Marion Evening Exchange Club
Marion Evening Exchange Club met Thursday at Hostess House, 723 W. Fourth St., with 22 members and guests present. Jack Clark led devotions followed by the ledge led by Willard Rust. Lloyd Holt won the door prize and Jack Clark won the Burger King certificates. Members signed up for The Salvation Army bell-ringing at Wal-Mart on Nov. 25, Dec. 2 and Dec. 9.
The November Youths of the Month recipients were Evelyn Waymire and Kevin Aaron.
Evelyn currently ranks second in the Marion High School senior class of 280 students and has maintained a 4.38 GPA. She plans to study psychology in college and will attend Indiana Wesleyan University. She is listed on the Who's Who Among American High School Students and on the National Honor Roll. She has participated on the Spell Bowl academic team, the social studies academic team, the English academic team, Mu Alpha Beta, National Honor Society and both the marching band and the pep band. She is also co-president of Mu Alpha Theta. She is actively involved in her church's youth group worship team. She also runs PowerPoint shows and videos during Sunday services. Evelyn finds time to work at Marion's King Gyros.
Kevin ranks eighth in the Marion senior class with a GPA of 4.24. He plans to pursue a degree in physical therapy. He has applied to Indiana University, Indiana Wesleyan University and the University of Indianapolis. Kevin has been part of Marion's tennis team during his junior and senior years. He received recognition as second-team all-conference tennis and was a Chronicle Tribune Athlete of the Week. Kevin also participated in the symphony orchestra and the jazz band. He won gold medals at the state orchestra competition for bass trio and ensemble. Outside of school, Kevin is a leader in his youth group at St. James church. He has volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House, St. Martin's and was on a disaster relief team that traveled to New Orleans. Kevin is employed at the St. James day care center.
Next week's program will be presented by Carolyn Williams from the Grant County Senior Citizens Center. Nov. 16 will be the One Nation Under God program with the Rev. Tom Mansbarger as guest speaker and featuring the Senior Sound Barbershop Quartet. For future planning, the annual Christmas program and auction will be Dec. 14. All programs are at the Hostess House.
The group also met Oct. 26 with 16 members and guests present. Brad Luzadder led devotion, followed by the pledge led by Jack Clark. Jack Clark won the door prize. Mayor Wayne Seybold gave the evening's program. Attendance was low due to the fall break in the Marion Community Schools. With the reduced audience the mayor presented a "very informal fireside type chat." He also shared with the group about Dollar General and how the entire process came to fruition in Marion, wages and salaries in area businesses and how they affect the Marion economy. He told of the progress of the ethanol plant being constructed out on Ind. 18 and that it should be ready to operate in the first part of 2007. Wayne proceeded in telling the group of the different studies that have been done in trying to lure new business to the county. He emphasized the importance of a "joint-cooperation between Marion, Gas City and other neighbors." He stressed the fact that things that benefit one city also affect the surrounding communities. Wayne talked about the importance of a family-environment needed to attract new workers to job opening in Marion. He stressed a concern for needed improvement and direction in the Marion Community School System in order to attract possible new business. Wayne spoke on the development of the city's new swimming pool, which will be at 26th and Adams streets. The Mayor than talked of the economics of new money that will come to our community along with new people and fresh ideas that can only make Marion a better place to live.
