Posted by Dene Hadden
SPOKES VOL. LXV NO. 50                                                                               June 25, 2019
 
 
This was our annual Change of Officer’s Dinner, held at Hawkshead Inn.
 
President Odland opened the event with a welcome and generous thank you’s to Rhonda Wendzel for organizing the dinner and to Dan Thompson for the golf outing.  Members enjoyed a social hour previous to dinner.
 
President Odland recognized our guests, Mary Pietenpol and Marilyn Hixson and members of their families.  Our dinner tonight was dedicated to Glenn Pietenpol and Don Hixson and their service to our club and community.
 
 
Dan Thompson announced the winners of the golf scramble.  Bob Straits won the longest drive competition with a prodigious drive on the first hole.  Dene Hadden miss-hit a shot on the 3rd hole which ended up being closest to the pin.  The team of Mark Odland, Nick Tuit, John Hamilton and Dene Hadden, strategically using purchased Mulligans, Tape and Grenades won the event with a 49.  Dan also thanked Tom Fleming and Paul Hix for bags of goodies and golf towels provided to participants.
 
AWARDS
 
Following dinner and a rain squall, Dan Thompson presented our annual awards.
 
Our Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Mr. Al Ruppert, long time South Haven businessman and supporter of many outstanding local causes.  Al spoke for a few minutes but was clearly honored to be selected for this award, well deserved and way overdue.
 
Our Rotarian of the Year of the Award was presented to Tom Renner, who serves as our PR leader, making sure we get lots of good press.  He also serves an many local committees, including the South Haven Sesquicentennial celebration.
 
Congratulations to both of these outstanding individuals
 
Induction
  • President Odland invited Chris Wellington forward and her sponsor, Bob Straits to induct Chris into our club.  Mark reviewed her obligations to the club and presented her with her badge.  Bob presented her with her member folder and thanked her for joining us.
Announcements:
 
  • President Odland announced that the Rotary Club of South Haven will be providing a scholarship to a deserving South Haven High School student beginning next year.  This Rotary scholarship will be presented to a student who shows academic excellence, has demonstrated service to the community by volunteering and has lived by the Four Way Test.  This scholarship will be presented in the name of Glenn and Don when it is awarded next May.
  • Don Hodgeman reminded members that we hope to have each member pick up 10 tickets to the July pancake breakfast to sell, give away or use.
  • Sesquicentennial mugs were at each place setting for members to take home and enjoy and past presidents of the club were presented with sesquicentennial pins in honor of our club’s long history in our town.
  • We received reports on the accidents suffered by Larry Wittkop and Ann Gruber.  Both are doing well but suffered bruises.
 
50/50
 
We had three cash prizes, two won by Ross Woodhams.All of the winners donated their winnings back to the pot which members agreed to donate to the scholarship fund.Several bags of goodies, provided by Tom Fleming were also raffled off.
 
Fines:
 
  • John Hamilton and his lovely wife Mary Jane are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this week.  Congratulations!
  • Larry and Midge Lewis are also celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary!  More congratulations.
  • Not to be outdone, Richard and Marilyn Swanson also celebrated their 50th Anniversary!  Well done!
  • We sang an outstanding version of our celebration song, Ludington style, much to the delight of our guests.
 
 
 
President Odland closed the evening with the Four Way Test.
 
Next Week’s Meeting July 2nd:  Tom Noverr will introduce Make a Wish Foundation of Michigan
 
Greeters:  Jim Bradford and Art Ayers.
 
Editarian:  Dene Hadden