Leader Lookback
This is what ran in The Evening Leader 50 years ago this week.
K.C. Geiger Honored by Kiwanis
A woman who began a career 50 years ago this month was honored last night by the Kiwanis Club and other officials in St. Marys.
Kathryn C. Geiger, editor of The Evening Leader, started her career in journalism as a cub reporter in 1923. It began right out of high school and in fact she remembers writing up her own baccalaureate service. In 1944 she assumed the duties of editor, a position she has held ever since.
The Kiwanis Club held a banquet at Koch’s last night and the guest speaker was former congressman William M. McCulloch of Piqua. Mr. McCulloch gave a talk on his years in political office and the contacts he had with K. C. during that time. He referred to K.C. as not only an editor but a real News Hawk.
“I know the great service she has performed for St. Marys. Not all newshawks deserve praise, but this one does and I am very pleased that you people have honored her with this dinner,” said former Congressman McCulloch.
McCulloch finished his speech with the following comment: “I’m going to do what I do to my granddaughters when they please me very much, I’m going to kiss the top of K.C.’s head.” And with that he lightly kissed the top of K.C.’s head.
But McCulloch’s comments were not the only words of praise that K.C. heard. Most of the guests there had words of praise for The Leader Editor.
The guests attending included three of K.C.’s sisters, Miss Edith Geiger, Mrs. Alma Lutterbein, of Edgerton, and Mrs. T. C. DeWeese, of Lima. K.C.’s other sister Marguerite Geiger had made previous plans several months ago to travel to Spain and Portugal and sent regrets that she could not be there and added her congratulations to K.C.
Pastor Ted Stellhorn of the Zion Lutheran Church, K.C.’s pastor, was present to open and close the banquet with prayer. Mayor Howard Schultz was there representing the city. Jack Rouhier was there representing the Chamber of Commerce. He presented K.C. with a resolution from the chamber trustees praising her 50 years of service to St. Marys.
Representing The Evening Leader were Brice Blair, Homer W. Buss and Mike Core. Frank Dennings, superintendent of St. Marys schools was also there as was Mrs. Mary Hartman, president of St. Marys Soroptimist Club. K.C. is a charter member of that club formed 19 years ago, is a past president and has served other offices in the organization.
Miss Candy Youngs of the St. Marys Venture Club was present as was Dave Durnell, president of Rotary and Dale Grimes, representing the Jaycees. K.C. was a recipient of the Jaycees Distinguished Service Award in 1969.
Other guests included Norman Kuhlman of The Home Bank, Ray Hanning of Goodyear Tire and Rubber, and Earl Stienecker of Midwest Electric.
Serving as the excellent M.C. for the night was Jack Kuffner, past lieutenant governor of Dist. II Kiwanis Club. Phil Young, president, opened the night. Both had words of praise for K.C. Most of the guests had comments thanking the Kiwanis for the banquet and/ then adding their praise and congratulations to K.C.
Before the banquet, song leader of the Kiwanis, Joseph Cattarin, entertained the group with a solo called “Hello K.C.” sung to the tune of “Hello Dolly”.
The words went like this:
Hello K.C. Well Hello K.C.
It’s so nice to have you here with us tonight, We think you’re swell K.C.
and you’re grand K.C.
Always pushing, always rooting for our great old town
St. Marys best booster with your Evening Leader
Bragging about the grandest town in all the land
So take a look, fellows,
At our grandest gal, fellows We’ll always be in love, yes, We’ll always be in love, K.C., We’ll always be in love, with you!
Following the speech by McCulloch, K.C. received the first Sesquicentennial’s Canal’ mug filled with yellow roses from Ned Lawler. Mr. McCulloch and his wife also received a mug, only his had red carnations, the state flower.
The Kiwanis presented K.C. with a Gold plate with the inscription “Presented to Kathryn C. Geiger In recognition of 50 Years Of her devoted personal and professional service to the St. Marys Community, May 1973, Kiwanis Club of St. Marys.”
She also received from Kiwanis a bouquet of 50 yellow roses, one for each year, presented by Jim Scott former Lt. Governor of Division 2, the Ohio Kiwanis.
K. C. was then given the floor and visibly touched by the honors awarded her, she thanked everyone there and thanked The Evening Leader for those 50 years. Following her remarks the center piece was given by Jack Kuffner to Mrs. McCulloch.
So a career begun 50 years ago was honored last night. Many remarks were made, but perhaps the one that sums it up the best was made by Rotary president Dave Durnell when he repeated a remark from a Memorial student. Durnell said he had been in the high school earlier in the day and remarked he didn’t know what to say that night about K.C. when a student said. “Well, say something good. Because she always says something good about us and St. Marys”.
It was a golden remark for a golden moment.