Our Club History...
Club History
The Kiwanis Club of Ocean View Beach is rich in history much like the Ocean View area is itself. At our 30th anniversary in 2004, a historical committee was formed to research, organize, and compile information about our club history. Once complete, the document was published in booklet form and copies are still being distributed today.
We've included all the information from our booklet below, and hope you enjoy reading about our clubs long history, as well as quotes and contributions from the folks who made it happen.
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INTRODUCTION
What is this document about? Why was it produced? We will explain. The membership here in 2004 decided that it would be appropriate to document for posterity past incidents as recalled in this, our 30th club anniversary year. You will find recollections by past and present club members that relate to our niche in the community, how we recruited members, how we earned money to give to worthy causes, provide information to educate future Kiwanians and the public on the inner workings of our club.
HISTORICAL COMMITTEE (2004)
Bill Bunch
Warren Stewart
Jim Thomas
We dedicate these writings to all the deceased members of this club. Most recent:
Jim McGinn, 2004 - President, 2000-2001
"Semper Fi, Col. Jim"
Bob Thomas, 2004
"Semper Fi, Col. Bob"
The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen
–2 Timothy 4:22
May the Lord be with me and thee, while were are absent, one from another. Amen
–Mizpah
Ocean View Beach Kiwanis Club
• CONTRIBUTORS – ALL MEMBERS
Past Club Presidents And Meeting Locations:
This club has consistently met Kiwanis goals and objectives and maintained their community involvement commitments for the past 30 years. Our actions and presence has resulted in many improvements in the Ocean View Area. We pledge that we will continue our work for another 30 years. This chronology of club presidents is followed by members’ recollections of meeting locations.
* Denotes Deceased Presidents
Year
President
Meeting Locations
1974-75
Joseph Hoggard (Joe)
Ramada Inn –E.O.V. Ave, back room—private
1975-76
Richard Harrison (Dick)
1976-77
William Bunch (Bill)
Ship’s Cabin –E.O.V.
1977-78
Fred Bashara (Fred)
Ramada Inn—Front Restaurant area
1978-79
Herbert Smith * (Herb)
1979-80
Tom Loudenslager * (Slick)
[Other locations –time frames are
Approximate periods]
1980-81
Lytleton Ward * (Tom)
1981-82
Jerome Babb * (Jerry)
1982-83
Fred Bashara (Fred)
Motel near intersection of Shore Drive and Little Creek Road
1983-84
Joel O’Hern, Jr. (Joel)
1984-85
Donald Doctor (Don)
Restaurant, formerly next to Beach Park near Chesapeake Blvd on E.O.V. (name?) demolished
1985-86
William Bunch (Bill)
1986-87
Reginald Grantham * (Reg)
1987-88
Francis Baldwin (Frank)
1988-89
James Thomas (Jim)
Bar/restaurant on E.O.V. Ave. near intersection of Chesapeake Street.
1989-90
John Campbell, (Past Div. Lt. Governor) (John)
1990-91
John Lapetina (Doc)
Restaurant on Granby Street in Johnson Square complex, name?
1991-92
Donald Williams, Jr (Lee)
1992-93
Donald Williams, Jr (Lee)
1993-94
David Nimmer –(Past Div. Lt. Governor) (Dave)
Holiday Inn, Willoughby Spit
1994-95
Richard Abbott (Mike)
Fisherman’s Wharf –Willoughby Spit
1995-96
Edward Holt (Ted)
1996-97
Melinda Nimmer (Melinda)
1997-98
Elizabeth Credle (Elizabeth)
Abby’s Deli –Granby Street
1998-99
Richard Reed (Richard)
'99-2000
Stephen Olzinski (Steve)
2000-01
James McGinn * (Jim)
2001-02
Barbara Saunders (Barbara)
2002-03
John Lapetina, Jr. (John Jr.)
