Volume 61, Issue 4

July, 2015 Valley District Greetings Fellow Civitan Civitans

At the end of May, the total Valley District membership increased by 41 vs. the beginning of the 2014-15 Civitan year. Con- gratulations to over one-third of the Valley District clubs that have increases in membership: Ashland City, Henderson TN, Pulaski, Columbia, Hickman County, Shelbyville, Corporate Business Park, Jackson, South Jackson, Cumberland, Middleton, South Nashville, Dyersburg, Nashville City, Springfield, Green Hills, & North Cheatham. For those clubs not having gains, there is still time remaining. Membership is the lifeblood of a club & must be given serious attention. New club members Governor bring a host of opportunities to the club including: 1.Providing more resources and additional “working hands” to prevent Leslie ‘burn-out’ of existing members. 2. More ideas for projects, activities & fellowship 3. Increasing the future leadership pool and Benmark 4. Broadening the awareness of Civitan in the community. Simply put, membership growth ensures club survival. Recruiting people into Civitan creates enthusiasm & offers to the prospective member the opportunity to give back to his community. We hope each club will hold a Recruitment Meeting during the 4th quarter. We would love to help your club with this en- deavor. Please contact me, the Gov.-elect, your Area Director or others in Valley Leadership & let us know how we can as- sist you with the planning & implementation of your Meeting. International President Editor’s Note: Take a look Jay Albertia inside and see how many Dear Fellow Valley District Civitans, VALLEY events Jay has attended this quarter. We I am writing this message to you in between a variety of Civitan activities. My family and I appreciate his taking the time have recently returned from and where we saw firsthand the amazing to remember us in his BUSY work being done for those with intellectual disabilities in the name of Civitan International. schedule. Thanks, Jay! The members of the clubs in South Korea just completed another successful Children’s Festival while the Inside this issue: members of the Mt. Fuji Civitan Club continue to raise money and help the 130 residents of an intellectu- ally disabled facility and those able to work in the bakery, laundry, and candle shops. It was both a bless- ing and an inspiration to meet these fellow Civitans and be able to recognize them for all their hard work. Region 6,Special Olym- 2-3 pics, Calendar, Past Gov., Speaking of hard work, the happiest place on Earth lived up to its reputation as hundreds of Junior Civi- Chaplain, Judge Advocate tans, Advisors, Chairs, and adult Civitans (including our family) converged upon Disney for their Interna- tional Convention June 25-28. I am pleased to announce that the Valley District was well represented by Fundraising, Nashville 4-5 13 members and were able to celebrate international recognition with the following awards: City, Central, Memphis, Dickson Juniors, Buddy Community Project of the Year: 3rd place to Richview Middle School Ball, Cordova Campus Project of the Year: 2nd place to Richview Middle School District of the Year: 2nd place to VALLEY Dyersburg, Greenridge, 6-7 Honor of Distinction: VALLEY Middleton, Joelton, Green Hills, Bolivar, Cookeville Preston Albertia will be representing Valley District Juniors again this next year as Governor and has al- Clarksville, Mt. Pleasant, 8-9 ready stated his goal to once again achieve Honor District of Excellence, win more club and district Dickson, Monterey, awards and become Governor of the Year. In order to achieve these goals our juniors will require your Corporate Business Park, help on both the local and district level, but I’m confident you’ll support them in every way possible. Ashland City Thanks for your helping them “Rock the World with Service” during the 2014-15 year, but now it’s time for the juniors to “Let our Service Shine”! Paris, South Jackson, 10- St. Bethlehem, Owens- 11 Finally, I want to let you all know what a privilege it has and continues to be serving as your International boro, North Cheatham President. I have had the opportunity to visit many of our district’s clubs even in the middle of all my other travels and I am so proud of your dedication to Civitan and the commitment you have to improving Junior Civitan 12 the lives of those with developmental disabilities. As we enter the fourth quarter I want to encourage each of you to finish the year strong with a +1 membership. For the first time ever we are offering free initia- Convention Registration 13 tion dues for new members joining this last quarter. Please take advantage of this incentive to recruit, Valley District Trivia 14 recruit, recruit!

