No women, but smoking OK when these guys joined Kiwanis
by Elka Worner When they joined the Kiwanis Club, ash trays lined the bingo tables, the Greatest Generation ran the show and women weren’t allowed. The next four decades changed all of that. Two weeks ago, at the Hermosa Kiwanis hall, four Kiwanians were honored for more than four decades of service in the Hermosa Beach chapter. “I gained another family by joining the Kiwanis Club more than 41 years ago,” said honoree Paul Amarillas, who served as club president in 1988. The award ceremony had the air of a roast, and recipients rivaled Comedy and Magic Club acts. Local attorney Brad Baker, dressed in his trademark Hawaiian shirt, was recognized for 40 years of service. Baker said he was eating lunch at the Gem Café when longtime Kiwanian Mike Frandzel recruited him for the organization. He joined the club in its heyday when the Greatest Generation served as mentors. “The World War II vets really understood what service was,” he said. Baker admitted he has not been able to attend many lunch meetings lately because of his 55-hour a week work schedule. “Every time I show up for lunch, I try to calculate what it really costs me,” he said. “I think this one’s like $7,000.” Baker said…
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