The Hastings Banner — Thursday, October 7, 2021 — Page 7Kiwanis Club celebrated
20th, 40th anniversaries
Kathy Maurer
Copy Editor
Little did the newly created Kiwanis Club
of Hastings know, when it was founded in
late September 1941, the major changes com-
munity, state and country would soon see.
The club, like the rest of the nation, made it
through World War II, marked its 20th anni-
versary in the fall of 1961, and the 40th anni-
versary in 1981 – both anniversaries being
reported in The Banner.
Many members were recognized for their
longevity with the service club, and several
were active into their 80s, including Neil
Braendle, who died in 2018 and Gordon
Ironside Jr., who died in 2015. Braendle was
recognized for 40 years of service to the
group at a special presentation in 2012,
Ironside Jr. was honored for 60 years of par-
ticipation, including reportedly 47 years as its
treasurer.
While many of the people in the organiza-
tion were steadfast in their service, the build-
ings where the club met or celebrated have
changed over the years. A speaker at the 40th
anniversary told Kiwanis members the only
thing people can be sure about in the future is
that it will not be like the past and not like
they think it will be. And though buildings
may seem permanent, the club’s gathering
places have seen change – maybe not like
anyone expected.
The club’s initial papers were signed in
November 1941 at the Odd Fellows Hall, 328
S. Jefferson, near the corner of Green and
Jefferson streets. That building pre-dated the
U.S. Civil War and initially was the Methodist-
Episcopal Church. After serving the Odd
Fellows organization, the building was
renamed Thomas Jefferson Hall in the 1980s
and was owned by the Barry County
Democratic Party. It is now a church again,
housing Christ the King PCA.
The 20th anniversary was celebrated at
Leason Sharpe Memorial Hall, then part of
the First Presbyterian Church of Hastings.
The memorial hall is still used for community
events, and the larger building now is home
to local nonprofit organizations, including
Barry County United Way and the Barry
Community Foundation.
The 40th anniversary was celebrated at the
Hastings Moose Lodge at the corner of
Michigan and Apple streets, when Apple was
not yet a street but a railroad track. The build-
ing, which had been standing long before the
Moose organization renovated and occupied it
in the late 20th century, was razed in May 2018.
The Oct. 4, 1981, Banner announced the
club marking its 40th anniversary and install-
ing new officers for the coming year:
A host of special guests, including the
Michigan Kiwanis governor, joined members
of the Hastings Kiwanis Club Wednesday to
celebrate its 40th anniversary with a banquet
at the Moose Lodge. The club also installed
new officers for 1981-82.
Special guests attending the ceremonies
included Michigan Kiwanis Gov. William
Hershiser and his wife, Edie; Lt. Gov.-Elect
Howard Fischer and his wife, Marian; Lt.
Gov. A.D. Mayer and his wife, Jean; Michigan
Secretary-Treasurer Douglas Alexander and
his wife, Ann; and Kenneth Sanderson, first
president of the Hastings club, and his wife,
Rosalyn.
New officers installed by the state gover-
nor and district lieutenant governor were Dan
Hamilton, president; Neil Braendle, presi-
dent-elect; William Ransom, vice president;
Arthur Steeby, secretary; and Gordon Ironside
Jr., treasurer.
Donald Fisher, a charter member of the
Hastings club, was honored for his 40 years
of service. Patrick Gilmore was made a mem-
ber of the Legion of Honor, an award given to
members with more than 25 years of service.
“This club has had a tremendous impact on
this community,’ Hershiser said. “Tomorrow
we start on another 40 years. Being contented
is for cows. The world hates change, but only
change brings progress.’
Hershiser said the only thing people can be
sure of in the future is that it is not like the
past, not like they think it will be, and the rate
of change will be faster than ever before.
“When you’re getting kicked in the rear,’
he joked, ‘it means you are out in front.’
Arthur Steward Jr., a past president serving
as master of ceremonies, presented a past
presidents’ plaque to outgoing president
Donald Sothard.Sothard announced that the club had
received a Round Robin Award at the state
convention for sending four members to visit
each club in the district during the year and
an honorable mention for the club’s newslet-
ter. Kenneth Miller was chairman of the inter-
club visitation, and Braendle was newsletter
editor.
Entertainment for the evening was provid-
ed by Rev. Robert Consani, pastor of St. Rose
of Lima Church in Hastings.About 60 members, and their wives, from
others clubs attended the celebration, hailing
from various clubs in Grand Rapids West,
Battle Creek, Kalamazoo and Wyoming.
Two decades years earlier, the club marked
its 20th anniversary. That celebration was a
Wednesday evening, Oct. 11, 1961, at Leason
Sharpe Memorial Hall.
Charter members of the club, according to
the 20th anniversary program, included L.E.
Barnett, William Benjamin, Gordon Bera, Dr.
Fremont R. Brooks, Merritt Bryant, C.B.
