DAYTON–100 years! The Dayton Kiwanis Club has set the date of its Centennial Celebration for Saturday, September 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Barn at Blue Meadows on the North Touchet Road.

"We're looking forward to a fun, wonderful evening with a catered dinner followed by a presentation of 100 years of history in Dayton," said President Kim Lyonnais.

The club was started with the first organizational meeting held at the Hotel Dayton on October 19, 1922 with 59 charter members in attendance. The Walla Walla Club was the sponsor. Dayton's club eventually grew to over 70 members in the 1930s and 1940s.

Some of the charter member's names ring a bell in Dayton's and Columbia County's history: Broughton, Cahill, Day, Davis, Dingle, Dunlap, Dumas, Erbes, Hansen, Hooper, Hubbard, Israel, Jackson, Lewis, McCauley, Price, Rennewanz, Rodrick, Rogg, Thompson, Wallace and Wilcox.

The primary mission was to support the youth of Columbia County and the club succeeded over the years in many ways. Members worked with youth on projects, but also provided financial support for Little League, soccer, swim teams, 4-H, Road to Leadership, summer rec programs, college scholarships and many others. The Club also built the roof over the park picnic area, installed benches, built the Big Toy at the school and worked on many other projects throughout the past century-too many to recount in this limited space.

Camaraderie was another beneficial by-product of Dayton Kiwanis. Over the years, members have expressed their appreciation for being members of this organization because of the friendships developed, the fun and informative meetings and the strong sense of teamwork to accomplish good things for the community, Lyonnais commented.

The Club's history includes Thursday luncheon speakers. One of the first invitees was Frank Finkel, whose controversial story of being the only survivor of Custer's Last Stand was first recounted to Kiwanians. Later programs featured nationally known athletes and elected leaders, of which some will be shown at the Celebration Ceremony.

Internationally, the Dayton club had a direct influence in beginning the Yamate Exchange Program with Japan and participated in the startup of the first Kiwanis Club in Russia.

Lyonnais believes every Dayton High School graduate would remember some experience or received some benefit from Kiwanis. "The club has always had a very positive impact in our community," Lyonnais said. "It is a wonderful reason to celebrate! We invite the public to join us!"

Tickets for the event are $50 and must be purchased by September 10. Tickets are available in-person at the Dayton Chamber of Commerce Office or by calling the Chamber Director, Belinda Larson at 509-383-4825 or Gary Schroeder at 509-629-2471.