History

     On March 29, 1946, the Kiwanis Club of Polk City was created with 45 charter members. The East Des Moines Kiwanis Club, under the leadership of Lt. Governor Duke Williams, sponsored our new club. The club had a strong farm membership. With the variety of the farmers who made up the charter membership, there was also a number of other vocations. Those ranged from school superintendent to bailiff, from jockey to banker, and from lawyer to sign painter, plus many others. In the club's 20th anniversary (mid 1960's), there was a write up that showed what influence the farmer members had: "The farmers carried weight back in those days as they alone were allowed to vote on the dinner hour, setting it at 8:00 PM."
     On hundred and seventy-four people attended the Charter Night on May 24, 1946 at the Masonic Hall. The first president of our club was Mr. Cecil Rooks. The first four presidents and club membership set the tone in the first five years for service projects and community involvement. The first project was a horse show. That continued for four more years. After two serious fires, the club saw the need for their first major donation to the community. They financed a new fire truck and the equipment necessary for Madison Township which made our fire department a reality. The annual fish fry and talk of the Saylorville Dam along with a new 16 mm projector were highlights of the late '40's. 1950 brought the club's farming project plus work in developing a Boy Scout program in Polk City.
     Projects and activities grew during the '50's. By 1952, the farming project had grown to 160 acres, and the club sponsored activities like "farm erosion day". 1953 marked the year our club got its first district officer. Wilbur Miller was elected Lt. Governor. That was also the year that we helped charter the Ankeny Club. The next two years brought other new clubs which we helped charter in Roland and Slater. 1954 was the year the shelter house was built, another of the club's larger undertakings. In 1955, Wilbur Miller was elected Governor of the Nebraska-Iowa District. During those years, projects like the Palm Sunday Breakfast and the Kids' Easter Egg Hunt were in full swing. In 1957, we gave the district another Lt. Governor. Harvey Moeckly became the second Polk City Kiwanian to represent our club in that office. 1958 marked the first, in a long and continuing line of, Kiwanis Beef Barbecues. Although the formula has been refined, certain aspects of the celebration are still much the same today as they were in those first few years. That first barbecue was unique in that it was free to the public. Although the price has gone up, the theme of youth recognition and the honoring of senior citizens carried through.
     The previsously mentioned shelter house took place in 1954. The building was built on a piece of property donated by a charter member, A.F. Miller. The building became the early Polk City Libary. The hours and sacrifices of all the 1954 club members have benefitted the community for many years.
     By 1960, our Barbecue had drawn the attention of Kiwanis International. That September, a writer and photographer from the Kiwanis Magazine were on hand for the event. The result was a four page feature article in that magazine. Other activities during that period centered around the infamous popcorn machine which was on hand at the 4-H Fair, band concerts, 4th of July and the Barbecue. Chili Suppers, tree planting projects, career days and transporting kids to the Shrine Circus kept the Polk City Kiwanians busy during the '60's. The sale of fruit cakes brought about a resuscitator for the fire department. The first scholarships and the senior of the month awards came in 1962 and 1963.
     In the 70's, the club saw a number of new innovations in the Barbecue. The meat was no longer cooked on an open pit, but covered with sand in a brick pit. In those years, the club sponsored go-cart races, tractor pulls, the ever popular greased pig, and even shoe kicking. The club expanded the scholarship program to include a scholarship to Camp Sunnyside summer camp. Other projects that continued were needy baskets at Christmas along with a Children's Christmas Party. In 1974 and 1975, the club co-hosted the District Golf Tournament with the Merle Hay Club at Jester Park. In 1974, the club purchased a card catalog for the library. In 1975 was Polk City's Centennial Year, and our club combined efforts with the Polk City Centennial Committee to celebrate the 100th birthday of our town. In 1976, a new project was the bussing of senior citizens to the free meal program in Ankeny. In addition, the club made a donation to the North Polk Booster Club for new ball fields at the high school.
     By looking back at our club's early history, we are reminded of the fine traditions that this club has. There have been some glory years in the past, but new members and new projects are just a few ingredients to make the future equal to, or even better than, the past. However, these things just don't happen; we are going to have to make them happen. But, then, that is what Kiwanians are supposed to do!
     Here are some pictures of the early days of the Kiwanis Club of Polk City!





                                              

                                            





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