Kiwanis Club of Long Beach IslandNewsletter

August, 2018Celebrations

Happy Birthday

8/17 – Ken Nilson

8/26 – Stacey Goddard

Kiwanis Anniversaries

8/8 - Kevin Stretch (Member since 2017)

8/21 – Ed Toriello (Member since 1958 -- Joined Kiwanis in Brooklyn, NY)

8/30 – Wally Mianowski (Member since 2000)

Wedding Anniversaries -

9/7 – Stacey and Andrew Goddard

Schedule of Events8/1 9/AM – Regular meeting at Ship Bottom Firehouse & Board Meeting

8/3 – Kiwanis NJ Baseball - Blue Claws, Lakewood, NJ

8/8 – 6/PM – Regular Meeting at BACC – Manahawkin

8/15 9/AM – Regular meeting at Ship Bottom Fire Firehouse

8/16 – 8/AM – 4/PM – Flea Market at Ship Bottom Boat Ramp

8/20 – 4-8/PM – Annual Project Eliminate Celebration – at the Dixons

8/24-8/26 – DCON – Princeton Marriott Hotel

8/30 – 5:30/PM – Kiwanis LBI Super 50-50 Drawing – Ship Bottom Firehouse

Happenings

Meet Taylor McKay – Advisor Frog Pond K Kids

Kiwanis of LBI warmly welcomes Taylor McKay to our Kiwanis LBI family..Taylor very graciously accepted the position of Advisor to the newest addition toour Kiwanis LBI family,. The Frog Pond Elementary School K Kids

Taylor originally hails from Staten Island, NY, and currently resides in OldBridge, NJ. She was born on December 10, 1996 and has four younger sisters

The Old Bridge High School Key Club is where Taylor began her affiliation withthe Kiwanis family. She then became an exceptionally active member of theCircle K Club at Stockton University. She was in charge of fundraising and alsoserved as the club’s editor. Taylor was honored to serve as president of Circle Kfor two terms. In addition to being a Circle K officer, she served on the DistrictBoard as chair of Kiwanis relations. She currently serves on the board as theConvention chair.

Taylor is particularly fond of both traveling and reading. She also spends herspare time doing volunteer work.

During her undergraduate years at Stockton, she worked as the Manager of thePerforming Arts Center. She currently is attending graduate school and is workingon her Masters degree. She presently is employed by Stockton and works in theoffice of Event Services.

July Flea Market

The weather was beautiful and business was good. Thanks to the efforts of WallyMianowski, Chairman, and the members who volunteered their time and effortsto help make the event successful. Many of our vendors appeared to be pleasedwith the amount of business they did. Several said they would return for theAugust market. Let’s keep our fingers crossed so the weather once again will bebeautiful and attendance high. Shown are a few pictures taken that day. Faithand Bud Dixon’s sister-in-law Maryann was the winner of the 50-50

Some happy shoppers Shoppers checking out sunglasses

Calling winner of 50-50 Two of our happy vendors

A Message from Faith and Stacey – “Happy Feet”

Kiwanis LBI “ Happy Feet” new sock project began its third year on June 30 & will run throughDec. 3. All socks will be sorted & distributed in December and delivered to various sites forHomeless Shelters, Veterans, Homeless Veterans, Active Military, Children in Need & Familiesof Domestic Abuse, Hope for Liberia and wherever there is a need. We have received feedbackfrom our Active Military on how much they appreciate having new pairs of socks to change intowhen they are out in the field fighting for our country.

When we started this new sock project three years ago, it was because we found out thatsocks are the most desired item among homeless in America, but very rarely collected inclothing drives. According to experts, a fresh new pair of socks prevents many common footailments, reduces bacteria and helps with medical problems as well as warming cold feet. Socksprovide a basic need and help to provide dignity to those who receive them..

Over the past two years we have collected over 7300 pairs of socks that we distributed. Thisyear we are way ahead of schedule at this time of the year. To date, we have collected over400 pairs . This year, Stacey Goddard, my co-chair and I, along with our LBI members ,willattempt to surpass the 7300 collected the first two years and increase or total to 12,000 pairs Woo Hoo!! So everyone, “Sock it to us!”

