Our new Kiwanis year kicked off in October, and it is off to a fine start. Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to:
Bob Willey, President
First Kiwanis/SLP Dinner Meeting. Five of our Service Leadership Program (SLP) clubs were represented at our first dinner meeting, and each shared the many things they have planned for the year. I’m looking forward to many exciting meetings with all of our SLPs this year. Please plan to join us and show your support for their efforts.
Chamber Gala. Several of our members attended the Chamber’s Business of the Year Gala on October 1 to show our support for all the Chamber does in the community, including the many ways it helps support our own community efforts.
Hooksett Citizens of the Year. Sue and I were very grateful to the many Kiwanis members who attended our recognition dinner on October 2. We truly believe one of the major reasons we received this award is everything we have done through the years with Kiwanis.
Installation Night. We held our 2026–2027 Board and Officer Installation on October 21. It gave me the opportunity to review the many things our club accomplished during its first 25 years and what we hope to accomplish in our 26th. My main theme is similar to the one from my first term almost ten years ago, “Teamwork Helps to Make the Dreams Work,” with a new twist: “The Little Blue Kiwanis Engine That Could.” (See the Installation story below.)
Kiwanis/SLP Dinner Meeting, November 4. Guest speaker Justin Spencer of Recycled Percussion and Chaos and Kindness spoke about mental health awareness. (Read the recap below.)
Upcoming Club Activities to Look Forward To
Chamber and Kiwanis Wine and Tequila Tasting, November 18, at Oscar Barn. Come sample some great wines and tequila, and help us raise money for community benefits.
Club Annual Christmas Auction, December 16, at Derryfield Country Club. Please consider attending. This is the one fundraiser we hold for the club itself each year; all of our other fundraising goes to community needs.
My Ask for This Year
I’d like every member to make an effort to attend at least one club event or meeting and one of our SLP meetings this year. You can find the dates under the Calendar tab at hooksettkiwanis.org (opens in a new tab). Please also consider joining one of our committees to help plan the many events we hold for the community.
In service and friendship,
Bob Willey
President, 2026–2027 • Kiwanis Club of Hooksett
Looking Back
Highlights of Recent Events
Kiwanis/SLP Kickoff Meeting
Our first Kiwanis/SLP meeting of the year was held at Hooksett Memorial School on Wednesday, October 7, with five of our six sponsored Service Leadership Programs in attendance. Kiwanis members enjoyed hearing about the many fundraisers and activities each club has planned to help its community.
We reminded the clubs that Kiwanis partners with the SLPs on two things: community service and leadership. To strengthen the leadership side this year, the clubs will help plan and run these Kiwanis/SLP meetings.
Students take the lead: Manchester Central Key Club volunteered to oversee the next meeting on November 4 and secured guest speaker Justin Spencer of Recycled Percussion and Chaos and Kindness to discuss mental health awareness.
Installation of Board and Officers
Incoming President Bob Willey presided over the meeting. In celebration of the club’s 25th anniversary, he reviewed the many things the club did for the community this past year, including spending more than $130,000 on projects in town that benefited the library, the schools, the Conservation Commission’s trails, and the Parks and Recreation Department.
Bob explained that much of this was accomplished through teamwork, because, as he put it:
“Teamwork helps to make the dreams work.”
The Little Blue Kiwanis Engine That Could
Bob noted that while we have generally been a successful club, we have struggled with membership and participation since the pandemic. He compared the club to the Little Blue Kiwanis Engine: it did a good job of reaching the pinnacle, but with the onset of the pandemic, it began to descend the hill.
Now it’s time to start the Little Blue Kiwanis Engine on its climb back to the pinnacle, and Bob is asking every member to help with the ascent.
Dinner Meeting with Justin Spencer
Hooksett Kiwanis members and students from our Service Leadership Programs enjoyed a dinner meeting featuring Justin Spencer of Chaos and Kindness and Recycled Percussion. Justin spoke about mental health awareness and his own experience dealing with it growing up.
