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"A happy buck to busy Noon Kiwanians"

Editorial in the Ripon Commonwealth-Press, June 4, 2009
By Tim Lyke

When they convene for weekly Tuesday lunch meetings, Ripon Noon Kiwanians participate in an exercise they call “Happy Bucks.”

K-Club men and women stand and sing their “if you’re happy and you know it give a buck” ditty. Then members rise, one at a time, and to tell what is happening in their lives to make them so happy that they are willing to put a dollar in the Kiwanis kitty, to be added to club coffers for scholarships and other worthy causes.

Consider this a Happy Buck from the community to the club.

We who live and work in Ripon are happy that your group is so active, vital, creative and selfless.

Any other club might take on a big project, such as producing a two-night, community-wide talent show, and then rest on its laurels for a month or six.

Not the Nooners.

Before hosting “Turn Your Radio On” on March 24 and 26, they spent many nights writing scripts, lining up talent, gathering props, rehearsing choirs and bands, selling tickets and promoting their show. Proceeds, of course, went back to the community in the form of scholarships, service projects and school programs.

About three weeks later, they were at it again, hosting their third-annual Children’s Fair at Barlow Park Elementary School. The event featured a bouncy castle, face painting games for prizes, a performance by the Scott Street Puppeteers, clothing swap as well as booths and presentations geared toward parents.

So did members of the 85-year-old club then take a break to catch their breath? Hardly.

Literally one week later Nooners got up early on a cold, rainy Saturday morning, headed off to Storzer Gymnasium to get their marching orders for directing runners during the Ripon College and Ripon Community (RC2) Run/Walk.

FORMER RIPON NOON KIWANIS president Steve Sorenson prepares to start runners in the RC2 races.

Tim Lyke photo

Past President Steven Sorenson organized racers at the start of the half-marathon, 10k and 5k races. A couple other volunteers were inside at the registration desk while most were out on the course, directing runners, handing out drinks and in other ways assuring the fifth-annual event ran as smoothly as ever.

What did they get for their efforts? Proceeds Kiwanians shared with the Ripon Area United Way will benefit others in the community. In short, they leverage their goodwill to do more good works to benefit more people. Quite a racket those Kiwanians have going.

Last month, Marge Burling led Noon Kiwanis gardeners planted cannas, dusty millers, and petunias in the Murray Park planters

This Thursday through Saturday, club members and Ripon College Theatre Department faculty will produce the Ripon Summer Players’ — a community theater group Kiwanians helped create 13 years ago — production of “The Curious Savage.”

On June 30, the club will, for the 10th-straight year, host the Kids from Wisconsin in the Ripon High School Auditorium. If you haven’t experienced this phenomenal musical troupe’s 20 singers/dancers and 13-piece show band, make a point to see the Kids this year.

At intermission, grab the nearest Nooner and give him or her a hug for bringing the Kids to Ripon. Then help yourself to a $2 ice cream sundae sold by those same Kiwanians, who will make sure that every dollar they make will be reinvested in the community.

Ten days later, Kiwanians will host the first of what will now be two Doug Lyke 5K races. The Sunrise Run will be July 11 at 7:30 a.m., while the Twilight Run, one of only two in the state, will be on Aug. 15 at 8:15 p.m.

Both races will begin at the Village Green downtown and will proceed on courses certified by USA Track and Field.

No grass grows beneath the feet of K-club members. “K” stand for “Kiwanis,” but in Ripon “K” stands for “kind,” “keen,” “kid-oriented” and “kind of busy.”

Thanks, Kiwanians. You're oh-K in our book!

Scholarships Awarded

A major part of our fund-raising efforts is directed toward money for scholarships. About one-third of our budget is aimed at helping young people gain post-high school education.

This year eight students received Noon Kiwanis scholarships at the Ripon High School Scholarship Night, May 13. They are:

JJ Goljenboom
Nicole Schraeder
Rebecca Radke
Jenalee Christopherson
Brandon McConnell
Kaylin Luedtke
Peter Simkins
Dahlia Rasmussen

Congratulations to these students! And a big thank you to the members of the Youth Services Committee, who made the selections: Sue Meyer, Linda Putzer, Sue Brereton, and Herm Leitz.

We Make Murray Park Beautiful

For the last five or six years Marge Burling has headed up a group of Noon Kiwanis gardeners who plant and maintain the flower garden at Murray Park.

This year's gardening season is underway, and on May 19 Marge led a green-thumb crew in planting Cannas, Dusty Millers, and Petunias. Helping to break ground on the new season were Bill Neill, Tom Keuler, Norm Loomer, and Marge's husband Bob. Other members of the gardening crew are Audrey Wesner, Rich Scamehorn, and Steve Schuetz.

How to Access Private Areas of the Website

Board meeting agendas, minutes and committee chairpersons are listed in the Minutes section of the website. Click on that link or log in to view. Email Norm if you don't know the password.

Personal information about members, including phone numbers, professions and email addresses, can be found on the members page of the website. Click on that link or log in to view. Email Norm if you don't know the password.