Good morning ! This week in Kiwaniscope - Saturday breakfast with a program on advances in ultrasound technology and treatment of vascular diseases, we welcome a new member, Dave Burns; the strategic plan grows legs with members setting priorities at the annual club meeting for elections, news on the community bonfire to benefit the Weston Warm-Up Fund, and a thank you from Town of Weston Social Services Department.

– Editor

MEMBERS’ MILESTONES

Roy Marsh's birthday is Monday. Happy birthday Roy!

Lisa Wexler and Bill were married on January 16, which is a Tuesday this year. Many more Lisa and Bill!

This Saturday, January 13, 2024

Breakfast. Program: Advances in vascular medicine and ultrasound technology. Taras V. Kucher M.D.

Norfield Congregational Church parish hall 8:30 a.m.

By Tom Glass

Taras V. Kucher M.D. is a board-certified vascular surgeon specializing in vascular and

endovascular techniques for the treatment of arterial and venous diseases. Vascular

surgery is a surgical subspecialty in which vascular (arteries, veins and lymphatic circulation system) diseases are managed.

After completing his training at Pavlov Medical University of St. Petersburg, Russia, the University of Pennsylvania, and Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital (Pennsylvania), Dr. Kucher joined The Vascular Experts and dedicated his time to taking care of patients with vascular diseases using medical minimally invasive and open surgical techniques. Dr. Kucher has a particular interest in using minimally invasive procedures and methods of treating aneurysmal and occlusive diseases of the arteries as well as varicose vein disease.

NEWS

WELCOME NEW MEMBER DAVE BURNS

Dallas Kersey (left) sponsored our newest member, Dave Burns (sporting his Kiwanis cap). David Weber (between Dallas and Dave) inducted Dave at the club meeting last week, joining President Amy at the podium.

Ed Hutchins will mentor Dave and help him engage in service opportunities he has expressed interest in.

Welcome, Dave, and thank you, Dallas and Hutch!

Tom Watson photograph.

CLUB ANNUAL MEETING - STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

President Amy led members at the annual club meeting for elections last Saturday in prioritizing 46 ideas supporting two board-endorsed and linked objectives: growing membership and focus on community service. President-elect Tom Watson is pictured nearby under our new 10-foot tent purchased to support the goal of increased community awareness.

All members, please be on the lookout for an email from President Amy this afternoon with a presentation and two documents detailing the strategic plan and implementation priorities from the annual meeting.

The Nominating Committee needs more time to complete its work; the annual meeting stands adjourned to resume at a future date, to be announced for the elections of directors and officers for 2024/2025 with terms beginning October 1.

FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING

The foundation annual meeting with the election of trustee and required by foundation bylaws, to be held immediately following and in the same place as the club annual meeting, was not convened. Foundation President Keith Johnson announced before Saturday that he would be at home, quarantining with COVID-19.

KIWANIANS WARM WESTON

By Sonya Stack

Sincere thanks to Tom and Jon, and thank you to all of the Kiwanians for spending so many hours driving around town over the last few days to help collect donated trees.  

The bonfire is such a wonderful way to support the Weston Warm-Up Fund in its efforts to help neighbors in need. It would not happen without your help and we are very grateful!

Looking forward to big flames and warm spirits at 5pm tomorrow!

Sonya Stack organized the Community Bonfire to benefit the Weston Warm-Up Fund, Inc. hosted by Emmanuel Church -Editor

Steve Thomas and Tom Failla picked up Christmas trees and transporting them to the bonfire site ate Emmanuel.

Tom Failla photograph.

Grant Mattinson, Tom and Kathy Failla's grandson, at the bonfire.

Tom Failla photograph.

The Weston Volunteer Fire Department was on hand and managed the bonfire safely.

A volunteer firefighter here stokes the fire.

Tom Failla photograph.

By Tom Failla

Frank Ferrara (driver) and Tom Johnson (picker) made rounds on Thursday late morning to nine homes. Steve Thomas (driver) and Tom Failla (picker) made rounds Thursday late afternoon to nine homes. Jon Rogers (driver) and Tom Failla (picker) made rounds Friday mid-afternoon to ten homes.  

Approximately 30 trees, tens of yards of evergreen roping, and many Christmas wreaths were collected. Another dozen or so trees were deposited in the wrong spot in the parking lot near the church hall by individuals and. Jon and Tom moved them to the bonfire in the open field late Friday afternoon.  

Total Kiwanis working hours: 10 hours plus use of two Kiwanis personal trucks covering an estimated 20 miles per truck; Total planning/coordinating hours: 1-2 hours.

Ted Craft photograph.

THANK YOU

NEXT WEEK AND BEYOND

Next Saturday, January 20, 2024

Breakfast meeting. NO SPEAKER - food drive today.

Norfield Congregational Church parish hall 8:30 a.m.

Food Drive

Weston Shopping Center 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 27, 2024

Breakfast meeting. Speaker: Horizons Mentors at CT State Norwalk Director Karen Marin

Norfield Congregational Church parish hall 8:30 a.m.

Saturday, February 3, 2024

Breakfast meeting.

Norfield Congregational Church parish hall 8:30 a.m.

Club board monthly meeting.

Norfield Congregational Church parish hall 10 a.m.

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Community Service Committee monthly meeting on Zoom at 8 p.m.

Saturday, February 10, 2024

Breakfast meeting.

Norfield Congregational Church parish hall 8:30 a.m.

Sunday, February 11, 2024

Super Bowl party for veterans experiencing homelessness at Applied Behavioral Rehabilitation Institute, Inc. (ABRI) Homes for the Brave and Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes transitional housing residences in Bridgeport.

Saturday, February 17, 2024

Breakfast meeting.

Norfield Congregational Church parish hall 8:30 a.m.

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Breakfast meeting.

Norfield Congregational Church parish hall 8:30 a.m.

NEW ENGLAND AND BERMUDA DISTRICT

NEW ENGLAND AND BERMUDA DISTRICT EVENTS

Midwinter Conference, March 8-10, 2024, Sturbridge, Massachusetts

Kiwanis Cruise Boston, Bermuda, Bar Harbor, Boston sailing May 17-24, 2024, on the Norwegian Gem

District Convention, August 15-18, 2024, Springfield, Massachusetts

KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL

2024 CONVENTION

Denver, Colorado

July 3-6, 2024

Kiwaniscope is published weekly for the members and friends of the Kiwanis Club of Weston on Thursday mornings September through June by the Kiwanis Club of Weston, Connecticut, Inc.