We also will be having another 50’s Sock Hop on October 5, 2018 from 5:30-9:00 pm as afundraiser to collect more socks from guests & purchase more with the funds we raise. Ticketswill be available to sell in August, so save the date and spread the word! Stacey and I can’t do italone so we ask for your help! We have over 23 drop off points to collect socks. We would likea few volunteers to go to some of these sites at least every three weeks and pick up the socks

collected and drop them off to either Stacey or me . Also, if you know of a business, church, etcthat would like to put a receptacle to collect socks, please let us know. Thanks.Faith and Stacey

Faith , Bud and Lulu Collecting Money for Socks at Ship Bottom Concert July 19

Speaker Mel Gudknecht Captivates Kiwanis LBI Audience

Speaker Mel Gudknecht held an audience of 14 guests and 14 Kiwanis LBImembers spellbound as he presented his talk based on his book ,”Working theEdge” at Kiwanis LBI’s July 25 meeting. Mel retired from law enforcement after adistinguished 26 year career as a criminal investigator. He received manycommendations for the superior work he performed as a criminal investigator. He ended his career with the federal government as Assistant Regional InspectorGeneral for Investigations.

From 1978 to 1998 Mel served on the Organized Crime Strike force to take on themafia and corrupt unions. His work with the Office of Labor Racketeeringresulted in the successful conviction for labor racketeering by mobster FrankSheeran. Mel served as an undercover agent and lived very dangerously. He willbe meeting with Fox News in New York City on July 30 to be interviewed by EricShawn, senior news correspondent for the first hour of Shaw’s two hour programcovering the mob murderer, Frank Sheeran. The date for airing is unknown at thistime..

Mel’s book is available from both Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com. Thebook is very well written. Eric Shaw told Gudknecht that he has a “great writingstyle with flair”. Read the book and I feel certain you will agree.

Shown above is Mel’s good friend, Kiwanis member Dick Doyle and President ofKiwanis LBI, Rick Schmid. Mel was presented Kiwanis LBI’s “Certificate ofAppreciation” for his truly outstanding presentation.

Kiwanis Night at the Blue Claws

The Lakewood Blue Laws will meet the Lexington Legends on Friday night, August3 at 7/PM. Contact VP Ken Nilson for tickets. Tickets are $10.00 each. $3.00from each ticket will be donated to the NJ District Foundation. There also will bea giant 50/50 Raffle to benefit the NJ District Foundation.

Call Ken and get your tickets. (homes@KenNilson.me – 609-234-6192) You willhave an enjoyable evening with our New Jersey District Kiwanis families and helpsupport the NJ District Foundation at the same time.

Sunshine Committee

A real big thanks to Stacey Goddard for stepping up to the plate and agreeing totake over the position as Chairperson of our Sunshine Committee. Longtimemember Joanne Kranch announced she will not be renewing her membershipConsequently, she will vacate her position as Chair. Many thanks to Joanne forthe wonderful job she did. We sure are going to miss her.

We are delighted that Stacey Goddard has volunteered to fill the vacancy. Staceyhas been an exceptionally good member. She is very busy with her teachingcareer and her part time Summer employment. Regardless, she is always willingto help whenever and wherever she is able. Wouldn’t it be great if we were ableto clone her? Thanks, Stacey for your wonderful attitude and participation as amember of Kiwanis LBI.

Project Eliminate Cocktail Party

Once again Bud and faith Dixon are opening their home for a Project Eliminatecocktail party. We will celebrate meeting our goal of contributing $30,00 forProject Eliminate and qualifying as a Model Club. Mark your calendars forMonday, August 20 for the 4-8/PM party Their home is at 2520 Shore Avenue inShip Bottom. Rain or shine, the party will go on.

No need to bring checks this year; however, please bring socks for our “HappyFeet” project. See you there.

101 Annual New Jersey District Kiwanis Convention

Our 2018 New Jersey District Convention (DCON) will be held August 24-25 at thePrinceton Marriott Hotel At the time of writing this article we have notannounced who will attend to represent Kiwanis LBI.

Kiwanis LBI Super 50-50 Raffle

We have a long way to go if we are to meet our goal of selling 400 tickets for our2018 raffle. Chairman Bud Dixon announced that as of July 25 we have only soldabout 150 tickets. We have to do much better so we will be able to meet ourfinancial requirements to help the many worthwhile charities for whom we havecommitted to help.

We urge all members to set a personal goal of selling a minimum of ten tickets toyour friends, acquaintances and neighbors. It can be done! Many members havesaid that it is tough for many folks to come up with $100 for a ticket purchase. The solution to this? Simply suggest they have some friends split the cost of theticket and put all of their names on the entry.

