Link to the Ann Arbor Kiwanis Offical Website
MEMORY GEMS
During our 75th Anniversary year (1995-96), several club members shared their own “Memory Gems”- personal remembrances of the club and its activities.
Perseverance Provided the Right Combination
By Robert J. Barden, Sr.
In 1971, I faced an immediate crisis as the new club president when our long-time secretary died suddenly. This created more than a void in an important position. It was our late secretary who knew the combination to the club safe! True to a long-standing Kiwanis tradition- the huge safe had been donated to the club; it was given by charter member Jim O’Kane. When reached in Florida, he recalled that the safe combination had been etched for posterity under a shelf at the Town Tavern, its one-time home. Hugh Wanty (Jim’s son-in-law) and yours truly visited the bar- shared some liquid refreshment to fuel our detective work- and then found the lock combination right where Jim O’Kane had remembered it. When examining the safe’s contest, it was discovered the club and the club foundation corporation papers had lapsed. We might have to file new corporation papers for the club. However, thanks to quick work by past president, attorney Chuck Dever- and your author’s signature affixed to the papers- we were able to reinstate the foundation as a corporation so our club’s philanthropy didn’t miss a beat.
The Christmas Bells Ring in Memories of Colonel Crowell
By Clarence E. Dukes
Our annual Salvation Army Bell Ringing Project conjures pleasant memories of a wonderful human being- Colonel Harold L. Crowell. The late long-time club member was in charge of the area-wide program for many years. Colonel Crowell had a firm but gentle nature. He was a loyal caregiver to his wife, Gladys, who was ill for many years. (Editor’s note: the Crowell’s passed away within hours of each other in 1994.) I can recall bell ringing on both mild and bitter-cold days. In later years I’ve notice that those who put money in the kettle often say “Thank you” to us before we can than them. Another highlight of the Christmas season, is our Green Oak party for the residents of the juvenile reform facility at Maxey’s Boy’s Training School. Kiwanians don’t get to choose the way they die, but they do get to choose the way they live and serve their community.
My Fondest Memories Center Around Our Members and Club Activities
By Ernest C. Laetz
I joined the club in 1953- 42 years ago. We met in the old Allenel Hotel- on the corner of Huron and Fourth Avenue- on the second floor, in the L-shaped Brindle Room. Lunch was $2.50. Ike Stein- Bud’s dad- would greet us in the lobby at the foot of the stairs with an open dry cleaning bag for any clothes we wished to donate to the rummage sale. He would take them back to his dry cleaning business and have them cleaned for the next sale. The Mott Hospital School program at U-M began in our club (it is now a statewide Kiwanis project) in 1922. At first we provide Sunday School teachers for the children. Then, we funded a half-time teacher and furnished funds for instructional furniture. The project grew from that point. Ashley Clague- a local grocer and a past president of our club- made toys for the children and remained a pillar in our Mott program. Children could now attend school even thought they were hospitalized. Other Kiwanis members that come to mine are Fred Jaeger (who did a lot of work around the club) and Early Riskey and Russ Sharpe. When ever we had a close vote on a fine, Earl would stand up and count “yeas” and “neas”. His tally would be “official” although the result was subject to his interpretation. Russ Sharpe could never get his motions for fines passed. However, at one meeting he slyly asked if everyone in favor of his motion would stand and then signaled our piano player to strike up the National Anthem. Every one stood and the motion passed!
A Sale Made from the Rear of a Pick-up
By Robert J. Barden, Sr.
Some times our rummage is so attractive- “we sell it as soon as we get it.” I’ll never forget the time we picked up a sofa at George Cress’ house and a TV from Clem Gill. (His wife ushered us into their bedroom where he was still watching the TV set. He hid under the covers. We laughed!) At our next stop, a North State Street apartment complex, some curious students spotted our truck and asked, “Where are you taking that stuff?” When they learned it was for the Kiwanis Sale- they made us an offer we couldn’t refuse- $65.00 for the sofa and a few bucks for the TV. Sold! I can still remember watching the davenport and the TV winding they way down State Street in the arms of the energetic students to a new home.
