Kiwanis Club of South Bakersfield

A Brief History

 

1966        Mel Khachigian                Club began. Met at Holiday Inn at White Lane. Two major programs started that continue to today--Handicapped class lamb at kern County Fair and Pennies for Pines. Our first fundraiser--selling road flares.  Lt. Gov. Ernie Wattenbarger, now the oldest living LG in Division.  Went to Exeter for 1^st out of division interclub

 

1967            Gene Krause Major service project was planning a friendship tour for four foreign students (Japan, Iran, Belgium, Venezuela).  Out of division interclub to Lancaster for Sheepherders Brawl.  Still selling flares and a night at community theater.

 

1968            Rex Reed (now deceased) Met at Sir George's Smorgasbord aka Okie Frijoli. Contributed $240.50 to Penny for Pines--check returned-could only donate $68 at a time.  Hosted Frederick Fechner, Vice-consul of Germany.  Harvey took students on a tour of Europe.  Sold U.S. flags for fundraiser. Sponsored city schools track meet.

 

1969            Jim Lovegreen (now deceased) The Gestation Year   This was the year we lost the most members--down to 14. First year we sponsored a circus for our fundraiser. High point of year was the de-installation of the President.  District convention was in Bakersfield.

 

1969-70    Harvey Brockmeyer   Begin the year of club reconstruction.  Had 10 months of perfect attendance.  Moved luncheon to Hodels on Olive Drive almost overnight when manager of the joint stole all of the money and place went bankrupt.  Luncheon price was $2.00.  Harvey personally brought in five new members. Organized the South High Key Club.  Again the circus.

 

1970-71    Tim Heard (now a member of Lions) A great story teller.  Club attended church as a group at church of our member Rev.W. H. Randle. Held our first Kern Canyon cleanup with Key club. Moved to Holiday Inn.  Greatest accomplishment: obtaining the resignation of Jim Lovegreen. Probably the last year of the circus.  Took too much flack because of the boiler room operation to sell tickets.

 

1971-72    Orlando Wahl   Moved from Holiday Inn to Casa Royale. Celebrated 50^th anniversary of Kiwanis International.  Fundraiser included first rummage sale and first Christmas tree lot and then Fireworks stand.  Had first Lt. Governor from our club. Organized the Cal State Bakersfield Circle K Club.  Hosed 30 bankers from Japan.  Had a year of prefect attendance and 10 new members (30).  The clubs first Lt. Governor was Mel Khachigian.

 

1972-73    Bob Cohn  (now deceased) Fundraiser was Halloween Candy.  Also fireworks stand. Involvement with "winners Circle" a drug rehab program. We were instrumental in obtaining a state grant in the amount of $25,000 for Winners Circle program

 

1973-74    Fred Haynes/Alan Munoz Begin with Fred who resigned because of heart condition.  Fireworks stand jointly with Lions club.  Casa Royale raised our meal price form $2.25 to $2.75.   Khachigian went to District convention to invite to Bakersfield--our competition was Hawaii.

 

1974-75   Mel McClanahan   (moved to Westchester club, now deceased)   Fireworks, Christmas Tree The club sponsored a big football clinic with Mel's son Brent, a Minnesota Viking.

 

1975-76    Don Norwood  (now deceased) Continued fireworks and started Halloween candy sales.

 

1976-77    Herb Nealy   Moved to Rodeway Inn. Fundraisers included fireworks, Halloween candy, Giant coloring books, and the now infamous Art Auction.

 

1977-78    Carl Bryan  (Now member of Westchester club)  Moved to Milt's IronHorse.  Continued with fireworks, coloring books.  Revived the South High Key Club. We cleaned up historical markers District convention was held in Bakersfield.  Mel chaired and Carl presided over the interclub luncheon.

 

1978-79 Tessve Wossne (now deceased)

 

1979-80 George Lartigue  Lt. Governor Harvey Brockmeyer

 

1980-81    Bob Ruiz (location unknown) Had flying interclub with Barstow Kiwanis club.  President had a brand new flying license but he still landed in the wrong direction on the runway.

 

1981-82    Ralph Bartel (Now a Rotarian) Moved to Freddies at Airport. Painted the Boys Club.  Held the Great American Garage Sale (at the Kern County fair grounds).  Raised the club dues from $25 to $30

 

1982-83   Rudy Arambula              Great American garage sale.  Out of division interclub at Lake Havisu. Also the year of the great "Mono-cycle duathon."

 

1983-84    John Begg  (working in Los Angeles) Moved meeting to Hodels at Valley Plaza and then moved again to Ramada Inn (now the Best Western at Buck Owens Blvd.) Belt buckle project started. Made $26,000 and then went on spending spree: ($1100 to Alliance for Family Violence and  $1500 for car seats for kids).  Sponsored team in little league.  Helped build the toilet at CALM.  Established the Rex Reed Scholarship.  Re-established Key Club at South High.

 

1984-85    Nelson Howard  (missing) Ramada Inn Raised another $20,000.  New buckle.  Reestablished Circle at CSB. First contribution toward Rose Float. Re-constructed the Tot Lot at Jamison Center.  Projects included community connection for child care, Kiwanis Krapper at CALM, Salvation Army Bell ringing, Builders club at Actis Jr. high.

 

1985-86    Paul Poor  (now member of Oildale) Ramada became Kern River Inn then moved back to Hodels valley plaza. Belt Buckle sales continued. $21,000. Begin CALM BBQ.  Contributed toward Jameson Center track. Received Beautiful Bakersfield Award in civic non-profit section. Sold Kern County Gold buckle for $8500 at Jr. Livestock auction and contributed half back to them.  BobKapler now a part of our environment. Sponsored Foothill High Keywanette.  Chartered Circle K club at CSB.  Celebrated our 20^th anniversary.

