Buzz 4/16/13 Vol. 170 Div. 10
This week: This week Kathy Henson and Amy Washuta from DFACs spoke about the real need for foster homes in Fannin County as there are only 6 foster families in the entire county. They have an especially great need for emergency and short term placement, siblings groups and teenage boys. If you, or anyone you know would be interested, please contact DFACS. They also briefly mentioned the changes going on in their office with budget cuts and how much of their services are becoming automated.
Bingo: Last week was a slow week, but we still made $484. Tonight is the Panter team.
50/50: This week’s pot was $401, but don’t worry…my name was drawn and I didn’t win!
Notes: The nominating committee announced the nominees for the upcoming year. They are as follows:
President: Steven Miracle, President Elect: Wilda Dickey, Secretary: Tom Patterson, Treasurer: Norman Kaye, Board members (3 appointments): CJ Green, Gary Keel, Milton Hunt, Kevin Panter, Dan Amoss.
The Blairsville gun show is Friday and Saturday. If you can help, please contact Ken for more information.
Our Gun Show is May 25th and 26th at the fairgrounds. Please try to help as we will need several members to work one or both days.
Did you know?:
- A cloud measuring one cubic mile weighs about 3.5 million pounds
- The first rock concert was held in Cleveland, Ohio in 1952. (The Moondog Coronation Ball)
- Philadelphia was the first US city to have a public water system
- Judy Garland was 16 when she played Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz
- Most people who are allergic to cats aren’t allergic to cat fur or cat dander they are actually allergic to sebum, a fatty substance secreted by the cat’s sebaceous glands.
Have a great week all! -sm
Buzz 3/25/13 Vol. 169 Div. 10
This Week: Congressman Doug Collins, our Representative from the 9th District, was Steven Miracle’s guest speaker this week. Mr. Collins gave us an overview of major issues that the House is dealing with this session. A strong supporter of Second Amendment rights, Mr. Collins is seeking to put a positive spin on the gun control controversy by sponsoring gun safety events throughout our district. Putting a positive spin on the deficit debates is more difficult, but Mr. Collins explained that his goal is to get the budget under control so that the House can deal with other issues more effectively. Many politicians are seeking to throw a wrench into the Obama-care machinery by refusing to fund it. Mr. Collins touched on the immigration issue, and mentioned that Republicans are working to solve problems with both legal and illegal immigration. 
Next Week: Next week is a board meeting. There is a lot of business to take care of so please try to attend.
Bingo: We made $1160 last week. This week is the McConnell team.
50/50: Norman’s name was drawn, but he didn’t win the $351 pot. Oh well, maybe next time!
Notes: Bingo for babies was last night and our club helped Fannin Regional Hospital make $2085 for the March of Dimes. Thanks to all of our volunteers!
Did you know?:
- Rain contains vitamin B12
- By age 60, you will have lost about 50% of your taste buds and 40% of your sense of smell
- Turtles live in the sea, tortoises live on land, and terrapins live in fresh water
- The average Briton brews about 9lbs of tea a year. Americans less than one pound
- Tennis balls are fuzzy to slow them down.
- Sea cucumbers startle their enemies by shooting their digestive organs out their rear ends (and you think you’ve had a rough week!)
Have a great week all! -sm
STAR Student:
The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition 2013 Region 2 meeting was Tuesday night, 3/19/13. Will Patterson, STAR Student from Fannin County, and Donna Ladd, Star Teacher represented Fannin County well! We are proud to have them in our community. For more information go to http://www.blueridgekiwanis.org/star-student/
Buzz 2/25/13 Vol. 168 Div. 10
This week: Norman had the program this week. Our speaker is an old friend of Norman’s, Raland Patterson. After serving 22 years in the military and enjoying a second career in the financial services industry, Mr. Patterson retired to Blue Ridge to start a third career as a novelist. He spoke to the club about his second wartime novel, Bear Cat. This book, which draws on Mr. Patterson’s experiences as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, explores the struggles of Captain Johnny McKay as he leads an aviation battalion in an unpopular war. Mr. Patterson has authored several novels based in Fannin County, including Hogback and Sugar Creek.
