Stories

SOUTH HAVEN ROTARY SPOKES
September 12, 2023

 

We were greeted by Larry Wittkop and Griffin Graham as we
entered the meeting.
At 7am sharp, we were welcomed by President Melinda Gruber. We
opened with the “America the Beautiful”, followed by Art Ayers’
invocation.
GUESTS: Kelly from Fifth/Third Bank
Joining us on Zoom was Amy Nichols

SINGING:
+ Bob Boerma led us this morning, as we “navigated” our way
through “Danny Boy” and “Sing Rotarians”.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
+ Thanks to Bill Roberts, in advance, for taking over the
meeting, as President Gruber needs to leave early for a work
commitment.
+ We have sold 100% of our designated District Foundation raffle
tickets. Thanks to Dave Campbell for coordinating this effort
and to all who purchased tickets. It’s because of you that we
remain a 100% club.
+ We were not able to find a time to reschedule our Rotary
Summer Event; however, Rotary Social Hours will begin on
Wednesday, October 11th, at 5:30pm at Three Blondes Brewing.
Social hours are held on the second Wednesday of each month,
unless otherwise indicated.
+ District Governor Sharalyn Davis’ visit to our club meeting
has been rescheduled to November 14th.
+ Our next Board Meeting will be held following our meeting next
week- September 19th.
+ An Allegan County Mini-Golf Tournament has been organized to
raise funds for the Allegan County Housing Project. It is

scheduled to be held on Saturday, September 23rd, from 9am-
6pm.The Rotary Club of Saugatuck-Douglas, a 501c(3) charity, and

the Rotary Club of Allegan are organizing the tournament. The
two clubs have formed teams consisting of all five of Allegan
County’s Rotary Clubs. The East Team consists of mini-golfers
from Allegan, Otsego, and Plainwell. The West Team includes
mini-golfers from Douglas, Fennville, Pullman, and Saugatuck. It
would be great if we could enter a foursome into the tournament.
The tournament will be played at The Saugatuck Mini-Golf, 3460
Blue Star Highway on the north end of Saugatuck. Shotgun starts
of foursomes are set to begin promptly at 9am, 10:30am, Noon,
and 1:30pm. The awards presentation is to be held at 6pm. FEES:
$100 per registered foursome. SIGN-UP: Easy registration for
foursomes online at https://tinyurl.com/allegancup.
+ Rotary and Rotaract clubs around the world are partnering with
their local Kiwanis, Lions, Optimist and Masons clubs to
initiate joint community projects. Locally, Angelica has several
community groups, including the Masons, and local churches and
businesses, organized for a project on September 23rd.
Harbor Light Brewery is hosting an Oktoberfest 5k bike/run/walk
on the 23rd AND has provided their location, 516 Phoenix St., for
the fundraiser. The event website is
https://oktoberfestsouthhaven.com/.The proceeds from the project
will benefit the Youth Development Company of South Haven.
Angelica says that a few more volunteers are needed for the day
of the fundraiser which will run from 7am-12pm. Contact Angelica
with any questions.

COPPING’S COMEDY RELIEF:
Bob told us of a man who was attending a recent M-MSU football
game who happened to have two 50-yard line seats. One of his
seats remained unoccupied, and the person sitting beside him
wondered why such a prime seat remained unoccupied. The man
responded, “My wife died”. The person offered their condolences;
then asked the man, “Couldn’t you find a friend or acquaintance
who would have joined you?”, to which the man responded,
“They’re all at her funeral”.

TOM RUESINK: Raffle
Rhonda Wendzel was Tom’s choice as this morning’s “honest and
reliable” individual who would pick the first winning ticket.
Don Hodgman had the winning ticket and proceeded to choose the
“2” card for half the pot.
Rhonda then drew again, and Dan Thompson had the winning ticket.

