December 22, 2009
Today’s Program: Saving the Florida Panther Today’s Speaker: Tom Reese
Tom is a lifetime resident of St. Petersburg who currently lives in south St. Petersburg. He never left St. Petersburg for his college education until he attended Stetson University Law School in Gulfport, a few blocks from his high school.
He has practiced public interest environmental and land use law as a sole practitioner for 29 years, representing environmental and conservation organizations and citizens.
Later, Tom bought a pristine lot in Pinellas Point next to Doug from Doug under the guise of protecting this beautiful piece of land only to shortly thereafter mow down many majestic trees to build his own home.
While Doug and Tom lived in Vera Manor, Tom finished second several times to Doug in the July 4th ten lap Invitational Run.
Tom also played three positions for the Boca Ciega High School football team; guard, tackle, and end (he sat at the end of the bench, guarded the Gatorade cooler, and tacked anyone who get near the cooler).
In an attempt to see the world he has taken up bike touring and has ridden in many states (Maine, Vermont, New York, North Carolina, Georgia, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska) and foreign countries (Canada [Icefield and Alcan Highway], New Zealand [South Island], Australia [Tasmania], Bhutan, Switzerland [twice], Austria, and Germany.
Tom is current working on the protection of Florida panthers, Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, and Florida water quality.
Attendance Last Week
We had 51 members and 22 guests.
Arnold Lawner, guest of Tom Nelson
Dale Koch, wife and guest of Dick Koch
Carl and Carol Mostellar, guests of Dick Koch
Sharon McKay, wife and guest of Wayne McKay
Robert Sherman, guest of Markus Mittermayr
Amanda Gagnon, guest of Melissa Hongo
The members of The Pitch Forks
What’s Happening
Christmas Cheer
Fine Master Cathy Swanson tested our knowledge of obscure Christmas facts and raised a bundle!
Kiwanis Generosity
Ron Scoggins of the YCPO committee presented Mentha Thomas from the South Pinellas Foster Parents Association with Christmas presents for 125 foster children for our Christmas Angel Project. The tables at the back of the room at the Orange Blossom were overflowing with gifts with special thanks to the shopping team members Debbie Deeb and Melissa Hongo who each shopped til they dropped. Mentha thanked us all for the children, she said this year in addition to the foster children there are a lot more homeless children than ever and we helped some of them this year. Mentha composed a song of thanks to the Kiwanis and shared it with us as well as a prayer of thanks for our generosity. And to all of the Kiwanians who brought and/or wrapped gifts, a big holiday thanks to you.
Salvation Army Bell Ringers
Thanks to the many Kiwanis members who rang the Salvation Army Bell at the Northeast Shopping Center Publix last Wednesday. We received a call from Gail at the Salvation Army. She was able to provide our collection numbers:
Cash and coin: $ 724.21
Checks: 1,565.00
Total: $2,289.21
We were told this is their largest single day site collection of the season, thus far!
J.C. Russell, good job on organizing and placing the Kiwanis volunteers.
Three Minute Speech
Melissa Kelly, sponsored by David Abbey, graduated from the University of Florida and later Stetson Law. Born in South Florida, Melissa moved to Gainesville. As an attorney with Abbey, Adams, et al, she has to endure her senior partners, Mr. Abbey and Mr. Byelick. Married one year, and she looks forward to her other family, the Kiwanis Club. Welcome, Melissa.
YWCA Reminder
Pat Biscotti reminded us about the painting project at the YWCA Home Shelter 429 6th Ave S, St Petersburg, scheduled on Saturday, January 16, 2010. We are hoping to get a large group of Key Clubbers to help us out with this project.
Progressive Dinner
Lorin Bridge reported Saturday’s progressive dinner was a great success. Beginning at Cathy Swanson’s for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, Cathy and her daughter, Lindsey, put out a fantastic spread. Then it was off to Harvey and Kathleen Ford’s for the main course (thanks to Kathleen who out did herself with a delightful dinner). Then off to Mitch and Becci Cochran’s sumptuous desserts. Pat Kraujalis provided drinks. Thanks to all of you who made the evening the success it was.