~70
attendees
6
SLP clubs represented
The meeting was held at Hooksett Memorial School on Wednesday, November 4. Almost 70 people attended, including students from all six SLPs that Hooksett Kiwanis sponsors. Several SLP parents were also on hand for Justin’s inspiring presentation.
Justin Spencer with SLP students at Hooksett Memorial School
Chamber & Kiwanis Wine Tasting and Tequila Sampling
NOV
18
Wed
When: Wednesday, November 18, 5:30–8:00 PM
Where: Oscar Barn Venue, 191 West River Road, Hooksett, NH
Tickets: $40, includes appetizers and a selection of wine and tequila samples
The Hooksett Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Hooksett Kiwanis, invites you to an evening to sip, sample, and connect. Enjoy a selection of wines and tequila, delicious appetizers, and great conversation with Chamber members, local professionals, and community leaders.
The evening is also a chance to recognize and celebrate the work Hooksett Kiwanis does for our community. A gift basket raffle will raise funds to be donated back to the Hooksett Kiwanis Club, supporting our community projects.
Our club’s one fundraiser for itself each year. Every other dollar we raise goes to community needs.
Watch for more details, coming soon.
Kiwanis/SLP Dinner Meetings: November–December
All meetings are held at Hooksett Memorial School, starting at 6:00 PM.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 — Hosted by Manchester Central Key Club (held; see recap)
Wednesday, December 2, 2026 — Hosted by Trinity High School Key Club (Manchester)
Plan to attend and hear about all the wonderful things our six Service Leadership Programs (SLPs) are doing:
K-Kids
Hooksett Memorial School
Builders Clubs
Cawley Middle School (Hooksett) and Hillside Middle School (Manchester)
Key Clubs
Manchester Central High School, Trinity High School (Manchester), and Pinkerton Academy (Derry)
Member Milestones
Celebrating Our Members in November
🎂 Happy Birthday
★ Judy Barrett
★ Michele Howe
Happy Kiwanis Anniversary
Thank you for your years of service!
Susan Kunkel — 19 years (joined 2007)
Alan Stein — 18 years (joined 2008)
Kathy Pieroni — 5 years (joined 2021)
Phil Denbow — 4 years (joined 2022)
Terence Crotty — 3 years (joined 2023)
Beyond Hooksett
News from Our District: The K17 Dispatch
The November 2026 issue of The K17 Dispatch, the newsletter of the Kiwanis New England & Bermuda District, is now available. It’s packed with news, service stories, useful resources, and connections from across our Kiwanis family.
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Last Updated: November 10, 2026 by mglisson
Newsletter | November 2026
Kiwanis Club of Hooksett • New Hampshire
Hooksett Kiwanis Newsletter
Fall 2026 — November Edition
From the President
President’s Message
Dear Kiwanians and Friends,
Our new Kiwanis year kicked off in October, and it is off to a fine start. Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to:
Upcoming Club Activities to Look Forward To
My Ask for This Year
I’d like every member to make an effort to attend at least one club event or meeting and one of our SLP meetings this year. You can find the dates under the Calendar tab at hooksettkiwanis.org (opens in a new tab). Please also consider joining one of our committees to help plan the many events we hold for the community.
In service and friendship,
Bob Willey
President, 2026–2027 • Kiwanis Club of Hooksett
Looking Back
Highlights of Recent Events
Kiwanis/SLP Kickoff Meeting
Our first Kiwanis/SLP meeting of the year was held at Hooksett Memorial School on Wednesday, October 7, with five of our six sponsored Service Leadership Programs in attendance. Kiwanis members enjoyed hearing about the many fundraisers and activities each club has planned to help its community.
We reminded the clubs that Kiwanis partners with the SLPs on two things: community service and leadership. To strengthen the leadership side this year, the clubs will help plan and run these Kiwanis/SLP meetings.
