SPOKES VOL. LXIII NO. 41                                                                                April 25, 2017
 
 
We were greeted by Jim France and Jim Davis.
 
We opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and Art Ayers’ invocation.
 
Guests:
We welcomed guest Mike Johnson
 
Music:
Dottie, Jerry and Jim were our music trio this morning, leading us in the 1920’s classic “If You Knew Suzie Like I knew Suzie”, including a reference to Suzie’s chassis.  We followed that with “Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella”.  This 1027 song was also used by Sesame Street’s Oscar the Grouch except he turned the smile into a frown, of course.  We finished with “Roll Rotary Roll”.
 
Announcements:
  • This weekend’s LMC/SHPS Foundation Fundraisers at Lakeshore Caio on North Shore Drive and social hour begins at 6:00, dinner at 6:30.
  • It is time to nominate folks for our Community Service Award and Rotarian of the Year.  Nomination forms can be found on our website.
  • Don’t forget the District Conference on May 12th and May 13th.  Our Club Hero, Tom Renner, will be honored on the 12th and Marty Graber will receive his national award on the 13th and we are hoping for a nice turnout of local Rotarians..  Both events are in Battle Creek.
  • We continue taking up a collection to help pay for Marty’s trip from Kenya to accept his award.  If you are writing a check, please make it out to: Grand Rapids Lions-District 11-C1 and, on the memo line, write c/o Kenya Project.  It may be possible to donate frequent flyer miles to Marty.  Check with your air carrier.
  • Don’t forget the Club Runner App for your phones, it’s a great resource!
  • Blessings in a Backpack has asked us for more help so we are scheduled for this week, on Thursday at 1:45.  If you volunteered at our meeting and can’t make it, contact Rhonda.
  • Our Induction dinner will be the last week in June and Steve Larsen will organize a golf tournament.
  • On May 4th there will be a reception for the new President of LMC at the South Haven Campus.  That event will be followed by the next speaker in the Speaker’s Series at 6:45.
  • President Ayers mentioned that he knows of a number of dictionaries and thesauruses available.  Bob Copping suggested that they be available for anyone who can come up with another name for thesaurus.
50/50
No winner again this week as somehow Tom Ruesink ended up with the correct ticket, but he was unable to find the correct ticket, allowing the pot to grow.  President Ayers did win $2.
 
Fines:
  • There were many birthdays today, so if I missed any, or have you celebrating the wrong person’s birthday, please accept my apologies.
  • Dorothy Lockwood had two granddaughter birthdays
  • Tom Rummel now has a 15 year old son, Alex.
  • Jean Stein celebrated birthdays for her son and grandson
  • Deb Davidson has a grandson’s birthday this week
  • Don Kitchen celebrated the birthday of his 95 year old mother-in-law.
  • The lovely Marian Hixson celebrated a birthday this week.
  • Dene Hadden had birthdays for two granddaughters this week.
  • Jerry Portman is pleased to celebrate the birthday of his son this week.
  • Mark Odland paid for his letter to the editor in the paper this week
  • Larry Lewis reported that his grandson is doing very well after his bone marrow transplant.
  • Tom Fleming was happy the North Bronson Health Liposuction Clinic was shut down.
  • Thanks to Tom Renner for the trip to the Cub’s game last week.
 
Our speaker today was member Jim France
 
Jim spoke to us about the upcoming library millage request which is on the ballot next week.The request is for .25 mills and will raise 2.3 million dollars over 40 years.The library will work with the city and township to secure a loan for the duration of the building process and pay it back with the millage.
 
Jim passed out a pamphlet about the millage which outlined the main improvements, including new stairs and ADA ramp, Landscaping and entry canopy, remodeled entrance wing, remodeled staff area, new street-side atrium, expanded, flexible meeting space, a new addition for collections and carpet, interior upgrade throughout the building and other improvements.Jim also pointed out improvements that will happen if the millage passes, including basement improvements, HVAC improvements and important electrical upgrades.
 
If passed, construction would start this fall.The library will be open throughout the construction which they think will take about eighteen months.
 
Remember to vote on May 2nd.
 
President Ayers thanked Jim for his presentation and will present him with one of our Rotary pens next week.
 
We closed the meeting with the Four Way Test.
 
Next week’s program: Jim France will present a program dealing Future Programs at the Library
 
Next week’s Greeters:  Tom Fleming and Barbara Craig
 
Editarian:  Dene Hadden