The first Friday of September is the set date for the Kiwanis Club of Kirkland’s annual Installation Banquet. It is the biggest social event of the year for the club and a big money maker for the kids in our community. The highlight of the evening was the installation of the in-coming president for the year, Mark Tillman.

Also installed were Vice President of Membership Bill Badgley and Vice President of Fundraising Dale Sahr, Secretary Tom Pendergrass, and three new board members, Niki DeSario, Habiba Sadat and Carol Truex.

Carol Mahoney, Lt. Governor of the PNWD 28, did the honors of installing these new officers and board members. Mahoney’s guest was Dave Sherman, her brother and a member of the Kiwanis Club of Redmond.

The outgoing president, Kat Cannon, was commended for a job very well done during this past year and was given kudos by everyone at the banquet with a standing ovation.

Remembrances were made for two long time members who passed away during this year – Wally Hamilton and Dick Shinstrom. Shinstrom was known as the “Father of the Club” and had a 67-year record of perfect attendance. Both members will be dearly missed.

For the third year, the banquet was held at the Kirkland Woman’s Club and about 75 members, spouses and friends gathered for the festivities. There was a photo both capturing fun times to remember and keeping them for posterity. The K-Band, the KCK’s own oldies rock and roll band, provided music during the social hour with tunes from the past and a delicious dinner was served. During the installation, a spoof to the song “Wagon Wheel” was sung to Tillman.

There was a live auction and a raffle and the proceeds from both will help replenish the club’s Administrative Fund for club operations. By doing so, 100 percent of the service fund net profits that are raised through fundraising efforts are able to go directly to help the greater Kirkland community.

As the evening came to a close, KCK members, spouses and friends gathered up their treasures from the auction and the raffle and headed home with smiles on their faces and warmth in their hearts, knowing that the Kiwanis Club of Kirkland will be moving into another great year of fun and service to the community.

If you would like more information about the Kiwanis Club of Kirkland, visit our website www.kirkland.kiwanis.org or contact Secretary, Tom Pendergrass at (206) 910-1949. The club meets at noon every Wednesday at Hector’s in downtown Kirkland. If you are in the area, drop in – the club will buy you lunch.

Bonnie Sundberg is with the Kiwanis Club of Kirkland.