The event, held Saturday evening in the Sons and Daughters of Italy’s heated outdoor patio, featured a night filled with well-wishes to the club’s next 100 years, kudos to many of its longtime members and a challenge by Kiwanis International Vice President Cathy Szymanski to continue to grow and advocate for children in the community.

The night began with a cash bar and entertainment provided by Phil Reeder and was followed by a buffet dinner provided by Dave and Ruby’s Oak Grove Tavern.

From there, the celebration program kicked off with remarks by Lock Haven Kiwanis President Ben Green.

Green thanked all the Kiwanians, many of whom traveled from around the Kiwanis 12th District area, for joining the club as it celebrated this milestone. He further thanked the sponsors and 100th Celebration Committee who made it happen.

SARAH SMELTZ/FOR THE EXPRESS Lock Haven Kiwanis members who received Legion of Honor awards for their service to the club are pictured. They are, from left, Richard Marcinkevage, Art Sanders, John Buchan, Conrad Schlesinger, Peter Lopes, Bob Lugg and Beth Riccardo.

Members of the Kiwanis Celebration Committee included: Chair Melissa Bottorf, Conrad Schlesinger, Kristi Schlesinger, Sharon Reeder, Art Sanders, Louie Anastos, Green and Jeff Snyder.

Green noted the slight pressure he felt being president during the club’s 100th, but expressed how grateful he was to become a part of the club seven years ago.

“I have met some of my favorite people by being in this club. I’ve had many good experiences, and it really feels good to help people,” he said. “I’m very thankful to have been a member of the club and the service we do for our community. One hundred years is definitely something to celebrate.

Club Secretary and past PA District Governor Conrad Schlesinger spoke next, introducing Kiwanians from throughout the district along with past, current officers of the district.

He then introduced Key Note Speaker, Cathay Szymanski.

SARAH SMELTZ/FOR THE EXPRESS Kiwanis Club of Lock Haven President Ben Green offers introductory remarks during the celebration.

Szymanski is a 31-year Kiwanis veteran, honored as a distinguished president, secretary, lieutenant governor, trustee and governor. She served as a Kiwanis counselor from 2019 to 2022 and is a military veteran.

She currently serves as vice president of Kiwanis International and will become its president during the 2027-2028 administrative year, marking the first Pennsylvania Kiwanian to serve in the role since the 1948-1949 administrative year.

Szymanski expressed her excitement to be attending the event and celebrating 100 years of the positive impact the Lock Haven club has had over the years.

“It’s so exciting. We’re gathered here this evening for 100 years of the Lock Haven Kiwanis Club. Not only are they just a club of 100 years, they are a club making an impact around the world,” she said. “You all have been here through wars, economic turns up and downs, unfortunately a pandemic and everything in between. You’ve shown up.”

She spoke about the familial connection many of its members have, showing up to its weekly lunch meetings each Thursday.

SARAH SMELTZ/FOR THE EXPRESS Roughly 100 people from around the area, many from different Kiwanis Clubs along with local dignitaries, attended the Kiwanis Club of Lock Haven’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday night.

“You’ve become family. You are making this huge difference in your community,” she said. “It’s not just about the lunches. The club members of Lock Haven are change makers. They are changing the world every single day.”

Szymanski spoke about the positivity the club is fostering in the area’s youth through its participation in the Bring Up Grades (BUG) Program at Robb Elementary, its many famous fundraisers such as its twice-a-year spaghetti dinners and annual blueberry sales and its bed building projects and volunteer work with local non-profit Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

“I am telling you, this is where one of your legacies is happening,” she said of the club’s work with Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

“When we (other Kiwanians) heard from Conrad talking about it, I hope you realize the difference you made in many clubs across the district, Conrad. Because when you talked about it… they (Kiwanians) wanted to start this program. And they did,” she said. “This is just one legacy, right now, that your club has done.”

She emphasized the importance of the fundraisers she mentioned as well.

SARAH SMELTZ/FOR THE EXPRESS Lock Haven Kiwanis members, from left, Melissa Bottorf, Angela Harding and Louie Anastos, prepare cake for everyone at the celebration.

“Without fundraising they are not able to have the impact they are making,” she said. “Every smile, every volunteer, every hour they are giving, they are showing that positivity is happening.”

Szymanski said that positivity is a “force multiplier” and that it transforms challenges into triumphs.

“It empowers our kids to grow. It empowers our kids to lead,” she said. “That is so important today in this world. You are empowering our youngsters, our young leaders to lead.”

She expressed her thankfulness for Schlesinger and his work both for the Lock Haven Kiwanis, the district its a part of and Kiwanis International.

“He’s past club president, past lieutenant governor, past district governor and he’s a beacon of inspiration,” she said. “Conrad, you have shown me over and over again that dedication and service is what it’s all about.”

SARAH SMELTZ/FOR THE EXPRESS Cathy Szymanski, vice president of Kiwanis International, served as the celebration’s key note speaker on Saturday night.

In closing, Szymanski challenged the Kiwanians to three things: reach out boldly to businesses, nonprofits and community leaders to create strong partnerships that will grow the club’s initiatives; foster an unstoppable positive culture and remember that every action, no matter how big or small, makes a difference.

She thanked the members of Lock Haven Kiwanis Club for their dedication.

“Thank you for your incredible dedication, for this past century, for each and every one of you have done. Here’s to you, here’s to us and many more years of building a brighter future one child at a time,” she said.

Following Szymanski’s speech, past club president and current Kiwanis board member, Clinton County Commissioner Angela Harding, introduced a variety of dignitaries who offered citations and proclamations in celebration of the club.

These included ones made by U.S. Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson, PA Senator Cris Dush, State Representative Stephanie Borowicz, the Clinton County Commissioners and the City of Lock Haven.

The club also celebrated its long-time memberships with Legion of Honor awards for the following:

— Fifty five years of service: J. Michael Williamson, who joined April 1, 1968. The club also honored Williamson for his roughly 25 years as the club’s treasurer. Williamson just stepped down from the role at the club’s meeting last Thursday.

— Forty years of service: Arthur “Art” Sanders, who joined June 29, 1981; Richard Smith, who joined June 29, 1981; John Buchan, who joined Dec. 31, 1982; Richard Marcinkevage, who joined April 6, 1983; and Robert Lugg, who joined Jan. 8, 1986.

— 35 years of service: Peter Lopes, who joined April 2, 1987.

— 30 years of service: Conrad Schlesinger, who joined July 12, 1990; Beth Riccardo, who joined Aug. 10, 1993; Michael Hoy, who joined April 6, 1983.

At the conclusion of the evening, Green thanked everyone for attending and for all those who made it possible.

The celebration was sponsored by The Express Community Newspaper, serving as signature sponsor; Croda, Lock Haven VFW, Redmonds Complete Comfort, Woodlands Bank, Conrad D. Schlesinger, past PA District Governor; First Quality, M&R Contrating, Inc., Vetforce and Stella A’s Bar and Grill.