Weekly Newsletter for January 14, 2009

ROTARY INFORMER for January 14, 2009 Snowy but very cold!!!!

President Bob called on Doug Caldwell for the 4 way test, we sang the Star Spangled Banner and Bob Brummeler gave an invocation,

Only visiting Rotarian was Tom Parker. Guests of Rotarians were Rene Grandon, Ryan Cartwright, Abby Dickson and Tina.

Rod Slocum reminded us that we were required to publish the weekly calendar winners and was asking for folks to sponsor the publication. Cost is $25 per week and requires a 1 month commitment

Rob Rogier announced that we have 1400 calendars paid for and turned in. There are 106 unsold calendars in this hands and he is asking each member to take one. Then we could have them all sold.

Alan Dickson announced the date of the Spaghetti Dinner as February 12. Tickets will be available next week. Remember every one is expected to work in addition to buying their packet of tickets.

John Myers reminded us that we are still taking donations of non-perishable food stuffs and cash for Manna. We have raised $916 so far plus lots of cans of food. They can also use bags of any type, plastic or paper.

John Myers introduced past president Jane Millar and after a well-earned ration of guff, Jane explained she was a director of the Northern Michigan Mediation Center. As such she told us about a program that is presented to 4th graders in the Char-Em schools, informing kids about shop-lifting. She told us that statistically 50% of students at Petoskey, Harbor Springs and Central Lake schools have shop-lifted. She said this is typical and would apply to other area schools as well. She also said that adult shop-lifters usually started as youngsters. NM Mediation has a program to bring shop-lifters and victims together to try to impress kids with the problem. She showed a video that is also shown to the kids.