Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Cedar Falls Senior Center ROCKS!!!

April 26, 2017 - The Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers Club had a special treat last Wednesday with
a visit from Sheryl McGovern and Kim Ricketts from the Cedar Falls Community Center on Main Street.

They shared the many activities the Center offers senior citizens.  Both Sheryl and Kim spoke about the Meals on Wheels Project. This progam delivers over 15,000 meals to shut-in seniors, which is a much needed service.

There are many programs at the Center. Tai Chi, Chair Yoga, Line Dancing are offered for functional fitness for senior health. Competitive billiards are provided with 3 tables or maybe just fun and practice with new friends.  Or in an effort of keeping your minds sharp and cutting edge, a Computer Tech Club covers classes on smartphones, computers, internet safety for seniors.  For outside activities, bus trips to places like Amana Colonies are provided for the participants.

There is always something exciting going on for any interest!  Our Kiwanis Club will have Sheryl and Kim come back again for more exciting updates from the Cedar Falls Community Center!
Written by Lynn Barnes

Sunday, April 23, 2017

Emily Goes to Cuba

Wednesday, April 19, 2017 - The Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers Club were honored to have one of our very own members, Emily Borcherding, give a tremendously interesting presentation last Wednesday about her recent trip to Cuba.  Emily showed many of the sights of urban and suburban countryside and ways of life in the newly-opened country to Americans.  She said she wanted to see Cuba before it was changed to the modern era.  

Emily showed the Kiwanis club sights of Havana.  She showed the small shops and the farm fields that were worked by oxen, as they toiled the ground to make their living.  Most products were made by hand.  She said that she also had her mother accompany her during the trip.  The pristine old cars of the 1950's and early 1960's of pre-revolutionary days; showed the club what the people were using as daily drivers.  Her trip to Cuba gave Emily a deeper appreciation about things like the scarce toilet paper or any paper products that we take for granted here in the states.

It was fun to share in Emily's trip.
Written by Lynn Barnes

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Talk to Me Technologies is on the Cutting Edge

April 12, 2017 -  Kelly McCormick and Hillary Maeken Talk to Me Technologies presented "Star Wars" type of technology to our Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers Club.  They shared a new way to open up the world for individuals with communication challenges. 

Talk to Me Technologies is located in Cedar Falls and has been helping those who have been diagnosed with challenges like autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, stroke, and Lou Gehrig’s disease. They used specialized computers to create a synthesized voice by either tapping on a screen keyboard or. even with severely limited physical abilities, they use eye-gaze technology to communicate or control home electronics by selecting on-screen icons with their eyes.  

Now every voice can be heard through these devices and make those with limited abilities a brighter tomorrow and improve their quality of life.  Written by Lynne Barnes

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Interclub Invitation to Paint Castle Hill Playground on Sat. April 22

Let's work together and make a difference in the Cedar Valley!!!!

Click the letter to make it readable

We can bring the Castle Hill Accessible Playground back to 
the beautiful playground we once knew.  

Monday, April 10, 2017

David Loy Passes On

It is with a heavy heart that we must report that David Loy passed away on Thursday, April 6.

Visitation will be on Monday, April 10 from 4 - 7 pm at the Richardson Funeral Service.  His funeral services will be at the Cedar Heights Community Presbyterian Church in Cedar Falls beginning at 11:00 am.

David was one of the founding members of the Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers.   He was a leader, innovator and organizer.

He lead as President, President-Elect and he was often elected to the Board of Directors.  He and his wife, Sue, were our financial experts and provided financial reports on a quarterly basis.

David originated our annual drive where we ask local businesses for sponsorship.  This has been an overwhelmingly successful program which has yielded thousands of dollars each year that is distributed to community organizations.

Kettlecorn was Dave's middle name.  He found the opportunity for purchasing initially purchasing the equipment and materials and he led the project ever since. He identified the locations where we would pop our goodies, ensured that we had enough people to staff the events and filled the trailer with all of the necessary ingredients.

Dave was a colorful guy.  In fact, he was so colorful that he conceptualized, organized and lead the 5K Color Dash in 2014 and 2015.

He was awarded the George F. Hixson Fellowship Kiwanis Award in 2000 for all of his active leadership and support of our club and its many service projects.

David Loy will be missed.

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

March 29, 2017 - Rick Knivsland treated our Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers Club to a tour of the University of Northern Iowa’s Schindler Education Center Building at the UNI Campus in Cedar Falls.  Rick headed up the Renovation Committee and brought a special perspective on the renovation project during the construction process. 

 Rick showed the Rough Risers the highlights of the technology-rich building. Our Club members walked away from the tour with the assurance that UNI’s future teacher students are getting a world-class education to use in their classrooms for many years to come.  

The Kiwanis Club was very impressed with the offering available to all the students, faculty, and staff at the newly renovated Schindler Education Center.  This building is the crown jewel of UNI and will provide for the teacher needs in cutting-edge education benefiting all children under their tutelage.  Written by Lynn Barnes