Whitcomb Riley Museum and Home told of the life of James Whitcomb Riley at 528 Lockerbie in Indianapolis.  Riley shared the home with the owners of the house John and Charlotte Nickum and  their son-in-law and daughter Charles and Magdalena Holstein.  Riley lived there from 1893 until his death on July 22, 1916.  The 23 years Riley resided with on Lockerbie were some of his most productive years financially.  
Barb Kauchak presented a collection of memorabilia from here years at Clemens Vonnegut Public School #9 which annually participated in the celebration of Riley's birthday.  School 9 was in the Lockerbie area,

kiwanis picnic at Nameless Creek

Denny Chtruck has 48  birthday bags collected for the Food Pantry

David Spencer and his lovely assistants entertained with David illusions

Scott Kleine honored for his many works

The 4th annual Kiwanis Picnic at Nameless Creek Youth Camp was a success.  The food was great and we enjoyed the entertainment orchestrated  by the committee of Barb Kauchak, MarcyHoffmanm, Martie Crider, and Julie Dishman.  The Facebook page has 43 photographs.
CLICK FOR KIWANIS FACEBOOK PAGE

Key Club makes Birthday Bags

Greenfield-Central Key Club members created birthday bags for the Hancock County Food Pantry. Pictured are club members Vanessa Van Essen, Evan Allender, and Aly Ledford.

Elanco Global Hunger Initiative

Noel Paul, Global Leader Elanco Corporate Responsibility

Noel Paul, a Global Leader in Corporate Responsibility at Elanco spoke to Kiwanis about their Global Hunger Initiative.  The Initiative hopes to further the shared values of business values and societal values to enure nutritious food is accessible and affordable to all.   The Companionship cause is focused on supporting the bond between humans and animals. 
Elanco's charitable and philanthropic contribution over the last 10 years is $7,669,383 through the Lilly Foundation.  72 communities worldwide have been impacted through the food security program.  35, 605 livestock animals were funded through Heifer International.  1.3 million eggs were donated to 108,300 families across 5 states through 16 food banks in the United States.  For further information see elanco.com.

Water Color Artist, Cathleen Huffman

Cathleen Huffman, Local Artist, told Kiwanis about Indiana's historic grain bins that she captures in water color paintings.  The oldest elevated  grain bins date to the 1850's are are wooden frame storage and were spaced about 10 miles apart adjacent to railroad tracks.   She completed over 60 water colors of grain elevators as part of her officially licensed Indiana Bi-Centennial legacy project and has been endorsed by Indiana Landmarks and Hancock County Landmarks.  For further information see cathleenhuffman.com/grain-elevators.html.

Pioneer Cemeteries

 

Marciann McClarnon Miller, Hancock County Pioneer Cemetery Commission, informed Kiwanis of the status of the 92 pioneer cemeteries in the 8 townships in Hancock County. 

 The Hancock County Cemetery Commission was established in 2001. . The Hancock County Cemetery Commission is responsible for cemeteries where::

·         no funds or sources of funds for reasonable maintenance are available

·         a cemetery has suffered neglect and deterioration

·         the cemetery may be burial grounds for Indiana pioneers and/or veterans of an American war

·         the cemetery was established before 1850.The Hancock County Cemetery Commission was established in 2001 to restore and preserve pioneer cemeteries.

Although the Township Trustees are responsible for maintenance of cemeteries most can do no more than mow each cemetery 4 times per year.  Many of the cemeteries have stones that need repair which costs a  minimum of $200 per stone.  The commission receives only $1500 from the county but does receive money in grants from the Ninestar.

‘If you are interested in preservation of our cemeteries see the Facebook Page for the Cemetery Commision or see the Hancock County Governmennt  pages  http://www.hancockcoingov.org/hancock-county-indiana-cemetery-board. 

Plug Into Nature (PIN) CampMartha H

Martha Haynes, PIN Camp Director and Barb Kauchak, Kiwanis President-Elect

Martha Haynes told Kiwanians about the Plug Into Nature (PIN) Camp. that began in 2011 at Nameless Creek Youth Camp.  The camp serves 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Hancock County students.  In 2017, fifty students were served, 25 boys and 25 girls.  6 counselors, high school juniors and seniors assist with the camp  
The camp runs from 9 am to 4 pm, daily for one week. The camp begins the Monday following the 4th of July.  The camp consists of arts and crafts, nature hikes, organized games, songs, and lunch.  Each day a different specialist came to speak including a naturalist, outdoor cooking expert, and a fire safety expert.
For information about next year's camp contact Martha Haynes, Camp Director at bm101011@comcast.net

 

Brandywine Creek Farms

In late 2015, Jonathan and Amanda Lawler began exploring the idea of turning their for profit farm into an organization that donates produce to the feeding the food insecure in their community.  They realized the need for such an operation after speaking with numerous organizations in Central Indiana.   After investing their personal finances into getting started, Jonathan and Amanda formed Brandywine Creek Farms. In our first season we grew 211 tons of produce, approximately 411,000 pounds.  BCF then partnered with Gleaners Food Bank, Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen and The Flanner House of Indianapolis and other organizations to assist with distribution.
In 2016 they grew over 420,000 pounds.  In 2017 they have 32,000 tomato plants, 14,000 pepper plants, 6,000 cucumber plants and after feeding the deer they have 800 kale plants left.  Brandywine has 4 locations ncluding urban farms in Indianapolis.  One third of their crop is donated and much of it is marketed at affordable access markets.  BCF partners with Hancock Regional Hospital to provide fresh, local produce at convenient locations at a reasonable price. To see times and locations go to http://www.hancockregionalhospital.org/healthy365/
For more information on Brandywine Creek Farms go to http://www.brandywinecreekfarms.org/
 

Hubert Nolan, Hope Center

Information on the Hope Center for Victims of Sex Trafficking was presented by Hubert Nolan at the July 25, 2017 meeting.  The center began its startup in March 2016 to support women recovering from being victimized.  They provide education, food, shelter and mental health services.

