A Brief History of Kiwanis in Ocala Florida by: Ted Oberteufer
The Kiwanis Club in Ocala, Florida was chartered in April 1924 as a part of the growing
Kiwanis International organization. Under the leadership of first president Louis Duval and
with sixteen charter members, it began to seek ways to help children and families and to
find ways to assist others in the community. It was the second Kiwanis club in Florida
having been preceded by five years by a club in Tampa. It is currently the largest Kiwanis
club in Marion County. Over the years, it has developed into a well-attended and effective
organization. Being in sight of its centennial (2024) proves to have been very durable. It
spans the age and professional spectrums and offers members a part of their lives in which
they can meet and interact with, men and women from all parts of their community, and
together perform needed and welcome services for the children of the area.
In store for the new Kiwanis chapter in 1925 were several years of exploration of the civic landscape, looking for areas where a civic-minded organization could make a difference.
Just as the club was getting its feet on effective ground along came the stock market crash
of 1929 and the ten years of the Great Depression. With needs to meet and local challenges
affecting all members of the community, there was much to do and many to help.
Following the depression, and bringing the economy and the workforce out of the
doldrums, was the Second World War. It affected every citizen of the country to some
degree. Whether in the military, working in the defense industry, keeping the home fires
burning or just worrying about family or friends enduring combat, no one was unaffected.
Perhaps through the media, perhaps through government actions affecting the citizens, the
scope of the war effort intersected all American lives.
After a decade of depression, and six years of war, the homecoming servicemen and
servicewomen were ready to work for that for which they had fought, and the home
economy was in full operation; ready to produce the consumer goods so long unavailable.
Along with the economic readiness was a spirit of community that seemed to say “After
what we did, we can do anything.” From this, perhaps as early as 1946, among Ocala
Kiwanis members, an idea grew: Let’s start a camp for the children of our community.
Spearheaded by about ten members, among whom were Byron Craig, Miles Hires, Charlie
Rogers and Wayne Millard, and wholeheartedly supported by the entire membership,
exploration began. Where? What facilities? Who can go? How do we support it? Who will
run it? How long will camp last? These, and many other questions, had to be asked and
answered before the camp could be offered, and the first group of campers invited. But the
questions were asked, and the answers were found.
An old CCC camp (a facility left over from the depression years) on Mill Dam Lake in the
western part of the Ocala National Forest was investigated and found to be a viable choice.
The initial survey showed the old camp to be in very poor shape. A plan was drawn up and
cost estimates were made as to which buildings should be torn down, which were salvageable, and how those structures might be used. At this point, the club voted to continue
the project if a lease agreement could be reached. Negotiations with the US Forest Service
produced a lease for the property, and permission to re-design and re-purpose the site and
the surrounding twelve acres as a summer camp for children ages seven to thirteen.
With decisions made, and legalities cared for, the heavy work began. With cooperation and assistance from the Forest Service, the area was cleared of the debris of prior occupants,
fire lanes graded, access roads graded and clayed, and several un-usable structures torn
down, and discarded. Remaining were eight cabins, two residential buildings, a combined
kitchen/dining hall/pump house, and a small garage. The challenge was for work teams to
repair and make usable each building and the surrounding grounds. Then the club went to
work. With about eight to a team, each team supplying all needed labor, material, and
money, preparation for occupancy began. The work schedule was Wednesday evenings,
and all-day Saturdays often ending with a swim in the lake and a “gut buster” of a meal.
One member said, “We must have eaten a field of cows.” Many members called it “the best
time we ever had.”
With the camp facility virtually assured, the next step was to furnish and equip it. Cots and beds, chairs and tables, kitchen and sports equipment, mattresses, pillows, and a seemingly
endless list of articles were required. Getting as many donated items as possible, and
seeking funding for the rest became a major project. It started with a fish fry at the camp
for all members and families organized by Dr. Peek, Bill Blalock, L.K Edwards, and Earl
Ellis. After a great dinner, Dr. Peek went to work on the membership for contributions.
Anything, money, labor, or materials to equip the camp, and to make possible a large screen-enclosed area for play, arts and crafts, and gatherings. After major contributions from the
membership, the process moved out into the community for contributions from many
businesses, and even state and federal agencies, one of which donated an electric generator.
