President Rachel Shepard presided, David Kyler led the pledge to the U.S. A. flag and John Mitchell said the prayer. After dinner numerous awards were presented. Willie Wilson shared history of the Cadiz Civitan Club’s organization in 1955.
He mentioned three members who were leaders in established a school for special children, the first of it’s kind in this area. Principals Paul Gardner Junior, Arthur Wallace and businessman James Guess spearheaded the effort to obtain a building, equipment and hire a teacher to make the dream of having a school for special children a reality. In 1955, there were no government or public school funds to provide for special children.
Gardner and Wallace are both deceased. Guess was active as charter member, served forty years as treasurer and had 52 years perfect attendance before failing health caused him to move to Alabama.
A letter of congratulations was acknowledged from Civitan International President, Mark Eisinger, M.S.T. A special Civitan International award for member recruitment went to William Lawrence. Certificates of appreciation were presented to president Rachel Shepard, president-elect John Mitchell, secretary Connie Cook and treasurer Ronnie Cook.
The guest speaker was James T. Thomas of St. Bethlehem Civitan Club and chairman of Special Olympics for valley district. He told of his first experience in joining Civitan after moving from California to Clarksville. He and his wife Cora were not only impressed by the many projects Civitan sponsored, but by the friendly welcome they received from club members.
He recently returned from Chattanooga, where he and volunteer parents took twelve children to participate in a bowling tournament. The strength in volunteering is in helping others, expecting nothing in return, but those in Civitan will tell you the rewards are far greater than most people would ever dream.
Thomas also presented perfect attendance pins to president Rachel Shepard four years, David Kyler and William Lawrence each six years, treasurer Ronnie Cook 14 years, Willie Wilson 18 years and civitan senior member, Wallace Blakeley 45 years perfect attendance. Blakeley had the honor of cutting the 55th anniversary cake.
Attending were James and Cora Thomas, Willie and Jo Ann Wilson, David Kyler, Harold and Rose Parkinson, John Mitchell, Ronnie Cook, Wallace and Delores Blakeley, Ronnie Sadler, William and Carolyn Lawrence and Rachel and Mike Shepard.
The Gold dollar winners were Rose Parkinson and John Mitchell. The meeting closed with the reading of the Civitan Creed. Civitan meets at 6:30 p.m. each first and third Tuesday at the Cadiz Restaurant.
