Newsletter: November 19, 2025

Date of Meeting: November 19, 2025

Venue: Laconia Fire House – community room

Attendance: 5 in attendance: 3 members and 2 guests

MEMBERS AND GUESTS:

Kiwanis Members:
Zach Dea
Steve Loughlin
Tara Shore

Guests:
Matt Barrett – Lt. Governor District 4
Judy Barrett- Secretary District 4

Matt Barrett		Judy Barrett
Above photos by W. Stephen Loughlin

Prior to commencing the meeting, Tara was pleased to congratulate and get a photo op with Lynn Thompson (and her husband, Dan). Lynn was this year’s winner of the Fuel Raffle.

L to R: Tara Shore, Dan Thompson and Lynn Thompson
Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin

President Tara Shore called the meeting to order at 6:10 pm.

This was a special work meeting to discuss current and long-term business. The following was discussed:Club Business: • Waiting for two people for dues. • Tara suggested applying for city surplus funds and will research that option. • A question was raised about applying for money through the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction.Projects and Service: • Leaf Raking at the Belknap House – Approximately 10 students and Pan Pradachith (LHS Key Club Co-Advisor) participated, along with John Intorcio and Tara Shore. The project lasted about an hour. (See pictures below) • Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction – Zach and Tara will conduct a walkthrough at the Belknap Marketplace on December 2nd. More details to come. A sign-up genius will be created. • Free Throw Competition – Betty will soon have the flyer. • Bob is helping with a possible interclub in January – more to come!Operations: • Rebranding – Discussed proposed catch phrases: xxx- Better kids, better community, better world xxx- Laconia Kiwanis – Kids, Community, Service m- This is a work in progress. More ideas welcome!! Our deadline is December 15th, at the end of our holiday gathering. • Website & Newsletter xxThis will require a team effort.* xxx-John Intorcio has agreed to maintain the website and the newsletter. xxx-Steve will take photos. xxxWE NEED: Content creators to take notes during events and get them to John in a timely fashion. xxx*The team will need to be established and then meet to confirm the process to make this transition xxxxxxxxand move forward streamlined and stressless.Upcoming Meetings: • Discussed venues and activities xx- Laconia Fire Department and Laconia Library (if available) will the primary places to meet through April. xxx More discussion about venues in the new year. • Discussed ideas for “active” meetings x- Putting together emergency bags or activity bags for kids/an organization x- Supporting the Santa Fund with donations of hats and mittens x- An adult Kiwanis Ride before the Bike ‘n Board x- A pick-up basketball game • Discussed recognition options for current members Other ideas welcomed at any time – email them to Tara!Children’s Organizations: • Discussed outreach to enhance contact and support. o Zach and Tara will begin this task. Other helpers are welcome!Signage and Marketing: • Considered signage, clothing, and brochure development

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm

Zach was happy to make the s-t-r-e-t-c-h to ring the bell to adjourn the meeting.

Photo by W. Stephen Loughlin

Key Clubbers and Kiwanians Run the Food Shack at Soccer Tournament

11/3/25

Members of the LHS Key Club along with their Co-Advisor Karen Abraham and the Laconia Kiwanis Club teamed up to run the Food Shack at the recent soccer tournament held at Laconia High School. Kiwanis participants included Betty Ballantyne, John Intorcio and Scott Laurent.

SERVICE WITH A SMILE!

L to R: Malaya Kemp, Ellen Valovanie, Amaya Dutile, Makalya Keegan, Karen Abraham, Ava Currier

L to R: Alexis Dionne, Haily McCarty, Zander LeClerc, Dara Stoilova, Abby Hayward, Kade Mitchell

John Intorcio		Zach Dea and Scott Laurent
Above photos by Betty Ballantyne

KIWANIS K.A.R.E.S. at Pleasant Street School
11/6/25
Participating in the event were: Kiwanians Betty Ballantyne & Bob Willey as well as Sue Laramie a Friend of Kiwanis and Media Specialist Kathleen Grenier. During the program, students listened to stories read by the Kiwanis volunteers. Additionally, all were given the opportunity to choose a book to keep as their own. Below are a few highlights of the event.
Betty Ballantyne captures the kids attention.
Sue Laramie, a Friend of Kiwanis shows pictures.
Happy kids enjoying their books
Adults standing in the last row are: L to R: Bob Willey, Sue Laramie and Betty Ballantyne.
Above photos by Kathleen Grenier

Belknap House Fall Cleanup
11/13/25
Volunteers from the Laconia High School Key Club, together with members of the Laconia Kiwanis Club joined forces to clean up the outdoor property at the Belknap House. Led by Key Club Co-Advisor Pan Pradachith and supported by Kiwanis Club members Tara Shore and John Intorcio, the LHS Key Club demonstrated the power of service, helping to create a safer, more welcoming space for families in our community.
John Intorcio at work.		LHS Key Club Co-Advisor Pan Pradachith leads the group.
Photo by Tara Shore		Photo by Tara Shore
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
1st Row L to R: Alexis Dionne, Savanna Dutile, Ellen Vaolvanie, Addison Duncan, Olivia Coitnoir, Malaya Kem
2nd Row L to R: Laconia Kiwanis Club President Tara Shore, Haily McCarty, Savannah Stone, Elizabeth Tower, Makayla Keegan, Amira Dutile, Pan Pradachith
Photo by John Intorcio

KIWANIS K.A.R.E.S. at Woodland Heights School

11/18/25

Bob Willey filed the following report:It was a beautiful sunny but cold morning outside but everything was warm with kindness and appreciation for the first KARES Event at the Woodland Heights School. There were approximately (40) 3rd graders attending. Bob Willey represented Kiwanis Members and he was assisted by Martha Clement and Pat Tierney both Friends of Kiwanis. Robbie Prescott the school librarian did her usual outstanding organizing the event. We were also assisted by the Music Teacher and the Art Teacher and the three third grade teachers.Martha did an outstanding job of reading a short book with the students, while Pat watched the students as they selected two books which they took home with them. Finally, Bob with the assistance of two teachers helped the students put together some edible turkeys. They certainly enjoyed that since they were able to eat their creations. All in all, a great event which the students really enjoyed.

K.A.R.E.S. KIDS AND FRIENDS

Standing on the left is Pat Tierney. Standing on the right is Bob Willey and Martha Clement.

Photo by Robbie Prescott-Neylon

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

12/10/25

THANK YOU:
Many thanks to Karen Abraham, Joe Adrignola, Betty Ballantyne, Phil Bonafide, John Intorcino, Tara Shore and Bob Willey for their assistance with this bulletin.

Wednesday – December 3rd: Venue: ZOOM MEETING
5:45 pm – Board of Directors Meeting

Wednesday – December 10th: Venue: Belknap Marketplace, Belmont
4:30 – 6:30 pm – Children’s Auction Family Night

Wednesday – December 17th : Venue: John & Shawn Intorcio’s House – 494 Elm Street, Laconia
6:00 pm – Annual Christmas Party and Yankee Swap

Tuesday – December 23rd : Venue: Main Street -Downtown, Laconia
9:00 am – 5:00 pm – Ring The Bell for The Salvation Army

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