Janesville Blackhawk Golden Kiwanis

The day’s speaker played hide and seek.  We were treated to a video about Kiwanis, and another about the highlights of different locations in Wisconsin.

Blackhawk Golden ‘K’ General MeetingMinutesMarch 18th, 2026 President Richard Johnson presided, and called the meeting to order with a ring of the bell at 9:30AM. Richard Johnson led with the singing of America, the National Anthem, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Invocation: Bob Knudson, mentioning snow and the children. Raffle:…

Luci Cramer introduced the day’s speaker, Kim Hoholek. Kim’s photography interest started at a young age when she snuck into her brothers’ room and “borrowed” their polaroid camera. Her interest grew as she discovered National Geographic magazine and spent hours admiring and studying the colorful photos. In her late teens,…

April Wright introduced the day’s speaker, Burdette Richter.  Burdette is a tour bus driver for Van Galder Tour and Travel.  He has been to 41 countries and all 50 states.  Burdette has worked for Van Galder 17 years.  He was previously the director of financial aid at Blackhawk Technical College. …

Jim Farrell introduced the day’s speaker, Kevin Lahner.  Kevin is the City Manager of Janesville.  Kevin started by relaying a story about his past.  Some 22 years ago, when Kevin was 27, he was the city administrator of Burlington, Wisconsin.  One of his first big challenges was cleanup of a…

Maury Frey introduced the day’s speaker, Amy Mueller.  Amy is a Master Naturalist.  She is the Department of Natural Resources’ beaver specialist.  Amy has spent many years researching the animals, and is a wealth of knowledge about beavers.

April Wright introduced the day’s speakers, Heather Hoyt and Rene Bue.  Heather Hoyt runs the coffee shop on the ground floor of the library, and Rene is the chair for the Bookmobile program.  Heather and then Rene presented upon the many facets of the Hedberg Public Library and the Friends…

Nikki Bennett introduced the day’s speaker, John Bennett.  John was born and raised in Afton.  He holds a Culinary Arts degree, and was a chef at restaurants for over a decade.  He then took up driving trucks, and drove one nearly 200’ long with cargo.  John was accompanied by his…

Maury Frey introduced the day’s speaker, Charlotte Smith.  Charlotte is a Wisconsin native who now lives in Alaska.  She lives in a village named (Eleknikik).  The remote ‘bush’ village is not accessible by road, nearest to Dillingham on the Southwestern shore.  The presentation featured many elements of the elements of…

April Wright introduced the day’s speaker, Nikki Bennett.  Nikki with her husband John teach art and DIY designs with their event company Emunah Designs.  Nikki and John previously had a child with special needs that passed away.  Nikki started crafting, and is an advocate for the healing power of art.…