Our Blenheim, Ontario Club Exchanges: 40 Years of Kiwanis Fellowship
By Sheridan W. (Sherry) Springer
For 40 years, our club and the Blenheim, Ontario, Canada Kiwanis Club would travel across the border to share in Kiwanis fellowship. The traditional club-member exchanges sprouted from an expression of American goodwill by our club members Ralph Keyes, Chuck Gregory, Fred Schmid, my dad Walt Springer and Murray Wanty who visited the Blenheim club in 1952 as part of “Canada-U.S. Goodwill Week.” The Canadians returned the gesture a few months later with a trip to Ann Arbor. Blenheim Kiwanians who come to mind are: Leroy Coleman- a third-generation Kiwanian; “Smitty” Huffman- the main mover behind the interclubs- (with our Chuck Gregory; and Arnold Rendell- a Blenheim policeman- who pulled our bus over as a prank one year enroute to Blenheim. Our club members would attend their very time Stag Nites and in later years we “curled” with them. The Blenheim Kiwanians would be our guest in the summer for our golf outing. They even extended their warm Canadian hospitality when we arrived on the wrong date one-year. Chuck Gregory never escaped our club’s good-natured ribbing for having the right day of the week but the wrong month. The Blenheim Kiwanis Club is now few in number and for that and other reasons, this traditional exchange of visits no longer take place. But for four decades it generated a lot of goodwill, fellowship and some fond memories.
The Wonderful Spirit of Kiwanis
By Kathleen Barden-Perlberg
I am so proud to have been part of the wonderful teamwork and spirit of service of this club for over 30 years. Lynne Lande and myself became the first “official” women members of the club on October 5, 1987 (the year women became eligible for Kiwanis membership). But as a child growing up in this club, I always felt like part of our Kiwanis family. Through the years there has been a feeling “everyone is welcome” to join in the club’s fellowship. I can remember working at the rummage sales- sweeping, sorting and selling. The fun and the smiles. I never even thought that some workers were club members and some were not. It has been my honor to chair the February sale and to serve as the club’s president. I am proud- almost boastful- about the wonderful spirit of this club. “Smiles & Service – Happy 75th Anniversary!”
I Was There the Year the Roof Fell In
By Dana A. Dever
I was supposed to be Assistant Sale Chairman in 1983. But I soon became an assistant in search of a chairman. Our chairman had moved to a new job out of town, so I became the chairman. Of course, I was told the sale “runs itself.” Actually, I had a lot of experience, including several years being babysat in the aisles by my parents when they worked at the sales. There has always been family participation at the sales and our family was no exception. On the opening day of the 1983 sale, a support beam at the Kiwanis Activities Center (KAC) began to sag under the weight of ice and snow on the roof. What was outside threatened to come inside. (In the food service area on the second floor, we would have been able to sell real snow cones!) All three floors of the building were packed with first-day shoppers. What should we do? It was up to the lawyer (who me?) to decide? Don Butcher, Bud Katz and a third person whom I can’t remember, went up and shoveled snow off the roof and inspected the damage. Besides this trio, I never learned whom else stepped forward. They used an AA Fire Department truck mobile ladder. They reported that the beam and the roof were repairable but it was decided that we must evacuate the building. For the most part there was an orderly exit of the KAC. I did have to play Charades with a Chinese customer who didn’t understand English. He quickly interpreted my finger motions of a collapsing roof and grabbed the bag of clothes he had purchased and fled. We reopened the next day to much success. I appreciate this opportunity to share my memories. We’re hearing about the tradition of this club, which tells a great deal about where we were and how we got there. I hope this sharing of memories continues beyond our anniversary.
Your Sale Committee in Action
By Eugene A. Glysson
The year I co-chaired the Sale (1981) it was not very eventful- like the year the roof cracked. My memories are of the work that the Sale Committee does to help make the project even better. For instance, we shortened the sale to a more workable two days, reorganized our space for optimal results, and implemented the required sales tax procedures. We are considering ideas for a central checkout point, what material we should accept and sell and how to hand the excess merchandise. This is an action committee and we welcome your comments. (Editor’s note: Gene co-chaired the 1981 Sale with Don Leatherman and the successful event was a tribute to their leadership.)
More Than A Sale
By Robert J. Barden, Jr.
“It’s been called rummage and it’s been called trash.
Frenzied shoppers search treasure for a pittance in cash.
Their breaths in Grey clouds line up for the open
Trading their best shopping tips and deals yet unspoken.
From so wide and so far some wrinkled in face
In search of a chair, a lamp or a long-lost floral vase.
