The Mercer Island Kiwanis Club held its 56th installation and awards banquet on Sept. 14, where retired Mercer Island veterinarian Dr. Harry Dingwall was installed as incoming club president.
Outgoing president Bernard “Bernie” Feldman introduced past Lt. Gov. Joseph Murashie to preside. Feldman was thanked for his leadership this past administrative year.
Some of the service projects and fundraisers over this past year included record sales of legal fireworks as well as the formation of an additional Kiwanis-sponsored club — a middle school/junior high school Kiwanis “BUILDERS” club.
Preliminary work was started for another K-Kids club (elementary school Kiwanis club) at Island Park Elementary in addition to the already established and recently recognized Lakeridge Elementary “K-Kids” club.
Carol Mahoney will be taking Dingwall’s place as club secretary on top of continuing as club treasurer. Past club president Rick Sessions has stepped up to be vice president. Retired Mercer Island school administrator Sally Johnson, the Mercer Island Boys and Girls Club’s Dena Harkovitch, retired teacher Jim Stipes, retired interior designer Mike Tye and assistant club secretary Eleanor “Bunny” Rogers all will remain as directors on the club’s board.
Johnson was awarded with a Legion of Honor certificate and pin for her 25-plus years in Kiwanis, and Stipes was the very deserving recipient of the “Kiwanian-of-the-Year” award.
The Mercer Island Kiwanis Club is looking forward to continuing to help the Mercer Island Preschool Association with its Circus event, in addition to collecting items for Eastside Baby Corner and helping the Mercer Island Masons and the VFW sell legal fireworks, help Mercer Island High School Key Clubbers sell shaved-ice cones at “Summer Celebration” and otherwise continuing to sponsor the Key Club.
The American Flags from the Mercer Island Kiwanis Club’s National Holiday flag service can be observed at many of the businesses on the north end this coming Veteran’s Day. Anyone interested in volunteering with the Kiwanis Club should contact Dingwall at 206-232-0872 or hdingwall@msn.com or Mahoney at 360-434-5932 or carolmahoney12@yahoo.com.
