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Charter Night

The Kiwanis Club of Uptown Augusta recently marked its 49th anniversary and plans are already being considered for a 50th anniversary celebration in December 2005.

Charter night for our club was Feb. 13, 1956, at the Augusta Country Club. The club slogan as adopted at that time was "Build As Free Men."

The menu that night? Fruit cup, roast prime rib of beef, asparagus, au gratin potatoes, tossed salad with french dressing, assorted breads, apple pie and coffee.

Walter Rennecker entertained with organ music and W. Cam Mitchell, governor, Georgia District, was the keynote speaker.

The charter was presented by John R. Cole, immediate past district governor. That gala evening nearly 50 years ago set the stage for our club's future.

Lt. Governors

Our club has served not only the community but our district as well over the past 48 years. Five of our club members have served as district lt. Governors, including current member Art Maier’s two terms. Three other active members have also served at the district level.

  • Lewis A. Newman 1961-62
  • Brian Mulherin 1978-79
  • Arthur F. Maier 1985-87, 1995-96
  • Elige Hickman 1992-1993
  • George Brodbeck 2000-2001

History

Club Nears 50th Anniversary

The Kiwanis Club of Uptown Augusta was organized on Dec. 13, 1955. It was the second club chartered in Augusta and started with 31 members. The effort was led by John R. Cole, governor, Georgia District, Kiwanis International; Eslie F. Adams, lt. governor, 6th division; and George H. Mull, president of the Augusta Kiwanis Club. The club established its meeting day as Tuesday at 1 p.m. and initially met at the Red Lion Grill at the corner of Walton Way and Baker Avenue.

Original Club Officers

  • President: Charles S. Daley
  • Vice-President: Hugh K. Pratt
  • Secretary-Treasurer: Sam W. Pinson

Original Board of Directors

  • C.L. Duvall
  • Hodges Herndon
  • Levi Hill
  • Lewis A. Newman
  • E. Reid Roberson
  • James Sartor Jr.
  • W.P. Stevens Jr.
  • Dr. B.B. Wayne

Charter Members

  • Dr. Thomas E. Bailey
  • Dr. William E. Bellamy
  • Harry M. Carpenter Jr.
  • George E. Cribb Jr.
  • C.L. Duvall
  • J. Bland Goodwin Jr.
  • William E. Hentz
  • Levi W. Hill
  • Dan P. Matheny
  • John L. Murray
  • Otis D. Phillips Jr.
  • Hugh K. Pratt
  • James R. Sartor Jr.
  • Rev. Dr. Robert Strong
  • Edward B. Turner
  • Dr. D.B. Wynn
  • Richard J. Baxter
  • Rev. T.S. Boehm
  • Dr. Thomas L. Clary
  • Charles S. Daley
  • Donald Morgan Gilbert
  • Dr. Lawton Q. Hair
  • B. Hodges Herndon
  • L. Vernon Maddox
  • W. Bruce McCollum
  • Lewis A. Newman
  • Sam W. Pinson Jr.
  • E. Reid Roberson
  • William P. Stevens Jr.
  • Joe E. Taylor Sr.
  • Dr. William A. Wilkes

Historical Events from 1955

The year was 1955 … polio shots are given in schools for the first time … Ray Kroc started McDonald’s … Gunsmoke began its long run on television … Johnson & Johnson invented baby shampoo … Rosa Parks inspired a boycott that changed America forever … and a group of men gathered to form the Uptown Kiwanis Club of Augusta … The month was December … and here are some of the significant events of that month.

  • December 1 — Rosa Parks arrested for refusing to move to the back of bus
  • December 5 — AFL & CIO merge, with George Meany as president
    Historic bus boycott begins in Montgomery, Ala., by Rosa Parks
  • December 6 — NY psychologist Joyce Brothers wins "$64,000 Question" on boxing
  • December 8 — Brooklyn catcher Roy Campanella wins his 3rd MVP Award
  • December 13 — The Kiwanis Club of Uptown Augusta is organized.
  • December 19 — Carl Perkins records "Blue Suede Shoes"
  • December 26 — Cleveland Browns win NFL championship
  • December 29 — Barbra Streisand's 1st recording "You'll Never Know" at age 13

Other Events in 1955

Many other events of historical and cultural importance occurred in 1955. Click here to learn more about the year our club was born.