Burkholder, Ernest Cassaday, Adelbert
Cortright, George C. Dean, Lester DeVault,Milo DeVries, Rev. Fr. Dillon, Harrison
Dodds, Donald B. Fisher, Dwight W. Fisher,
Dr. Gordon Fisher, Howard Frost, A.B. Gidley,
Dr. A.B. Gwinn, Mark E. Lee, Dr. F. Edward
Lowry, Lynn Lewis, Burdette A. LyBarker,
Jay W. Marsman, Philip H. Mitchell, Cedric S.
Morey, Clare McKee, Richard A. Nipe, Allen
Prentice, Kenneth R. Sanderson, William J.
Schilhaneck, Philo H. Sheldon, Rev. Winston
Stone, Edwin L. Taylor, Harry B. Thompson
Sr., Dorrence W. Trethric, Robert C. Walldorff
and Gus Wingeier.
Some of those charter members attended
the celebration as special guests. At least had
already died before the milestone event:
Burkholder, Dean, DeVries, Dillon, Dodds,
Sheldon, Stone and Wingeier.
“Other Kiwanians in Division 11 were
invited along with past presidents of the local
club now living elsewhere,” according to an
Oct. 2, 1961, Banner article, “including
Edwin Taylor, who was president in 1944,
now superintendent of schools at Grandville;
Dorrence Trethric, 1943, now of Lathrup
Village; Morton Bacon, 1952, Pontiac; and
Ken Sanderson, 1941-42, now of Alma.”
Charter members who were then still active
in the club included Judge Cortright, Donald
and Dwight Fisher, Marsman, Judge Mitchell,
Schilhaneck and Walldorff.
The 1961 booklet included a bit of history
on the club [neither the booklet nor the fol-
low-up article included photos]. The club’s
organization was completed Sept. 25, 1941,
under sponsorship by the Battle Creek and
Jackson clubs. The charter was presented by
Dr. Bert R. Parrish Nov. 26, 1941, at the Odd
Fellows Hall.
Sanderson was the first president; DeVries
and Trethric, first and second vice presidents,
respectively; DeVault, treasurer; and Barnett,
its first secretary. Cortright, Frost, Gidley,
Gwinn, Mitchell, Morey and Gordon Fisher
were the local club’s first directors.
The Hastings club was the 78th to be orga-
nized in the Michigan District of Kiwanis
International. However, it was just the fourth
to sponsor Key Club, a high school-age ser-
vice club, which began May 25, 1950. As of
1961, Hastings High School’s Key Club had60 members, including 1961-62 officers:
President Tom Baty, Vice President John
Clarey, Treasurer John von Reis, Secretary
Stephen Johnson and Lt. Gov. Mike Youngs,
with Hal Buerge as its adviser.
The 1961 anniversary committee was
comprised of several past presidents, includ-
ing Stanley Cummings, J. Franklin Huntley,
Carlton Kaechele, Warren Williams, Wright
Sim, Stuart Cleveland, Russell Hankins,
Robert Sherwood, Homer Becker and Harry
Burke.
In the first 20 years, the club’s contribu-
tions covered many areas, including:
For boys and girls – Christmas gifts, athlet-
ic sports program, aid to need children
(clothes, food, dental), Kids Day Program,
hamburger cookouts at “Y” camp, Forney
Clement project and “Y” camperships.
Key Club – youth activities with future
leaders.
Vocational guidance – education guidance
for students.
Agriculture and conservation – youth live-
stock program, trips for 4-H and FFA mem-
bers, tree farm, programs with farmers, and
4-H leaders’ appreciation dinners.
Public and business affairs – hospital
equipment for nursery, hearing aid program,
cohesive agent bringing men of community
together, recognition of civic achievement,
promotion and cooperation with other service
clubs, spirited and active cooperation with all
active service and welfare groups, influence
for higher ethical standards, giving members
an opportunity to be of service in all phases
of community activity, developing communi-
ty interest in school board and school activi-
ties, vehicle safety check, development of
community responsibility of members’ “Get
out the vote” campaigns.
Support of churches – church director in
County Lure book.
Education and fellowship – fellowship of
group.
Travel – World Adventure Travel Series for
the whole community.
The 80-year-old club, which now includes
women, continues on its initial mission to
serve the community in a variety of ways.The 1961 anniversary book includes a directory of members, their occupations, wife’s name and responsibility within the club.Charter member Donald Fisher (left) is given a standing ovation when he is recognized for his 40 years
of membership. (Photos from Oct. 4, 1981, Banner)
Donald Sothard (left) outgoing president of the Hastings Kiwanis Club, receives his past president’s
plaque from Arthur Steward Jr.The new Hastings Kiwanis officers in 1981 are (from left) Gordon Ironside Jr., trea-
surer; Neil Braendle, president-elect; Dan Hamilton, president; and Arthur Steeby,
secretary. (Vice president William Ransom not pictured)Patrick Gilmore is made a member of
the Kiwanis Legion of Honor for his 25
years of service.