Next week: Next week is a board meeting. Corey has the program on 3/11.
Bingo: Last week we made $1180. This week is the McConnell team.
50/50: Bill’s name was drawn but he didn’t win the $283 pot. Too bad…
Notes: Friday and Saturday is our 2nd annual pancake breakfast. Please sign up to work one or both days. Tom has been working very hard to make this a success. If you haven’t sold any tickets yet, you can get them from Tom or from Kevin.
Will Patterson and Donna Ladd
Last week was our STAR student banquet and we had a great turnout. Thanks so much for helping to support these bright students and great teachers. Emma Williams was our STAR student from MACA with teacher Sandra Burlingame. Will Patterson was STAR student from FCHS with his teacher Donna Ladd. Will was also our county winner and will go to the regional banquet in March.
Mark Parris and the Grammy Award winning Stamps Quartet will be performing a tribute to Elvis. This group toured with Elvis from 1971-1977. For more information on the “Stamps Quartet”, visit their website: www.thestampsquartet.com . For more information contact Mark or Visit www.parrispharmacy.com This performance will benefit the Fannin County Relay for Life.
Did you know?:
- Sing Sing was the first prison to use fingerprinting for identification in 1903
- More than 90% of Egypt is desert
- There have been more than 2,036 known nuclear-bomb explosions since WWII
- When Kuwait’s first McDonald’s opened in 1994, the drive-through line was 7 miles long
- Frogs not only croak, but they bark, click, grunt, snore, chirp, whistle, and trill
Have a great week all and I’ll see you at the Pancake breakfast!
-sm
BUZZ 2/8/13 vol. 167 Div. 10
This Week: This week was a board meeting so there was no program.
Next Week: Next week’s meeting is our annual STAR student meeting. It will be at 7pm at the Circle J. Please try to attend as we need a good turnout to support these bright students.
50/50: Vernon did not will the $200+ pot. Maybe next time…
Did you know?
- Chickens can see daylight 45 minutes before it is visible to humans
- It would take a manned rocket ship 70,000 years to reach the next closest solar system
- The 7 deadly sins are lust, pride, anger, envy, sloth, avarice and gluttony
- King Louis XIV is credited with being the first person to add sugar to coffee, in 1715
- On average, a movie makes about 5 times more from its video sales than its ticket sales
- The US death toll from the 1918 flu epidemic was so high that it created a coffin shortage
Sorry for the abbreviated Buzz. I left my notes at the Circle J. Have a good week all! See you Monday!
-sm
Buzz 11/5/12 Vol. 166 Div. 10
This week: This week was a board meeting. Norman’s first treasurer’s report was approved! Thanks Norman for taking over this responsibillity!
Next week: Both new surgeons, Dr Bloch and Dr. Thompson, will speak to the club and answer questions.
Bingo: Last week made $1458. This week is the McConnell team.
50/50: Richard’s name was drawn, but he didn’t win the $1, 014 pot! Awww…
Birthdays: Ted McConnell 11/20
Kiwanis Anniversaries: Gary Keel 11/1/10; Pete Folger 11/18/96
Notes: There is a benefit bingo for the empty stocking program on Nov 13th. If you can help, please contact Ken.
Safe Zone on Halloween night was a great success! Thanks to the four that manned the booth!
Thanksgiving boxes will be packed up at Save a Lot on Weds, Nov 13th at 3:30. Please come and help if you can!
Quote: Democracy is being allowed to vote for the canidate you dislike least. -Robert Byrne
Did you know:
- Earthquakes travel at speeds up to 4.8 miles per second.
- A whistle sounds louder just before it rains.
- In 1014 A.D., Viking ships pulled down the London Bridge, apparently on a whim.
- The skin on the soles of your feet is called the stratum corneum (latin for “horny layer”).
- Rain contains Vitamin B12.