Crime Watch
Scott Boyle reports that Lorin Bridge’s lamb is no longer on the lam. Lorin’s little lamb featured on his front lawn during the holidays disappeared among dubious circumstances. In a rather hysterical moment, Lorin reported the lost lamb as stolen to the authorities. Sources close to the story revealed overly zealous progressive attendees abducted the lamb for ransom. Later, a ransom note was discovered and the contents disclosed in an exclusive to the Kiwanian. In the season of miracles, the lamb amazingly appeared at the Kiwanis meeting last week. See below the contents of the ransom note:
Lorin……
I’m Baaaaack! Had to get away for a few days. I am left cooped up in a hot attic all summer, then put on display in your front yard with a bright light shining on me during Christmas. I think the least you can do is take me to Kiwanis for lunch.
Lorin may have been short a lamb, but Cathy Swanson acquired a toy soldier and several other lawn decorations before Saturday night was over. Although no one has taken credit for the additions to Cathy’s holiday display, it does make one wonder…….. and as far as Lorin’s little lamb, one might call that addition by subtraction.
Report from the Sponsored Leadership Services (SLS) Committee
Jerry Little, Chairman of the Sponsored Leadership Services (SLS) committee reported that on January 6, 2010, the SLS members will meet with the Key Club of Shorecrest Prep School. The 9th, 10th, and 11th grade classes of the Key Club are to write leadership summaries about what leadership means to them in and out of Key Club.
Our committee members will review the summaries and then interact with the respective Key Club members to further develop their leadership skills.
Additional meetings are scheduled in February and April to implement more Kiwanis doctrine.
Last Week at Kiwanis
Kiwanian of the Day, Steve Koch, introduced the choral group of St. Petersburg High School, The Pitch Forks. Performing a holiday program with several Christmas classics and a rousing rendition of the Beach Boys hit, California Dreamin’, and members relaxed and enjoyed the musical interlude.
The Pitch Forks performed Sunday evening in the Candlelight Processional at Epcot and were on their way to the Masonic Home following our meeting.
The Pitch Forks are a talented group of 10th, 11th, and 12th graders, who are selected from open auditions each year. The Pitch Forks perform in the St. Petersburg High School Choral Group as well. The practice two times a week from 1:45 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. They have a busy holiday schedule. We thank them for putting the Kiwanis Club on their schedule.
This Week’s Quiz
- How many Florida Panthers are left in the wild?
- Less than 20
- 50-60
- 80-100
- 200-1,000
- How long is a male adult Florida Panther (tip of the nose to the tip of the tail)?
- 3-5 feet
- 5-6 feet
- 7-8 feet
- 9-10 feet
- What native species is not panther prey?
- White-tailed deer
- Bison
- Gator
- Raccoon
- What is the leading cause of Florida panther population decline?
- Disease
- Car Collisions
- Poaching
- Habitat loss
- How many square miles does a make Florida panther need for its territory?
- 50 square miles
- 100 square miles
- 150 square miles
- 200 square miles
Last Week’s Quiz
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has the distinction of being the only number one hit to fall completely off the chart after hitting #1 the week of Christmas 1949.
- The Christmas fir tree has a long association with Christianity, it began in Germany almost 1,000 years ago when St Boniface, who converted the German people to Christianity, was said to have come across a group of pagans worshipping an oak.
- The first Christmas tree placed in Rockefeller Center was in 1931.
- The White House Christmas tree for this year (2009) is a beautiful Douglas-fir from Shepherdstown, West Virginia, and was presented to the First Lady in a ceremony at the North Portico today. It will be the official White House Christmas Tree for 2009.
- The first Lighted Boat Parade was in Newport Beach, CA on July 4, 1908.
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