Kiwanis Hi-Noon celebrated its 50th anniversary Thursday with a buffet dinner, auction and program at the Emporia Country Club.
Two charter members — Ken Koch and Bill Wygle — were introduced by Chuck Hanna and recognized for their long-term membership in the club. Wygle was elected second vice president when the club was formed in December 1958.
Other officers of the newly formed club were Gerald W. Dawson, president; E.E. Tillotson, first vice president; Melville W. Archer, secretary; and Duane Hickox, treasurer.
Other members of the original club were Bert J. Johnson, Scott A. Mouse, Jack Taylor, Russel Cooper, Howard G. Gunkel, Frank H. Johnson, Milton Navrat, Arther E. Keller, Luther E. Sharpe, H.G. Ellenbeerger, Fritz M. Brown, Robert S. Johnson, Richard E. Smith, Harold E. Eversmeyer, Harry J. Waters, Lee R. Stolfus, W.G. Archibald, Millard W. Fillmore, Robert F. Winter, Duncan McPherson, W.A. Stolfus, Warren W. Bailey Jr., and Marion Foster.
Two Hi-Noon members — Wygle and Keith Bray — have served as Governors of the Kansas District.
The club also recognized Lee Stolfus and Howard Gunkel, charter members who are not currently in the club; former lieutenant governors gary Grose and Ed Butler; and current lieutenant governor Virginia Higgins.
Jean Tidwell welcomed members to the celebration Thursday and Steve Harmon gave the invocation.
A fundraising auction was organized by Paul McNab and presided over by auctioneer Larry Putnam. Funds raised will be used to finance the group’s community service projects.
Members have focused on serving children and the community during their 50 years of existence. They have run bells for the Salvation Army, donated scholarships to area youngsters, contributed to Plumb Place, assisted in promoting safety seats and the Teddy Bear Clinic for children, donated funds and labor to the Peter Pan Park playground project, provided dolls for children in the hospital, worked in the Rebuilding Together Home Rehabilitation project, planted a mile of iris at Camp Alexander, co-hosted the Good Friday Breakfast, donated time and money to SOS, sponsored circuses to raise funds for children’s projects, served at Abundant Harvest, sponsored Terrific Kids, and provided books to area day care centers and schools, among other service projects.
Mary Forsythe, Marie Miller, Lisa Kirmer, Harmon, McNab, Tidwell, and Wygle were on the 50th anniversary celebration committee.