Monday Morning

There were 13 members plus one guest at our Monday meeting.  Tracy Reinhardt was our speaker. Jackie was our greeter. Dave had the grace. Charlene had the humor. Happy bucks came from Bonnie, John, Dawn, Marlin, and Charlene. Dawn was a winner and non- winner. She drew the six of spades.. We still have 31 cards, 5 winners and a pot of $270.00.   Dan announced that Trinity Baptist School is having “Soup Up!” on March 2nd at their gym. Side note – Del is at home and loves visitors. Chris reported that Key Club’s Storybook Land had 500 children that came through..  West Bend German night is March 28th.   Remember that we have a Kiwanis web page and Facebook. If you are on Facebook, like our page.  We have a projector for our speakers; please contact John if you need it. Speaking of programs for the future, get information to Jackie or myself. Member names are being added under Programs for your future dates.

Tracy Reinhardt, The Night the Churches Burned

Tracy is the librarian at the Galloway House and a Fond du Lac history bluff. She took us back to the first founders, Doty and Darling. Both had their plan to develop Fond du Lac. Darling gave away free lots to business and churches to enhance his subdivision. Fond du Lac had a number of big fires prior to September 25, 1908 big fire, because all buildings were wood and the lack of a real fire protection. September 25th, Crescent Garage started to fire at about 11 pm. It was at the corner of 2nd and Marr. Next was St Joseph’s church and Congregational Church. Also damaged was Grant school, St. Peter’s church, and Salem church. It also burned several residences. They had to bring the Oshkosh fire department in by train to help stop the fires. The 1908 total of damage was $203,000. The book “Night the churches burned” is available at Lulu Press.