2003-04
M. Baxter Vendrick, Jr. (Div. Lt. Governor Elect 2004-2005)
Granby North –Granby Street
CONTRIBUTOR – BAXTER VENDRICK JR., PRESIDENT 2003-2004
STATE OF THE CLUB
July 2004
What a pleasure it is to serve as the President of the Ocean View Kiwanis Club. My involvement with the Kiwanis Club of Ocean View Beach began in 1987 when Frank Baldwin was the President. I was a sixth grader at Northside Middle School. Mrs. Syble Stone was the Builders Club advisor and asked me to join. I became active with the Ocean View Beach Festival and then became president my eighth grade year, getting to meet many of the club members when I made a presentation to the club.
When I moved on to Granby High School, I became involved with the Key Club, eventually becoming president in 1993. At the end of my senior year, The Ocean View Club presented me with a $1000 college scholarship, which helped me afford college. While at Hampden-Sydney College, I became very active with the Circle K, becoming the president in 1995 and then Lt. Governor in 1996.
Upon commencement, I returned to Norfolk and joined the club in 1999. I became active with the Beach Festival and restarting the Builders Clubs at Northside and Azalea Middle Schools. I served on the club board of directors in 2000, I was elected to Vice President in 2001 and now currently serve as the President.
Throughout my term as president, we have witnessed many changes. The board voted to have the president of the club serve as the chairman of the Ocean View Beach Festival. Quarterly socials were established to further engage the members as well as increase membership. To date, the club has seen ten percent increase in membership this year – with hopes for a higher percentage. Our meeting place, Abbies’ Deli was transformed in December of 2003 to become Granby North and has served our club wonderfully, with much more meeting space and opportunities for more activities within the new facility. An annual breakfast was established to celebrate the past presidents of our club and, through the exhaustive efforts of former President Bill Bunch, a more extensive history of our club was established.
With several more months left in my tenure as president, the club hopes for many more wonderful things, including the Ocean View Kiwanis Website, which should be ready in the fall of 2004. Additionally, the groundwork is currently afoot to create a Key Club at Lake Taylor High School to begin in the spring of 2004. There is still much more to do and many more children to positively influence. One thing is for certain, the Kiwanis Club of Ocean View Beach is strong in the community, warm in its compassion to make a difference, and firmly united in its resolve to better the lives of those around. The best of our club still lies ahead.
Warmly and respectfully submitted, Baxter.
CONTRIBUTOR – BAXTER VENDRICK - PRESIDENT’S DAY
In April 2004, the Club conducted a President’s Day. The committee members attempted to contact all living past presidents. We knew we would have a reasonably good attendance of presidents, because the present club membership is loaded with past presidents. Several past member/presidents attended and we had a great meeting with an open format whereas all those presidents related some memories. Some of the following recollections were presented during this session, and were either added to the previously drafted document material or included as a new item.
PREFACE
Kiwanis Club Of Ocean View Beach, Inc.
VOICE OF OUR MEMBERSHIP
A SHORT HISTORY OF HOW WE HAVE DONE THINGS FOR THE LAST THIRTY YEARS; A FEW DOCUMENTED, BUT MOSTLY FROM REMEMBERANCES, SOME FUNNY, SOME SERIOUS ~ SOME HAPPY, SOME SAD ~ SOME GOOD, SOME BAD~
CONTRIBUTOR – JOHN COGGESHALL - FROM THE MEAN STREETS
One bleak morning back in 2003, I awoke in a dazed stupor, somewhere in West Ocean View. My hair was greasy and matted, I hadn’t bathed in weeks, and my clothes hung on me like a drunken scarecrow’s tailor had just finished his hideous work.
I stumbled and lurched towards a friendly light in a nondescript shopping strip where Granby Street and Ocean View Avenue meet like a T-Bone on the edge of the Chesapeake Bay.
It was Abbie’s Restaurant. I tried the door. It was locked. Then, a beautiful girl, the most beautiful I’d ever seen, dressed in a clingy black dress and stiletto heels, chewing gum and at the same time smoking a thin, Clint Eastwood type cheroot cigar, came to the window and peered out at me with distrustful, yet bed roomy, eyes.
“Whatcha want?” She said in a languorous, East Ocean view accent. “ I want to use the bathroom!” I cried in pee pee dance agony. “Also a cup of coffee and a hot breakfast would be nice, along with amiable company comprising a vigorous civic organization that helps folks throughout Ocean View. Where, oh where, could I find such a thing?”