During this period, the repairs, and refurbishing of the cabins and common facilities was
progressing.
Then a major step took place in the Florida Legislature. The “Summer Recreation and
Education Program” was passed and funded. This made it possible to attract qualified
personnel from the Marion County School System into staff positions at the camp during
the summer. It also provided funding for counselors of high school age to be with the
campers at all times during camp days and residing in the same dorms at night. Because of this, the club submitted a plan to the Marion County School Board which, when
approved, formed a partnership between the Kiwanis Club and the School Board which
partnership has run and maintained the camp ever since. Wayne Millard said, “It’s a
good example of what can be done by public and private civic bodies when they wish to,
and have a good cause to support.” With this in place, the camp opened its first summer
season in 1948. It has been part of the Ocala/Marion County summer scene ever since.
With the camp up and running in 1948, two other activities began: on-site maintenance
and improvements. Both required a lot of work and a lot of money. More, it turned out,
than a small club, however energetic and dedicated, could supply. That resulted in the
beginning of one of the longest-standing moneymaking events in Ocala; Kiwanis Pancake
Day. Its sole purpose at the time was to fund the camp and scholarships for children who
might otherwise not be able to attend. Uninterrupted through the years, Pancake Day has
been a great success in providing a menu of pancakes, Florida Orange Juice, breakfast
sausages, coffee, and appropriate condiments. It has been blessed with generous donations
from club members and many businesses in the Ocala area. Perhaps the most consistent
and telling of these has been the contribution, by the School Board, of the Eighth Street
Elementary School cafeteria and kitchen for the annual gathering. There have been many
continuing contributions of pancake mix, plates, cups and cutlery, orange juice, coffee,
condiments, and other breakfast necessities. All club members are given numerous tickets
to sell. Many sell their allotment and more. Others pay for all or part of their tickets and
then give them to people or groups who might otherwise not be able to attend. It is a gala,
busy and very well attended affair. But there was a problem. Even with multiple grills, and
numerous cooks, it was impossible to keep up with the demand for pancakes at the height
of the breakfast hour. This was noted by club member; Ken Whitsett. He conceived,
designed, and built what has become known as the Super Stacker – a revolving pancake
grill that can, with a four-person crew, produce about 750 to 1000 perfect pancakes per
hour greatly expanding the number of people that can be served. It has been in service since
According to 67year Kiwanian Doug Oswald, “He did that all on his own and
provided the club with that and two of the small grills. We’ve been doing just fine ever
since the first year.”
An additional source of revenue was developed in the form of an annual beef sale currently headed by Diana Williams and Doug Oswald. From one of the area 4H groups, a prize beef is purchased and turned into saleable cuts, wrapped and frozen. Then at a club meeting, an auctioneer (Jim Payton) takes charge and calls for bids per pound on each frozen and
wrapped selection. When they get to a table, these steaks, roasts, and other cuts give a new
meaning to the term “prime beef.”
These two funding methods have produced much of the revenue required for the running and expansion of the camp and other endeavors. But as the camp has aged, and maintenance and improvements multiplied, new revenue has been sought. Several golf tournaments have been sponsored with great success and several “Sportsman’s Banquets” have been held. Both methods have provided substantial support for the camp and provided
funding for other efforts on behalf of local children.
Fairly early in the life of the camp, these funding enterprises were tested by ambitious and needed improvements and by Mother Nature. As the old camp cabins reached their limits
of comfortable residence, they were replaced by three camper and counselor dorms, each
capable of housing 40 campers and their counselors and air-conditioned to provide a good
sleeping environment on muggy Florida nights. Additional structures were constructed or
re-purposed to provide staff housing, arts and crafts, and a dedicated infirmary. The
Pavilion, activities, and dining hall, were also expanded and improved. The biggest challenge
came in response to the passage of a tornado through the camp in 1962. The most obvious
damage, in addition to downed trees and rearrangement of shrubbery and fences, was the
destruction of one of the new dormitories. It was reduced to a foundation slab,
one wall, and a large pile of junk. The pavilion was damaged beyond immediate use
although the kitchen portion of the structure survived mostly intact. The outcome of this
was a big job of grounds cleanup, a rebuild of the dormitory, and an improved and
expanded pavilion. Since the existing insurance did not include storm coverage, the entire
cost burden fell on the club and the community. But the damage was made good, and the
Camp, better for the effort, continued.