 

1986-87    Stan Grady   First year for KCAC BBQ.  Continued with Jameson Center.  Started Safe Halloween Program. Donated $2000 for bike path. Organizing Key Club at West High. First year of BBQ for Special Olympics.

 

1987-88    Mike Allen (now a Rotarian) Back to Hodels valley plaza.  Belt buckles, autism BBQ, Kern Fair buckle were fund raisers.  Helped start Golden Empire Kiwanis Club.  Assisted in the Police Olympics.                  Carl Bryan was Lt. Governor.

 

1988-89    Tom Johnson   Belt buckles, KCAC, Bowlathon.  Participated in Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.  Had fish taco BBQ by Rudy at Tom's.  Contributed to Earthquake relief in Armenia.

 

1989-90     Ken Svendsen  Major fund raiser was the commemorative ornament.  Memorable was the 75^th Anniversary of Kiwanis International

 

1990-91    Roger Riley  Belt Buckle and fines were fundraiser supported Jim Turner for Governor-elect.

 

1991-92    Chuck Cunningham  (now a member of East Bakersfield club) Moved to Maison Jausaud Hodels closed valley location.  Fundraiser included sale of hot dogs at a developer’s open house.  Projects included tree planting in Rosedale area.  Easter baskets for kids. Bell ringing, Special Olympics, CALM, caroling and safe Halloween continued as projects.  Had baby shower for Karen.  Had super round robin in first week of the new year.

 

1992-93    Karen Sturgeon  Moved from Jausands to Petroleum Club (downtown).  Christmas ornaments and belt buckles. Worst fundraiser this year was garage sale made $130. Nominated Randy Domingues for Nathan Hale award at district convention.

 

1993-94    Mike Ellison  (now with Westchester club)     Oildale corn booth and fines were greatest fund raiser.  Cancer Survivors Picnic

 

1994-95    David Bonderov     Old Petroleum club to New Petroleum club.  Raised funds for Autism.  Best project: valued enhancement.  Also did yard for shut-in.  Calm special Olympics and cotton candy.  Major membership roundup from 24 to 36 members. Tom Johnson was Lt. Governor

 

1995-96    Karla Jadwin    The year of the red garter. Celebrated 30 years anniversary with three charter presidents in attendance along with the Pink Panther Governor.  Reverse drawing and belt buckles were fund raisers.  Also KCAC.  Spin the Wheel and "Fairy Bucks" were the highlight of the year.

 

1996-97   Fillmore Bender  Established the South Bakersfield Foundation with a generous contribution and begins the Laura and Harvey Brockmeyer Scholarship program. Contributed the Bakersfield Centennial tote bag.

 

1997-98    Bob Winchester   Moved to Sizzler at the Ice House.  Major fund raiser was the KCAC BBQ, Sale of entertainment books and the reverse drawing. Selected the first recipients of the Laura and Harvey Brockmeyer Scholarship. Volunteers for the Christmas cottage. Rudy Arambula was Lt. Governor.

 

1998-99    George Semchak  District Convention in Bakersfield. Mel Chaired and George chaired interclub luncheon. Fundraiser included selling t-shirts and other nasty stuff at Centennial Garden for which we never got paid. Other fund raisers included the New dart throw and Jewelry Sales.

 

1999-00   Sid Unruh   Moved to Petroleum Club on Truxtun.  Lost the President's gavel and has yet to find it.  That will be his legacy.

 

2000-01 Tammy Lodermeier  President Tammy’s year was noted by the following outstanding service projects: Bell Ringers at Mervyn’s - 12/9; 2000 Christmas Family Party –12/15; Div. 33 Total K Day at CALM – 2/17; CALM 18^th Birthday Food Booth – 4/12; and Picnic for Patriots with Roy Ashburn & Carl Sparks as speakers – 9/16. Also, President Tammy was awarded with the following: South Club’s 5^th Life Membership Status - 12/21; Div. 33’s 1^st DKA at Governors Tom Vildibill visit – 3/15; and South Club’s 1^st William A. Dunlap Fellowship - 7/19. The South Club ranked 2^nd in Div. 33’s Community Service hours with 92/member or 1,976 total hours. The Community Service Dollars amounted to $209/member or $4,397 total.

 

2001-02 Keith Brice   Keith was installed by then Lt. Governor Robert McDaniel. Some notable projects are as follows:

• Held the first and last Patriot’s picnic with featured speakers being Sheriff Carl Sparks and Assemblyman Roy Ashburn.
• Changed our club meeting day from Friday to Tuesday in attempt to increase membership and attendance.
• Had a very successful fundraising project, the whale watching weekend.
• Started Christmas box program of Samaritan’s Purse.
• Held the first Charter Luncheon (breaking from traditional evening program).
• Program music was being provided by Dennis Hamm.
• K-Day project was clean up Harvey and Laura Brockmeyer’s house. Harvey recently had a stroke.
• Assisted for the first time Special Olympics Bocce Ball project.

2002-03 Nathan Maragoni   Major service projects: Highway cleanup, Special Olympics, Pediatric trauma and the SBK Foundation scholarship program. Successful fundraisers were the coupon books and the Miracle Mile Network pledges.

 

2003-04 Richard Kerr   Major service projects: Children's Miracle Network, Christmas family. Easter baskets and the SBK Foundation scholarship program. Most sucessful fund raisers were the garage sale and entertainment books. Richard, as President, was very active with the South High Key Club.

 

2004-05 Gary Greer   Major service projects: Christmas family, Bakersfield Memorial Hospital - Wee pee program, Easter baskets and the SBK Foundation scholarship. Major fundraiser - fire works booth. During Gary's year Connie Selgrath earned Distinguished Member Award, she recruited two new members, participated in at least two service projects and attended a mid winter and district convention.