The good-looking girl took pity on me and unlocked the door. I staggered in. Once inside, I found fine, upstanding folks known as “Kiwanis”, organizing and planning good things for all of Ocean View. An odd-looking fellow named “Baxter” cautiously approached me. “Would you like to be one of us?” he inquired. “I Kiwaanibee!” I responded enthusiastically. The rest is history. I am now a proud Kiwanian. I live an upstanding life.
Thanks Kiwanis. ~ John Coggeshall
CONTRIBUTOR – JIM THOMAS - MOVING AROUND
My thoughts of the Ocean View Kiwanis Club from the time I first heard of them until I joined: Before I joined the club I had a business in Ocean View; (Frames by James) located at the corner of Bayview and Chesapeake Blvd. I had a stand when the Festival was in Community Beach parking lot. This was back in 1982. We were very small and only had some small crowds back then. One thing that struck me was the way Reg Grantham handled the money. He would go around and collect from the different places and then open the trunk of his car and toss the money in. I remember a couple of times that it was so cold that I and my helper went to a nearby Café and had breakfast to warm up before we set up our display. As we grew, we moved our Festival to the vacant lot next to the parking lot and we had it there for a couple of years. One time it had rained so much that the whole area was mud and one could not walk. The city brought us truckloads of mulch (where they were grinding up trees and brush) and dumped in the worse places. As we continued to grow and we moved from the area next to the Community Beach to the present location it seemed as if it had grown by leaps and bounds until it got a little too much to handle. Each year we would get better and better acts to come to headline for us. Parking has always been a real headache for us. We tried using school grounds and then having trolleys pick the people up and bring to the festival, but that only worked somewhat.
We moved our locations for our club meetings a lot. At one time we had our meetings at a Café down by the Community Beach (that area no longer exists). We had our meetings at the Holiday Inn down on the spit (we were there twice). We also had our meetings at the Motel at the end of the bridge. We met at what is now known as a Surveyors office for a while. I dropped out of the club for around 8 years when my wife became sick and rejoined in 2003. We were having our meetings in “Abbies” and when she sold out we stayed with the new owner.
As a club we did a lot of fun things and had some good times with each other. I remember when we would pick up the trash along the beach. We also were active in the Builders Clubs (in fact one of those builders club members is now our president). The money we made from the festival was put back into the community. We awarded Scholarships to the deserving students of the area.
CONTRIBUTOR – BILL BUNCH - I REMEMBER (VAGUELY)
In the beginning (plagiarized from a famous book), we met at the Ramada Inn on East Ocean View Avenue. Unfortunately, the rather large room that we were in also served as a night spot every night. Usually that led to those typical smoke and alcohol fumes that saturate your clothing and cling to your skin and hair. Consequently, when I went to my workplace (The Telephone Company at 8910 Granby) after our early morning meetings, my co-workers always eyed me suspiciously and most assuredly suspected that I must have had a great time before finally reporting in.
CONTRIBUTOR – BILL BUNCH - CATAMARAN CLASSIC
For a number of years, our club staged an event, entitled, “The Ocean View Kiwanis Catamaran Classic”. When the founding committee considered identifying the event as “Kiwanis Katamaran Klassic, it was cast out when someone realized it might be short-titled the KKK, which obviously was not a public friendly identification.
We had several sailing enthusiasts in the club at that time. Some names that come to me like Joe Murphy (lived on the Spit), Tom Ward, Merritt Walters (Built the first “Rover”), Lane Briggs (who built and sailed the first sailing tug boat up the coast), through Canada, picked up the Mississippi, then to the Gulf and around Florida, up the coast back to Norfolk) and Fred Bashara. We singled out catamarans as the featured type of sailboat because of the speed, beauty, and large fleet in the area…
Our location for the course was Little Bay because of the accessibility, by road and water and the launching ramp at the end of the Spit.
We purchased a large “perpetual” trophy, which was passed to the big winner each year. There was room for about ten nameplates on the base. Last time I saw, it had a few spots left. Maybe, one of these days someone will come forward with it. All the rest of the class winners were awarded smaller, but nice trophies or plaques.
