Passing the gavel

After a year and a half as president of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key, Richard Crawford passed on the gavel to Armando Linde, new chapter president.

Crawford, who finished out the term former President Jim Burmeister started before moving to Venice, led his last club meeting during the installation luncheon Sept. 25, at the Lazy Lobster of Longboat in front of more than 50 guests and club members.

“The Kiwanis of Longboat Key is ranked No. 5 out of the 255 Kiwanis clubs in Florida in terms of growth,” Crawford said. “And I don’t think this club has anywhere to go but up.”

Linde echoed the same sentiment.

“My goal is to keep up the momentum this club has been building over the years and that Richard has continued during his presidency, and always under the watchful eyes of our lieutenant governor and secretary, John Wild, and our treasurer, Jim Larson,” he said. “With them at my side, as well as all committee chairs and committee members, I know my job will be made much easier.”

Linde retired in 2008 after a 33-year career with the International Monetary Fund.

Kiwanians at the luncheon were able to get a few extra hours of sleep because the club ventured outside its regular meeting time.

Held during what former state Kiwanis Lt. Gov. John Wild jokingly refers to as “zero-dark hundred hours,” meetings typically take place at 7:30 a.m. every Thursday, at the Longboat Key Club’s Whiskey Room Tavern.

Wild, whose term as lieutenant governor for the state’s Kiwanis Club 18 North Division ended Sept. 26, introduced incoming Lt. Gov. Dana Keane, of the Downtown Sarasota Kiwanis Club — Florida’s fastest-growing club.

Kiwanian Woody Wolverton received a 25-year past president pin and framed certificate signed by Linde and Wild. Another 25-year member, Dick Baum, was also in attendance with his wife, Jean. Baum received his 25-year pin last year. 

Wolverton also received a Key Club sponsor pin, while his wife, Sue, received her Kiwanis Foundation trustee pin.

Also receiving pins from the club were Michael Renick, who will join the Kiwanis Foundation board as a trustee, and Corey Schaul and Jack Brill for being Circle K International sponsors.

Abigail Oakes, past president of the Circle K Club affiliate at New College of Florida, also brought along her successor as president, Ariel Santori Amsberry. The Kiwanis Club presented them with a check to help fund the Longboat Kiwanis-sponsored Service Leadership Program at the college.