(PHOTOS PROVIDED / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
BUTTON BUSINESS … The guest speaker at the Kiwanis Meeting of 10/23/2024 was Joni Smethurst, the owner of Phyll’s House of Buttons. Joni shared with us the story of how this business came about. Her grandmother was an avid collector of buttons throughout her life on a huge scale. Joni told of us about how she as a child loved visiting with her grandmother and playing with the buttons. When Joni’s grandmother passed away the button collection was passed on to Joni. Joni has since turned this collection into a business by transforming the buttons into jewelry. She brought examples of her work to share with the club. Pictured left to right, Kiwanian and program host Shay Pursel and Joni Smethurst.
STUDENTS OF MONTH … A second installment of Students of the Month visited the club on October 23, 2024. The second installment was necessary due to the combining of September and October Students of the Month as the new school year begins. The students are chosen by the faculty of Bryan High School for not only their academic achievements, but also their participation in extracurricular activities. The students shared with the group their most memorable high school experience as well as their plans for next year after graduation. Pictured left to right: Kaitlyn Dempsey and Caitlyn Dewitt.