Hope Center is located on the grounds of the Marion County Home, formerly being used as a home for orphans.  Brookville Community Church along with Brandywine Community Church started sharing ideas and it has expanded to other area churches for professionals and volunteers to move forward. 

The center will house women ages 18 to 30 and provide counseling, education and training.  There will be computer training, complete greenhouses, a clothing boutique, beauty salon, coffee shop and pet hotel.

The advantages of the center will be used to assist these women not only with their restoration and transition, but will give them practical training and job experiences through the center’s working business and shops, helping prepare them for a better life.

The center will also assist women who are brought to the United States to become laborers in restaurants and massage parlors.  It is estimated that the United States will become the largest country in the world for this type of trafficking.

For more information on the Hope Center, please visit hopecenterindy.com.

HRH Tobacco Coaliton

Brandee Bastin and her daughter Brenna.

Brandee Bastin, Tobacco Initiative Coordinator for Hancock Regional Hospital Foundation spoke to Greenfield Kiwanis about the new types of tobacco products being pushed to youth as "safe" alternatives to cigarettes.
The Hancock County Tobacco Free Coalition's priorities are:

1. Build strong community and statewide partnerships

2. Decrease youth smoking rates and Increase youth activism

3. Decrease adult smoking rates

4. Increase proportion of Hoosiers not exposed to secondhand smoke

 

Combustible tobacco products are cigarettes, cigars, and pipes.  Chew and snuff products are used without combustion.    

 

A relatively new product is dissolvable tobacco.  Varieties include strips, sticks,orbs and compressed tobacco lozenges. They are smoke and spit free, are held together by food-grade binders and look similar to a breath mint or candy.

 

The e-cigarette is a battery-powered device that contains a cartridge filled with nicotine, flavor and other chemicals. The ecigarrette is not a tobacco product but a nicotine delivery system.  Over 7000 flavors are available.

 

Hookah is a pipe used to smoke Shisha, a combination of tobacco and fruit or vegetable that is heated and the smoke is filtrated through water.  

The two main types of smokeless tobacco in the United States are chewing tobacco and snuff. Chewing tobacco comes in the form of loose leaf, plug, or twist.   While this is not a new product, the candy flavorings available are marketing it to youth.  

For more information you may contact her at (317) 468-4162 or bbastin@hancockregional.org

Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame

Rick Goodwin and Col. Russell Dowden, Jr. (Ret)

Col. Russell Dowden, Jr. (Ret)  and Rick Goodwin spoke to Kiwanis about the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame (IMVHOF), that was founded in 2013.  Dowden serves as chair of the Hall of Fame and Goodwin was one of the first inductees into the Hall of Fame in 2014.  Goodwin is  1965 graduate from Greenfield High School and currently resides with his wife in Greenfield.

The IMVHOF’s stated objective is “to publically emphasize the honor brought to our state and nation by the sacrifice of Indiana military veterans and their families.” On April 25, 2013, the Indiana House of Representatives and the Indiana Senate recognized the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame organization. Indiana follows only a handful of other states who have established similar organizations.

The year 2014 marked the first induction of Hoosier Veterans into the Hall of Fame. Nominations came from all corners of the state and reflected contributions made by military veterans from World War II through the current engagements in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Colonel Dowden was a Distinguished Military Graduate from Arkansas State in 1962 with a BS in Accounting and a commission in the Field Artillery. He has served in positions of command and staff throughout the Army and around the world, to include small unit command in the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam, command of the 7th Finance Group in Saudi Arabia during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and Commandant of the U.S. Army Finance School. His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart, and our nation's third highest award for valor in combat: the Silver Star.  He was inducted into the Arkansas Military Veterans Hall of Fame in 2011. 

Col. Dowden introduced Rick Dowden with the service event that he received his nomination for the Hall of Fame:

On 14 February 1966 Second Lieutenant Dowden was serving as leader of a forward observer party when his company received intense hostile fire from a well-fortified Viet Cong force. Dauntlessly, Lieutenant Dowden exposed himself to the intense hostile fire to effectively direct the return fire of his men and counterattack the insurgents. During the course of the mission a claymore mine was detonated which severely wounded his company commander. Although painfully wounded himself, Lieutenant Dowden went to the aid of his commander, and attempted to shield him from intense sniper fire. While rendering first aid, a second claymore mine was detonated, severely injuring Lieutenant Dowden.

The Silver Star was awarded to Richard E. Goodwin for gallantry in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 14 May 1969. Lieutenant Goodwin distinguished himself while serving as executive officer, Company G, 3rd Battalion (Airmobile), 187th Infantry during an assault on Dong Ap Bia Mountain. As the battle began, Lieutenant Goodwin’s unit came under heavy automatic weapons fire, wounding him in the wrist and forearm. He refused medical attention and evacuation while supervising the extraction of the wounded members of his company. Despite the disabling nature of his own wounds, Lieutenant Goodwin repeatedly braved the hostile enemy fire to move the most seriously wounded men to protected positions for evacuation. His actions were an inspiration to his men and instrumental in reducing the severity of casualties. Lieutenant Goodwin’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

The Hall of Fame’s building is currently under construction on the former Ft. Benjamin Harrison property in Lawrence and scheduled to open this fall.  For further information or to make a donation go to imvhof.com.