Kiwanis Club of Corbin celebrates its 90th birthday in the community

On Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011 the Kiwanis Club of Corbin, along with distinguished guests which included KY-TN Kiwanis Governor Don Ritter of Bowling Green, Mayor of Corbin Willard McBurney, members from the Williamsburg Kiwanis Club, past club members, spouses of deceased members and current members came together for fun and fellowship. Together they celebrated the Kiwanis Club of Corbin’s 90th birthday in the community, making it one of the oldest clubs in the nation. Mayor McBurney declared the week of Oct. 17-23  Kiwanis Week in Corbin.
Kiwanis originated in August of 1914 in Detroit, Mich., from the ideas of Allen S. Browne and Joseph G. Prance. Browne’s idea was to solicit business and professional men asking them if they would be interested in organizing a fraternal organization with a health benefit feature. Brown was compensated five dollars per new member that joined for his operating budget. Browne and Prance set out and recruited enough members to apply to the state for a not-for-profit status. The state approved the application on Jan. 21, 1915. A year later the name was given Kiwanis which comes from at Otchiprew American Indian expression, “Nunc Keewanis”, “we trade”, “we share our talents”, “we make noise”, or “we meet”. The organizations founders translated it as “we build,” which became the original motto of Kiwanis. The current motto is, “Serving the children of the world.” Four short years later, the Kiwanis Club of Corbin was founded on Oct. 21, 1921.
The club is part of an international service organization, Kiwanis International, with nearly 60,000 members worldwide and 15,000 clubs for youth and adults in 80 nations. One club sponsored in the community is the local Key Club at Corbin High School, which was founded in 1952. Club members Jim Durham and Shuree Clouse are advisors. Key Club International is the oldest and largest service leadership organization for teens. The club teaches leadership through service to others.
The Kiwanis Club of Corbin has supported many programs for children and youth in the area throughout its 90 years including Angel Tree at Christmas time, two scholarships given each year to teens who are college bound, support for comprehensive care, the Ronald McDonald House and the Kentucky Childrens Hospital, just to name a few.
The Kiwanis Club of Corbin is also one of the few civic clubs in the world that maintains and operates a public cemetery, Pine Hill Cemetary in the center of the city. The cemetery became part of the club in the 1950’s when it was decided to make it into a community beautification project. From that motion came years of dedication from club members for upkeep of the cemetery, for which a committee exists today and Kiwanian Dennis Brewer is chairman. Jim Thomas of O’Neil Funeral Home has worked many years for maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery.
The Kiwanis Club of Corbin has truly been a trail blazing club — literally. In 1927 the club set out to develop the first road to one of Kentucky’s famous state parks, Cumberland Falls. Together, Mr. Robert A. Blair, I.O. (Sonny) Chitwood, Wade Candler, and Tom Gallagher were among many who helped cut trees and shovel and move dirt to form the first trail to the falls through Whitley County. Before, the falls could only be assessed through McCreary County.
Governor Ritter spoke briefly on the occasion, noting, “ You sit here today because someone made it possible for you. And you are making it possible for someone else tomorrow. We must always remember we are here to serve the children of our communities. No one will remember who you are in generations to come, but what you do will be there for them.”
Lastly, guests were asked to share their memories about their personal and shared experiences. Ms. Joyce Bowling spoke of the integration of women, the decision made in 1988 by Kiwanis International was a controversial one, but during that year Corbin Kiwanis instated five women into its membership. Two of these women remain today, Ms. Bowling and Ms. Jenny Watkins Cain. Both women’s membership in the club has proven to be irreplaceable. Ms. Bowling serves as current treasurer and Ms. Cain is club secretary. However their contribution does not end there, both women have served as presidents and are on hand for any fundraising event, giving endless talents and hours to the community of Corbin.
Several memories of J. T. Ohler, in which the Kiwanis J. T. Ohler Chili Supper takes its name, were heard much to the laughter and appreciation for all he brought to the club during his years. Mr. Jim Thomas had a particular occasion of which Mr. Ohler asked him to sell $125 worth of tickets. If he could not do this, he would be expected to pay that money out of his own pocket; a joke perhaps, but one taken very seriously. Another club member, Matt Smallwood changed to the London club and stated that even after he left Corbin, Mr. Ohler would send him his share of tickets so that he might sell them.
The Kiwanis Club of Corbin would like to thank the citizens of Corbin, the family members of deceased members, and the many supporters in the surrounding areas who have helped make the club a success. The club works for the children in the community, but in turn, could not work without the help of the community.
If you wish to find out more about Kiwanis International, please visit the international website at Kiwanis.org or if you wish to find out more about the Kiwanis Club of Corbin, please feel free to join us at our weekly meeting at David’s Steakhouse at 12 Noon every Wednesday.