The most recent expansion of the camp facility has been the construction of a new pavilion adjoining the kitchen facilities. It is nearly twice the size of the prior structure, and provides plenty of space for sit-down meals for the entire camp population, while also having space for indoor activities during (rare) inclement weather. After the tornado damage and years
of wear and tear the need for expansion came together with means and intent. In 2003 a
new and larger pavilion was constructed on the site of the older structure adjacent (and
attached) to the kitchen. Inside, it appears large enough for a game of basketball and several
hundred fans. Outside it sits quietly looking down the slope to the lakefront. With the
surrounding trees and walkways, it fits perfectly into the camp without dominating. Terry
Johnson, the architect, conceived, sized, and sited the building so that it is a congenial part
of the camp landscape, yet functional for all the feeding, gathering, and shelter
requirements of the usual camp population of nearly one hundred fifty, with room for
guests and future growth.
Over the years, in addition to major support of Camp Kiwanis, other initiatives in support of children and families have been undertaken by Ocala Kiwanis. Those were children
and young people are directly supported including Reading Is Fundamental, Young Children
– Priority One, Builders Club and Key Clubs, and Boys and Girls Clubs. These
organizations are supported either with financial donations, personal involvement by club
members, or both. An additional avenue of support goes to other civic service organizations
in their endeavors to fund and otherwise support their efforts on behalf of children and
families. In these, the emphasis is more on providing club member assistance at functions
initiated by the other organizations. This varies from one or two people to staffing a booth
with club members and enlisting the invaluable assistance of Key Clubs and satellite
club volunteers.
The conception, building, support, and maintenance of Camp Kiwanis since the 1940s has, with funding events, been the core of Ocala Kiwanis goals and activities. As with all social
and civic clubs, there are weekly meetings for business, friendships, networking, and
presentations of all kinds. Meetings are over lunch and are begun with a song (everyone
participates behind the piano playing the redoubtable Tommy Ball), the Pledge of
Allegiance and a prayer led, usually, by Gary Rigby. Following the opening other club
business is attended to, visitors are welcomed, and special events in the lives of members
are noted. Business is usually followed by a program presented for the enlightenment of
the members, and dealing with anything of interest to the community: civic growth,
government, active charities, education, sports, industry, new businesses, and achievements.
In addition, even with the very active local initiatives, Ocala Kiwanis participates in the
state, national, and international Kiwanis organizations. There are reports to and from these
organizations and annual participation in various levels of meetings and conferences. Paul
Conley, president of the local club in 1993-1994 was also Lieutenant Governor of the state
organization in 1999-2000. Others who served in that capacity include David Lee Skipper,
Tom Branen, Keith Knorr, Wally Hamrick, and Jeff Tibbitts. Wally Hamrick also served a
term as Florida Kiwanis Governor. There are also visits to the local club from emissaries
of the parent organizations which keep the local membership up to date on the status of
state, national, and international projects.
Ocala Kiwanis has met at several different locations. Earliest meetings were held at the
Marion Hotel on the square in downtown Ocala. Over the years the meeting place moved
from the hotel to a restaurant, now gone, called the Brahma at the corner of 17th Street and
Pine Avenue. When that site was closed, meetings moved to the Silver Springs Holiday
Inn for several years. From there the club moved its meetings to Carmichael’s
The restaurant at what is now the location of Burger 21 on Route 40. From there, meetings
were moved to the Elks Club where the group has met since 2005.
No history of an organization can be complete without a peek into the future. It has
been said that “history is a map we can use to guide us into the future.” The ongoing success
of Camp Kiwanis, and the hundreds of lives each year that are affected by reading programs
and gifts of books suggest that these programs will continue to be supported by Ocala
Kiwanis. Proceeding from there, the fund-raising activities will continue and probably
grow to meet increased costs, a larger population, and increasingly ambitious programs. As
always, the challenge for Ocala Kiwanis will be to maintain interest in, and dedication to
the espoused precepts of Kiwanis International, and the long-supported and increasingly
needed local initiatives.
TKO 5/2017
What’s Happening
Nothing from October 18, 2024 to November 18, 2024.