Students take the lead: Manchester Central Key Club volunteered to oversee the next meeting on November 4 and secured guest speaker Justin Spencer of Recycled Percussion and Chaos and Kindness to discuss mental health awareness.
Installation of Board and Officers
Incoming President Bob Willey presided over the meeting. In celebration of the club’s 25th anniversary, he reviewed the many things the club did for the community this past year, including spending more than $130,000 on projects in town that benefited the library, the schools, the Conservation Commission’s trails, and the Parks and Recreation Department.
Bob explained that much of this was accomplished through teamwork, because, as he put it:
Bob noted that while we have generally been a successful club, we have struggled with membership and participation since the pandemic. He compared the club to the Little Blue Kiwanis Engine: it did a good job of reaching the pinnacle, but with the onset of the pandemic, it began to descend the hill.
Now it’s time to start the Little Blue Kiwanis Engine on its climb back to the pinnacle, and Bob is asking every member to help with the ascent.
Dinner Meeting with Justin Spencer
Hooksett Kiwanis members and students from our Service Leadership Programs enjoyed a dinner meeting featuring Justin Spencer of Chaos and Kindness and Recycled Percussion. Justin spoke about mental health awareness and his own experience dealing with it growing up.
~70
attendees
6
SLP clubs represented
The meeting was held at Hooksett Memorial School on Wednesday, November 4. Almost 70 people attended, including students from all six SLPs that Hooksett Kiwanis sponsors. Several SLP parents were also on hand for Justin’s inspiring presentation.
To learn more about Justin and Chaos and Kindness, visit chaosandkindness.store (opens in a new tab).
To attend an upcoming Hooksett Kiwanis meeting or event, see our calendar at hooksettkiwanis.org (opens in a new tab).
Coming Up
November and December Meetings and Events
Chamber & Kiwanis Wine Tasting and Tequila Sampling
NOV
18
Wed
When: Wednesday, November 18, 5:30–8:00 PM
Where: Oscar Barn Venue, 191 West River Road, Hooksett, NH
Tickets: $40, includes appetizers and a selection of wine and tequila samples
The Hooksett Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Hooksett Kiwanis, invites you to an evening to sip, sample, and connect. Enjoy a selection of wines and tequila, delicious appetizers, and great conversation with Chamber members, local professionals, and community leaders.
The evening is also a chance to recognize and celebrate the work Hooksett Kiwanis does for our community. A gift basket raffle will raise funds to be donated back to the Hooksett Kiwanis Club, supporting our community projects.
Registration is required.
Kiwanis Christmas Dinner and Auction
DEC
16
Wed
Where: Derryfield Country Club
Our club’s one fundraiser for itself each year. Every other dollar we raise goes to community needs.
Watch for more details, coming soon.
Kiwanis/SLP Dinner Meetings: November–December
All meetings are held at Hooksett Memorial School, starting at 6:00 PM.
Plan to attend and hear about all the wonderful things our six Service Leadership Programs (SLPs) are doing:
K-Kids
Hooksett Memorial School
Builders Clubs
Cawley Middle School (Hooksett) and Hillside Middle School (Manchester)
Key Clubs
Manchester Central High School, Trinity High School (Manchester), and Pinkerton Academy (Derry)
Member Milestones
Celebrating Our Members in November
🎂 Happy Birthday
Happy Kiwanis Anniversary
Thank you for your years of service!
Beyond Hooksett
News from Our District: The K17 Dispatch
The November 2026 issue of The K17 Dispatch, the newsletter of the Kiwanis New England & Bermuda District, is now available. It’s packed with news, service stories, useful resources, and connections from across our Kiwanis family.
2026–2027 District Focus
Family First. Mission Forward.
Category: Newsletters Tags: 2026, Bob Willey, Chaos and Kindness, Christmas Auction, Hooksett Chamber of Commerce, Installation of Officers, Justin Spencer, Member Milestones, Mental Health Awareness, November 2026, Wine and Tequila Tasting
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