The Regatta lasted all day and the multi-colored sails and hulls were really beautiful, especially in a stiff breeze. Tom Ward ran the show year after year; mostly from Lane Brigg’s sail tug or some other borrowed cabin cruiser. He and some of his boat friends from NAS Norfolk laid out the course each year. All of the sailing competitors knew and respected Tom and always referred to him as Captain Tom.
A word about Tom; for the entire time he was in the club, he never mentioned to anyone about his illustrious career, serving as a USN aviator in WWII. When he died in January 2004, it was divulged that he was an ace, having downed five enemy aircraft (Japanese) in one day. I am told this is a record feat in the USN that still stands. Later he was shot down himself and rescued from the ocean.
Dick Harrison provided the regatta rescue boat for many years, plucking out and assisting many sailors when the “cat” went over.
Tom Loudenslager was the early pre-race coffee provider. He had a personal friendship with the elderly fellow who lived in the old house next to the boat ramp. This gentleman allowed us to run an extension cord across his yard and plug into his house electricity.
We had beautiful Regatta Days and through the years some really dreadful days. A couple of times we had to call off the races after we started and one time we postponed until the next day (Sunday).
The Regatta was a good roll and we generally provided “refreshments”’ to the sailors at the awards presentations. We never made any money with the “classic”, and in spite of the long days involved, we all had a good time.
CONTRIBUTOR – BILL BUNCH - THE OCEAN VIEW SAND FESTIVAL
In the early days (CIRCA 76/78) – before our Ocean View Festival was conceived, we decided to have some type of activity or event that would celebrate the arrival of spring and to showcase our beautiful beach. I was appointed Chairman of the committee to get this project rolling. I do not remember other committee members from the club, but I do remember this gorgeous young lady that someone had channeled to us from Old Dominion University. If, by now, you are wondering why she was a committee member, I will explain.
The committee decided that we would have a variety of events related to the sandy beach and the inshore waters. We worked with the city and they allowed us to use the Sarah Constant Shrine Beach facilities. There were lots of beach events, sandcastle building, tug-of-war, volleyball, etc. Back to the gorgeous lady: I think her name was Mary and she was the Women’s swim coach at Old Dominion University. Her task was to organize and run the aquatic events. I had suggested we have some type of marathon swim, so we included one. I drove my car from Sarah Constant to down by Ships Cabin Restaurant (or some mark in East Ocean View). That was the proposed swim route, there and return was about 10 miles. We had some mediocre publicity from the media and the posters the club had distributed.
We scheduled the festival (as I recall) on a spring date when the water would be warm enough for water events. I think we had about 4-5 vendors set up in the parking lot.
The beach events went along nicely on a bright, warm Saturday. The wind kicked up just before the long swim was about to start, so we decided to cut the swim to a course from the festival site to the east end of Ocean View Park and return. I need to add that each swimmer was required to have a safety boat to accompany them. When all of the competitors finished registering, I believe we had about twelve swimmers. About half of these were UDT guys from Little Creek, the rest of them locals, and all males. The swimmers all had outboards to be with them to provide drinking water and nourishment… There was one unusual exception. An older fellow (USN retired, I recall) showed up with his two daughters, about 10 and 12 years old. They had brought along a small rowing skiff. It turns out that they planned to pace their dad while rowing and staying in front of him, guiding him on the most direct route. The remaining competitors also followed their much larger boats during the swim.
Can you guess who won the race?
I’ll give you a hint: Imagine swimming directly aft of a slow moving boat with a large outboard on the back. There is a continuous output of smoke and most the bubbles created have smoke in them. You have been behind this boat for 2-3 hours, inhaling or swallowing fumes. That’s right; you are going to be sick or woozy. Halfway in the race several swimmers could not continue. Several more finished, but were hampered by fumes that slowed them down. One boat did not use outboard power.
The winner: Older fellow with his two little daughters sticking with their dad. We presented him with a nice trophy.
Now, about Mary, she did a super job. Sometime during the festival, she changed into her swimsuit. Last time I checked, before we closed down, some of the sick and embarrassed UDT guys were gazing wistfully at her (and now that I think about this, so was I).