Continued on page 4

Pa ge 2 Valley District Civitan Volume 61, Issue 4

By Kendyl Massey International Area 6 Director

I would like to say that it has been my honor and pleasure to serve as your Region 6 International Director for the 2013 - 2015 term. I have tried to represent all Civitans in our region and bring any feedback, concerns and thoughts presented to me to the International board on your behalf. I have enjoyed visiting your Valley District meetings and conventions and getting to meet many new Civitans along the way.

My term comes to an end on September 30th and a new Civitan will take my place in representing our region from the election at the St. Louis Convention. I am certain that this person will do a great job! I am always available for support or to help in any way that I can via email ([email protected]) or via cell phone 205-533-2028. Thank you for all that you do in the name of Civitan and

thank you for allowing me to represent you on the international board. Yours in Civitan! 1. Jay Albertia Clarksville Civitan Civitan Clarksville Albertia Jay 1.

By Jerry Nass, Special Olympics Chair

I currently have information indicating that nine different Valley District Clubs have contributed a total of $4,320.43 to Special Olympics this past year! I want to give a special Thank You to the new Clubs that are participating. And to the Clubs that have been long time supporters of Special Olympics, a very big Thank You is in order for your faithful- ness!! As everyone involved in Special Olympics knows, we are dependent on your donations, large or small, to de- liver the program to our Athletes! If you do not already have Special Olympics as a line item in your yearly budget, please consider placing them in your current or future budgets as a yearly donation. It would be great if we could get 100% of our Valley District Clubs supporting Special Olympics with donations and volunteers!! Editor’s Note: If your club has given money to Special Olympics but has not made Valley District Chair, Jerry Nass, aware of it, please send him a copy of your check so Gov.-elect Steve Teasley your club can be recognized for the good it has done. His address is: presents a check to Daviess By Owensboro Jerry Nass Co. Special Olympics. Civitan 624 Chesterfield Circle Clarksville, TN. 37043 or [email protected]

Area II Special Olympics were held April 25, 2015. Our congratulations to all of the athletes who participated in the games. Our best wishes go with them as they continue on to Richmond for the state summer games. It takes a huge group of volunteers to make the games go smoothly and we thank all the workers. About 300 lunches were served to the athletes, their coaches, volunteers and family members. Many thank to the loyal sponsors for their continued support of this endeavor: CRS, Frito Lay, Coca Cola, Little Debbie Snacks, Pepsi Cola, Ice Packaging, Specialty Foods, Colonial Thrift Store, and to the SAMS Club for their $500.00 donation. Special thanks to Lynn Fogle, Mary Thompson, John Armstrong, Steve Teasley, Junior Civitan students, and Sherry Nash for the tremendous amount of time it took to put together this very successful day.

Valley District Civitan Volume 61, Issue 4 Pa ge 3

CIVI CALENDAR Date/Time Club Event Contact July 17, Aug. 21, Sept. 18/ 2-3 p. Clarksville PDI Birthday party Patti Pierce 931-358-0215 July25/8-11 a. Central BeMoreLikeWade 5K run/walk www.bemorelikewade.ticketleap.com 10-3 p. 107th Lone Oak Picnic [email protected] Aug. 14-15 Valley Dist. Valley Convention [email protected] Sept. 19/11-2p. Dickson Fish Fry [email protected] Sept. 19 Cookeville Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre [email protected] Sept. 28 /12 N. Nashville City Golf Scramble www.ncc.golfreg.com or Vic Ledoux 615-613-3573 Nov. 20 N. Cheatham “Killing Thyme” Dinner Theatre [email protected]

