Meet Your Kiwanians

Louise Thompson and Stephanie Haines, New Kiwanis member

New Kiwanis members Louise Thompson and Stephanie Haines introduced themselves to Kiwanis.

Louise is a 17 year member of Kiwanis having been a member of the Portage, Indiana club before she move to Greenfield to be with her daughter's family which includes a 3 year old grandson. Louise also has a son who is completing his masters degree in Baltimore, Maryland.
Louise worked for Ivy Tech in northern Indiana and transferred to the Ivy Tech facility in Indianapolis.  She is currently working at the Ivy Tech New Castle facility.  She recently took classes and the exam for her real estate license and intends to affiliate with an agency in the near future to be a part time agent.
She volunteers with Kiwanis, Pennsy Trail, Hope House and the Humane Society. 

Stephanie Haines recently joined the club.  She is a native of Greenfield who now works for the Hancock County Public Library.  Stephanie works on the bookmobile and said she has gained a broader knowledge of literature including graphic novels, the Hamstersaurus Rex series, and the
Danny Dragonbreath book series.  She also is pursuing her Masters in Library Science and enjoying the lighter reading it provides.  For pleasure reading she has been reading the book Help me about a woman who read a self help book each month.  In addition to reading, Stephanie is a regular contributor to the Daily Reporter.  She shared a column she has written on Goat Yoga.  Her humorous column delighted the group.  
Welcome to our newest members, 

Meals on Wheels

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

Kathleen Vahle, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels (MOW) of Hancock County for the past 5 years, spoke to Kiwanis about the services provided in the county.  She noted that Kiwanis has been helping serve Meals on Wheels since 2001.  Currently there are 33 Kiwanis in the MOW data base.

In 2018, there were  134 clients locally with 900 to 1200 deliveries each month to service them.  Last year there were 12,358 deliveries.  Statewide in Indiana there are 23,462 clients who received over 2,000,000 meals last year.

On Fridays, weekend meals are delivered to 12 % of clients or 943 meals locally last year.

Future projects include replacing uncertain United Way funding and acquiring routing software to map delivery routes.  A new board member is also needed.

To learn more, volunteer or contribute go to the website www.mealsonwheelsonline.org.

Friends of the Theater

Barb Kauchak, Kiwanis President and Chris VeHorn, Friends of the Theater Board Member

In 2017, the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, a privately owned historic theater at 122 W. Main St. in Greenfield, lost its long-held county funding - a critical source of taxpayer support for the downtown performing arts venue. Fearing the doors might close, the local arts community came together to find a solution. And so, the Friends of the Theater was born.

Chris VeHorn, a Board Member of Friends of the Theater spoke to Kiwanis about the mission of the organization.  Chris Cota VeHorn's  involvement in community theater, both on stage and off, led her to become a part of the Friends of the Theater board. Chris is recently retired from a 31-year teaching career and currently flipping houses. She is excited to have a part in the preservation and maintenance of this wonderful asset in our community.

The H.J Ricks Centre for the Arts, formerly the Village Movie Theater, was donated to the community for civic purposes.  The theater is used by Crazy Lake Acting Company, George and Icy Vaughn Scholarship, Ricks Weil Theater Company, Kids Play, Inc., Wilkerson Dance Studio, and Dance East Ballet Co.    The Centre is also available for other purposes on a rental basis. 

The first three restoration projects are: Restoration and repair of the marquee sign which includes rewiring and replacing lighting with LED; fixing a buckling exterior wall; and replacing 45 chairs and repairing 100 chairs in the auditorium.  Much of the backstage area also needs painting . 

To support the restoration and maintenance efforts go to donorbox.org/theaterfriends .

Riley Old Home Society

Dave Crider, President of the Riley Old Home Society spoke to Kiwanis about current projects with the Society.  David joined the Board of the Society in 2013 and became President of the Society in 2016.
Crider oversaw the review and update of the the Bylaws of the Society and Operating agreement with the City of Greenfield.
Lizabuth Ann's Kitchen was a garage behind the old Mitchel home that now houses the Museum.  It was converted into a seasonal use space for meetings with a single bathroom and limited kitchen.  This occurred in the late 1970's almost 50 years ago. It was determined that a new facility with better seating capacity, two bathrooms, and up to date kitchen facilities should be built.  In the process it was determined that the new kitchen would be joined to the Museum in a way that would make the Museum ADA accessible.  The fundraising is nearing completion and the project should be completed in 2019.  Persons who wish to contribute to this project  can send their check to the Riley Old Home Society, P.O. Box 1068, Greenfield, Indiana  46140