Have a great week all! -sm
Buzz 10/22/12 Vol. 165 Div. 10
This Week: Stan provided the program this week. Eddie White, executive director of Habitat for Humanity, spoke to the club about several exciting new programs. Not only does H4H continue to build houses for families in need, but they also have started “Brush with Kindness” which helps people with limited income make repairs to their homes. They have also partnered with Heat Fannin to weatherize the homes of needy families. This is a worthwhile organization that works hard to help members of our community. Eddie says they are still looking for donations of land, dollars, and building supplies.
Next Week: Tommy will have next week’s program. Kathy Thompson, local author, will be speaking to the club.
Bingo: Bingo made $1018 last week. This week is the Hamm team.
50/50: Tommy Vannoy’s name was drawn, but he didn’t find the joker and win the $911 pot! Too bad… Next week, only 11 cards to draw from!
Anniversaries: Tommy and Judy Vannoy 10/14; Tony and Sheila McConnell 10/16; CJ and Sherry Green 10/24.
Birthdays: Clarke Mercer 10/17; Stan Hamm 10/17.
Notes: Tony says the HVAC should have been finished this morning. 
There will be an auction on Saturday. This one will have different kinds of items so if you are free, come and check it out.
The new program assignment forms are now available. If you didn’t get one, they will be next to the sign in sheet each week.
Congrats to Mary Ellen McConnell, Ted’s wife. She completed the 60 mile 3 day Susan G. Koman walk in support of breast cancer research! Great job and worthwile cause!
Quotes: “If you want the girl next door, go next door.” -Marilyn Monroe
Did You Know?:
- The average cat consumes 28 times its weight in food annually.
- In the 1950′s, the dog that played Lassie made $5,000 per week.
- At 3 weeks, a human fetus is about the size of a sesame seed.
- The only 3 English words that end in “ceed?” Succeed, proceed, and exceed.
- Before the Civil War, the average work week was 11 hours a day, 6 days a week.
Have a great week all! -sm
Buzz 10/1/12 Vol. 164 Div. 10
This Week: This week was a board meeting and Ken was lucky enough to give his last treasurer report. Jill brought two “key clubbers” to our meeting. Thanks Jill for doing such a good job with the Key Club!
Last Week: Last week was our annual Installation Banquet. What a great way to start the new Kiwanis “year” with a great turnout. Thanks to Tommy and Judy for once again letting us use their facility.
Congrats on our two Kiwanians of the year! Stan Hamm and Ken Williams!
50/50: Kevin’s name was drawn, but he didn’t win the $800 pot! Sorry…
Bingo: Last week’s bingo was good and made $1245! This week is the Maginn team.
Birthdays: Jere McConnell 10/10
Anniversaries: Tommy and Judy Vannoy 10/14.
Kiwanis Anniversaries: Richard McClain 10/1/00; Ken Williams 10/1/99.
Notes: We need volunteers to come to the fairgrounds on Thursday at noon to set up for bingo. Please try to come and help. It’s a lot of work for a few, but if a many show up, it’s finished quickly! Dedication of the Blue Ridge Elementary School “stone” is Wednesday, Oct 10th at 1:30 pm. A good show of Kiwanians would be nice for pictures.
There will be a benefit bingo on Tuesday, Oct 9th for the Fannin County High School. Please contact Ken if you can help out.
Quote: “I wish I could give you a lot of advice, based on my experience of winning political debates. But I don’t have that experience. My only experience is at losing them. -Richard M. Nixon
Did you know?:
- A musk ox is actually a sheep.
- The audlt literacy rate in Iceland is 100%
- First sugar-sweetened cereal: Post’s Golden Crisp in 1949.
- It takes about 63,000 trees to print an average Sunday edition of the New York Times
- More than 46% of the world has type O blood
- The Ford Motor Company was the first to offer a rebate…$50 on a new Model T.
More scenes from last week’s dinner:
Buzz 8/28/12 Vol. 163 Div. 11
This Week: This week’s program was an introduction to our newest physician, Dr. Dillon Miller. Dr. Miller spoke to the club about his background experience, growing up in Texas and how/why he came to be in Blue Ridge. Let’s just say…we owe his wife a favor as it seems he will be joining our club! Welcome Dr. Miller!