TOM RUESINK: Happy Bucks
+ Kaileigh Eddy indicated that her parents celebrated their 58th
anniversary, husband Mark celebrated birthday #55, and her dad
had his 82nd birthday.
+ Jerry Gruber honored the memory of his first wife, Sandy, by
letting us know that, if Sandy was still alive, they would be
celebrating their 62nd anniversary.
+ Dan Thompson recently attended the wedding of Laurie’s son in
Cancun.
+ Deb Davidson said that her grandson, Bode, is turning 5 on the
13th.
+ Larry Wittkop saluted the Honolulu Blue of the Detroit Lions.
+ There were a few mentions of Go Blue and Go Green.
+ Dan Williamson was happy to report that the placement of his
90-year-old mother into a memory care facility was far less
stressful than anticipated.
+ Jerry Portman offered Best Wishes for Aaron Rodgers.
+ Clark Gruber mentioned that Brett Nichols, Amy’s husband,
would be competing in the Iron Man competition in Frankfort.
+ Tom and Karen Ruesink are headed to Mackinac Island following
today’s meeting for an anniversary celebration.
+ Steve Larsen reminded us that fall arrives in about a wee

PROGRAM: An LMC Update
Program Chair-Jeremy Burleson, Associate Dean LMC-South
Haven Campus, AND a Rotarian in good standing.
Highlights:
+ Millage Renewal
On August 8th, the current millage for LMC was renewed for
another 20 years! The millage generates nearly 25% of LMC’s
total operational budget.
+ Free Tuition
Frontliners-Michiganders who worked in essential industries
during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.
Michigan Reconnect- Covers community college tuition and
fees for adults who want to earn an associate degree or skills
certificate.
LMC Promise- Residency requirements and income-based
+ Programming
Current: CAN, Phlebotomy, Pearson Assessment, Michigan
Transfer Agreement, Trucking, Marine Technician
Future Hopes: Physical Therapy Assistant 2027, Introduction
to Farm Management, Drone Certificate, E-Sports
+ Early College
Dual Enrollment
Early/Middle College
Michigan Transfer Agreement
+ Community Involvement
+ Rotary’s Impact on LMC Students
Rotary Club of South Haven Scholarship- Since 2005, 74
students have received almost $70,000.00 in scholarships.

Emergency Funds- Since 2016, 27 students have received
almost $5500.00. Without this money, those 27 students may have
had to stop taking classes.
Jeremy took a number of questions from those in attendance, and
Bill Roberts expressed his thanks for Jeremy’s presentation, as
did our club.
NEXT WEEK: September 19th
Program Chair-Michael Matheny
GUEST SPEAKER- Becky Huttenga, Ottawa County Economic
Development Coordinator/MI Farm Coordinator. The program will
deal with various aspects of agriculture, as it relates to
farmland protection and farmland session planning.
GREETERS: Deb Davidson and Bryan Kurtz
We concluded with the Four-Way Test.

Respectfully submitted, Art Ayers, Past Seasonal Editarian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Florida snowbird second southern meeting for 2018 was held this past Wednesday March 28. Eighteen (18) members and guest joined together  for a great gathering and lunch. (Rhonda, I will send you the member's names later).  It was great having in our presence and fresh of the western snow resort  Bob and Dee Stickland.

 

One couldn't have asked for a better cooperation from the weather person; temperature was in low 80, our seating was on a covered porch with light breezes coming off the gulf, and we happen to hit the day when they had 2 for 1 drinks special!!

 

Since Gruber wasn't here to record this event,  just an observation on part of this editor.  It was noted that from the men's end of the table all had non-alcohol drinks!!  Seating arrangement for these gathering have the tables divided with men at one end and women at other end.  Judging by their spirit of conversations, that perhaps a few at other end of table (women's) took advantage of this drink special!!

 

Much conversation regarding activities we all have been involved with this past few months. Many of us have had opportunity in sharing this time with visiting friends and relatives and even a few visited other Rotary club meetings!!  We all concluded that the winter days flew by quickly and that for the majority of us our travels will soon be taking us north.  So by the end of April, majority of this group will be back sharing bread with rest of our home club members.

 

As usual, the hat was passed collecting fines. This collection will be added into appropriate fine collection basket in due time.   (Providing it's not needed to assist one's cost in returning home!!)

 

Good time was enjoyed by all, "meeting" broke up after 2 pm.  After which several members visited Larry and Midge Lewis' elegant winter retreat.

 

That's all for this year

Tom

 

As Don Hixson writes--something about license to stretch the truth!!

 

 

 

We were greeted by Bill Roberts and Dan Thompson.

President Renner opened our meeting with the “Pledge of Allegiance”, and Art Ayers offered the invocation.

 

Our guest was John Gillette, who was assisting Stuart Comiskey with his presentation.

