Lon opened the meeting by recognizing Rhonda who gave the preliminary results of the Clay Shoot.
REPORTS:
Rhonda:
Rhonda first announced the May birthdays. They are Kelli, Chester and Steve Whigham. The celebration will be on May 16th.
She then gave us a preliminary financial result of the Clay Shoot that was held April 27th. Sponsors donated $5000. There were 8 paying teams at $650 per team for a total of $5200. The raffle brought in $1000+ and more came in from the challenger shoot. The accounting at this time is a profit of a little over $6,000. Well done! This will help greatly in our support of the youth in our service area.
Rhonda also showed the Kiwanis Keepsake Challenge coins that were purchased to give winners. She thanked all of the donors for the raffle items and the cobbler bakers.
Lon:
Lon gave the 2nd notice announcing officers and new board members for 2024-2025. Again, it is Rick Pickering for President, Kristin Wingard for Treasurer and Jennifer Richmond for Secretary. Three new board members are Willie Garza, Rhonda White, and Penny Slavik.
He announced that there will be Camp Work day on Saturday, May 4th from 9:00-1:00.
PROGRAM:
Lon introduced the first speaker Bill Pennington for today's program about the Junior Agricultural Mechanic's Show. Bill gave a brief history of some of the livestock shows started in central Texas beginning with his dad Willard Pennington starting a livestock show in 1952 or 1953. One location was started in the unlikely place of a used car dealership where stalls were built. He spoke about the Hays County Stock Show where our own Glen Rydl served as president in 1978. He also mentioned the Freeman brothers who developed a ranch between San Marcos and Wimberley. The Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio is where the San Antonio County Livestock Show and Rodeo is held every year with the Junior Agricultural Mechanic's Show (Jam Show) later added to become a major competition for the youth as part of the stock show.
Lon took over the program presentation saying he was first asked to judge at the livestock show around 1972 or 1973. His first judging assignment was of barrows which many of us learned is a term for a castrated male pig. He went on to judge farm equipment such as tractors. In 2001 he was asked to help set up the first Junior Agricultural Mechanics contest. He participated in this event with his son. Lon said said this is one the most educational events he has known and he comes away with excitement over our future generation. The judging emphasis is on the student although the project is, of course, important. The judges are a critical part of meeting the educational goals of the contest. Competing students who are members of 4H and FFA are asked a series of questions about themselves and their project. Among the projects judged are Tractor Restoration and Reconditioining, trailers of all sorts and Marketplace projects to name just a few. The Jam Show provides scholarships, monetary awards and career enhancement paths.
Ed Speed and his daughter Jennifer along with Stu Crockett, all who came to our meeting, are also involved with the Jam Show.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS:
May 9th: Round Table (Texas State graduation)
May 16th: Ashley Schimelman, SM Library
May 23rd: Moe, Scholarship Winners
May 30th: CASA
Regular Reminders:
Don't forget to click "like" and "share" on Facebook and other social media to promote the Kiwanis Club. We need to keep getting the club's name out there to promote our community involvement and to add new members to help in our endeavors.
Be sure to check the Calendar posted on the San Marcos Kiwanis Club website to stay up-to-date on what is happening.
Humor and Musings:
Did you hear about the magic tractor? It turned into a field.
Did you hear about the wooden tractor? It had wooden wheels, a wooden engine, a wooden transmission and wooden work.
"Agriculture is our wisest pursuit because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals and happiness." Thomas Jefferson
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