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New Niagara-Wheatfield Kiwanis officers, from left, are Mary Dohm, Arlene Stallard, Danny Maerten, Susan Smith, Sara Sperrazza and Alice Attardo.
New Niagara-Wheatfield Kiwanis officers, from left, are Mary Dohm, Arlene Stallard, Danny Maerten, Susan Smith, Sara Sperrazza and Alice Attardo.
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Peaches to parade -- with an installation in between

by jmaloni
Thu, Nov 17th 2011 07:00 am

by Danny Maerten

The Kiwanis Club of Niagara-Wheatfield began September participating in the Lewiston Peach Festival, inducted its newest officers early in October and assisted in the Electric Lights Parade just before Halloween.

For the third consecutive year, the club sold mouth-watering peach-barbecued turkey legs (a sellout each year), refreshing peach slushies and fresh cooked sweet corn at the Peach Festival. This year, brought a new trial item, peach-basted grilled chicken wings. Three days of food preparations, cooking, serving and cleaning, plus the setup and teardown brought a tired, sometimes giddy and excited, but always smiling group of members and volunteers.

On the evening of Oct. 13, the Niagara-Wheatfield Kiwanis convened at the Red Coach Inn for the annual installation dinner.

After the pledge to the flag, outgoing President Gary Heuck welcomed all, made introductions and turned the ceremony over to Candace Corsaro, Niagara Frontier North Division's lieutenant governor to induct new members, Marcy Storolis, Tim Ryan, Jane Cushman and James Farkas. Corsaro also installed new officers and board members for 2011-12.

Susan Smith was inducted as the club's president, Danny Maerten as president-elect, Alice Attardo as the treasurer, and Sara Sperrazza as secretary.

The board members for the 2011-13 term are Tony Attardo, Joe Philippone, Susie Pembleton and Gary Strenkoski. The 2010-12 team includes Mary Dohm, Franca Romeo, Colin Smith and Arlene Stallard. Maerten also accepted Corsaro's appointment as Niagara Frontier North's membership chairman for 2011-12.

Next on the agenda was the roast for past president, Gary Heuck, which brought a great deal of laughter, tears and heckles in the room. A great dinner, camaraderie, fun and optimism were enjoyed by all.

At the Oct. 27 meeting, in conjunction with Fire Prevention Month, the guest speaker actually became guest speakers. Chief Jim Kish of St. Johnsburg Fire Volunteer Fire Co. brought along a ladder truck with three volunteer firemen. Also at the meeting were six members Town of Niagara's Active Hose Volunteer Fire Co. and one of their fire apparatus.

The club's members, along with some patrons of the Jetport Family Restaurant, were treated to a close up tour of the firefighting and rescue equipment. An exchange of lifesaving questions and answers followed the equipment tour.

The Niagara-Wheatfield Kiwanis Club was involved with the Electric Lights Parade down Military Road on Oct. 29. The club's responsibility was to station and organize the more than 60 marching, vehicle and dance units appearing in the parade. What began with a light cold drizzle fizzled to a clear chilly evening. The controlled chaos in the staging area next to Big Lots transformed into a well coordinated event with each unit parading in the designated spot.

The Niagara-Wheatfield Kiwanis meets every Thursday at the Jetport Family Restaurant at 6:30 p.m. For more information on attending a meeting, supporting programs or any questions about the club, call 731-3636 or email [email protected].

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