2006-2007 Installation Banquet

The Kiwanis Club of St. Petersburg 2006-2007 Installation Banquet held last Tuesday night at the St. Pete Yacht Club was a resounding success with over 100 Kiwanians and their spouses and guests attending. The wine flowed as Kiwanians greeted new members and old and the evening’s business served up abundant humor and bittersweet moments.  

Cathy Swanson opened the program by introducing honored guests Lt. Governor Eddie Lee and Margie Kaniss, widow of Kiwanian Charles Kaniss who passed away this summer.  Awards and recognitions followed.  Bruce McKelvey presented longtime members Markus Mittermayr (30 years), Grant Wallin (35 years) and Bernie Lodge (a record 68 years) with Legion of Honor Awards and thanked them for their loyalty and participation. Skip Carr presented the history of the Layperson of the Year Award, first awarded in 1966 and an honor held currently by 12 active members. For the first time in 40 years, the name of the award was officially amended to the H. Bernard Lodge Layperson of the Year Award in honor of Bernie Lodge’s many years of service to Kiwanis.  Everyone joined in a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” in response to the announcement that Bernie would turn 94 on Saturday. The H. Bernard Lodge Layperson of the Year Award was then presented to Steve Cunningham. 

Cathy Swanson awarded Outstanding Chairperson of the Year jointly to J. C. Russell and Biff Baker, Vocational Guidance Committee Co-Chairs. Because of their and their committee’s efforts, Kiwanis awarded $10,000 in scholarships this year to deserving children.  Special recognitions are presented at the discretion of the President. This year’s went to Thomas B. Nelson, Jr. who received the “Pinchhitter Award,” Grant Wallin, Jr. in recognition of his 8 ½ years of service as editor of the Bulletin and to T. Bruce McKelvey, whom President Swanson described as the “lifeblood and integrity of this Club.”  He received the Distinguished Service Award.  Bob Byelick was thanked for his key role in allowing us to award $13,500 in grants to local community groups and Jane Baldwin was praised for her dedication in providing our Club with opportunities to participate meaningfully in community service projects throughout the year.

Although laughter and applause had dominated the proceedings, a solemn silence followed as Cathy Swanson offered her final remarks as President. Extending her appreciation for all the Club had offered during her term as President, she thanked everyone and turned the podium over to Mitch Cochran, our new President.  Mr. Cochran thanked Cathy and all attending and introduced Lt. Governor, Kiwanis Division 13, Eddie Lee who formally installed all of the incoming Officers and offered further awards. 

Lt. Governor Lee began with a 40 year history of people and events to illustrate how much had happened during the many years of Kiwanis membership of the recipient of the Ralph Davis Medal and plaque, a man he said was a “solid, seasoned source of counsel for all who would seek his advice, a man who has become the conscience for the Club,” T. Bruce McKelvey.  Lee recognized the departing Board members, including now Past President Cathy Swanson, who received a “virtual” pin (Lt. Gov. Lee didn’t have the actual pin with him!).  After congratulating all the current and incoming Directors, Lee welcomed to the podium Charles Stuart, Secretary and Treasurer, Skip Carr, Biff Baker and Markus Mittermayr, 1^st and 2^nd Vice Presidents and President Elect and then, in an inspiring and formal declaration, installed Mitch Cochran as President. With his congratulations and thanks, Lee turned the podium over to President Cochran who presented Cathy Swanson with a Past President plaque.  Cochran asked all past presidents to stand, of which a large group was present. “Clubs,” he said, “are made up of two different kinds of people – people who want to advance their careers and businesses and Kiwanians.”  Kiwanians  join in the spirit of service and that’s what sets us apart from other clubs and civic groups. Mitch spoke of his anticipation of his Presidency and closed the banquet by asking Bernie Lodge to lead us in song.  Far from the tedious installation many of us have come to expect from other associations, our 2006-2007 Installation Banquet was a warm, inspiring celebration of friends who encourage and support each other in all our efforts to help children and the community. Our thanks to all who have served Kiwanis so faithfully this year and congratulations to our new Officers and Directors. 

Special thanks to the Yacht Club for the mouth-watering dinner of Mediterranean Chicken, Mahi Mahi with Fruit Salsa and Roast Beef and a table-full of luscious desserts!