The Kiwanis Club of Swainsboro held its weekly meeting Tuesday night, July 18, 2023, at the Rustic Grille at 7 p.m. With President Tammy Allen presiding, they had 22 in attendance, including one guest, Johnny Tapley. The cake, provided by Cassie McIntyre, was won by Jane Durden. Domino’s pizza, donated by Domino's, was won by Tim Goodman and Jim Clapham won the American flag yard sign provided by Gary Howard. Petite Garrett named the member spotlight for the night, Sondra Fortner. Sondra has had a wide variety of occupations since graduating from Richmond Academy. She has been a dental assistant, a photo assistant in Nashville (she is friends with Vince Gill and Willie Nelson), and the director of an equine-assisted psychotherapy program in Arizona. Fortner last served as the Johnson County Extension Coordinator and 4-H leader. She has three children and likes to cook, travel, and do yoga. Her member-spotlight picture showed her at Stonehenge. Tim Goodman inducted the newest Kiwanis member, Jeff Palmer, with assistance from his sponsor, Cheryl Goodman. Jeff is a transfer from the Dublin Kiwanis Club. President Tammy thanked everyone who attended the training for the new Board last Sunday, July 17. The program for the evening was sponsored by Glenn Briercheck. Jane Durden introduced Viet-Nam Veteran Johnny Tapley, who gave an update on the "Veterans at the Library". As Covid restrictions were lifted, the veteran’s group that meets every Monday at 9:15 a.m. in the Franklin Memorial Library, began again. With the first meeting having only four veterans in attendance, it was obvious to Tapley that recruitment was going to be important. Now the meetings have close to 50 attendees and 102 members. Thanks to Tapley and the veterans, 13 flags were placed at the newly named Veterans and First Responder’s Memorial Park on US 80 to honor the 13 soldiers killed in the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. The park is being cleaned up and the nature trail is being upgraded. A Veterans tree is now at the park adorned with red, white, and blue lights. A visit to the library shows they are outgrowing the space and pictures of veterans are on the walls throughout the library. The veteran’s group also supports the “Wreaths Across American” program. They are planning other events throughout the year. Contact Johnny if you want to join or just show up on Monday at 9:15 a.m. at the library. If you would like to become a member of the Club, please contact the membership chair, Jane Durden, at 478-494-4113 or e-mail her at hsdurden@bellsouth.net. Also, if you would like more information about the Club and the many community service projects that they do each year, please visit www.swainsborokiwanis.org or Swainsboro Kiwanis Facebook page.