This is a little episode I recall and dispels the notion that the “Ocean View Beach Festival” was our first effort to usher in springtime.
I think that we named that festival the “Ocean View Sand Festival” or something like that. One of these days someone may come forward or some record may be presented that either rebuffs or supports all this stuff. Either way, I don’t care; it’s a good yarn.
CONTRIBUTOR – BILL BUNCH - SURFING
I remember (vaguely when my mind was jogged) during the planning for the “Sand Festival”, the committee considered things that people enjoy on the beach and in the water. Someone mentioned surfing. That set off a lot of laughter and guffaws. Surfboarding at Ocean View!?! Yeah, right!?! I mentioned that paddling around on the board was about half of the surfing, so we got realistic and decided a surfboard paddling race might be appropriate. We did not publicize this much so we did not get any contestants. What jogged my mind to remember this?
A photo (attached) in the March 11, 2004 Virginian Pilot, of a kid surfing at Willoughby Spit near the Harrison Fishing Pier remains. Looks like about 3-4 feet waves (created by a big nor’easter wind).
I hope those old committee members (those who have not croaked) see that photo and repent and the others, (I guess we can call them “Ocean Croakers”), Get the Virginian Pilots, wherever they are, no repentance required.
CONTRIBUTOR – TED HOLT - THE ROAD TO DISTINGUISHED PRESIDENT
I met Frank Baldwin at a VMI alumni party shortly after I moved to Norfolk in 1991 and was introduced to the Kiwanis Club of Ocean View Beach. I was accepted in a member several months later.
My term as President began as a year of turmoil and rebuilding due to domestic problems in the families of three of our members. This resulted in the loss of several officers and directors shortly after I was installed. Thankfully, Betty Kenner remained as Secretary and we were able to recover from a loss in membership. We were able to end the year with a total plus in membership and I was designated as a Distinguished President by Kiwanis. For 1995-1996 David and Melinda Nimmer, Edward Holt, Jr. and Robert J. Thomas were recognized as Distinguished Kiwanians.
CONTRIBUTOR – JOEL O’HERN - HOW TO BE PRESIDENT (GO ON VACATION)
I don’t remember anything that would warrant recognition except that I do remember that I was on vacation in Key West, and when I returned home, I found out that I had been elected President. You will remember that we ran a very loose club in those days in the “80’s”.
“You are right, Joel, we had a period when we were a really maverick club; we broke lots of Kiwanis rules, but we survived because of people like you, who stuck it out and brought us back to life. Thanks for your allegiance.” ~ Bill B.
CONTRIBUTOR – BILL BUNCH
A series of notes and quips as noted.
Some Quick Recollections:
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
I recall that we ha only one case of representation at International Conventions Jerry Babb and Tom Ward attended when it was in New Orleans. The year? It was probably 1982. The Club voted for a special appropriation to help defer some of their personal expenses. They were very impressed with the convention programs.
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE-INSIDER INFO
I think our largest membership went up to 50 one year. I remember this because I was membership chairman that year. What did I do to get people to join? I drafted up a personal type form letter with fill in the blank spaces for names and other generic info as appropriate. I phrased it to appear as a homely, friendly invitation to come to our meeting, enjoy breakfast with us, review old acquaintances, meet your neighbors and be assured no pressure to join would be applied. Also some basic reasons for the existence of Kiwanis were explained. A roster of our membership was enclosed and a statement about which member(s) thought he or she might like our Club. [*Not recommended for].
The success of all this was due to each existing member providing one or two names that we send the “personalized letter”. Back then it worked; now-a-days the letters might get tossed in the junk mail bin.
BIG K DOGS
We have had our share of public officials as members. I will try to condense with numbers, not names.
Virginia House of Delegates: 4
Sheriffs: 1
City Council Members: 2
Mayors: 1
Assistant City Managers: 1
School Superintendents: 2
Police Chiefs: 1
Senators: 1
CLUB BY-LAWS
In case you did not know (or forgot), this Club has a set of by-laws. I believe the last amendments were made about 1998. It would be good if the Secretary could provide copies to all new members and present members who do not have a copy. Also, we have a Club Key Number that is part of our permanent identification and is used in various administrative actions and correspondence. It is: 07526.
