SPOKES VOL. LXVI NO. 23 December 10, 2019
Special Christmas Party Edition
After a rousing social hour with many guests and spouses, President Odland welcomed everyone to our annual Christmas Party at the South Haven Yacht Club. Art Ayers provided a very seasonal invocation to begin our dinner.
Prior to dinner Mark introduced our new members and guests so all could meet our new Rotarians!
President also presented member Tom Fleming with his Paul Harris Award for his substantial financial support of the mission of Rotary International.
Dinner was served by the excellent Yacht Club staff and enjoyed by all.
Following dinner we held a Christmas songfest, led by one of our venerable song leaders, Jim Davis. We made our way through several songs of the season.
Tom Ruesink picked up the reigns of the meeting to assess fines as needed. Bob Copping paid a fine to celebrate lovely wife Jane’s birthday, Tony Martorano was extorted into paying for his third birthday fine in the last month. The Hodgeman’s (53) and the Ingersol’s (43) are celebrating anniversaries. We honored these members by singing our well known, if not well sung, Ludington Style birthday/anniversary song.
We then drew raffle tickets for the 50/50 prize money. Police Chief Natalie Thompson drew the first number, winning $60 for Bob Straits, who then drew the $100 ticket for Deb Davidson. Deb then drew the $160 ticket which was held by Pete Swanson. Each of these winners donated their winnings back to the pot which means we will contribute at least $640 to We Care. In addition Tom would take donations after the dinner was over and will have the We Care donation basket available on next week’s meeting.
We were also pleased to welcome Santa Clause into our party – although not all were sure that Santa is actually a Cub’s fan, especially our members who favor a red bird team. Never-the-less, Santa and his helper passed out Christmas gifts to all in attendance
Announcements:
- December 17th is the Open Door Dinner at the Methodist Church We will email a reminder next week but we need your help that evening.
- December 21st is our day to do the Salvation Army Bell Ringing. All slots are filled for the very first time!
- The Rotary Foundation is offering a matching grant for donations to their foundation over the next few weeks. A quick way to get to your Paul Harris award!
- There will be no meetings on December 24 and 31.
- Election of Officers will take place on December 17. The slate of nominees will be emailed today.
- We will be doing Blessings in a Backpack on December 13th.
President Odland closed our dinner by thanking a number of folks for putting it together including the always wonderful Rhonda Wendzel, Bob Straits for securing the venue, Tom Renner for arranging to get Santa and his helper to join us and the staff at the Yacht Club for a wonderful evening.
December 17th program: Jeremy Burleson will introduce Dr. Trevor Kabatzke, President of Lake Michigan College
Greeters: Steve Larsen and Dan Liehr
Editarian: Dene Hadden