Kiwanis Golden K lines up literacy, health and civic speakers for September

Five weekly guest speakers will take the Kiwanis Golden K podium in September, covering topics from childhood reading to stroke recognition to the city clerk’s election duties.

The Kiwanis Golden K club has released its September speakers' program, with a different guest presenting each Tuesday morning throughout the month.

The series opens Sept. 1 with "Improving Literacy Skills," featuring retired teacher Leanne Barnes and retired school librarian Denise McCaffery. Barnes has helped connect Kiwanis Golden K members as reading mentors to students at London Road School, while McCaffery has raised funds to buy books for the school's library. The pair will discuss their work and the ongoing lack of funding for books in local school libraries, now rebranded as "learning commons."

On Sept. 8, Clinical Resource Nurse Shay Herdman of Bluewater Health will present "BE FAST – recognizing stroke when every minute counts!" Herdman specializes in stroke diagnosis, treatment and recovery and will stress how early detection improves patient outcomes.

Holly Wenning, founder of the musical theatre group Stars 21-plus, speaks Sept. 15 on "Music, Movin' and Magic." The group, made up of adults "with exceptionalities," staged its fourth annual production of the same name at the Sarnia Library Theatre in June, written and directed by Wenning with the help of volunteers and sponsorship from the Down Syndrome Association of Sarnia-Lambton.

Dan Murphy leads the local drumming group Joyful Noise Drummers and will speak Sept. 22 on "Drumming for Fun and Connection," sharing some of the personal benefits members find in group drumming.

The month closes Sept. 29 with Sarnia's city clerk, Amy Burkhart, who will discuss preparations for a free and fair municipal election this fall as well as the broader responsibilities of her office.

Meetings can be joined by Zoom using the meeting link, or by entering meeting ID 6715249417 and password GKMTG in the Zoom app.

Questions about speakers or topics can be directed to [email protected]. More information on Kiwanis Golden K is available on the club's website.