SPOKES
March 19, 2024
March 19, 2024
We were greeted by Amy Nichols and Ross Woodhams as we entered
the meeting.
the meeting.
At 7am sharp, we were welcomed by President Melinda Gruber. We
opened with the singing of “America the Beautiful”, followed by
Art Ayers’ invocation.
GUESTS:
Kevin Hagan
Kevin Hagan
ZOOM ATTENDEES:
Dan Thompson
John Mellein
Bob Brickman
Dave Campbell
Steve Larsen
SONGS:
Bob Boerma led us with three of our “best”:
“Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”
“Give My Regards to Broadway”
“R-O-T-A-R-Y”
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
+ There will be a Board meeting following today’s meeting.
+ Another successful Rotary Social Hour was held on Wednesday,
March 13 th at Three Blondes
March 13 th at Three Blondes
+ The Rotary District 6360 Conference will be held in May in
Kalamazoo-PLEASE REGISTER!
Kalamazoo-PLEASE REGISTER!
+ Dan Thompson has nomination forms available for Educator of
the Year, Citizen of the Year, Rotarian of the Year, and Club
Hero.
the Year, Citizen of the Year, Rotarian of the Year, and Club
Hero.
+ Our Educational Fundraiser will be held on April 27 th .
+ Dan Williamson announced details of the Liberty Hyde Bailey
Museum’s “Stick Pick”, to be held on Saturday, March 23 rd , RAIN
or SHINE, from 9am to noon. It will be a time to help clean up
the museum grounds by picking up fallen branches and other
debris. Lunch will be provided to the volunteers.
Museum’s “Stick Pick”, to be held on Saturday, March 23 rd , RAIN
or SHINE, from 9am to noon. It will be a time to help clean up
the museum grounds by picking up fallen branches and other
debris. Lunch will be provided to the volunteers.
+ Todd Heinrich announced that the SH Rotary Club’s 2nd annual
Spring Car Gathering is to be held on Wednesday, May 15th , in the
Senior Services of Van Buren County parking lot at 8337 M-140 in
South Haven. The “gathering” begins at 3pm and will go on until
7pm. Dana Hullinger, Tom Ruesink, and Todd Heinrich have been heavily
involved in planning the event.
Spring Car Gathering is to be held on Wednesday, May 15th , in the
Senior Services of Van Buren County parking lot at 8337 M-140 in
South Haven. The “gathering” begins at 3pm and will go on until
7pm. Dana Hullinger, Tom Ruesink, and Todd Heinrich have been heavily
involved in planning the event.
This is a social gathering for car enthusiasts and their friends
and families. There won’t be any judging of cars, but there will
be sharing of stories and interests in all types of cars.
It is a charitable event, intended to raise funds for the South
Haven Senior Center and the South Haven High School Robotics
Team 4855 Ramageddon.
COPPING’S COMEDY RELIEF:
Today’s “tale” was about the Pope who, having time to fill
during a stopover, decided it was a good time to get behind the
wheel of a car and drive a bit. He had not driven a car since
becoming Pope and wanted to “take a spin”.
Today’s “tale” was about the Pope who, having time to fill
during a stopover, decided it was a good time to get behind the
wheel of a car and drive a bit. He had not driven a car since
becoming Pope and wanted to “take a spin”.
He was driving very poorly and was eventually pulled over by the
police. The officer reported that, whoever was a passenger in
the car, had to be EXTREMELY important, since he was being
driven by the Pope.
50/50 RAFFLE- Stuart Comiskey
Bob Copping was chosen to draw the first winning ticket, and Art
Ayers claimed the winner. He then proceeded to draw the “4”,
which guaranteed the winning of the “pot”!!!
The remaining draw was won by President Gruber, who won the $2
consolation prize.
Bob Copping was chosen to draw the first winning ticket, and Art
Ayers claimed the winner. He then proceeded to draw the “4”,
which guaranteed the winning of the “pot”!!!
The remaining draw was won by President Gruber, who won the $2
consolation prize.
BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES:
+ Melinda Gruber reported that her father, Wes Stephens,
celebrated his birthday yesterday.
+ Amy Nichols’ husband, Brent, was celebrating his birthday
today.
+ Ross Woodhams’ youngest son, Chris, was celebrating his
birthday.
+ Art Ayers’ son, Garrett, will be celebrating his birthday on
the 21 st .
+ Tom Renner’s grandson, Andrew, celebrating his birthday.
+ Bob Copping’s sons, Mark and Chris celebrated their birthdays.
+ Pete Swanson thought he’d get “ahead of the curve” and report
that his daughter is today celebrating 49 ½ years.
+ Jean Stein’s daughter, Kelly Ann, has a birthday.
+ Dan Thompson’s daughter celebrated her birthday.
+ Melinda Gruber reported that her father, Wes Stephens,
celebrated his birthday yesterday.
+ Amy Nichols’ husband, Brent, was celebrating his birthday
today.
+ Ross Woodhams’ youngest son, Chris, was celebrating his
birthday.
+ Art Ayers’ son, Garrett, will be celebrating his birthday on
the 21 st .
+ Tom Renner’s grandson, Andrew, celebrating his birthday.
+ Bob Copping’s sons, Mark and Chris celebrated their birthdays.
+ Pete Swanson thought he’d get “ahead of the curve” and report
that his daughter is today celebrating 49 ½ years.
+ Jean Stein’s daughter, Kelly Ann, has a birthday.
+ Dan Thompson’s daughter celebrated her birthday.
HAPPY BUCKS:
+ Kaileigh Eddy’s daughter, Opal, recently received the
Presidential Scholar Award at WMU.
+ Larry Wittkop’s grandson will soon be a WMU graduate and “GO
GREEN”.
+ Jerry Gruber saluted the South Haven High School’s Drama and
Music Departments for the excellence of their recent production.
He also highlighted the efforts of Ross Woodhams within the same
production.
+ Melinda Gruber reported that her mother, Elaine Stephens, was
getting stronger following her recent surgery and offered thanks
to Mark Odland for chairing last week’s meeting.
+ Kaileigh Eddy’s daughter, Opal, recently received the
Presidential Scholar Award at WMU.
+ Larry Wittkop’s grandson will soon be a WMU graduate and “GO
GREEN”.
+ Jerry Gruber saluted the South Haven High School’s Drama and
Music Departments for the excellence of their recent production.
He also highlighted the efforts of Ross Woodhams within the same
production.
+ Melinda Gruber reported that her mother, Elaine Stephens, was
getting stronger following her recent surgery and offered thanks
to Mark Odland for chairing last week’s meeting.
PROGRAM: Club Assembly
PROGRAM CHAIR: President Melinda Gruber
+ Club Assemblies are quarterly meetings which provide the club
members with specifics regarding the progress of our yearly
goals and other highlights.
+ 2023-2024 GOALS
1. Continue Strategic Plan-Strength is in our Committees
2. Prioritize Member Growth and Engagement-Membership Projects
and Public Image
3. Remain a 100% Rotary Foundation Giving Club
4. Continue to support the local community through grants
5. Have some fun!
+ FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
+ CLUB MEMBERSHIP GOAL
Net increase of 3
To date, 64 active members
+ SERVICE PROJECTS
From July 1, 2023 to March 7, 2024-957 official volunteer
hours
+ PUBLIC IMAGE UPDATE
+ PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES
+ SPECIAL RECOGNITION-Individually and Collectively
THANK YOU To ALL who volunteer!!!
+ HOW CAN YOU HELP?
President Gruber offered time for questions and discussion.
OUR NEXT MEETING: March 26, 2024
PROGRAM: South Haven/Van Buren County Visitors Bureau
PROGRAM CHAIR: Mary Sue Lyon
GREETER: Art Ayers
We adjourned with the 4-Way Test.
Respectfully submitted, Art Ayers, Past Seasonal Editarian