A sombreroed worker greets at the door
The throngs of hunters that squeeze on each floor.
The hunt, then a find and ‘it’s just the right size.’
Held up to a child; a smile; oh, mothers are wise!
From apartments and homes and some from the street
Some are eccentric, some poor just scraping to eat.
An old story; a laugh; memories swept like a broom
As men drift in and out of the building back room.
Lashing furniture to cars, vans or a customer’s truck.
They roll out of sight; our thanks and trust to good luck.
From boxes kids stand and strain to see toys;
In search of Army men, marbles and things just for boys.
For dresses and hats for dolls that has curls,
For quarter grab bags made up for little girls.
Mothers with babies with so little to spend;
Used but clean sleepers that won’t need a mend.
Our women workers see themselves long ago
With too many children and not enough dough.
Meter maids and cops don’t see quite so clear.
C’mon, this grand sale: ‘it’s just once a year!’
With so little to take and so much to give,
Our mission: to help people find better ways to live.
The dreams that come true: some big, but most small
Give meaning and purpose for us and for all.
A kind smile and a wink, then a cut of a price
For those who have a bad roll of life’s dice.
The Chairwoman smiles as the sale’s finally done
As last minute shoppers stuff bags full ‘ ‘til one.
That familiar voice drifts over the P.A.:
‘The Sale is over for this is the last day.”
Our Building Deal Was Nearly Iced
By Fred E. (Bud) Stein
At a 1965 after-sale “relaxer” at the old AA Elks Lodge on Main Street, a discussion ensued about the club purchasing its own building. In attendance: Dean Bolgos, Don Butcher, Tex Colvin, Chuck Gregory, Sherry Springer and yours truly. Heretofore, we had held the annual rummage sale in vacant city stores and beginning in 1948 at the Armory on Ann Street. Moving the tons of merchandise in and out over the week of the sale (Saturday-Saturday) was a mammoth undertaking. Just think if we had our own building! We could accumulate and store the merchandise year-around. A committee was formed to investigate. A prime candidate was the State Highway garage on North Main Street. But we lost out to a higher offer by Glamour Homes Precut Manufactured Housing. The Artificial Ice Company property on West Huron became a hot prospect. On the eve of formulating our offer, club member, CPA Bob Johnson arrived at a meeting at Sherry Springer’s home with news about the availability of the Swisher Building at First and Washington. (John E. Swisher was a club charter member and had served as president in 1925.) Through the generosity of the Swisher family, we would be able to purchase the now Kiwanis Activities Center on a land contract at more than a reasonable price and terms. On April 11, 1966, the club voted unanimously to purchase the building. The first year in the new building, we generated $17,256 from the rummage sale and it has climbed steadily through the years. We celebrate the 30th anniversary of the purchase of the building in 1996, our club’s 75th anniversary.
The History of the Antique Department
By J. Lee Blaylock
A colorful memory for me began in 1967 when the first Antique Department was set up in the Annual Sale. The contents of an old farmhouse in Dexter were donated through the efforts of Nick Prakken and Tex Colvin, I believe. What an education that was in learning the value that old things can have and the price people will pay for them. For example, a metal sign advertising a “milk separator” sold for $150.00. A black walnut Armoire with handmade hinges and handles would be worth thousands today. Jim O’Kane donated his fabulous duck decoy and gun collection. As we get older, grayer and slower in our golf swing, we find a lot of pleasure in remembering things, events and people of the past.
Kiwanis Stories: A Monday Evening Tradition at the Dinner Table
By Lynne Prakken Lande
It was a trip by my father Nick Prakken to Leo Haner’s barbershop on East Liberty Street in 1936 that started his nearly 50-year-career in the downtown Kiwanis club. Leo was a member of the club and he told my father about the fellowship and community spirit of the club. I grew up in the club. I remember my father’s trips to the Hospital School at Mott Children’s Hospital. And, of course, the rummage sales. I was always worried that my mother might buy something for me to wear! It was bad enough to get hand-me-downs from the older sister. I remember all the people working at the sale- Bob Barden, Tex Colvin; Channie Wolf, in the kitchen; Jim Morgan, Leo Haner, and many more. It was a Monday night ritual at the dinner table that dad would tell us what had happened at Kiwanis at the noon meeting that day. He loved to retell jokes and stories that he had heard. He remained an active member of the club until his passing 1984. I have fond memories of Kiwanis- the caring people, the bonds of friendship, the fellowship- and it’s all part of what club is today.