By Jim Thomas, Past Governor

I think we Civitans should be thanking International President, We have just recently observed Memorial Jay Albertia for his terrific theme, I’m Civitan Happy. I believe Day. In May and June we honor our mothers it puts all of us in a good mood whether we are recruiting new and fathers. The Bible teaches us to honor those members, collecting donations, or selling onions. Thanks Jay! to whom honor is due. We certainly owe much to military people, both past and present, who The Civitan year is coming to an end and the out-going officers have given so much for our country. In addition are smiling and the in-coming officers are frowning! I guess that’s how it to our parents there are others in our lives that goes when you have ‘new blood’ coming in to take over the reins. The Val- have influenced and blessed us. Among these are Civitans who have gone before us and paved the ley district Civitans should be proud of their accomplishments this past year, way for us. As we meet at Natchez Trace later i.e., our outstanding Junior Civitan. Preston Albertia brought home all of we will want to recognize those who have passed the top awards this year.; good work my friend! Outstanding thanks to all from this life. Please let me know of any from our clubs who participated in the Onion Sales...I don’t know of one club you club who have died since we last met. that didn’t make a profit selling onions. Way to go, Civitans! My e-mail is [email protected].

By Phil Buckner, Judge Advocate

Some have questions about Geographic Training, Convention Elections & Regulations. Here are some answers to FAQ. All Clubs please plan to send your President & President-Elect to Geographic Training. The cost of train- ing is $35/officer to cover lunch. They MUST Pre-register. If at the last minute your officer cannot attend, please have SOMEONE from your club attend so your club can be an HONOR Club. The registration deadlines are fast approaching, so get your registration in soon. If you need a copy of the registration form, please contact me and I will get one to you. ([email protected]) Secretaries & Treasurers will train on-line at Civitan.com.

Some points I would like to make about training. 1. The material covered is what is needed to be an effective officer in a Civitan Club in 2015-16. It is not the same as what you might have learned if you were an officer before. 2.Your club CANNOT be an Honor Club or Nominate/Vote at the District Convention if your officers are not trained or your club is not in good standing with International. This means no outstanding bills or IRS problems that are not being addressed. 3. No one from your club can be a district officer if your club officers are not trained. 4. You may go to ANY training site as long as you are pre-registered.

District Convention Elections At the convention Aug. 14-15 Valley Governor, Governor-elect and five Area Director positions will be elected. Area Directors up for election are Areas 4,5,6,9,& 10. Please submit nomi- nations for these positions, following District Policies, ASAP to Governor Benmark.

There will be two vacancies on the Foundation Trustees as of October 1. Sam White and Ted Holleran have done a terrific job. Sam is eligible to be elected again but Ted cannot be returned to the board as he has served 2 terms. Nominations for Foundation Eastern Division (B), & Central Division (B), need to be submitted as soon as possible for approval by the Board. Again submit to Gov. Benmark at 2925 Morgan Rd. Joelton, Tn. 37080 or [email protected]

Each member club in Valley District in good standing with Civitan International shall be entitled to voting delegates as spelled out in the District Policies. A club must have ALL OFFICERS TRAINED and have a membership of 14. Membership will be used to determine the number of voting delegates per club. Each club should select their delegates prior to the District Convention. Pa ge 4 Valley District Civitan Volume 61, Issue 4

By Ramona Spencer Fundraising Chair As we enter the last quarter of the 2014-2015 year, I hope every Club has had a prosperous year thus far. We have had numerous fund- raisers for our individual clubs, as well as raising funds to help support the Research Center in Birmingham, . Our final District Report for the 2014 Claxton Fruitcake Sales is as follows: For 2014 Valley District showed an increase of 1,469 #, which is approximately 11.14%. Those clubs with increases from the previous year were: Ashland City, Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Dickson, Dyersburg, Green Hills and Jackson. The Valley District, as well as several clubs (Clarksville, Columbia, Dickson, Green Hills and Highland Rim) received rebates for selling Claxton Fruitcakes, as well as sales of Claxton Fruitcakes to Wal-Mart Stores totaling $520.05. From October 2014 through May 2015, a total of $13,994.73 was submitted to the Candy Box Program (20 clubs reporting) and a total of $295.10 was submitted to the Coin Box Program (3 clubs reporting). I would like to continue to encourage all clubs in the Valley District who have chosen to participate in these two programs to make every effort to fulfill their contract promise and responsibility of submitting collec- tions no less than every three months. Remember that 75% of candy box contributions and 50% of coin box contributions support the Civitan International Research Center in Birmingham, Alabama. Keep up the good work Valley District and let’s end the 2014-15 year with a bang!!

