Blackhawk Golden ‘K’ General Meeting
Minutes
September 10th, 2025
Roger Willeford presided, and called the meeting to order with a ring of the bell at 9:30AM.
33 members were in attendance today.
The meeting was led with the singing of America, the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation: Ron Shuler, mentioning thanks for the blood drives, and the children.
Raffle: John Janes oversaw the ticket sales and drawing this week.
The weekly pot was $19 and the big (Joker) pot was $445.
April Wright drew a ticket from the bucket, ticket number 2139. Congratulations to the winner, Ryan Lewis.
The deck of cards has 20/53 cards remaining. Ryan Lewis drew the J♠.
Roger Willeford thanks greeters Bob Knudson and Tom Neumann, invocator Ron Shuler, rafflemaster John Janes, and server Glenn Disrude.
Happy Box: Ryan Lewis announced he is happy because he won the raffle, and is donating the winnings to the Alzheimer’s Walk.
Bob Knudson announced he is happy because he has been married 59 years today, and is donating to the Project 16:49 charity.
Jokes: Steve Skelly had a good joke.
Ryan Lewis had a good joke about a centipede, an ant and a spider at a party.
Roger Willeford had a good joke about a man’s wife complaining about his poor sense of direction. He packed up his things and “right.”
Other Announcements: Roger Willeford shared thanks for Dale Henning’s donation covering the expense the Buckley Picnic.
Roger Willeford spoke upon an invite to Beloit Kiwanis’ signature fundraising project, a Murder Mystery dinner at Boundaries Bar and Grill. It happens on September 27th, and tickets are $65.
Roger Willeford spoke upon the board meeting next week (one week early) and officers’ induction with breakfast, the week that follows.
Committee Reports: John Janes announced Truck on Ice sponsors should be sought. Kick-off is rapidly approaching.
Tom Neumann announced the Senior Fair is this weekend. The ‘guess the golf balls’ will be brought back, and John Janes will look at others’ booths for ideas to attract individuals.
Steve Skelly announced there are now 21 buddy benches sold! A few are on a ‘to do’ list.
Jenny Turco introduced the day’s speaker, Carlee Fosco. Carlee is the Camp Wawbeek Executive Director. Camp Wawbeek is a pair of year-round retreat camps for children and adults with disabilities. Carlee has been associated with the camp in some form for a decade. She lives on camp most of the year.
Carlee presented upon the camp and fielded member questions. Some of that included the size of the camp, which is 200 beds, 80 of which were new in 2021 thanks to Kiwanis.
The camp staffs two counselors per every 5-6 campers. It had around 65 campers this summer.
Kiwanis member Tom Neumann asked, “Where is Camp Wawbeek?” Carlee responded, “It is on the fast Eastern side of Wisconsin Dells, off of highway 13.
Kiwanian Jim Farrell asked, “Who pays for their travel and vets the counselors?” A website is used in combination with interviews. The employee pays around $1,000, and the camp spends $3-4,000. Employees are trained for nursing and CPR prior to their arrival.
Kiwanian John Janes asked, “What projects currently need financial support?” Carlee discussed problems in the male dorm, and needs for a fire pit and swing set.
John Janes then asked about staff income. Carlee explained that domestic employees receive around $500 weekly, and international hires, slightly less.
Kiwanian Jenny Turco asked, “Do you have any interesting camping stories?” Carlee responded with a story about her attending the camp when she was younger, with her disabled cousin.
Camp Wawbeek is the longest running Wisconsin camp.
Kiwanian Tom Neumann asked, “Can we tour the camp?” Carlee responded, “Yes, all year around it is in operation. During the school year, it is available during the weekends, and I live nearby.”
Kiwanis members Roger Willeford and John Janes asked, “What size is the camp?” Carlee responded, “Two camps exist. Campers move between the two. One camp is for higher needs guests. The campground encompasses 450 acres, donated by a family.
Kiwanian Tom Neumann asked, “What ages does the camp accept?” Carlee replied, “Camp Wawbeek takes seven to any age. Respit takes three to any age.”
Kiwanian Ryan Lewis asked, “Do camp staff receive continuing education college credits?” Carlee responded, “Yes, and internships, etcetera.”
The presentation was well received.
Jenny Turco thanked Carlee Fosco for speaking and presented her with a Kiwanis Parker pen.
Roger Willeford adjourned the meeting with a ring of the bell at 10:30AM.
Reminders: There is an executive board meeting next week.
On this day:
1846 Elias Howe takes out a US patent for a lockstitch sewing machine, which revolutionized garment manufacture in the factory and in the home.
1858 John Holden hits the first recorded home run in a game between Brooklyn and New York.
1919 Austria and the Allied powers signed the Treaty of Saint-Germain, concluding World War I.
1937 Second American Football League plays first game (LA 21, Pittsburgh 0).
1956 Public schools integrate in Louisville, Kentucky.
1984 Alex Trebek debuted as host of the TV game show Jeopardy!
2000 Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats closed after 7,485 performances; it was the longest-running show on Broadway until it was surpassed by Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera in 2006.
2008 The Large Hadron Collider, the world’s most powerful particle accelerator, conducted its first test operation.
Today is National Hot Dog Day, celebrating the popular cooked sausage, which many times is eaten in a bun. Hot dogs gained in popularity in the United States in the early 20th century, and are similar to frankfurters and wieners, which take their names from Frankfurt, Germany, and Vienna, Austria.
Minutes by Ryan Lewis.
Credit: Dave Figi, and Ryan Lewis, photographs.
Note: Kiwanis and its members are not responsible for errors or omissions. We are open to discussion if you would like to request an alteration.
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