Duane Hicks
Just as Kiwanis International turns 100 years old this year, the Kiwanis Club of Fort Frances celebrated its 90th anniversary Saturday evening.
Kiwanians and dignitaries from Fort Frances, Atikokan, and Thunder Bay filled the Lady Frances Room at La Place Rendez-Vous to enjoy an evening of recognition and fellowship.
Local club president Carla Basaraba said the phrase “We build” was the simple message brought to Fort Frances businessmen on Sept. 29, 1924 by Thomas Marshall of Kiwanis International from Chicago.
“A square deal for the underprivileged child, the future citizen,” was the other key part of the Kiwanis philosophy, she noted.
“And to coin a phrase, off to the races they went,” added Basaraba.
“These gentlemen from several walks of life banded together and held their charter night on Nov. 10, 1924.”
The first president, Adam F. Turner, was sworn in that very night.
“What accomplishments and extraordinary community involvement these men did over the next several decades is nothing short of several miracles,” said Basaraba.
“They touched the lives of not only their own community but other provinces, too,” she noted.
“And it did not stop there—oh no, they reached out internationally, too,” Basaraba added, noting their first project was addressing iodine deficiency disorder in less-developed countries.
In the 1930s, the local Kiwanis were responsible for starting the district 4-H club, which initially was called the potato cub (boys only) and then expanded to the potato and turkey club once girls joined.
Also in the 1930s, the Kiwanis, along with the Women’s Institute, formed the district music festival, which the club supports to this very day.
In 1961, the Kiwanis took over Sunny Cove Camp. And although they sold it to the town several years ago, Kiwanis continues to subsidize youth so they can attend summer camp there.
The Kiwanis remained a “men only” club up until 1987, when women were allowed to join.
The first female member was Lyla Smith in 1990 while the first female president was Angie Korzinski (2008).
Several Fort Frances Kiwanians have served as governors and lieutenant-governors.
Past projects and ongoing ones include “Meals on Wheels,” 4-H, Sea Cadets, high school bursaries, Rainycrest activity night, Robert Moore breakfast program, Good Friday breakfast, library summer reading program, and Sunny Cove Camp.
Others include the Riverside mammography project, the Salvation Army “Adopt a Family” program, and the Eliminate Project—the Kiwanis global campaign to eliminate maternal/neonatal tetanus (MNT).
Looking ahead, Basaraba said the Kiwanis need to continue to “build.
“Build up our club, build up our community, and help build up our world,” she remarked, adding that in order to grow with the changing world, they need youth to help them think outside of the box.
“I encourage everyone to think outside the box, feel with your heart, and follow with an open mind,” she said.
District Governor John Collins from Thunder Bay lauded the local Kiwanians on behalf of himself and his national and international superiors.
“I want to pass along congratulations to the first 90 years of your club, and hopefully a lot of us will be here and we’ll do this on your 100th,” he said.
While no charter members of the Fort Frances Kiwanis were alive to attend the 90th anniversary Saturday night, one attendee was at the charter night back in 1924—long-time Kiwanian Gord McTaggart.
“Dr. A. McTaggart and his son, Roy, were charter members and Roy’s wife, Elsie, was in attendance,” noted Kiwanis Club treasurer Robin Wright, who served as emcee for the evening.
“Four-and-a-half months later, Gordon was born,” he added.
McTaggart, a third-generation Kiwanian and the only local member to ever serve as governor of Western Canada District, was given a T-shirt reading, “Born to be a Kiwanian.”
The Kiwanis celebrated in style Saturday. Joe Belanger played piano throughout the evening while the head table was piped in by Dr. Bruce Lidkea.
After a warm welcome by Basaraba, invocation by Lt. Ryan Macdonald of the local Salvation Army, and toasts by Harry Jones, Gord McTaggart, and Shanda DeGagne-Begin, guests enjoyed a buffet meal.
Lt. Macdonald also was inducted as the newest member of the local Kiwanis Club by Lt. Gov. Mario Bruni while Dr. Bob Lidkea gave him a 90-year history of the Kiwanis “hot off the press.”
Bob Burns, president of the Atikokan Kiwanis Club, gave Basaraba a plaque to commemorate the club’s 90th anniversary and recognize its many decades of service.
Gov. Collins, meanwhile, gave out pins to induct several Kiwanians into the “Legion of Honour,” including past-president Stan Ward (25 years of service), past president Cal Robertson (25 years), past Lt.-Gov. Harry Jones (35 years), past Lt.-Gov. Sam Arbuckle (50 years), past president Stan Wepruk (50 years), past Gov. Gord McTaggart (50 years), past member Bruce Murray (60 years), and past Lt.-Gov. Dr. Bob Lidkea (60 years).
Lt. Gov. Bruni handed out perfect attendance awards to Basaraba (three years), Korzinski (seven years), DeGagne-Begin (12 years), Wright (16 years), and Dr. Bob Lidkea (58 years).
The current Kiwanis board of directors includes Korzinski, Pam Buttner, Scott Krienke-Turvey, Janet Lambert, Karla Rogozinski, and Robert Sletmoen.