Next Week: Next week is a holiday so there will not be a meeting. Remember, members can pick up a meal at the annual Labor Day BBQ. The next week, Sept 10th will be a board meeting.
Bingo: Last week we made $683. This week is the Hamm team with the McGinn team working the week after.
50/50: Richard’s name was drawn but he didn’t win the $683 pot. Aww….
Rodeo: Our rodeo was a success with over 4,000 people coming out to enjoy an evening of cowboys, boiled peanuts, and steer dressing!! We don’t have a final tally, but that will be announced soon!
Fair: It’s almost time for the fair. Let’s make this Fair successful! Please plan to work with us the week of Sept 18-22nd.
Birthdays: Sharon McFarland 9/14.
Anniversaries: Eddie and Penny Ayers 9/13; Steven and Kit Miracle 9/15.
Kiwanis Anniversaries: Ted McConnell 9/14/94; Milton Hunt 9/16/96
Notes: Our annual officer’s installation meeting will be held at the Blue Ridge Swim and Tennis Club Sept 24th. Social hour starts at 6pm, meal begins at 6:30. More details to come.
There will be a benefit bingo on Sept 11th for the Crisis Network. If you’re not helping, come out and play!
Did you know?:
- You’re eye muscles move an average of 100,000 times a day.
- Gene Simmons from the band KISS speaks 4 languages and has a B.A. in education
- the Spanish Inquisition was formally abolished in 1834.
- 1957 was the first year Americans ate more margarine than butter.
- During the American Revolution, patriotic brides wore red dresses to symbolize rebellion.
If you want dreams to come true, don’t oversleep!
-Yiddish Proverb
Have a great week all! -sm
Buzz 6/25/12 Vol. 163 Div. 11
This Week: This week’s speaker was Tulley Fodo from the Downtown Blue Ridge Farmer’s market. Ms. Fodo spoke of the Share with Neighbors program as well as the workings of the market. This is a community driven market that is located in the park across from the courthouse. They only allow local vendors and are open on Saturday mornings from 8am-12pm. This week is their special July 4th saturday with special events and vendors so come out and see and/or learn something new!
Also, Coach Randy Hallmark from MACA thanked the club for our donation to help their basketball students go to camp. He spoke briefly on how they work to go which teaches them good work ethics and independence at camp. We are always happy to help students from all over our county! 
Next Week: Next week will be a board meeting. The HVAC options at the fairgrounds will be discussed. All board members and officers, please try to attend.
50/50: C.J.’s number was drawn, but he didn’t win the $533 pot. Sorry…
Bingo: The awesome Ted’s angels team made $1624 last week (and we even gave an extra $100 away!) This week is the Vannoy team. Let’s see if they can do the same… By the way, Stan makes a pretty good angel!
Notes: The Blue Ridge Community Theater will present ”Greater Tuna” beginning on Thursday, July 5th. That night will also be Empty Stocking night with 20% of the proceeds from sales and concessions going to the Empty Stocking fund. Please go out and have a good time and help this worthy charity in the process. Also, if you mention you are with Kiwanis, they will give you a discount on your ticket! It’s a win-win situation!
Birthdays: Mike Maginn 6/25; Pete Folger 6/26; Steven Miracle 6/28.
Anniversaries: Ron and Patty Beckey 6/21.
Kiwanis Anniversaries: CJ Green 6/9/97; Norman Kaye 6/11/79; Mark Parris 6/21/93.
Did You Know?
- Before World War II, most Americans did not brush their teeth regularly.
- In 1987 the Hollywood sign was changed to Holywood in honor of the pope’s visit.
- The Boston Light is North America’s first lighthouse and was lit in 1716.
- Your spine was straight until you learned how to walk and then it became “S” shaped.
- 90% of all airplane collisions take place on the ground.
Have a great week all! -sm
