Superintendent reports on schools to Kiwanis

The superintendent of Wilkes County schools presented an exceptionally enthusiastic program about her school system to the Kiwanis club on Tuesday, January 26. Dr. Rosemary Cadell showed and explained slides showing how Wilkes County schools are now well above the surrounding counties, including Columbia, in several measurable areas. She said that the data on which her report was based will be on the system's web site in a few days.

Kiwanian at Taj Mahal

a security risk?



Rich and [Kiwanian] Gale Seibert took the first News-Reporter of the New Year 2010 to the entrance to the Taj Mahal but the guards would not let them take the newspaper inside the complex. “It is too dangerous!!” they said. This News-Reporter is 8,048 miles from home.

Jan 19, 2010 - Relay for Life

Two leaders of the local Relay for Life organization told the Kiwanis Club on Tuesday, January 19, their plans for this year's Relay for Life activities. After introduction by Bill Boyd, program host for the day, Mary Elizabeth Burdette and LaVonda Tanner talked about the American Cancer Society's annual fund raiser "Relay for Life" generally and local plans for the event on May 7th and 8th. They told of previous results of the drive and of goals for this year's efforts, noting that in 2009 $60,000 was raised from a goal of $50,000 and this year's goal is $55,000. They asked club members to volunteer to help with the survivor dinner, fund raising, and parking cars, for examples.  

Car club presents donations to local groups

The members of Memory Lane Cruisers donated money to support several Wilkes County organizations and services last week. Pictured with outgoing president David McClearen (at right) are Laura Houpt and Pat Niemann, Wills Memorial Hospital Auxiliary; Lillie Crowe, [Kiwanis club VP] Mary Willis Library; Ryan Burton and C. J. Gilland, Washington Fire Dept; Dot Harris, Salvation Army; Dr. Randy Clayton, Washington-Wilkes Animal Shelter; and Blake Thompson, Wilkes EMS. McClearen said, “Thanks to our members’ hard work and the generosity of our local merchants who donate door prizes twice a year, we are able to make these donations to our local charities. We hope this will continue.” The car club raises funds by holding two annual Cruise-Ins every year – one in May and one in September – on The Square in Washington.

January 12, 2010 - Update on WMH Construction

The meeting of the Washington Kiwanis Club on Tuesday, January 12, featured an update on the current construction project at Wills Memorial Hospital by the hospital administrator, Marvin Goldman (right), after introduction by Ross Maynard (left), program host for the day. Goldman reviewed the history of the project, going  back several years to describe the financing of the 13+ million dollar project. He noted that if all desired construction had been included, the cost would have approached 30+ million dollars. Goldman also showed artist's pictures of the planned construction, which will be completed in about two years.