SIGNIFICANT STATISTICS
Some statistics that are significant:
We have provided three Division Lt. Governors from this club. It is a great honor and reflects greatly on the Club. Lt. Governor’s: Dave Nimmer, John Campbell, and Baxter Vendrick, Jr.
The Club has been fortunate to have husband/wife members: Conrad and Jeanne Greif, Dave and Melinda Nimmer, and most recently – John Coggeshall and his wife, Aileen. We have also had father/son memberships that resulted in three Club past presidents. They are – John and John Lapetina, Jr. as well as Don and Lee Williams.
A COMMUNITY SECURITY PROJECT
I remember a project we held but cannot remember the year. We had people bring articles to the Ocean View Library, where we engraved them with electrical engravers. Most wanted their social security number etched, but some were happy with initials or last names. All this was to help police return their property if recovered after theft or loss. We even did a few bikes. We did this on a Saturday and it lasted all day.
LET’S HEAR IT FOR MIKE –HOOWAH!!
I hope we never forget the work that Mike Abbott did to start up The Haven House. He put in countless hours in the house transformation to make it a decent residence for homeless families.
IT WENT SOMETHING LIKE THIS
Circa early 90’s – One of our members, “Bee” Rhees decided he would exploit his physical abilities (relative to his age – he was a retired army officer and a native of this area) by a swimming “feat”. He informed the Club that he would be touching on the beach near his house at the end of the Spit. We formed a welcoming committee and met at the designated spot at the time he specified. The “feat” was to go to Fort Monroe, jump in and swim to Willoughby across the Hampton Roads. He had to face obstacles such as a strong tide, big boat channel traffic, debris and cold water. There was a safety boat with him. He was a little late on his e.t.a. but seemed to be okay. Someone brought a big bottle of champagne, and that was the first thing he went for. We gave him a nice ovation and greeting and celebrated a little ourselves. Reason for this note: Bee was formerly a cancer victim and I would think that he could now say, “I’m cured for sure”.
LOCAL HEROES
Circa early 80’s – late 70’s – We had at least two occasions where heroism was displayed in the community. One was related to the disaster of the storm that capsized a Harrison Fishing head boat. There was a lone Eastern Shore commercial fisherman in a small boat that responded to aid the passengers and crew. (I believe that the storm was still going on). It seems that his actions contributed to the rescue and possibly saved some people even though his well-being was jeopardized. The crew of the “Dixie Lee” did a great job also in this accident.
The second occasion was a rescue effort by a fellow (name unknown), who pulled some people from a fire in East Ocean View. I believe one of the rescued was a child. In this case, his life was endangered and those he saved would certainly have perished.
The reason I bring this up is because both of the incidents were recognized by our Kiwanis Club. We decided that we would award plaques and certificates to the two “heroes”. As a further token of appreciation, we also presented each with checks for 100 (or maybe 200) dollars.
The Eastern Shore fellow came to our Club meeting and turns out to be a great person, (typical Eastern Shore waterman).
The other fellow sort of faded away and it was a few weeks before we traced him down. He and his family were living in a hotel room in East Ocean View. I presented him his awards in the parking lot (could not visit at our meeting). He was very appreciative and it seemed to me that he could really use the cash award. I think we should continue this award to deserving people. Thanks: Dick Harrison.
KIWANIS MILESTONE – HOW COULD I FORGET THIS?
About 15 years ago, Kiwanis realized that a huge source of membership had been neglected. That’s right, all the dedicated, intelligent, hard working females that abound within Kiwanis here in the year 2004. When you read this, look around at the next Club meeting and if you see a female Kiwanian who does not fill the above description, let me know, and drinks are on me at the next social.
NON-OFFICIAL GATHERINGS
We have always had a policy (no by-laws) of having social gatherings away from the official meeting environment. The decision to have a social was mostly controlled by the presidents and boards (with some input by members). Therefore, depending on the people holding offices, some years we had no socials and other years, several socials. The socials we had were great for creating camaraderie and for meeting member’s spouses and friends. I remember a few, excluding our annual officer installations at various clubs and restaurants. I’ll list a few that stuck with me: All were on member’s premises and on the “Spit”.