The drawing will be held at the Ship Bottom firehouse on Thursday, August 30. Doors will open at 5:30/PM. Light food and refreshments will be available.

Please, please ,please get out there and sell your ten tickets!!!! We are countingon you.

Dinner Cruise on the River Lady

At the time of writing this article, we have nineteen who have committed to joinus for the dinner cruise on the Toms River on Tuesday, September 18 from 6:30-8:00/PMIt should be a fun evening.

Kids Need Kiwanis

We need members - Bring some prospects to meetingsEd Toriello’s 60th Anniversary as a Member of Kiwanis

Ed Toriello, Kiwanis LBI’s senior member, was born in Bronx, NY. He is the youngest of sevenchildren, having three older brothers and three older sisters.

During World War II, Ed served as a combat infantryman attaining the rank of sergeant. Heserved with the 76th Infantry Division and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. His military careerwas spent in the European Theatre of Operations.

Ed at one time felt he wanted to be ordained as a Roman Catholic priest. He studied at CathedralCatholic Prep and Immaculate Conception at Willow Valley, NY. He graduated from St. John’sUniversity, and earned a BA degree in English and Philosophy.

Ed married his wife, Zena, at the age of 27. They were married for 64 years when Zena passedaway in 2013. They raised six sons and all sons have been very successful in their chosencareers. Ed’s oldest son is an orthopedic surgeon. Their sons have blessed them with 14grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

In addition to being born and living in the Bronx, he also lived in Brooklyn, NY. In 1977, Edrelocated to Manahawkin. Ed spent 25 years working in New York for Metropolitan LifeInsurance, retiring when he reached 55. He and Zena then moved to Manahawkin and Edbecame a partner with Bill Thomas, a well- known realtor. Ed established and ran the insuranceend of the business. In fact he said he still “dabbles” a little in the business. He currently isinvolved with the Van Dyke Agency.

Ed’s experience with Kiwanis is enormous. He became a member of the BrooklynBensonhurst-Bay Ridge club in 1958. He served as editor of the weekly newsletter and waselected treasurer. He then co-founded the Bay Ridge Narrows Club of Brooklyn.

Ed became a member of the Kiwanis Club of Long Beach Island in 1977 after he moved toManahawkin. Since Ed was an insurance agent, he was appointed Safety Coordinator andprovided all the insurance needs of our club. Ed wrote the history of Kiwanis LBI andrecognized Al Varrelman as our founder in 1975. He volunteered to organize a Key Club atSouthern Regional High School and spent two years planning, organizing, coordinating andcomplying with Kiwanis International Rules and Regulations. Kiwanis LBI has sponsored theKey Club at SRHS for the past thirty years. In fact, the club is recognized for their tremendoussuccess and their status as the outstanding club in the New Jersey District.

Ed also is credited for organizing the annual bike safety rodeos that Kiwanis LBI has beensponsoring for many years. The children involved receive excellent education in bike ridingsafety and they have their bikes inspected and corrected by local bicycle mechanics. Our localpolice create obstacle courses and the children learn the Rules of the Road. Township nurseseducate the children about safety and sun protection. They also learn about swimming safety and

the proper use of life jackets. He also served many years as Speaker chairman and is credited forbringing interesting and diversified speakers to the club’s weekly meetings

Ed is credited for producing and directing annual musical concerts that Kiwanis LBI sponsoredas a club fund-raiser for our local and growing Southern Ocean County Hospital Ed served as amember of the Board of Hospital Trustees and Chaired Public Relations and Marketing. Theannual concert series featured the Music Departments of both Southern Regional and Barnegathigh schools. The program was held for 26 years and resulted in raising a quarter of a milliondollars for SOCH. The money came from donations from the public at the door as well as paidads in souvenir journals Ed designed

Ed was elected president of Kiwanis LBI and served two separate terms. He also was elected aGeorge F. Hixon Fellow, Kiwanis International Foundation’s highest honor. Ed was granted thestatus of LIFE MEMBER by Kiwanis International in grateful recognition for his valuedcontributions and his dedication to both Kiwanis and his community.

We admire, respect, appreciate and love you. Thanks, Ed. You have made Kiwanis LBI veryproud. to have you as the senior member of our club and for all you have accomplished