Rotary Informer - July 17, 2014

The Club was called to order by President Steve Brummeler and Tim Dykstra led us in the Four Way Test which was followed by “ America the Beautiful”.  Since we were joined today by professional singers, we sounded especially good.  BJ Shawn shared this week’s inspirational message.  She chose a poem by her father, Professor Harold Norris and it reads as follows:

 

TO MICHIGAN
We are the configuration
Of a nation,
Bridged by the reach of care.
Peninsular not insular, we dare
To span the inward port of call
With all,
And find identity;
Michigan is the geography
Of our mind
And time.
Part of the continent of Man,
Part water and part land.
Part of every heart and hand,
With dreams hurting and chilling,
With hope still free willing,
We engulf the weathering dance
Of leaping waves upon the shores of chance.
Let every hand within us reach,
Let every heart within us teach,
Let every voice within us sing,
Michigan is our state of being.

Calendar winners were announced.

 

The Steve and Howard Show challenged our singing capabilities with the Beach Boys “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”.  I believe we started out pretty darn good but, about half-way through, even with the help of professional singers, we took a nosedive.  But that’s what makes this part of the program fun.  Thanks again Steve and Howard!

 

Visiting Rotarians welcomed this week were:
    Bob Swanson
    Julian Magnus
    Steve Popper
    Grace Shearer
    David Dow
    Dick Chambers
    Larry Turnan

ANNOUNCEMENTS
The lovely Miss Sophia Cranney announced the Bayview performance of “The Little Mermaid”.  The performance is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, July 19th and 20th.  Performance times are at 2:00 and 4:00 both days.

Festival on the Bay will be on August 15th and 16th.  Mark your calendars.  Sign-up sheets will be circulated shortly.

Dee Keil announced that we will be hosting a Blood Drive on August 1, 2014.  Rotarians please think about donating blood.

Sidewalk Sales fundraiser will take place on July 25th.  Please make sure you are aware of your assignment.  

Diamonds and Denim Update: More help is needed making phone calls.  Please check the list of potential donors to see if there is someone you would feel comfortable in contacting.  If there is, please coordinate with Jane Millar.

Thank You notes were received from Scholarship Recipients Emily Keller, Sue Fogo and Margaret Westmar. They were passed around so the club could view them.
   
PROGRAM
The Bay View Cast and Director of “Les Miz” performed for the Club this afternoon.  We heard from Zachary Pytel (Columbus, Ohio), Johann Schram Reed (Rakeavac, Iceland), Cody Bradley (Maryville, Missouri), Elizabeth Cameron (Petoskey and Kalamazoo, Michigan), and Kelsey Braman (Lansing, Michigan).  It was sweet!!!  Review these names again, for someday they will be famous and you will be able to say, I knew them when…”

 

Les Miserables runs Thursday, July 24 - Saturday, July 26 at 8:00 p.m. at the John Hall Auditorium in Bay View.