To Each Generation: It’s Own Rummage
By Donald G. Olsen
A footnote in history: I may have the closest birth date (6/2/21) to our club’s chartering date of May 21, 1921. No doubt I’ll get some response from that statement. Through the years, our rummage sales have seen the comings and goings of many items. Such as: straight razors, zoo suites, raccoon coats, narrow 50’s suit lapels; 78, 45 & 33 1/3 RPM records (are cassettes, CD’s & Video tapes far behind?), Ball canning jars, pressure cookers and gas refrigerators. How about Kodak Instamatic Cameras? 70,000,000 were sold by Eastman Kodak- we must have “processed” at 1/3 of them! We support the 4-H clubs for many years and they responded with donations that include bread, honey, carrots, eggs and live chickens and pigs. All were sold for cash to benefit the club foundation. My fondest memories are those times when our club was personally involved in projects: poly hockey, handicapped bowling, Salvation Army Bell Ringing and visiting the Green Oak Center and Mott Hospital. It is hoped that our many quality new members will be make more history of this kind and 75 years hence (who knows?) a celebration of 150 years will be held.
“You Ask, ‘Why am I wearing this apron?”
By J. Thomas Lovell
When I first joined the club in 1970, the new members were given a Kiwanis apron to wear at the meetings and every member of the club was supposed to sign it. This was the get-acquainted method with new members. I am wearing my apron today and a lot of you have already recognized some of the signatures: Nick Prakken (Lynne Lande’s father), Tex Colvin, etc. I was in the mattress department at my first sale. Ask Sherry Springer: there must have been 100 mattresses stacked to the ceiling. All I can remember is pitching the mattresses down to the flood of college kids who rushed in when the sale opened. The word “trust” comes to mind when I think about this club. There have been a lot of changes in the sale in the past five years. Yet, the tradition of the sale continues because of the trust we have in each other to work together. I think about the friendships. The late Herb Estes come to mind. One Saturday, my son Brandon came down to the building to work with me. He tried to sell a sewing machine even though he was only nine years old at the time. When I started to intervene, Herb motions for me to keep quiet. You guessed it; Brandon sold the sewing machine! Herb knew he could do it.
Our Scholarships Honor Distinguished Club Members
By C. Nicholas Dever
The academic scholarships and camperships we award every year are named in memory of several outstanding leaders of the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor. Rev. Charles W. Carpenter – a highly respected and loved African-American clergyman who concluded a notable 36-year-plus pastorate at the Ann Arbor Second Baptist Church on his 80th birthday in 1966. He helped integrate the club membership and was serving on the board of directors at the time of his death in 1971. Ashley H. Clague – a founding father and member of the Forney W. Clement Memorial Committee to benefit Mott Children's Hospital. He served as president of the club in 1938 and was elected posthumously to the club's Hall of Honor. Upon his retirement as a local grocery storeowner, he designed 27 different mathematical games for children and built more than 150,000 sets that were distributed worldwide. Clague Middle School in Ann Arbor is named in his honor. Ralph M. Hunter – was a renowned chemist and the holder of 19 patents. A past president of the Midland Kiwanis Club, he later became a member of our club. In 1950, Case Western Reserve University awarded this distinguished alumnus an honorary doctoral degree. He passed away in 1984. James Morgan – personally embodied the meaning of Kiwanis service. A member of the club for nearly 50 years (1944-93), he was inducted into the club’s Hall of Honor. He designated part of his estate for camperships, which allow two to three hundred children to attend summer camp each year. Don L. Naylor – joined the club in 1958 and had compiled 26 years of perfect meeting attendance at the time of his death in 1985. He was a highly respected and much admired Ann Arbor automobile dealer. In the years 1986-93, the club in his memory honored the Michigan high school senior who achieved the highest score on the written portion of the Plymouth-AAA Trouble Shooting Contest. The state’s most outstanding students in Automotive Technology entered the contest. Emerson F. Powrie – a premiere educator who held the position of deputy superintendent of the Ann Arbor Public Schools at the time of his death in 1977. He served as club present in 1956. Mr. Powrie pioneered the driver education program in Ann Arbor and supervised the Ann Arbor YMCA summer programs in the 1940s. He was one of the principle founders of Washtenaw Community College. We can measure our performance as Kiwanians against these past members of our club.
