The Kiwanis Club of Dillon held the Annual Christmas Celebration on Thursday, December 12, at 6:00 p.m. at the B&C Steakhouse & BBQ in Dillon.
President Ryan Berry welcomed everyone to the celebration. After fellowship, everyone enjoyed a delicious steak dinner with all the trimmings, a salad, and dessert.
The pledge was by Vice President Bobby Meekins and the Invocation was by Alex Lewis.
Mr. Darryl “Peanut” Miller made brief remarks about the Dillon Kiwanis Club.
During the Pinning Ceremony, several were pinned including President Ryan Berry, Vice President Bobby Meekins, and two new members, John Dove and Trey Lynch.
The Distinguished Service Award was presented by Ryan Berry to Rev. Matt Adams of the First Presbyterian Church in Dillon. The Kiwanian of the Year award was presented by Gene Hill to Ryan Berry.
Ryan Berry thanked everyone for the honor but quickly stated that several of the members could have received the award “as it takes all of us on the team to do what we do!”
President Ryan Berry spoke of all of the members of the Dillon Kiwanis Club and the value they offered to the Kiwanis program and to all of the community. He acknowledged all of the great work that each had given to make the program successful. He also recognized the “Rock Solid” members who had served for such a long time such as Lonnie Turner, Darryl Miller, Alex Lewis, Joe Price, and Jimmy Bohachic.
President Ryan Berry introduced the City of Dillon Mayor Tally McColl who briefly spoke of Glen Wagner’s retirement as City of Dillon Manager and the naming of the new City of Dillon Manager Burt Rogers. He also remarked that the City of Dillon had refurbished the old First Bank building on Main Street as the new City of Dillon Police Department plus he exclaimed that the City of Dillon did not have lead or copper in the city water! He thanked the Kiwanians for their dedication and hard work for the youth in our community. McColl stated “you have made our city a better place to live.”
Of course, the best was saved for last. City of Dillon Mayor Tally McColl presented long-time Kiwanian Lonnie Turner, who was surrounded by family and friends, with the Key to the City of Dillon for all of his contributions to the Kiwanis Club of Dillon and all of the children and adults he has served throughout his numerous years of working tirelessly on any and every need of the Kiwanis program. There has seldom been a day in the past when one could drive by the Kiwanis Ball Park and not see Mr. Kiwanian, Mr. Baseball, Mr. Wonderful, working on the field whether it be cutting grass, lining the field, mending what needs mending, pulling weeds, announcing for the ball games, and so much more. No one has dedicated himself as much as Mr. Turner. “Everyone loves and respects Lonnie for what he has done!
Lonnie Turner thanked everyone for his “Key to the City of Dillon”. He also made brief remarks. As everyone knows, Mr. Turner has devoted many, many years to the Dillon Kiwanis Club. He has helped mold many of our youth in our community.
Thank God for men like Mr. Turner!
Valerie Miller made gift bags for all of the ladies who were present as they departed.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Johnnie Daniels/The Dillon County News, LLC
