In many respects, service clubs are the backbone of a community.

Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary and others are comprised of volunteers who give back to their neighbors in the form of scholarships, labor and a variety of other worthwhile initiatives too many to mention.

Their fellowship is evident throughout the year, most visibly at their luncheon meetings, where they break bread, plan projects, tease each other and, often, listen to a guest speaker.

I was pleased to be the latter at Thursday's Kingston Kiwanis session at Skytop.

About 30 Kiwanians heard me talk about the newspaper business, our Digital First agenda and the Ben Franklin Project. They laughed at my jokes - if you've ever been a speaker or MC, you know how important that is - and they asked thoughtful questions.

Thanks to Kiwanians Joe Fay, Art Gould and the rest for their invitation. More importantly, thanks for all the good work you and other service clubs do.