Stories

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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