Weekly Newsletter for February 10, 2010

ROTARY INFORMER for February 10, 2010 Cold, just a dusting of snow.

President John made a good strike on the bell and called the group to order. He welcomed the members and guests and called on Bob Blanz for the 4 way test. We sang America the Beautiful and Walt Knowles shared some thoughts about success.

Kendal was missing so Beno led and Angela accompanied as we sang “Let me call you sweetheart” in honor of Valentine’s Day and “Smile”.

Kristy introduced visiting Rotarians Bob Elcoate, Fran Gingras Paul Woodruff and Rick Lloyd. From PHS we had the Snowcoming king and queen Zane Smith and Kelsey Fettig as well as our exchange student Ketty. The other guest was Jania’s mom Sharon Taylor. She was with Liz so Jania had to behave??

Mike Snyder reminded us to be at the school before 4PM on Thursday to get set-up

Woody’s brother Paul from Westchester, PA brought us up to date on the project we have supported in Kenya. Ken will try to attach the report and pictures.

Beno announced a winter fellowship cross country ski and snowshoe outing for March 7. It will be at Good hart Farms (home of Jay and Shawn Neff). We need to have sign-ups so we know how many to expect. Details later.

Monthly Board of Directors meeting Thursday at noon at the Bob-in Again.

Deadline for PRCC grant requests is March 15.

Jane introduced Steve Biggs, former CEO of Town and Country Log Homes. Steve shared a story about John Gerster who many of us knew. John was a successful business man in the Chicago area who moved to Northern Michigan and became a mentor for a “bad kid”. That effort did not turn out well, but he didn’t give up and mentored 6 other boys from Lakeview Academy and saw them through college. At his funeral a couple years ago they spoke about what an influence he had been in their lives. This inspired Steve to help in a similar way and he shared some things that he has done with some others to help kids who “had a little sand in their gears”. This tied in with an idea that John Carpenter had and with the program about foster kids last week. On the tables were sheets to sign-up if you could help, even one time with transportation or other needs to make this unnamed program work. They are not asking for money, just help. Some
of the things they have done are sailing, kayaking, mountain biking and skiing. There are 240 kids, mostly teens, in the court-ordered program in Emmet and Charlevoix counties.

Program next week on RI Council of Legislation

This Friday our own retired USN Cmdr Gary Baxter will give an update on Gitmo at noon at NCMC.