The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 20, Milford, Kosciusko County, 1 July 1987 — Page 40

THE MAIL-JOURNAL—Wed., July 1,1987

Youngsters have grown up with the Lakeland Youth Center

By MARK HUFFMAN Staff Writer Several youngsters have grown up with the Lakeland Youth Center, a former teen club that took a great part in Syracuse kids' lives throughout the 19605. Syracuse resident Bud Smith started the center in 1964, providing a forum for high school kids to meet and greet new friends. Meeting in the basement of the old bowling alley next to the Pickwick Theater, youths under 20 years old used to dance to the sound of teen bands from throughout the area. However, entertainment wasn’t the only facet of the

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center, which used to be a part of Youth Employment Service and later became a United Way agency. In 1965, activities included ping pong tournaments, knitting and crocheting classes, water and gun safety, talent shows, in addition to youth employment. A fund of $13,000 was set up during that inaugural year for the operation of the center, while Mrs. Elmo Niccum provided an initial endowment of $10,000.. Over 600 members joined the center that memorable year. Mrs. Niccum is also responsible for securing the current land on SR 13, for the purpose of constructing a youth center. A lot of work for the new center was

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TEEN CLUB — Syracuse youths dance to the sound of an area teen band during the Lakeland Youth Center’s heyday in 1964. The center attracted high school students every week to dances, while various other activities also entertained over 600 members in the basement of the Pickwick Building in uptown Syracuse.

donated by area businesses, while Eli Lilly started a challenge contribution. Two buildings (Anderson Paint Co. and the Junk Shop) were located on the original site and torn down to make way for the current building. “A lot of things the youth center started out doing have been taken over by service groups,” according to Christa Francis, who became director in 1986. Bud Smith retired as director in 1968, with a string of successors following intermittently. He is directly responsible for many of the current programs at the center, including the idea for an adult board of directors. He also employed a youth board, which has since gone by the wayside, although Francis has expressed interest in starting one once again. While the center now focuses its teen dances on middle-school aged children, it has increased its scope to cater to everyone — from the pre-school student to the senior citizen. Some of its more successful programs include: gymnastics, soccer, and monthly

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dances. Entering the sesquicentennial year on a positive note, the Lakeland Youth Center secured a McNamara Grant from The

Kiwanis Club formed in '77

BY HAROLD ROZENFIELD Kiwanis Club Member On March 7, 1977, a group of men in the Syracuse-Wawasee area met and received a charter as the Wawasee Kiwanis Club under the sponsorship of the Lakeland Kiwanis Club of North Webster. That was the beginning on an organization that soon held an important place in the community, serving persons in various ways. Wawasee Kiwanis continues to be in the forefront of activities in the area. Who are Kiwanians? “Kiwanians are men banded together to make their communities better places to live. They perform community service beyond the capability of government. They work collectively or through committees. They attend regularly scheduled meetings for fellowship and inspiration. They serve because they want to serve.

United Way to re pave its lot and renovate the building. After 23 years, the center continues to touch many lives throughout Syracuse.

Kiwanis makes it possible. The Wawasee Kiwanis Club meets at 6:30 every Saturday morning for fellowship, a program, and project planning. They plan continually for service io youths and older adults. Among the continuing projects are the Needy Family Project and the Little League for boys during the summer. The Needy Family Project, which is conducted during the Christmas season, was launched in one of the early years of the club and went from S6OO to SI,OOO, and to $5,000. It climbed over $16,000 during the 1985 Christmas season, with the support of many businesses, professional persons, and other individuals. Many needy families receive food, clothing, and toys. Some older persons, and families in real need, received medical care and fuel. The Little League ball programs enroll over over 300 boys and girls on a number of teams each summer, involving a large budget and many man hours. The snowmobile endurance race during the Winter Carnival has been sponsored by the Wawasee Kiwanis. The club also sponsors the Key Club at Wawasee High School and the Builders Club at Syracuse Elementary School, while a limited number of youths are awarded scholarships or expense money to attend district and international conventions. The thousands of dollars raised through projects all flow back into the community to serve those people in need. The Wawasee Kiwanis Club is one of over 8,000 clubs in the world with over 300,000 members. Presidents who have served in Syracuse include: Kenneth Bowton, Don Denney, Joe Martin, Terry McDonald, Clair Mohler, Jack Oswald, Ron Roberts, Robert Sloop, and Tom Schwartz. The president for 1986-87 is Herschel Wells.