President Myrna McCurdy called the 14th meeting (January 22nd) of the 2012–2013 Kiwanis year to order at noon at McIntosh Center, ONU.

Jon Umphress offered the invocation by Jon Umphress.

Merle and Lucille Cheney were welcomed as guests.

The member birthdays of Mark Light and Tom Kier were noted.

The membership anniversaries of Scott Wills 1/28/04  and Marilyn Green  1/24/2004 were also noted.

It was reported that member Mark Light was at the Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C. on Monday.

In business:

-Members were updated on club finances.
-Kiwanis  Divisions 2 and 3 Council meeting tomorrow night at Milano’s in Lima . Those attending are Jon Umphress, Jeff Schulman, Brian Myers, Joe Ferguson, Bill Fuller, and Myrna McCurdy.
On January 31st an Ohio District Convention meeting will be held at the Wingate Hotel in Lima at 7;00 p.m.
-Jeff Schulman reported on setting up a satellite program with the first meeting on Wednesday February 13th at the Ada Visiting Nurses.
-Kiwanis Education Minute:  Spoken by Kevin Domingue of the Kiwanis Club of Lafayette, Louisiana on Facebook said, “Happy to announce our club’s foundation was just awarded $1 million USD to address childhood obesity. Time to get to work.”

Something to consider:

From the book “Live and Love, and Pass It On”, from a 64 year old grandparent, “I’ve learned that being a grandparent is God’s compensation for growing older.”

Upcoming meetings/Events:

1/29/2013 Scott Allison
1/31/2013 Convention meeting at Wingate in Lima
2/05/2013 Tom Kier
2/12/2013 Jolene Bailey

Mike Hood introduced Merle and Lucille Cheney who explained  the history of the Wilson football factory was brought to Ada from Cincinnati.

The owner moved to Ada after being flooded out and an ONU Student talked to him about Ada and convinced him to look at the town.

The owner decided he liked the town including the fact that it was near the railroad tracks.

They explained how the footballs were and are now made by hand. Meryl explained how the efficiently of the operations and how they used to make all the sports items (volleyballs, soccer balls, boxing gloves, and baseball gloves).

The only football factory in the U.S. is here in Ada. Wilson’s purchased the factory in 1955.

He also explained the twice a year garage sale and the ability to purchase items at it. He encouraged the club and everyone to come and tour the factory. he mentioned tours can be arranged by calling to have one arranged.

The Ada Kiwanis Club meets each Tuesday at noon at McIntosh Center, ONU. Guests are always welcome.

For more information, visit the club web site at www.adakiwanis.