On September 30, 2026, the Kiwanis Club of Colonial Capital celebrated its 50th anniversary with a dinner at Two Rivers Country Club in Williamsburg, Virginia. The 50th Anniversary Committee chaired by Craig Wendlandt consisted of David Schatten, Larry Sipos, Carl Stein, Kim Tahey, and Pete Webster. The Committee organized the dinner, selected the menu, researched the Club and Foundation history, and invited the speakers and special guests. Carl Stein collected more than 120 slides depicting the Club's activities over the past 15 years and prepared a slide show, which ran during cocktails and dinner. Craig Wendlandt prepared a second slide show featured in the evening's main presentation using information from Kiwanis International, the archives of the Williamsburg Regional Library and archives at the College of William & Mary. David Schatten dove through KCCC's secretary's files and Ed Odachowski researched the Colonial Capital Williamsburg Kiwanis Foundation's records to identify items of interest to members. Ron Goldstein added a history of the Club's Toys for Local Kids campaign. Kiwanis International sent an official 50th anniversary logo for the Club which was used prominently on place cards and in the slide show. The host for the evening was outgoing Club President Chuck Owlett. The song for the evening was God Bless America led by Harley Stewart. The invocation was given by Marie Allen.
Guest speakers presented three topics. Ms Sandy Towers, Director of the Williamsburg Regional Library spoke on the impact of our Club helping fund the Kiwanis Kids Idea Studio and the Williamsburg Regional Library Natural Playground. Ms Arlana Fauntleroy and Mr. Alister Perkinson, Director and Assistant Director of James City County's Department of Parks and Recreation talked about the Kiwanis Kids Train and Grove Community Park. Mr. Perkinson provided details on the Kiwanis named playground elements, which is the Club’s 50th Anniversary Project. Mr. Scott Zimmerman, Capital District Division 12 Lt. Governor Elect, who joined Kiwanis as a member of this Club in 1976, described the early days of the Club. He reported that the Club size was limited by the meeting space, described early fund-raising events, and told about collecting cannisters at local stores in the days before there was a can-shaking campaign. He closed by saying that joining Kiwanis was one of the best decisions of his life.
Following the guest speakers, Chuck Owlett summarized the timeline history of the Club from the founding of Kiwanis in 1915 to the founding of the Kiwanis Club of Colonial Capital in 1976 and up to the present. Chuck presented a series of photos of Club members in action - issuing grants, can shaking, assisting shoppers on the Toys for Local Kids shopping day, distributing books, working youth sporting events, and showing Club members in action at our two major fundraising events – the annual golf tournament and Men Who Cook.
Guest speakers presented three topics. Ms Sandy Towers, Director of the Williamsburg Regional Library spoke on the impact of our Club helping fund the Kiwanis Kids Idea Studio and the Williamsburg Regional Library Natural Playground. Ms Arlana Fauntleroy and Mr. Alister Perkinson, Director and Assistant Director of James City County's Department of Parks and Recreation talked about the Kiwanis Kids Train and Grove Community Park. Mr. Perkinson provided details on the Kiwanis named playground elements, which is the Club’s 50th Anniversary Project. Mr. Scott Zimmerman, Capital District Division 12 Lt. Governor Elect, who joined Kiwanis as a member of this Club in 1976, described the early days of the Club. He reported that the Club size was limited by the meeting space, described early fund-raising events, and told about collecting cannisters at local stores in the days before there was a can-shaking campaign. He closed by saying that joining Kiwanis was one of the best decisions of his life.
Following the guest speakers, Chuck Owlett summarized the timeline history of the Club from the founding of Kiwanis in 1915 to the founding of the Kiwanis Club of Colonial Capital in 1976 and up to the present. Chuck presented a series of photos of Club members in action - issuing grants, can shaking, assisting shoppers on the Toys for Local Kids shopping day, distributing books, working youth sporting events, and showing Club members in action at our two major fundraising events – the annual golf tournament and Men Who Cook.
Chuck briefly summarized the Club's capital projects and announced the signing of the Letter of Intent to fund the outfitting of “Kiwanis Otter Coves” at the Bright Beginnings facilities in Williamsburg and Norge. He reported the approximate total dollars the Club and Foundation have donated to children since the Club's founding ($1.5 million). He closed his remarks with a series of thankyous to the Club's founding leadership and members, members’ spouses, donors, community leaders and businesses that support our activities, local nonprofits, James City County leadership and Williamsburg-James City County Schools for allowing us to work directly with students. Chuck closed by thanking the Key Clubs, the next generation of Kiwanians and the current membership.
Following Mr. Owlett’s remarks, Bob Holmberg announced this year's Finley Award winner, Mr. Hal Metcalfe. Hal is the visionary of the Club’s Bag 4 U program that provides care bags to children entering foster care. He is the liaison to the Williamsburg Christian Academy Key Club, and he works with James City County Social Services. In addition, Hal is the Club's liaison to the local law enforcement community who are major supporters of the Club.
The last presentation of the evening was the Passing of the Gavel. Chuck Owlett presented the gavel to incoming President Paul Langenus. Paul made remarks celebrating the past 50 years and he offered a toast to the next 50 years. Paul closed the event by adjourning the meeting.
Many notable community members, in addition to our guest speakers, attended the dinner, including State Senator Danny Diggs, James City County Board Supervisor Jim Icenhour, James City County Assistant County Administrator Brad Rinehimer, Kiwanis International Capital District Division 12 Lt. Governor James Shakleford and his wife Ginger, and Buddy Giles from the Toano Kiwanis club. Representatives from the Bruton High School included the Key Club sponsor, Jennifer Reyburn, and the Key Club President, Aubrey McCaffrey. We were honored to have Missy Zimmerman, a Kiwanis Capital District Trustee, who accompanied our Guest speaker, Division 12 Lt Governor Elect Scott Zimmerman. From the nonprofit community the Club serves, we welcomed Katie Patrick, the Executive Director of Grove Christian Outreach; Captain Jumaine Berenabe and his wife Katie of the Williamsburg Salvation Army; Celeste Genov from Dream Catchers; and Kimberly Sherlaw from Edmark. Ms Kim Wolfe joined us as well. Ms Wolfe had recently donated her mother's collection of crocheted stuffed animals to support the Bags 4 U program. KCCC Emeritus members Hunt Berryman, Bill Deaner, and Mary Lehman were also present.
In all, more than a hundred people attended the dinner.