There was Will Holmes, Fred Bashara, Dick Harrison’s Marina (several times), Bee Rhees, and Tom Loudenslager. If there are more, I apologize, I’m getting old! Note: One contradiction about the location of installations – we held one on a sailboat!! We rented the Red Sail Rover and it was a super good idea – they had a piano in the salon. Now that would be great with “John Cog” aboard!!
FESTIVAL FACTS
A few more notes about the Ocean View Beach Festival (I think senility is setting in).
- Gene Consolvo was first chairman.
- Reg Grantham was in charge of beer operations for several years. We named him "Beer Baron".
- Lee Williams chaired the festival committee for several years.
- Chuck Philpott, Betty Kenner, and Steve Olzinski have been steady leaders/workers for many years.
- Richard Reed has volunteered his electrical professionalism for years.
- Many others, too numerous to spotlight, have contributed to the longtime success of our leading moneymaker.
We have a community service award that has been presented in years past. I know we have honored several recipients and I think Club members and community residents (to include City employees) are eligible. The only ones I can recall receiving these awards are Mike Abbott and Richard Reed. If any other members have received this award, please step forward so we can update our records. (And by the way, belated congratulations)!
KEEPING US ON TRACK
Spiritual guidance has been prevalent through the years in this Club. I can recall four full-time church leaders: Herb Smith and Bob Miller (Church of the Advent), Norm Preston (Miles Memorial Methodist Church) and Phil Oehler (Third Presbyterian) ------ AMEN!
B.O.A.F. NEST TOGETHER
I think that our Club might hold a Kiwanis record: At this writing (March, 2004), we have ten members living under one roof. No, they are not financially distressed or all of the same family. They are all friends and are card-carrying Kiwanians. They all reside in the beautiful, bay front condominium, “Nansemond on the Bay”. There were ten members sharing the same residence, able to attend our breakfast meetings after traversing about 300 yards. How fortunate the Club is to have this situation!
ON THE ROAD
Once upon a time, two members of our Club were also delegates to the Virginia Assembly. One of our members in that time frame was the pastor at Miles Memorial Methodist Church. The pastor was transferred to a church in Richmond. The delegates, George and Howard, invited our members to attend a House of Delegates session in Richmond. A group of us enthusiastically accepted and carried this trip even further. Norm Preston the pastor previously mentioned had transferred to a Richmond Kiwanis Club. We really did a Grand Slam that day. We made a lunch interclub at Norm’s Club on Broad Street in Richmond and went to the House session where we were introduced from the floor by our delegates. We received a much-appreciated ovation. I vaguely recall that Joel Ohern and Tom Ward were there. Others?? Thanks Joel.
CHRISTMAS MEETINGS
For the past 15 or 20 years, our guests have been the Granby High School Chorale group. We have enjoyed their musical programs immensely. It was a great experience to see some of the singers “grow up” through their high school years. The director, “Mickey” (retired now) was a good example of how a teacher should be. We usually had a decent contribution for the group to show our appreciation. I am sorry that this year they could not perform. Incidentally, people like “Mickey” are certainly candidates for our Community Service Award.
Lest we forget – this year, 2004, is our 30th year of charter. Shall we vow to make it thirty more? We certainly have a promising group of younger members to carry the torch.
HANK
We had a member who was 90+ years old, was a retired naval officer and drove his car to meetings. His full-time (almost) hobby was writing letters to the editor. They knew him at the paper as Mr. Henry Dusinberre. We knew him as “Hank”. I liked to read his contributions to the paper – he pulled no punches.
DOC-DOC
We had a member who was with us a number of years. His name was Don Doctor. He had a shop (store) in the Johnson Square on Granby Street where he examined eyes and provided glasses and lens for customers. He was an eye doctor. Yes, once we had a Doctor Doctor in our Club.
BEYOND THE CALL
Once we had some club financial obligations that were more than we had in our administrative account. One of our members, without any fanfare or revelation to the club, deposited a sufficient out-of-pocket sum to cover the obligation. Dedication and loyalty is the by-word. Belated thanks to Dick Harrison!! Thanks Frank Baldwin for input.