Editor’s Note: Because of space constraints, I was unable to include ALL of this and other articles in VOV. Please see Ramona’s ENTIRE article, along with others, located on-line at: http://www.valleydistrictcivitan.com/apps/blog/ Our gracious webmaster is Charles Weir of the Clarksville club. If you would like to include something on the website, you may send it to him at: [email protected]

By Arthur Mader

In honor of Central Civitan’s young, vibrant President who was tragically killed March 3, 2015, a "Be More Like Wade Schol- arship" 5K run, walk, or crawl will take place on Sat., July 25, 8-11 A.M. All proceeds will be given to a Montgomery Central Senior who demonstrates char- acteristics similar to Wade Morgan. Wade exempli- fied the true meaning of a selfless individual and always had an optimistic outlook on life. It is hoped this event will encourage more people to #bemorelikewade. Donations can be made under the "tickets” tab at www.bemorelikewade.ticketleap.com

“Jay” continued from page 1 or Clarksville’s Cumberland Bank & Trust. Please Although I will be attending the International Convention in St. Louis make checks out to "Be More like Wade". Also, next week, followed by two weeks in Europe, and then six more districts before October 1st, please feel free to contact me by phone or email at please join us after the run at the 107th Annual anytime. Again, please accept my deepest appreciation for all the support Lone Oak Picnic you have given me over the years and know that “I am Civitan HAPPY!” hosted by the Central Civitan Club Best Wishes, and grab some barbecue...275 Hwy. 13, Cunningham, TN. Jay Valley District Civitan Volume 61, Issue 4 Pa ge 5

May 11, 2015 Dickson Civitan Club celebrated Junior Civitan Night by By Sandy presenting 8 scholarships Buckner and installing the Creek Dickson Co. High Wood High & Dickson Co. High 2015-16 Junior Civitan Officers. School 2015-16 Jr. Many thanks to Gena Albertia for installing the officers. Civitan Officers Jake Davis Allison Graves Kasey Woods Raeann Guthrie & Gena Albertia Valley Dis. Jr. Chair. Dickson County High School Civitan Scholarship Winners: Brooklyn Jones, Curtis, & Will Warren Winn Not pictured: Holly Williams

Creek Wood High School Civitan Scholar- ship Winners Ashland Whittaker, Haley Murphy, Rachel Meade, and Jessica Russell

Introducing Valley’s Newest Club Buddy Ball Civitan of Clarksville, TN. #4103 Charter: June 30, 2015 Creek Wood High School 2015-16 Jr. Civitan Officers Sponsoring club: Clarksville Civitan Club Builders: Leslie Benmark, Kenly Carlton, Katlynn Smolucha, Mackinzie Hutchi- Jay Albertia, & Bruce Myers son, Sara Wonner, and Gena Albertia, Valley Jr. Civitan who installed.

By Jeannine Dickerson

In 2013, the Cordova YMCA was asked to pilot a SNAAP program for special needs teens designed to help these athletes gain self-confidence & strength to enhance fitness and endurance in a safe, supportive atmos- phere. Our club was excited to support club member and YMCA executive director Mike Cunningham in this venture by contributing $1000 to help launch the program. In addition, through the efforts of one of our members, Dossett Foster, we were able to further support the program with a grant from Civitan International for $500. Today, under the direction of Brian McLaughlin, the new executive director for the Cordova Y, (and a new member of the Cordova Civitan Club) and Jimmy Corrigan, director of the SNAAP program, this pro- gram has 2 paid staffers and 4 volunteers who work with a group of 14 athletes, ages 14-18. Each week, the athletes are guided through a variety of exercises, drills and strength training. Pa ge 6 Valley District Civitan Volume 61, Issue 4

By Dan Felkner

The club sold West TN. Special Olympics… 14,000 # of Vidalia Onions. Thanks to Lloyd Collier & Tim And here are the winners! Campbell for distributing them in the rain!