 

Sorry to say, we were not graced with our Rotary voices this morning. The CD player has issues…

 

Pastor Ginny of the First United Methodist Church, regarding our Christmas Dinner
The We Care Staff
The Lake Michigan College Foundation
South Haven Center for the Arts
Junior Achievement
Bronson Health Foundation

 

 

Jerry Portman filled in admirably for our Assistant Sergeant-at Arms, Stuart Comiskey…John Gillette was “charged” with selecting the first ticket, and Don Hodgman had the lucky ticket. Don, however, drew the number 2, which didn’t generate much of a prize for Dan Thompson ($2).

 

 

 

President Renner, as well as those in attendance, thanked Stuart and John for their informative presentation.

 

Greeters for next Tuesday, January 16^th, are Jerry Portman and Bob Herrera.

 

Next week’s program: Our guest will be Todd Gustafson, who works with Kinexus. His presentation will be “Integrating Workforce Economic and Community Development”. Tom Renner is the Program Chair.

 

We concluded our meeting with the Four Way Test.

 

 

 

 

We were greeted by Larry Wittkop and Don Kitchin

 

President Ayers presided.

 

Our attendance today was 24. We miss our snowbirds.

 

President Art led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and offered the invocation.

 

Our guests were speaker Karen Reiner (?) and prospective member Jerry Portman.

 

Stu Comiskey served as our Sergeant-at-Arms.

 

 

Larry Wittkop led us in singing – “By the Beautiful Sea”, “Stoodola Pumpa” and “Rotary My Rotary”

 

 

* We received a “thank you” from the high school Robotics teams and an invitation to their demonstration open house this coming Thursday evening.

 

* Scott Mark again encouraged us to submit nominations for the Club Hero Award.

 

* Is Saturday, April 29 circled on your calendar for the Club’s annual Scholarship Fund Raiser?

 

* Marty reported he will return to Kenya on March 8 and be back in the States on May 4. We are so happy that he will be able to attend the District recognition event on May 13.

 

* Rhonda is seeking volunteers for the March 10 Blessings in the Backpack service project.

 

* President Art announced he will be absent from our March 7 meeting.

 

* Tom Renner encouraged members to put the Clubrunner App on their portable devices.

 

* Jerry Gruber gave us an update on the Florida snowbird event, including a Bob Copping-like joke. Hurry back Bob!!

 

* Don Hodgman encouraged the club to consider a reduction in the number of pancake breakfasts we sponsor. President Art said there would a Club Assembly at our April 4 meeting and that topic would be on the agenda.

 

 

 

* Prospective member Jerry Portman drew the number, HIS own (791) and then turned the four to claim the $206 jackpot. To add insult to injury, he then drew HIS own number again (790) but he graciously drew another (764), giving Richard Swanson the two bucks!

 

 

- Only three more weeks of winter

- Several well deserved tributes to Marty in recognition of the article in Sunday’s Herald Palladium.

- Ted Weber quietly marked Julie’s birthday, his own birthday and Paul Hemmeter’s birthday.

- The accomplishments of the high school boy’s basketball team was recognized.

- Jerry Portman returned a generous portion of his jackpot to the Happy Dollars kitty.

 

 

Our program today was two-fold.

 

Karen, provided an update on the South Haven Area Diversity Coalition which has been a part of our community since 2003. The coalition has successfully fostered a sense of community among our diverse population. Over the years the group has sponsored stimulating conversations on topics such as our cultural differences, gun control, sexual orientation, immigration, tolerance and end of life issues. She invited topic ideas for future events. President Art presented a $250 SH Rotary grant in support of the Coalition’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. event in which 2,000 pounds of rice was repackaged for our community’s food pantries. Several of our Rotarians participated in the MLK event.

 

Marty Graber brought us up-to-date on his work in Kenya. He opened by expressing his appreciation for the support he has received from Rotary. Marty also paid tribute to John Harding for his commitment to the project. He explained that phase two on the construction of the health facility is nearly complete and that he hopes during his upcoming visit to install the health-care equipment now on-site in storage containers.

 

We closed the meeting with the “Four Way Test”.

 

 

Our program is to be announced.

 

Mark Odland and Paul Hix.

 

Editarian Pinch-Hitter: Tom Renner