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The Kiwanis Club of Ventura Suburban was chartered in 1963 with approximately 35 members. The first President was Robert W. Bickmore. The initial meeting place was the Ventura Women’s Center, now known as the Poinsettia Pavilion. Around 1964-65 the Buena Mall was constructed and an eating establishment call Loops Cafeteria became our upstairs meeting location for many years. Ventura Suburban was always an evening Club, although, when Loops Cafeteria went out of business there was a short period when a morning meeting time was attempted, which didn't last too long.
Installation time was always a fun time when members (at that time all men) were required to wear dinner jackets, black tie and ORANGE socks. Peter Alpeter, one of the charter members became the only member of the Club elected as Lt. Governor for the years 1966-67. One of the highlights of the Club was arranging for an auction to raise funds to purchase the first motorized Treadmill machine coupled to a heart monitor. The Club raised $3800 and donated the money to the Community Memorial Hospital. It was the first in Ventura County. Ralph Rule, a member of the club at the time, was the first candidate with the machine and discovered he had a heart condition which was followed with bypass surgery.
The Ventura Suburban Kiwanis Club is still active with 45 years of service to the community. We now meet at Marie Callenders on Victoria Ave, across from the Government Center every Tuesday evening at 6:30 pm. You are welcomed to attend and become part of this great organization.
View a list of Past Presidents.
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