By Paulette White

On May 30, 2015 Greenridge Civitan was honored to help with the 4th An- nual Live the “Green” Way 5K Run held in Springfield, TN. Members helped with the Silent Auction and a couple of our folks even participated in the actual ‘run’. They did a great job and we are proud of these ladies! Live the “Green” Way raises money for Special Olympics. A new addition the evening before the run was the Liquid Color Run featuring fun activities for the whole family. Pictured left is Michelle Gregory working the Silent Auction and at right, Michelle and Mitzi Burton “after the color run.”

On May 16 Middleton Civitan divided By Ramona Spencer The Joelton Civitan Club sponsored the By Leslie Benmark its membership in order to multiply second of three annual community Sen- their impact on two fundraisers. One group stood by ior Bingo nights in June. Since Tennessee considers charg- Hwy. 125 and sold Vidalia Onions to passersby. The ing for Bingo as a form of gambling and, thus, prohibited, other group of members supported a fundraiser for Mr. the Bingo sponsored by the Joelton Civitan Club is free to Bud Harris, a long-time resident of Middleton, who has seniors in the Joelton area who are seeking an evening out been diagnosed with cancer and is no longer able to with friends and neighbors. The seniors enjoyed playing work. The club donated to help with his medical bills Bingo, fellowship and a pot-luck dinner. As always, the and travel event was free but attendees were encouraged to bring paper expenses goods and cleaning supplies for the Ronald McDonald to the House for this Bingo night. In addition to the pot-luck doctor. dinner, winning seniors received cash for each Bingo game and also all were eligible to win a number of door prizes.

Pictured left, Gary Barrowclough, President-elect; Ralph Spencer, President, and Ramona Spencer, Treasurer along Hwy. 125 selling Vidalia Onions. At right, Area 7 Director, Bonnie Callahan with Bud Harris at the Middleton City Park fundraiser. Valley District Civitan Volume 61, Issue 4 Pa ge 7

by Marie Byers

May has always been a busy month for Green Hills Civitan members. The culmina- tion of Vidalia Onion sales, the annual cookout for Ronald McDonald House guest, donation of cleaning supplies & Special Olympics statewide games at Lipscomb University. Our President, Robert Bramlett, served as announcer for this year’s competition. Members from the South Nashville and West Knoxville clubs shared in the day’s (sometime rainy) events.

by LaWanda Beasley

International President Jay Albertia and 1997-98 Valley Governor, Dr. Ila Wells in an earlier photo. Bolivar members, surprised “Miss Ila” with a birthday party at Joe’s Restaurant at the June 11 meeting.

Club President James Burchfield presents Peyton Shelton with the Shelby Scholarship. Other projects of the club were giving dictionaries to 3rd graders at Bolivar Elem., Clergy Appreciation and “goody bags” for new teachers in Hardeman. Co.

y , Suddeath Forest 9. by Jack Fiefer As Cookeville closes in on its 60th year they remain true to the Civitan Mission: Serving the needs of their community, with special emphasis on those with developmental disabilities. Pictured at left: Jack Fiefer & Linda Garrison of Cookeville Civitan present a check to Dr. LeBron Bell, director of the local Special Olympics, with Wayne, a Special Olympian & Nancy Benningfield of Special Olympics. Below, Governor Leslie Benmark installing the club’s officers: B. Clements, Jack Fiefer, Linda Garrison, Carol Mayberry and Rhea Wilson. At right, Jack Fiefer presents, Darrin Stryker of Crossville Civitan (Appalachian District) a donation. Pa ge 8 Valley District Civitan Volume 61, Issue 4

Recent APSU graduate, By Debbie Hutchinson Julie Flowers, thanked the club for receiving the Rivers & Spires Clarksville Civitan has been very busy and is wondering where Western Grizzard Civitan Scavenger Hunt April, May, and June went! With Vidalia Onion Sales, Rivers & Spires Scholarship. Scavenger Hunt, Fish Fry, PDI Birthdays, Buddy Ball Bowling and Prom, everyone is ‘out of breath’! PDI DAY CENTER MAY BIRTHDAY PARTY Joan, Virginia, Shirley, Donna, & Pres. Patty made the party fun!