“Knock It Off, Bob Will You?”
By Robert H. Nichols
I remember my year as sale chairman- 1988- when it was suggested we change all the department heads. After further review, we had a better idea. Let’s leave things the way they were. My job was made easier because I followed Don Strite and Hal Raimo as sales chairmen. They had assembled a book on “Ho to, When to & Where to” about the sale. There were many others that helped. Nels DeFord and Frank Pennisi cooked the chili for the Monday evening work session. Bud and Annie Stein came back from Florida to be in charge of the kitchen. In the backroom, down by the dock, there was a favorite old stove that was “Not for Sale.” Why? In the oven, there was a bottle of vintage (?) wine that kept our sellers happy. That year, there was a change in the presidency at the U-M. So, of every piece of used furniture it was said, “We think that used to belong to President Shapiro.” After the sale closed Saturday evening, I was telling our bridge group the amusing story of “President Shapio’s furniture.” Club member Merle Crawford, a bridge playing guest, quickly ushered me into the kitchen. “Bob, knock it off will you!” he said, “There’s a woman here tonight who thinks the porch swing she bought at the sale used to belong to President Shapiro.”
“You joined what?’ Dad asked.”
By Robert R. Thalner
I would have joined Kiwanis early in life. My memory goes back to when I was three years old. But Kiwanis didn’t exist back then. Seriously, I came from a Kiwanis family. My father, R.F. “Dutch” Thalner, was Governor of the Michigan District of Kiwanis in 1958. My sister told her fiancée that her father was a Michigan Governor. He said, “I don’t want to get mixed up in politics.” She quickly explained that dad was a “Michigan Kiwanis Governor.” I did not score any points with dad when I lived in western New York State and I joined Rotary. When we moved to Ann Arbor, I quickly became a member of our Kiwanis club (1965). My memories include the club’s sales in the Armory. Fred Schmid- in the furniture department- who shared the motto: “We stand behind every bed that we sell.” And Zadok St. John- whose fiery speeches to our members about working at the sale became known as the “Gospel according to St. John.”
“The Frank Davidson Venison Dinners”
By F. Roy Holmes
Kiwanian Frank Davidson, a hunter of no mean ability, succeeded in bagging one of the largest bucks of his hunting experience, in the season of 1924. He brought it home to Ann Arbor, proudly showing it to the envious home folk, then placed it in sub-zero frigeration for curing. Frank is also an excellent cook, especially of wild game, and the thought occurred to him to give venison dinner to some of his Kiwaian friends. After a little thought, the idea became a plan and he sent out invitations to all the old officers of the club, those recently elected for the coming year, the Board of Directors and to the chairmen of the standing committees. Then for good measure, he invited a few others. The dinner was complimentary and held at Frank’s Whitmore Lake cottage. Thirty-five attended. Frank not only furnished the cottage and tables, dishes and chairs, venison and foods and coffee and dessert, but he did the cooking and preparing himself. It was a banquet royal, and the variety of goods served, the abundance of it and its tastiness is still remembered by all those who can say “I was there.” After the dinner was served and the tables cleared, the crowd gathered around a roaring stove fire and swapped yarns for a time and then turned to the discussion of Kiwanis problems. Each one present was asked to criticize or suggest, just as he liked, and they did just that. Two hours later, when a check-up was made of all that had been said and done, it was agreed that this had been one of the most helpful meetings in the history of Ann Arbor Kiwanis. It was held in such favor, that Kiwanian Frank was asked to repeat it annually, except that thereafter those who attended should pay for the meal. These venison dinners were held at Frank’s cottage for seven consecutive years. The crowds grew larger, year by year, and in 1931, 72 attended. Such a crowd made necessary the hauling in of chairs, tables and dishes from the YMCA and caused so much extra work that the dinners were discontinued. At these venison dinners, held always in the early part of December, as the old year was closing and a new about to begin, members expressed their opinions openly and freely, on the year that had passed and just as freely, made suggestions for the future. It was at these meetings that objectives were discussed, and projects planned. It was at one of these dinners that Harry Nichols suggested the Rummage Sale, as a money-raising project. It was soon thereafter adopted and time has proven the suggestion to be wise. The venison dinners were discontinued, but the memory of them lasts.
