The Kiwanis Club of Covington celebrated its 80th birthday Thursday afternoon with a ceremonial passing of the torch to the club's new president David Larimer.

The club's 2006-2007 President Leslie St. John installed Larimer, a CPA with Carter & Associates, as the club's new president for the 2007-2008 year. Covington Fire Chief Accreditation Manager Rob Christopher will continue to serve as club secretary and Covington Fire Chief Don Floyd as club treasurer.

St. John, assistant director for the Newton County Library System, as past club president and Bill Loeble, chief operating officer of Beaver Manufacturing, as President Elect will also serve as club officers for the 2007-2008 year.

During the birthday celebration at the Covington YMCA, St. John highlighted some of the clubs achievements over the past year which include sponsoring a third Key Club at Alcovy High School, joining the Covington/Newton County Chamber of Commerce, supporting an Eagle Scouts project to build a pavilion for Rainbow Covenant Ministries in Porterdale, raising $6,500 at their recent charity golf tournament to fund their scholarship program and awarding six college scholarships to Newton County high school seniors in May.