Boy Scouts mix Fish Fry Batter. They along with Girl Donna Sabash accepts Scouts & Jr. Civitans the Memorial Day cookie received $2000 for from Pres. Patty & Frank

Pierce. all their help 4. 4.

Service, Fellowship, Knowledge Knowledge Fellowship, Service, By Joan Brooks

The Mt. Pleasant Civitan Club celebrated its 25th anniversary on April 30th with their sponsoring club, Columbia present as their guest. International president, Jay Albertia gave an excellent presentation concerning International activities. Governor Leslie Ben- mark, husband Gary & former Governors were present. Club Builder David Davidson presented twenty-five year awards to Charter members Joan Brooks, Vernon Brooks & Carl Martin. A delicious meal & cake was enjoyed by all.

By Sandy Buckner

To the day, June 8, 2015, Dickson Civitan club celebrated the 50th anniver- sary of its charter. Pictured left, are some of the Civitan friends who at- tended: Front row: Past First Lady Earlene Burney, Janey Myers, Past – Gov. LaDonna Hamm. Back row: International Jr. Civitan President Preston Albertia, Valley Governor Leslie Benmark, Dickson Civitan President Gayle Burgess, Past International President LeRoy Parks, Past International Region 6 Director Bruce Myers, Past Gov. Phil Buckner, and International President Jay Albertia. In the picture at right, Dickson County Mayor Bob Rial presents President Burgess with a Proclamation marking June as Civitan Awareness Month in Dickson County in honor of all the help the club has been to the community in its 50 years. Valley District Civitan Volume 61, Issue 4 Pa ge 9

By: President Alan Bevan 5. 42 Switzerland & Moldavia Moldavia & Switzerland 42 5.

Monterey Civitan Club, club #359, was chartered May 19, 1939 and has had a long history of service to the Community of Monterey, TN. We were responsible for installing the first electric lights at Monterey High School in the 1940's which allowed for Friday night football. We have built the first bandstand at Whittaker Park, created college scholarships for Monterey high seniors, sponsored delegates to Boy's State at Tennessee Tech., started little league baseball in Monterey and have sponsored teams. Today we still issue scholarships to deserving high school seniors, sponsor the Monterey Christmas Parade, recognize deserving, excellent students at our meetings, and have a cadre of Junior Civitans from Monterey High who have helped

us during our Labor Day Celebration which the club has held since 1967.

Joelton Civitan Civitan Joelton By: Dave Mahan 2. Leslie Benmark Benmark Leslie 2. & Bruce Myers

On May 9th, Corporate Business Park’s Ana Noriega, Denise Skidmore, President-elect, Debbie Griffin, Shan- Mrs. Jim Pickett says non Saltkill, Dave Pfeffer, Gaetano Noriega, with Brenton Caldwell, Tristan Caldwell and Ron Caldwell, de- “Thank You” for her scended on the home of Mr. & Mrs. Jim Pickett to build their “Master Plan” Wheel Chair ramp. Mr. Picket, a new ramp. “Now my Korean War veteran, had recently lost his leg and was unable to be at home until the ramp was built. Way to husband can come Go, Civitans!!! Keep Up the Good Work!!! home!!”

