KENNEDY?- Members of Kennedy Pride met for the first time in the new year recently. Plans for upcoming events were discussed.
The 100 Club Dinner will be held on Saturday, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. in the Kennedy Fire Hall. Music will be provided by Stray Cat Karaoke. Tickets are $25 per couple, and all tickets will be drawn during the evening for different prizes. Group members organized lists for food preparation, and hall decoration and cleanup. This event is a major fundraiser for Kennedy Pride, which uses its funds for worthwhile community projects in Hallquist Park and other areas. Anyone wishing information about tickets may contact Linda Bish at 267-4265 or Barb Czerniak at 267-2912.
Secretary Kelly Snow read a letter she received from state Sen. Cathy Young concerning the grant awarded to Kennedy Pride for a veterans' memorial in Hallquist Park. Sen. Young advised the group that funding for the grant has been delayed several months due to the budget considerations in Albany. It may take several months for the backlog to be cleared. Although the grant has been awarded, Sen. Young stated that no expenditures should be made for the memorial until the funding is available. Preliminary plans for the memorial are being made, and group members expect to have the design finalized before the funding is received.
Linda Bish reported that Vernon Crandall, who donated the new town clock, sent her a check to be used for a plaque honoring the donation of the land by the Mead family. She gave the check to treasurer Tracy Hendrickson. It was decided to wait until the Crandall's come back from Florida to make final decisions on it.
Rules for usage of Hallquist Park for private events were discussed. The Town of Poland Board has been researching similar park regulations. Meanwhile, it was noted that the gazebo has been reserved for July 10, for a wedding. This will be the second wedding held in the gazebo.
At the February meeting, nominations for officers will be accepted. Voting will take place at the March meeting.
The annual Christmas party was discussed. While attendance was down, it was felt that the event was a success. Co-President Becky Lindquist said she would check with the Kennedy Fire Department to make sure the hall is reserved for next year. Sales of memorial ornaments, with proceeds going towards playground equipment for Hallquist Park, were again well received. Group members also went on record with their thanks to Larry Mee and the members of the Town of Poland Highway Department for installing the Christmas tree and lights on the gazebo in the park, and to Bonnie Heath for lighting the two new shrubs by the gazebo. It was a very heart-warming scene for the holidays.
Darla Rissel and Clarence Robbins brought up the possibility of a donation to relief for Haiti. Mr. Robbins stated that although the group mission is community service to Kennedy and the surrounding area, he felt this was a time when the group could look beyond its local nature.
Other members pointed out that several community residents have gone on trips to Haiti for many years to do relief work in their communities. So this would be an extension of the support given to them. Pride members unanimously voted to make a donation through the Red Cross.
Ideas for other fundraisers were discussed. Eunice Speta informed the group that Wal Mart was no longer doing its community group donation program. The tea social was brought up. Group members will also see if there is a possibility of funding for music and/or other events in the park.
The next Kennedy Pride meeting will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 6:30 p.m. in the Kennedy Free Library. Everyone is encouraged to attend, and to offer any suggestions for community projects.