Our History
A Brief History of Kiwanis in Ocala Florida by: Ted Oberteufer
The Kiwanis Club in Ocala, Florida was chartered in April 1924 as a part of the growing
Kiwanis International organization. Under the leadership of first president Louis Duval and
with sixteen charter members, it began to seek ways to help children and families and to
find ways to assist others in the community. It was the second Kiwanis club in Florida
having been preceded by five years by a club in Tampa. It is currently the largest Kiwanis
club in Marion County. Over the years, it has developed into a well-attended and effective
organization. Being in sight of its centennial (2024) proves to have been very durable. It
spans the age and professional spectrums and offers members a part of their lives in which
they can meet and interact with, men and women from all parts of their community, and
together perform needed and welcome services for the children of the area.
In store for the new Kiwanis chapter in 1925 were several years of exploration of the civic landscape, looking for areas where a civic-minded organization could make a difference.
Just as the club was getting its feet on effective ground along came the stock market crash
of 1929 and the ten years of the Great Depression. With needs to meet and local challenges
affecting all members of the community, there was much to do and many to help.
Following the depression, and bringing the economy and the workforce out of the
doldrums, was the Second World War. It affected every citizen of the country to some
degree. Whether in the military, working in the defense industry, keeping the home fires
burning or just worrying about family or friends enduring combat, no one was unaffected.
Perhaps through the media, perhaps through government actions affecting the citizens, the
scope of the war effort intersected all American lives.
After a decade of depression, and six years of war, the homecoming servicemen and
servicewomen were ready to work for that for which they had fought, and the home
economy was in full operation; ready to produce the consumer goods so long unavailable.
Along with the economic readiness was a spirit of community that seemed to say “After
what we did, we can do anything.” From this, perhaps as early as 1946, among Ocala
Kiwanis members, an idea grew: Let’s start a camp for the children of our community.
Spearheaded by about ten members, among whom were Byron Craig, Miles Hires, Charlie
Rogers and Wayne Millard, and wholeheartedly supported by the entire membership,
exploration began. Where? What facilities? Who can go? How do we support it? Who will
run it? How long will camp last? These, and many other questions, had to be asked and
answered before the camp could be offered, and the first group of campers invited. But the
questions were asked, and the answers were found.
An old CCC camp (a facility left over from the depression years) on Mill Dam Lake in the
western part of the Ocala National Forest was investigated and found to be a viable choice.
The initial survey showed the old camp to be in very poor shape. A plan was drawn up and
cost estimates were made as to which buildings should be torn down, which were salvageable, and how those structures might be used. At this point, the club voted to continue
the project if a lease agreement could be reached. Negotiations with the US Forest Service
produced a lease for the property, and permission to re-design and re-purpose the site and
the surrounding twelve acres as a summer camp for children ages seven to thirteen.
With decisions made, and legalities cared for, the heavy work began. With cooperation and assistance from the Forest Service, the area was cleared of the debris of prior occupants,
fire lanes graded, access roads graded and clayed, and several un-usable structures torn
down, and discarded. Remaining were eight cabins, two residential buildings, a combined
kitchen/dining hall/pump house, and a small garage. The challenge was for work teams to
repair and make usable each building and the surrounding grounds. Then the club went to
work. With about eight to a team, each team supplying all needed labor, material, and
money, preparation for occupancy began. The work schedule was Wednesday evenings,
and all-day Saturdays often ending with a swim in the lake and a “gut buster” of a meal.
One member said, “We must have eaten a field of cows.” Many members called it “the best
time we ever had.”
With the camp facility virtually assured, the next step was to furnish and equip it. Cots and beds, chairs and tables, kitchen and sports equipment, mattresses, pillows, and a seemingly
endless list of articles were required. Getting as many donated items as possible, and
seeking funding for the rest became a major project. It started with a fish fry at the camp
for all members and families organized by Dr. Peek, Bill Blalock, L.K Edwards, and Earl
Ellis. After a great dinner, Dr. Peek went to work on the membership for contributions.
Anything, money, labor, or materials to equip the camp, and to make possible a large screen-enclosed area for play, arts and crafts, and gatherings. After major contributions from the
membership, the process moved out into the community for contributions from many
businesses, and even state and federal agencies, one of which donated an electric generator.