By John Fisher

Ashland City Civitan has been very busy this last quarter. The Relay for Life Team raised $544.89 for the American Cancer Society. The club donated dictionaries to 3rd graders at Ashland City Elementary School and West Cheatham Elementary School. The club also sold Vidalia Onions. In June they will be doing a Poverty Simulation for Robertson County and con- tinuing to raise funds for building wheelchair ramps with the Mary Lynn Foundation. In addition, the club was treated to a sunset excursion up the Cumberland on the Blue Heron. Relay for Life Dictionaries Cruisin’

Pa ge 10 Valley District Civitan Volume 61, Issue 4

Birmingham, Alabama Alabama Birmingham, By Jan Doall 6. Civitan International Research Center Center Research International Civitan 6.

Officers are now in place, Alice Webb is running for Area 9 Director and Thank Goodness the Vidalia Onion sale is complete! Distribution got off to a hairy start with the weather, but wound up a success & helped us achieve the Commodore level in Civitans at the Helm. International President Jay Albertia recently visited our club and presented us with his special banner patch. He also presented Joe Jackson with his 25 yr. plaque. Three other members have been in the club for that length of time too, Margaret Weaks, JoRene McNeil, & Jan Jay and Joe, Doall. at right, The Whole Gang

By Glenda Jordan

A proclamation was presented to Joe Morris, President of SJCC, by mayor Jerry Gist declaring April 20, 2015 South Jackson Civitan Club Day. Area 7 Director Bonnie Callahan attended as did International President Jay

Albertia. Mayor Gist presented Jay with a gift. 8. Buddy Ball Civitan Clarksville, TN. TN. Clarksville, Civitan Ball Buddy 8.

By Forest Suddeath

Civitan Glenn Way presents a cash With President LaDanna Hamm, Interna- donation & toiletry products to Sharon Nass prepares a noon meal tional President, Jay Albertia, explained Jeff Shocklee of The Well”, a local for the Reconnect Organization the acronym for HAPPY in his motto of help center. which works with the mentally challenged of the community. “I Am Civitan Happy“. Valley District Civitan Volume 61, Issue 4 Pa ge 11

By Gov.-elect p Steve Teasley

Owensboro Civitan Club received a “Thank You” letter from its sister clubs in Monrovia, . Following is an excerpt from the letter. On behalf of the members and club builders of the two clubs chartering later this month I wanted to say “thank you” for your sponsorship. The clubs in Liberia are all quite active in projects that are very critical to the health and well being of the people of Liberia. The country was just emerging from the aftermath of civil strife under dictator Charles Taylor […]when the Ebola virus erupted. The Liberian clubs spent the last year in awareness campaigns to help educate people on safe means of avoiding contact with the virus. Ebola seems to have been beat for now. Over the past year several of our Civitan members were directly affected and passed away. Others have lost family and neighbors in this small, very close knit West African country. Your club’s support to help with the charter materials for this new Junior and adult club [is] very welcome and much appreciated as there is still much to do to help save lives in this poor country. These pictures are of activities of the Monrovia club members who

built the new Auxilium Junior and adult clubs.

charter #3 #3 charter By Gary Benmark Memphis 7.

North Cheatham Civitan Club and "The Mission Continues" military organization held a very successful Flag Raising Ceremony on May 16 in honor of two service men from Pleasant View who lost their lives in defense of our country. TSGT Jesse Morris was killed in Korea in Nov. 1950 & LCPL Daniel "Gabe" Raney was killed in Afghanistan in July, 2010. This event launched the Pleasant View Veterans Memorial sponsored by the North Cheatham Civitan Club. The total cost for the Veteran’s Memorial is expected to be more than $100,000. Funds to pay for this Memorial will be raised by selling engraved paving bricks in honor of military veterans, donations from individuals, businesses & veteran’s groups as well as other Civitan projects.

