Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Nathan Christensen Celebrates UNI Scholarship Club

July 26, 2017 - Our Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers Club had the privilege of engaging a special guest speaker Nathan Christensen who is the Assistant Athletic Director for the University of Northern Iowa Panther Scholarship Club.  Nathan's primary interest is in fundraising 4.3 million dollars to provide student scholarships to attract high caliber athletes to get their education and share their sports abilities at UNI.  UNI sports marketing offers a wide gambit of opportunities to raise this large sum of money every year.  

Recently, the Scholarship Club has started a fun and successful event called the Panther Caravan and Rally in the Valley, where they bring the university players to the fans to promote Panther Pride and generate enthusiasm for the UNI Sports Programs.  UNI has one of the top ten highest student grade point averages nationally among Division 1 Colleges.  Not only has the Scholarship Club provided athletic scholarships, but recently, they have replaced the much-needed football turf in the UNI-Dome.

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Hope for Healing for Iowa Program by Quakerdale


July 19 - Barb Sanders shared their program, Hope for Healing for Iowa, at our Wednesday Kiwanis Rough Risers meeting.  Sander’s presentation provided a quick overview of the multitudes of facilities and services they have provided for area youth, the families, and the communities they serve statewide. Quakerdale has facilities located all over the Cedar Valley.

Our Cedar Falls Kiwanis Club is a partner sponsor since the Kiwanis Priority One is Helping Children of the World.   We have supported this organization over the past few years due to Quakerdale’s heavy involvement in youth and family developments.   Since the State of Iowa has diminished funding grants, Barb is working to raise more private funds for their youth programs, They are in deep need for more help to continue these essential programs for needy youth and without more financial assistance, some programs will either suffer or disappear from their offering venues.

Quakerdale is making a difference in our communities and we look forward to supporting them in the future.

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Barb and Dave Else Share "For All the Small Schools"

July 12, 2017 - Most of us native Iowans grew up in small communities and the center of each school district was the town’s pride and joy was the High School.  We remember our rites of passage going from youth to adulthood with our teachers, classes, friends, proms, first loves, and going to the state championships.  We were prideful of our schools colors and mascots and our school’s sports records.  It is sad to see our former source of town pride and bragging rights, fall into the dustbin of forgotten lore or into a new collective.  Unfortunately, due to school district consolidation, most small Iowa high schools are a vanishing part of the landscape and losing each town’s unique identity.   

The book that heralds and preserves the disappearing Iowa small high school with photographs and brief description of each school was presented by the authors, Barb and Dave Else from Cedar Falls, from their book titled For All the Small Schools at our last Kiwanis meeting.  Both Barb and Dave traveled all over the state to take pictures of these vintage landmarks to memorialize their place in life of small town from years gone by.  At the turn of 1900, there were 12,000 Iowa high schools in just as many school districts. At the end of 2014, it is down to 346 school districts. Most buildings have been lost either to make room for progress or have fallen into disrepair and are in derelict status.  Their great book that has far more pictures than writing, so it provides the essence of our schools and makes a great read.

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Join Us at the Slykuis Memorial Golf Outing on July 14-15


It is time to celebrate Jerry Slykhuis and all that he meant to family, athletes, educators, friends, Kiwanians, and the world in general. Involve yourself in the 1st Annual Slykhuis Memorial Golf Outing.

The Pi Sigma Epsilon: Epsilon Theta and our Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers are organizing and sponsoring this memorial event in honor of Jerry.  This is a two-day event that begins with a social gathering on "The Hill" in Cedar Falls and ends with an all-day golfing extravaganza on "The Course."

Friday, July 14 (6:00 - 9:00 pm) - Appetizer Social 
at the Social House on "the Hill" (2208 College Street)

Appetizers will be provided courtesy of Whiskey Road and Little Bigs. We will also raffle-off different prizes along with having a couple guest speakers. The Silent Auction will begin at the Appetizer Social and go to the conclusion of the Golf Outing. 

Saturday, July 15 (8:30 am - 4:00 pm) - 2017 Slykhuis Memorial Golf Outing 
at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course (3205 W. 12th St.) 

This is where the "club hits the ball."  The entry fee will include the Friday Night Social, Greens and carts fees, Buffet-style lunch, Tee gift and an opportunity to raise money for a good cause while having fun and winning prizes.

Your team will have the option of playing Pheasant Ridge (18 Holes) or Walters Ridge (9 Holes,
par 3 course). 
  • For those wishing to play Pheasant Ridge, the cost will be $100 per player or $400 per team. The format of the outing will be 4-person best shot. We will run a double shotgun format with the first group teeing off at 8:30 am and the second group teeing off at 1:00 pm. 
  • For those wishing to play Walters Ridge, we will be naming tee times and the cost will be $40 per player or $160 per team.      Written by Leigh Zeitz
A great time will be had by all!!!