During this period, the repairs, and refurbishing of the cabins and common facilities was
progressing.
Then a major step took place in the Florida Legislature. The “Summer Recreation and
Education Program” was passed and funded. This made it possible to attract qualified
personnel from the Marion County School System into staff positions at the camp during
the summer. It also provided funding for counselors of high school age to be with the
campers at all times during camp days and residing in the same dorms at night. Because of this, the club submitted a plan to the Marion County School Board which, when
approved, formed a partnership between the Kiwanis Club and the School Board which
partnership has run and maintained the camp ever since. Wayne Millard said, “It’s a
good example of what can be done by public and private civic bodies when they wish to,
and have a good cause to support.” With this in place, the camp opened its first summer
season in 1948. It has been part of the Ocala/Marion County summer scene ever since.
With the camp up and running in 1948, two other activities began: on-site maintenance
and improvements. Both required a lot of work and a lot of money. More, it turned out,
than a small club, however energetic and dedicated, could supply. That resulted in the
beginning of one of the longest-standing moneymaking events in Ocala; Kiwanis Pancake
Day. Its sole purpose at the time was to fund the camp and scholarships for children who
might otherwise not be able to attend. Uninterrupted through the years, Pancake Day has
been a great success in providing a menu of pancakes, Florida Orange Juice, breakfast
sausages, coffee, and appropriate condiments. It has been blessed with generous donations
from club members and many businesses in the Ocala area. Perhaps the most consistent
and telling of these has been the contribution, by the School Board, of the Eighth Street
Elementary School cafeteria and kitchen for the annual gathering. There have been many
continuing contributions of pancake mix, plates, cups and cutlery, orange juice, coffee,
condiments, and other breakfast necessities. All club members are given numerous tickets
to sell. Many sell their allotment and more. Others pay for all or part of their tickets and
then give them to people or groups who might otherwise not be able to attend. It is a gala,
busy and very well attended affair. But there was a problem. Even with multiple grills, and
numerous cooks, it was impossible to keep up with the demand for pancakes at the height
of the breakfast hour. This was noted by club member; Ken Whitsett. He conceived,
designed, and built what has become known as the Super Stacker – a revolving pancake
grill that can, with a four-person crew, produce about 750 to 1000 perfect pancakes per
hour greatly expanding the number of people that can be served. It has been in service since
provided the club with that and two of the small grills. We’ve been doing just fine ever
since the first year.”
An additional source of revenue was developed in the form of an annual beef sale currently headed by Diana Williams and Doug Oswald. From one of the area 4H groups, a prize beef is purchased and turned into saleable cuts, wrapped and frozen. Then at a club meeting, an auctioneer (Jim Payton) takes charge and calls for bids per pound on each frozen and
wrapped selection. When they get to a table, these steaks, roasts, and other cuts give a new
meaning to the term “prime beef.”
These two funding methods have produced much of the revenue required for the running and expansion of the camp and other endeavors. But as the camp has aged, and maintenance and improvements multiplied, new revenue has been sought. Several golf tournaments have been sponsored with great success and several “Sportsman’s Banquets” have been held. Both methods have provided substantial support for the camp and provided
funding for other efforts on behalf of local children.
Fairly early in the life of the camp, these funding enterprises were tested by ambitious and needed improvements and by Mother Nature. As the old camp cabins reached their limits
of comfortable residence, they were replaced by three camper and counselor dorms, each
capable of housing 40 campers and their counselors and air-conditioned to provide a good
sleeping environment on muggy Florida nights. Additional structures were constructed or
re-purposed to provide staff housing, arts and crafts, and a dedicated infirmary. The
Pavilion, activities, and dining hall, were also expanded and improved. The biggest challenge
came in response to the passage of a tornado through the camp in 1962. The most obvious
damage, in addition to downed trees and rearrangement of shrubbery and fences, was the
destruction of one of the new dormitories. It was reduced to a foundation slab,
one wall, and a large pile of junk. The pavilion was damaged beyond immediate use
although the kitchen portion of the structure survived mostly intact. The outcome of this
was a big job of grounds cleanup, a rebuild of the dormitory, and an improved and
expanded pavilion. Since the existing insurance did not include storm coverage, the entire
cost burden fell on the club and the community. But the damage was made good, and the
Camp, better for the effort, continued.
