Kiwanis Club of Hot Springs Village celebrates merger and new members

On Thursday, January 23, a joyous celebration dinner was held at the Woodlands Presbyterian Church to welcome new members to the Kiwanis Club of Hot Springs Village. These new members were formerly part of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Hot Springs Village. The decision to reintegrate the members of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Hot Springs Village back into the Kiwanis Club of Hot Springs Village was made in 2024. The Greater HSV club held its final meeting in September, marking the end of the Kiwanis year.

After completing all the necessary steps and paperwork, the “merger” was officially finalized on January 17, 2025. Together, the newly unified Kiwanis Club of Hot Springs Village looks forward to continuing its mission of serving the community with greater strength and enthusiasm.

The Journey and Reunion of the Kiwanis Clubs of Hot Springs Village

In 1981, the Kiwanis Club of Hot Springs Village came into being, with Henry Jenson as its pioneering president for the 1981-82 Kiwanis year, which runs from October 1st to September 30th. Following him, Paul Bewie took the presidency in 1982-83, leaving a significant legacy by helping to establish the local Boys and Girls Club, which was affectionately named the Paul Bewie Boys and Girls Club in his honor.

In its infancy, the club was teeming with enthusiastic members, leading to a pivotal decision when the group outgrew its space at the Coronado Center. With over 100 members, the club split into two on June 19, 1986, giving birth to the Kiwanis Club of Greater Hot Springs Village.

Both clubs then embarked on their separate journeys, engaging in various community activities, fundraisers, and events. An effort was made so that each club would not compete with the other club. The original club supported Jessieville and Mountain Pine schools, while the Greater Hot Springs Village club dedicated its efforts to Fountain Lake.

Fast forward to 2024, and the moment was ripe for a reunion. The decision to merge the Greater Hot Springs Village club back into the original was met with enthusiasm. After a heartfelt final meeting of the Greater Hot Springs Village Club in September and some administrative work, the merger was officially completed on January 17, 2025.

A festive dinner was held at Woodlands Presbyterian Church on Thursday, January 23rd, to celebrate this significant milestone. The entrees included steak, champagne chicken, or salmon; Home Plate Cafe and Bakery catered the delicious dinner. The dinner ended on a sweet note with cake. Now reunited, the club continues to meet every Thursday from 8-9 am at the exact location, welcoming guests and visitors to experience the camaraderie and service spirit of Kiwanis.

This reunion marks a return to unity and reinforces the club’s commitment to community service and growth, inviting anyone interested in making a difference to join their ranks.

Event Attendees

Upcoming Fund Raising Events (Stay tuned for details!)

• Concert – Remnants of Rock @ Woodlands Auditorium, Thu. March 6, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets.

• Barbeque Dinner – Coronado Center, Sat. April 5, 2025

• Spring Concert & Ice Cream Social – Hot Springs Concert Band @ Woodlands Auditorium, Sun. May 4, 2025

• Golf Tournament – Annual Golf Tournament @ Magellan Golf Course, Sat. Sept. 6, 2025

• Brat Fest Dinner – Coronado Center, Sat. October 4, 2025

• Golf Course Yardage Cards – Available at HSV Golf Shops

• Place Mats – Sponsors can purchase business card-sized advertising space on the placemats used at Kiwanis dinners. These placemats are printed biennially. For more information or to place an ad, please contact Bill Jackson. billjack2@sbcglobal.net or 501-984-3470

Check out the Kiwanis Club!

The Kiwanis Club of Hot Springs Village gathers every Thursday at Woodlands Presbyterian Church. From 7:30 to 8:00 am, enjoy coffee, conversation, and donuts. The official meeting kicks off at 8:00 am and concludes by 9:00 am. Everyone is invited.

For more information, please contact one of the following members:

• Bob Bartnett, President – bobbart@swbell.net; 913-515-5895
• Dave Olson, Vice President – ardavid6@outlook.com; 501-984-3097
• Kathleen Kinney, Secretary – sugarandme@yahoo.com
• Hank Jarvis, Public Relations Committee Chair – jarvisbh@yahoo.com

The Kiwanis mission
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world, one child, and one community at a time. 

The Kiwanis vision
Kiwanis will be a positive influence in communities worldwide — so that one day, all children will wake up in communities that believe in them, nurture them, and provide the support they need to thrive.

The Kiwanis motto
Serving the children of the world

The Kiwanis objects

• To give primacy to the human and spiritual, rather than to the material values of life.
• To encourage the daily living of the Golden Rule in all human relationships.
• To promote the adoption and the application of higher social, business and professional standards.
• To develop, by precept and example, a more intelligent, aggressive and serviceable citizenship.
• To provide, through Kiwanis clubs, a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render altruistic service and to build better communities.
• To cooperate in creating and maintaining that sound public opinion and high idealism which make possible the increase of righteousness, justice, patriotism and goodwill.

By Joe Dowden