Weekly Newsletter for August 6, 2008

ROTARY INFORMER for August 6, 2008, Sunny, blue sky, and very warm!!

President Blanz greeted a large group and called on Roger Bingaman for the 4 way test, Roger struggled a little counting to 4 but we managed. Bob said maybe he was testing us. We then sang God Bless America and Steve Brummeler gave an invocation. Bob also observed that Jack’s playing has improved since we doubled his compensation.

Kristi introduced 14 visiting and summer Rotarians. Other guests were Mary Baxter, Tom Adams, Abby Dickson, Kathy Millar, Marty Engler, Ned McGuire and Tom Terry.

Ernie came up and helped with the induction of 3 new members. They were former Rotarians Vic George from Flint, John Pugsley from Philadelphia and new Rotarian Gary Baxter who is a retired Navy Judge Advocate General officer. Gary graduated from Petoskey High School in the class of 1961 and is happy to be back home. Ernie mentioned we will be reinstituting the mentors program.

Rod Slocum introduced the musical director from Bay View who introduced Emily Leather. Emily worked with another person to adapt Carmen to a more audience-friendly format. It is now 90 minutes versus 3 hours and will be presented at the Crooked Tree Arts Council this Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening at 7 PM. It will also be presented Sunday at 3PM. Emily told us about the changes and invited us to come to the opera.

PDG Chris made a special PHF presentation to our good friend Bishop Emerson Colaw. He was completely surprised and the club gave him a standing ovation. Chris also announced that a GSE team will be going to Brazil next spring and if you would like to lead the team or know of a young professional who would be a good team member, contact Steve Brummeler.

Terry Newton was asking for help with the pancake breakfast we do on the Saturday morning of the Festival on the Bay. The date is Saturday August 16. Diane Bott also spoke as Jack Waldvogels, much better looking stand-in, announcing that next week we’ll be signing up to man the Elephant Ears tent the entire weekend.

Bill Collins announced a program on September 10 where a author will speak and then do a book-signing. It will be a fund-raiser for the club.

Paul Shemanski then introduced Mark Gray and Dr Guy Columbiewski who took us on the “journey to electronic medical records” Our hospital is one of the leading institutions in this step into the future. Mark said that all hospitals will be required to do it soon He spoke about the many safe-guards, including a finger-print authorization. About 25% of local medical practices are presently able access the information.