The most recent expansion of the camp facility has been the construction of a new pavilion adjoining the kitchen facilities. It is nearly twice the size of the prior structure, and provides plenty of space for sit-down meals for the entire camp population, while also having space for indoor activities during (rare) inclement weather. After the tornado damage and years
of wear and tear the need for expansion came together with means and intent. In 2003 a
new and larger pavilion was constructed on the site of the older structure adjacent (and
attached) to the kitchen. Inside, it appears large enough for a game of basketball and several
hundred fans. Outside it sits quietly looking down the slope to the lakefront. With the
surrounding trees and walkways, it fits perfectly into the camp without dominating. Terry
Johnson, the architect, conceived, sized, and sited the building so that it is a congenial part
of the camp landscape, yet functional for all the feeding, gathering, and shelter
requirements of the usual camp population of nearly one hundred fifty, with room for
guests and future growth.
Over the years, in addition to major support of Camp Kiwanis, other initiatives in support of children and families have been undertaken by Ocala Kiwanis. Those were children
and young people are directly supported including Reading Is Fundamental, Young Children
– Priority One, Builders Club and Key Clubs, and Boys and Girls Clubs. These
organizations are supported either with financial donations, personal involvement by club
members, or both. An additional avenue of support goes to other civic service organizations
in their endeavors to fund and otherwise support their efforts on behalf of children and
families. In these, the emphasis is more on providing club member assistance at functions
initiated by the other organizations. This varies from one or two people to staffing a booth
with club members and enlisting the invaluable assistance of Key Clubs and satellite
club volunteers.
The conception, building, support, and maintenance of Camp Kiwanis since the 1940s has, with funding events, been the core of Ocala Kiwanis goals and activities. As with all social
and civic clubs, there are weekly meetings for business, friendships, networking, and
presentations of all kinds. Meetings are over lunch and are begun with a song (everyone
participates behind the piano playing the redoubtable Tommy Ball), the Pledge of
Allegiance and a prayer led, usually, by Gary Rigby. Following the opening other club
business is attended to, visitors are welcomed, and special events in the lives of members
are noted. Business is usually followed by a program presented for the enlightenment of
the members, and dealing with anything of interest to the community: civic growth,
government, active charities, education, sports, industry, new businesses, and achievements.
In addition, even with the very active local initiatives, Ocala Kiwanis participates in the
state, national, and international Kiwanis organizations. There are reports to and from these
organizations and annual participation in various levels of meetings and conferences. Paul
Conley, president of the local club in 1993-1994 was also Lieutenant Governor of the state
organization in 1999-2000. Others who served in that capacity include David Lee Skipper,
Tom Branen, Keith Knorr, Wally Hamrick, and Jeff Tibbitts. Wally Hamrick also served a
term as Florida Kiwanis Governor. There are also visits to the local club from emissaries
of the parent organizations which keep the local membership up to date on the status of
state, national, and international projects.
Ocala Kiwanis has met at several different locations. Earliest meetings were held at the
Marion Hotel on the square in downtown Ocala. Over the years the meeting place moved
from the hotel to a restaurant, now gone, called the Brahma at the corner of 17th Street and
Pine Avenue. When that site was closed, meetings moved to the Silver Springs Holiday
Inn for several years. From there the club moved its meetings to Carmichael’s
The restaurant at what is now the location of Burger 21 on Route 40. From there, meetings
were moved to the Elks Club where the group has met since 2005.
No history of an organization can be complete without a peek into the future. It has
been said that “history is a map we can use to guide us into the future.” The ongoing success
of Camp Kiwanis, and the hundreds of lives each year that are affected by reading programs
and gifts of books suggest that these programs will continue to be supported by Ocala
Kiwanis. Proceeding from there, the fund-raising activities will continue and probably
grow to meet increased costs, a larger population, and increasingly ambitious programs. As
always, the challenge for Ocala Kiwanis will be to maintain interest in, and dedication to
the espoused precepts of Kiwanis International, and the long-supported and increasingly
needed local initiatives.
TKO 5/2017
What’s Happening
Nothing from October 18, 2024 to November 18, 2024.