On September 30, 2026, Colonial Capital celebrated it's 50th anniversary with a dinner held in the River Room at Two Rivers Country Club in Williamsburg, Virginia. The 50th Anniversary Committee chaired by Craig Wendlandt consisted of David Schatten, Larry Sipos, Carl Stein, Kim Tahey, and Pete Webster. The Committee was formed in October 2025 and started meeting monthly - then more often as the event grew closer. During the course of the year, the committee organized the dinner, selected the menu, identified who they wanted to speak, the special invitees, planned the layout for the venue, researched the Club and Foundation history, set the event's dress code, printed up name cards for those attending the event, and staffed the registration table the evening of the dinner. Carl Stein prepared a slide show of over 120 slides depicting the Club's activities over the past 15 years. The presentation ran during the cocktail half hour and through the first part of the evening. Craig Wendlandt prepared a second slide show which was featured in the evening's main presentation. Craig had researched Kiwanis International, the archives of the Williamsburg Regional Library and archives in the library at the College of William & Mary for stories about KCCC. David Schatten dove through KCCC's secretary's files and Ed Odachowski researched the Colonial Capital Williamsburg Kiwanis Foundation's records to identify items of interest to members. Ron Goldstein provided his history the Club's Toys for Local Kids campaign. Chuck Owlett requested from Kiwanis International an official 50th anniversary logo which Larry Sipos used in creation of the name tags. The host for the evening was outgoing KCCC President Chuck Owlett. The song for the evening was God Bless America. The invocation was given by Marie Allen.
The speakers for the evening were Ms Sandy Towers, Director of the Williamsburg Regional Library, Ms Arlana Flauntleroy and Mr. Alister Perkinson, Director and Assistant Director of James City County's Department of Parks and Recreation, and Mr. Scott Zimmerman. Scott started in Kiwanis as a KCCC member in 1976. Ms Towers spoke on the impact of KCCC helping fund the Kiwanis Kids Idea Studio and the WRL Natural Playground. Ms Flauntleroy spoke about the Kiwanis Kids Train and the soon to be Grove Community Park. Mr. Perkinson described the layout of the Grove Community Park and then provided detail about the Kiwanis named playground elements which are KCCC's 50th Anniversary Project. Mr. Zimmerman described the early days of the Club. He said the club size limited by the meeting space, fund raising were pancake dinners and golf tournaments. He described collecting cannisters at local stores in the days before there was a can shaking campaign. Scott also described Williamsburg 50 years ago including being able to drive down the Duke of Glouster street. Chuck Owlett provided a summary of KCCC. Bob Holmberg announced this year's Finley Award winner. Paul Langenus made remarks to close the evening and adjourn the meeting.
Chuck's job as keynote speaker was to describe KCCC over the years. He provided a quick timeline on the founding of Kiwanis in 1915 to the founding of the Kiwanis Club of Colonial Capital in 1976. Chuck identified the things Kiwanians do then presented a series of photos of KCCC members in action - providing grants, can shaking, registering shoppers, giving out books, shopping, working youth sporting events, working as ushers at W&M games, and showing KCCC in action at our major fundraising events - golf tournaments and Men Who Cook. He provided statistics on the number of children who have participated in the Toys for Local Kids program since can shaking began. Chuck briefly summarized the Club's capital projects and announced the signing of the Letter of Intent to fund the outfitting of Kiwanis Otter Coves at the Bright Beginnings facilities in Williamsburg and Norge. Chuck identified the number of hours members have sat in Club meetings over the years, 100,000, and the total number of dollars the Club and Foundation estimated to have been donated to children since the Club's founding - $1.5M. He closed his remarks with a series of thank yous - to the Club's founding leadership and members, spouses, donors, community leaders and businesses who support our activities and in turn let us support them, James City County leadership and Departments and WJCC Schools for allowing us allowing into their spaces so we can work directly with students. Chuck closed by thanking the Key Clubs as they are the next generation of Kiwanians and the current membership, without who there would not be an event.
The Finley award was presented by Bob Holmberg to Hal Metcalfe. Hal is the founder of KCCC's Bag 4 U program, he is the liaison to the Williamsburg Christian Academy Key Club, and he works with James City County Social Services so that KCCC can help sponsor Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.
The last act of the evening was passing the gavel from outgoing President Chuck Owlett to KCCC 2026-2027 President Paul Langenus. Paul made closing remarks celebrating the past 50 years. He offered a toast to the next 50 years. He closed by adjourning the meeting.
There were many notable community members present in the audience including State Senator Danny Diggs, James City County Board Supervisor Jim Icenhour, James City County Assistant County Administrator Brad Rinehimer, and Kiwanis International Capital District Division 12 Lt. Governor James Shakleford and his wife Ginger. Also present was Division 12 Lt Governor Elect Scott Zimmerman and his wife who is also a Kiwanian, Missy. Representing the nonprofit community KCCC serves were Katie Patrick, the Executive Director of Grove Christian Outreach, Captain Berenabe of the Williamsburg Salvation Army, a representative from Dream Catchers, and a representative from Edmark. Ms Kim Wolfe represented herself. Ms Wolfe had recently contacted KCCC about donating her mother's collection of crocheted stuffed animals in support of KCCC's Bags 4 U program. Also present were the Key Club advisors at Bruton High School and Williamsburg Christian Academy.
Between members, former members, spouses, and distinguished guests a hundred people attended the dinner.