Joe Adrignola Named Kiwanian of the Year

LACONIA — Joe Adrignola was presented with the Ned Roberts Award as Kiwanian of the Year at a packed Laconia Kiwanis Club meeting held at the Beane Conference Center on Monday, October 24.

Immediate past president Mike Marsh presented Adrignola with the award and newly installed Laconia Kiwanis president Roger Landry cited Joe’s hard work, dedication and attendance as reasons that he was named Kiwanian of the Year.

The award is named for charter member and past president Ned Roberts, who had 35 years of perfect attendance, and is presented to the Kiwanian who exhibited excellence in attendance, participation in club projects, meetings and committees.

Lt. Governor Dan Witham installed Roger Landry as president, Scott Laurent as first vice president, Jack Batchelder as second vice president, Joe Adrignola as treasurer, Kathy Calvin as secretary, and Mike Marsh as immediate past president. Directors that were also installed include Adam Coty and Lori Dickson. The evening was hosted by master of ceremonies Phil Bonafide and featured some Yankee humor provided by Fred Marples of Frost Heaves, NH.

The Kiwanis Club of Laconia meets at 6:15 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of every month. The meetings are dinner meetings and often include a presentation of interest. The Kiwanis Club has a number of active civic and community projects including:

• Dental Program that helps subsidize the cost of dental care to needy children throughout the community.

• Kiwanis K.A.R.E.S. (Kids And Reading Equals Success) that visits every third grade class in Laconia three times throughout the school year to read and provide books to the students.

• Bicycle Rodeo every spring that teaches children proper bicycle safety and promotes helmet use to prevent brain injury.

• Kiwanis Scholarship that provide funding to college age individuals to be used to assist in their continuing education.

The Kiwanis Club of Laconia actively sponsors the Laconia High School Key Club, the Laconia 4th of July celebration, Multicultural Market Day as well as many local children’s sports teams and leagues. The club spends part of its time fundraising so that it may help support local children’s charities such as the Central New Hampshire VNA & Hospice Pediatric program, The Lakes Region Boy’s and Girl’s Club, Camp Mayhew and other programs.

PHOTO CAPTION

Immediate Past Kiwanis Club president Mike Marsh and Ned Roberts Award winner as Kiwanian of the Year Joe Adrignola. (Courtesy photo)