The Ames Golden K Kiwanis Club held our annual Installation of Officers Luncheon at the Ames Golf and Country Club on September 29.  Invited guests Jody Melcher, Past Governor of the Kiwanis Nebraska-Iowa District and Andy Webb, Lieutenant Governor of NE-IA Division 11, spoke to the luncheon attendees and installed the Officers and Directors who will lead Ames Golden K in 2016/17. Mr. Webb noted that Ames Golden K, with 98 members, leads Division 11 in member numbers. Notable highlights included an outstanding performance by the Ames Golden K Singers under the leadership of Joe Traylor, Kiwanian of The Year honoree Tom Peter, recognition of Craig Ause and Thamon Hazen as Legion of Honor 50-Year Kiwanis members, and a memorial ceremony for recently deceased Golden K members Al Bentley and Horace Lantz.   Ames Golden K supports twenty programs and organizations throughout Ames and Story County. Approximately $14,000 was contributed in 2015/16 to these causes. In addition, thousands of Golden K member hours are devoted to Club Service Activities including a large percentage to assisting children in the Ames community.

The photo above shows the Officers/Board of Directors installed for 2016/17.  Seated, left to right:  Wayne Hagemoser, Treasurer; Bob Sperry, President Elect; Carlton (Pete) Peterson, President; Larry Vallery, Vice President; Larry Trede, Secretary. Standing, left to right Jim Cornette, Past President; Dennis Senne, Director; John Arthur, Director; Alan Spohnheimer, Director; Ron Skrdla, Director; Joe Traylor, Webmaster.  Not pictured are Directors Craig Fulton and Bill Shrum.

Golden K Singers opened the program with a 20-minute concert.

Jim Cornette, President for the 2015-2016 year that was ending, emceed the program.   Jim called us all to a few moments of silence, remembering two members who passed away this Kiwanis year, Al Bentley and  Horace Lantz.  Then, recognized two new 50-year members, Craig Ause and Thamon Hazen.  Thamon was not able to attend, but here’s Craig receiving his recognition:

Tom Peter was honored with Ames Golden K “Kiwanian of the Year”!

Then President Jim honored those officers who were retiring after this luncheon:  Past President Dick Wilson and Vice President Glen Hillesland, and Directors Milt Allison, Ed Augustine, and Sandy Fleck.

Next, Jody Melcher, Past Governor of Nebraska-Iowa District, reported on the district and gave a charge to our leaders.

Andy Webb, Lt. Governor, District 11, led the officer and board installation ceremony.  He began by giving a challenging speech about leadership. 

Lt. Gov. Webb recognized the good work Jim Cornette has done in the past year as President. 

Webb then installed President-Elect Bob Sperry (center) and Vice President Larry Vallery (right) for 2016-2017.

He continued, installing Wayne Hagemoser (standing, left) as Treasurer Larry Trede (standing, right) as Secretary, and Joe Traylor (not pictured here) as Webmaster.  Wayne and Larry have served for years and willingly extend their service.

Then Andy led the passing of the gavel from out-going Jim Cornette to in-coming Pete Peterson, installing pete as President, and Jim as Past President.

Jim gave has Past President Remarks.

And President Carlton “Pete” Peterson took the gavel, the microphone, and the role as “Face of the Club” for the 2016-2017 Kiwanis year!