STREATOR KIWANIS

President Pete Honiotes called to order the March 2 meeting of the Streator Kwanis Club following the opening prayer offered by Chuck Luckey. A badge check conducted by Treasurer John Swanson revealed no infractions. Guests included Streator Key Club members, Billie Goluba and Lindsay Peacher, both sophomores and active with the club.

Honiotes recognized the 64th wedding anniversary of Walter and Isabelle Lochbaum. Attending the next Streator Key Club meeting will be Dave Clifton, and Ron Armstrong will attend the upcoming meeting of the Woodland Key Club. Traveling to an interclub meeting in La Salle last Tuesday were Theresa Lukiach, Chuck Luckey, Betty DiGusto and Honiotes.

Andy Hoekstra, program chairman, introduced Jack Girard of Pontiac, a snow sculptor for the past 38 years. Girard began with yard sculptures, but advanced to compete in state and national competitions in Rockford and Lake Geneva, Wis, respectively. The competitors sculpt from large blocks of packed snow and are permitted to use only hand tools. The finished product is judged by fellow competitors, who award several places together with a "People's Choice Award" based upon visitors' comments. The shows are very popular, often bringing more than 70,000 visitors. Girard was awarded first place at the 2009 state competition with his entry "Hippopatamus Emerging from a Pond." He also paints murals, placing several in Pontiac in recent years.

The next meeting will be Tuesday, March 9, at the Streator Lounge.