GOLDEN GOOBERS
Maybe we should invest in a peanut farm. We have had our ups and downs with the goobers. The first batch we sold needed to be bagged (they were in the shell), so we stored them at Dick Harrison’s marina or Tom Loudenslager’s house. We would gather at Tom’s or Dick’s and bag the nuts. Dick would also have his employees help out. A couple of times we tried to sell at the festival. We ended up stuck with large quantities. Recently, we began selling shelled roasted peanuts. Thanks to Barbara and her helpers, we are now doing okay. John Lapetina, Sr. opened a 2-3 year old can at a recent club meeting and they were fresh. Thanks Dick Harrison, Barbara Saunders, Doc Lapetina, Sr.
BINGO !! (AND OUT)
About the infamous Bingo games we hosted. We needed some quick big-time money to bolster our treasury, so we took on a club project to be the floor crew for a large bingo game in Virginia Beach. The money was good and we made lots. The Bingo Hall environment took us out. After about three months working in a smoke-filled hall, plus having to go full blast for about three hours, in the evening hours, took its toll. It reached a point where club members (and their volunteer friends) did not want to be scheduled to work. Every bingo session required a cleaning or washing of every piece of clothing worn. Oh well, we gave it a shot. Thanks John Campbell.
SCHOLARSHIPS
We established scholarships, sometime in the 1980’s, I believe. I am not sure of the total amount we have distributed; only that it is substantial. Probably the top for one year was about $2000. There have been other people on the scholarship committee, but the three people below, not only have selected recipients, but also drew up the initial rules and requirements to be eligible for award. They have worked with high schools and ODU in the nominations for awards. I recall that one year we had a set of twins for awards. Lots of thankful kids (and parents) out there. Thanks Dick Harrison, Joel O’Hern, Tim Haycox.
SILENT AUCTION
The last few years we have organized and sponsored a silent auction. Members contribute and solicit articles or gift certificates from businesses or individuals. We charge to participate in the auction and a bonus is included as a meal and/or heavy h’orduerves is served. Many interesting pieces have been auctioned at very reasonable prices. Barbara Saunders has been the catalyst for this project, which she envisioned several years back. Thanks Barbara Saunders.
MISS OCEAN VIEW
For about three or four years, part of our festival was dedicated to a beauty contest. The judges were club members and the winner was awarded a trophy and the title “Miss Ocean View”. Eligibility rules were rather loose, i.e., something like “wear a bathing suit and be interviewed by the emcee”. (One year, it was Pete Decker). The first year it was a little Helter-Skelter and the second year the word was out and several contestants showed up with the attire to win. It was a little shocking to some of the festival crowd. The following year the rules were changed to narrow down our contestants to high school students, with an evening gown appearance in addition to swimsuits.
I was the club photographer for the second contest, so I took the film cassettes to be processed and printed. When I went back a couple of days later on the “ready” date, I was informed they had trouble finding the film at the lab. When I went back the next day I was told that the film was lost and they would provide me with some free film and processing to make amends.
At that time, I told the clerk there that those pictures were of a beauty contest (a one-time opportunity photos) and that I refused her offer. I told her to give her supervisors a message, which was, “If I ever see those photos in any paper, magazine, or document, I will sue the processing company for violation of my copyright privilege”. A few days later I received a phone call that they had located my prints and negatives and that I could pick them up. Someone in that organization sure liked those photos of the contestants in their bikinis. Thanks Fred Bashara, John Campbell, Dick Harrison.
CONTRIBUTOR – M. BAXTER VENDRICK, JR. - BUILDERS
John Campbell and I started, guided, and supported a builders club at Northside Middle School. It has been a very successful club through the past years. It helped, greatly that a Kiwanis club member, Sybil Stone, worked at the school. Thanks John Campbell.
CONTRIBUTOR – BILL BUNCH - 30 MORE ? 2034
Lest we forget –this year, 2004, is our 30th year of charter. Shall we vow to make it thirty more? We certainly have a promising group of younger members to carry the torch.
Kiwanis Club of Ocean View Beach P.O. Box 8264 Norfolk, Virginia 23503
Since 1974
Since 1974