The Kiwanis Club of Swainsboro held its 100th Anniversary Celebration on Tuesday night, August 30, at the Jean Anderson Morgan Student Center at East Georgia State College at 7 p.m. With President Dianna Wedincamp presiding, there were over 75 in attendance, including guests and 30 Swainsboro Kiwanians. President Wedincamp opened the evening by introducing Dr. David Schecter, president of East Georgia State College. Dr. Schecter welcomed all to EGSC and invited members back anytime.
After the night’s meal, the program for the evening began with President Wedincamp introducing 2021-2022 Georgia District Governor Byron Mullican. Mullican thanked the club for support received during his time as Governor and said he could always count on the Swainsboro Kiwanis Club. He presented a certificate of appreciation to President Wedincamp on the club’s 100th year as a very active Kiwanis Club. Club member Tim Goodman brought a duplicate Swainsboro Kiwanis charter forward. The unsigned duplicate was provided by Kiwanis International and had been signed by Kiwanis International President Peter Mancuso. Mullican was asked to officially sign the charter as the current Georgia District Governor.
Past Kiwanis International Trustee Dewey Smith brought greetings from Kiwanis International and talked of his time as Governor and his visit to Swainsboro to be in the Pine Tree Festival Parade when Chip Durden was parade marshal.
Kiwanian Petite Garrett introduced special guests including Governor Mullican and his wife, Susan; former trustee Smith; former Kiwanis International President Bill Lieber; District Executive Alexia Lieber; Governor-Elect Darryl Gumz; Immediate-Past Governor George Elkins; Governor-Elect of the Kentucky-Tennessee District Dwight Watt and his wife, Shari; and Division 17 Lt. Governor Jeanette LaFond. Garrett also recognized all past division 17 lt. governors, including Swainsboro Kiwanians Gary Howard and Tim Goodman, as well as local commissioners, community leaders, and service club leaders.
Kiwanian Jane Durden gave the highlights of the past 100 years of the Swainsboro Kiwanis Club, focusing on service to the community and support given to the Georgia District by past Governors Ivey Rountree (1937-38) and Chip Durden (2003-2004). Edwin Canady was recognized as a 50-year Swainsboro Kiwanis member.
Tammy Allen and Cayla Scarboro did a drawing for a caramel cake, a carrot cake and a Hersey-bar cake, all baked by Petite Garrett. They were won by Tammy Wildi, Jimmy Allen and Gary Howard. Howard presented his winning cake to Alexia Lieber for all the help she provides the Kiwanis Club.
A special thanks goes out to the 100th Anniversary Committee - Tammy Allen, Jane Durden, Petite Garrett, Cayla Scarboro, and Dianna Wedincamp. Petite also baked the club’s 100th anniversary cake.