The North Cheatham Civitan Club, the first new club chartered in the Valley District since February 2011, held its first major fundraiser in April, “The Hatfield-McCoy Wed- ding Reception”. This sold out dinner theater, held at The Livery Stables in Pleasant View, was a HUGE success. Mel O’Drama, a professional theater group from Nash- ville, put on the very entertaining show. In addition to profits from the gate receipts, North Cheatham raised additional funds for its many projects by selling advertise- ments for a two-sided, color insert for the dinner Hatfield-McCoy Wedding Reception program. This effort was so successful, the club has decided to hold two dinner theaters a Gary Benmark, President of the North year. “Killing Thyme”, the next dinner theater, Cheatham club and International Presi- will be held on Nov. 20. dent, Jay Albertia share a laugh at the Hatfield-McCoy Wedding Reception. Pa ge 12 Valley District Civitan Volume 61, Issue 4

By Gena Albertia Jr. Civitan Chair

While the adult Civitan year continues, another Junior Civitan year is quickly coming to an end as our fiscal year runs from July 1st to June 30th each year. Even now we are in the final stages of preparing for our Junior Conven- tion in warm, sunny Orlando, Florida from June 25-28. What an exciting time this will be as we celebrate all the wonderful things that took place this year around the world in the name of Junior Civitan.

Our district certainly has plenty to celebrate this year as our membership has grown by 12% with a total paid membership of 704 students. Ten of our clubs (36%) experienced at least a 10% growth this year. Those out- standing clubs include: Creek Wood High School, Dickson County High School, Germantown, Greenbriar High School, Hickman County, Olive Branch High School, Rossview Middle School, Waverly, Wayne County, and West Creek Middle School. We are so proud of these clubs and their tremendous growth-efforts to make a bigger change within their schools and communities.

Additionally, we experienced growth through three new club charters. As Juniors, we are thankful to the Owens- boro and New Providence Clubs for their support of our program and the chartering of the Owensboro Catholic High School Junior Civitan Club, Daviess County High School Junior Civitan Club, and New Providence Community Junior Civitan Club. Each of these clubs is going to serve as wonderful additions to our district!

Within our district we are also excited about our service projects and contributions to the Civitan International Research Center. This year, 15 of our clubs donated to the CIRC through Sno-Do and Dance-A-Thon bringing their total contribution to $765.00. As if that were not impressive enough, they collected and donated approxi- mately 300 pairs of gently used jeans to the Urban Ministries Clothes Closet, collected nearly 100 cans of food and $200.00 for Manna Café (a local food bank), planted flowers and bushes donated by Lowe’s and Mary’s Garden at Richview Middle School, and finally, they collected and donated 471 coloring books and 374 boxes of crayons to the Monroe Carrel, Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt!

We feel we are worthy of earning the title of District of the Year again, but won’t know the results of our ef- forts until the convention, so wish us luck!! Regardless of that outcome, we already have an energetic board selected for next year and plans are already underway to schedule meetings and projects for the 2015- 2016 school year. Watch out as our young people continue to Rock the World with Service and make the world a better place.

(If I can count!) count!) can I (If 10. 36 36 10. 2015-2016 Valley District Junior officers

Valley District juniors planting donated flowers at Richview Middle as part of their Taylor Albertia presents color- spring service project. ing books and crayons to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.

3. Depends on your club. Area 1-Jack Fiefer; Area 2-Sandy Buckner; Area 3-Bruce Myers; Area 4-Vernon Brooks; Area 5– Terry Kopansky; Area 6-Bruce Anstey; Area 7-Bonnie Callahan; Area 8-Gene Damron; Area 9-Lloyd Collier, Area 10-Bob Hood Can you answer these Valley District and International Trivia Questions? 1. Who is President of Civitan International this year and where is he from? 2. Who is Governor of Valley District and what club is she from? 3. Who is your Area Director? 4. What are the 3 purposes of Civitan? 5. How many countries have Civitan clubs and what are the newest countries? 6. What is CIRC and where is it located? 7. Which is the Oldest club in Valley District and what is its charter number? 8. Which is the Newest club in Valley and where is it located? 9. Who is your Valley District Chaplain? 10. How many times does Jay’s smiley-face logo, “I’m Civitan Happy”, appear in this VOV? Answers located throughout Newsletter. Hint: Look for the up-side down boxes.