Spring Membership Round Up

Denny and Evie Chapman, Kiwanis Membership Chairs

Greenfield Kiwanis hosted 23 prospective members at their spring membership round up.  The  round up was chaired by Denny and Evie Chapman.   The prospects an explanation of what Kiwanis is and does from Dan Riley, Susie Billings, and Tom Billings.  Carol Landes, Jill Null, Jim Hall, Dave Willis, Nancy Ferdon, and Denny Chapman spoke about the personal value of their Kiwanis membership. 

Dan Riley told of the history of Kiwanis International, the projects, and six permanent objects.  He summed it up by saying that Kiwanis is global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at time.

Susie Billings explained the club organization, officers, dues, and affiliated youth organizations.  The club sponsors the Greenfield-Central Key Club, Greenfield Central Junior High Builders Club, the Maxwell Intermediate K-Kids, and the Greenfield Intermediate K-Kids.  She also explained that there are no penalties for missing meetings or mandatory meal charges.

Tom Billings explained the club fund raising projects and projects that are supported.  Fund raising projects are Christmas Poinsettias, Easter Carrots, Butler Concessions, Plaza Entertainment Concessions,  and Christmas Santa House.   Children/Youth programs supported include Riley Children’s Hospital,  3 Senior Scholarships of $1,000 each, 4-H, Boys and Girls Club, Children’s Theatre and Nameless Creek Youth Camp.  Other local charities include the Hancock County Food Pantry, Arts Council, Women Helping Women, Spelling Bee, Mental Health, Butler Soup Kitchen, Senior Services, Meals on Wheels and Sister City. 

New members will be initiated on June 5.  Anyone interested in Kiwanis membership is invited to attend any meeting on Tuesday evening at 5:45 p.m., at the Ponderosa Steakhouse, 1585 North State Street, Greenfield.

County Extension Educator

Roy Ballard (center) answers questions from Kiwanian Denny Chapman (left) and Dan Riley.

Roy Ballard, County Agent with the Purdue Extension Office, spoke to Kiwanis. He explained that the County Agent is a very busy person who deals with many programs and promotes activities such as Health and Human Sciences, 4-H, Master Gardener Program, SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education), Farmers Market, Agri-tourism and working with the Hancock County Solid Waste Management to mention just a few. He answers questions from people about lawn care, pesticides, tree problems and how to get rid of moles (you don’t). He advises farmers on organic farming. He advised a way to save Ash trees (expensive but worth it for a tree on your lot but probably not cost efficient for whole woods). Contact him at the Extension Office for further details. He told that there is a new federal law which will certify and audit all farmers as Safe Producers of safe food. For questions or more details contact Roy Ballard at RBallard@purdue.edu.