Here is another example why it is fun to be in a service organization. 
As the new membership committee chairman for the Aiken Kiwanis Club, it is my responsibility to encourage our existing Kiwanians to invite new, potential members to visit our club, see the good we do, the fun we have and then decide to join. Many hands make for easy work and if everybody helps with just one aspect of the club, we all do our part, we help the children, have fun and enjoy the times we spend together.
Each week, we have a different speaker come to visit our lunch meeting and speak about their topic of expertise. This is where it gets interesting.
Last week, we had former Kiwanis president, friend and part time employee, Jim Kohl who spoke about the Aiken Radio Controlled Airplane Club…even bringing in a model plane with a 6′ wingspan. His talk was fascinating…I learned a good bit about something I had known little about. I thought about taking notes, but I just listened. 
Yesterday, we had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Allen Riddle of Norway, SC. Allen is a fourth generation dairy farmer with eight hundred head of milking cattle and he was representing the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association.
Allen Riddle….with the sun at his back
Allen talked about milk and dairy cows for 20 minutes…and I took notes the entire time. He confided in us that this was his first time out representing the SUDIA, but he did a great job. Here is a link to a minute and a half video about Allen’s farm. (On that page, click “Working Cows”)
I love his closing quote on the video: “It’s the natural way that God intended for cows to be”
Somebody famous said that knowledge is power. I just think that helping people and learning about new things is fun.
My sixth grade teacher, Ann Humphrey, who I stayed close with until the time of her death, used to always tell us…”A day that you do not learn something new is a day you have wasted”
Do not waste any days……..”Life is short and dead is for a very long time”.….me
A few, random facts, according to Mr. Riddle and then a flyer from the group:
Milk is sold in pounds. 11.6 gallons of milk equals 100lbs of milk.
Half the milk products in the USA are used to make cheese…
When McDonalds added their “specialty coffee products”, it increased the demand for milk by 2 billion pounds per year!
The fact sheet
I know more about milk this morning than I did yesterday.
Anyone want to join Kiwanis?
Based on this information, I calculated that I buy 1,800 pounds of milk a year.
I bet you do…..Thanks for being a long time reader
I see we share a love of writing! So, excited fo rthe direction our club is taking!
Fantastic Blog, Ray! Mind if I link to it from our club website?
Ray, I had to miss the meeting, and this is a great way have a virtual Kiwanis experience. I’ve always admired those people who get up early 365 days a year to keep dairy products on our grocery shelves. Thanks for sharing. Jim Farmer