“I Was Introduced to the Club as a High School Student.”
By L. Eugene Fowler
My introduction to the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor came as a high school student when I received a scholarship from the club for the National Hi-Y and Tri-Y Convention in Iowa in 1947. I was honored and thrilled to attend. I joined the club in 1964 (John Paul was my sponsor) and I have compiled 32 years of perfect attendance. Perfect attendance has not been too difficult: bankers are always going to meetings! Some of the members of this club that I remember are: Ernie Laetz – wearing his tuxedo and his sombrero on the opening day of the sale; Ashley Clague – a director of our band and a loyal Kiwanian; Rev. Charles Carpenter – a servant of God who helped many young people; Ray McCalla – a tireless worker who always let us borrow his Washtenaw Farm and Garden Center truck; Jim O’Kane and Robert Norris – our longest surviving charter members; and John Swisher – who made this building available for purchase. And I remember the honorary members we recognized: economist Dr. Paul McCracken, pharmacist Dick Beissel and the noted neurologist Dr. Kahn. So many good people, so may projects- so little time to mention them all today. Fun and fellowship – this is a great Kiwanis club.
“A Foundation on Which We Continue to Build”
By Fred E. (Bud) Stein
We are celebrating our 75th anniversary and since my dad was a charter member of the club, I figure I can remember about 70 of those years. In the early years, the annual sale was held in vacant city stores, including one year in a big empty store on East Washington Street. We purchased tables for the sale the year after our wooden horses collapsed under the weight of the full tables. We sold “off the floor” that year. There was always a raffle for kitchens stove or range each year too. Other club projects I can remember were the newspaper sale fund raisers, the painting and cabin projects at Camps Birkett and Newkirk, the planting of crab apple trees at Veterans Park (Jackson Road) and the 4-H Pet and Hobby Shows. And then there was the Kiwanis softball tem: Ray Hutzel and Ike Stein (my dad) were two of the pitchers. They played other Kiwanis Clubs and had some really close games with the Detroit Edison teams. They would also compete shinning up and down the flagpole. The good club fellowship back then is shared today working at our extra sales. It was a solid foundation and we are still building on it.
“The Kiwanis Activities Center: How It Became Ours”
By Robert L. Johnson, John E. Swisher III & Sheridan W. Springer
John E. Swisher III
I am pleased to represent our family here today. It was my grandfather and my father who were involved in the sale of the building. I do remember one of my first assignments fresh out of Michigan State and new to property management was to oversee the then vacant Sears Warehouse Building (later the Kiwanis building). Within the first few weeks of my assignment, the building was suddenly without heat and the pipes froze which caused all sorts of problems. This program today would be especially meaningful to my aunt, Libby Childs, and her husband, who has served as my surrogate father. I plan to pass this drawing of the Kiwanis Activities Center on to my aunt. They are expected to come back to Ann Arbor later this year. And it will create some pleasant memories for her to grasp onto.
Robert L. Johnson, CPA
John Swisher was a tax client of mine. But I knew him when I was in college and our fraternity would buy candy at his grocery store. He was a gentleman and a person of self-assurance. Our accounting firm was looking for a new location and we visited the Sears Warehouse Building. The Kiwanis Club was thinking of buying the Artificial Ice Company building on Huron Street. I thought that would be a mistake. (Ed. Note: Mr. Johnson was a member of the club.) So I asked John Swisher if he would be interested in selling his building to the Kiwanis Club at a low price and use the difference as a tax deduction. He said he would. (Ed. Note: John Swisher was a charter member and a past president of the club.) So, I telephoned Sherry Springer and told him of John’s interest in selling the building. The building was sold on easy terms and a low interest rate. That’s basically the story behind the sale of the building.
Sheridan W. Springer
I think it is important to note that the Swisher sale of the building was under very generous terms. To my recollection, we agreed to an annual payment of $5,000 a year, including interest. Even though the building presented itself nicely, it was a raw warehouse with open joists, no insulation and no heat and plumbing on the second floor. We relocated doors, moved the stairway that rose in the center of the building, poured a cement floor in the basement, and put in a new elevator. We also brought heat and plumbing to the second floor. Some of the work was contracted, but our members completed a lot. There are 37 members of the club today who were members when we purchased the building 30 years ago.
