SPOKES- March 8, 2022


 
 
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SPOKES VOL. LXVIII NO. 29
 
March 8, 2022 
 
Larry Wittkop rang the bell today at 7 a.m. to start our meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
 
Pastor Jeffrey Dick prayed for Peace in our Nation and peace for the country of Ukraine.
 
Guests This Week:  Tom Peale and Liji Hanney
 
 
Announcements:
After more than 28 years of serving First Congregational Church of South Haven, Pastor Jeffrey Dick has announced his retirement.  Please plan to come celebrate with Jeffrey, Lynn and their family on April 24, 2022 from 2-5PM.  The Open House will be held in the church's fellowship hall.  
 If you would like to contribute towards a gift, please send donations to:
 First Congregational Church
ATTN:  Trustees
651 Phoenix Street
South Haven, MI 49090 
 
If sending a check, please make the check out to First Congregational Church, writing "Jeffrey's Retirement"  in the memo line.
 
We’re looking for recommendations for Education and Service Award of the year, Citizen of the year, club hero and Rotarian of the year. Nomination forms re available on the front page of our website. These awards are presented at the transition dinner/event that is held at the end of June. The board decides on the citizen of the year and club hero, and acts on recommendations from the scholarship committee for Educator and Service Award of the year.
 
Blessings in a backpack March 3rd and 10th.
 
Thursday, March 31, 2022 by Jim Butterfield
Professor of Political Science and Global and International Studies at Western Michigan University
South Haven Campus of Lake Michigan College | 7 p.m.
 We received a letter from Ukraine Rotary – Regarding a disaster fund.  There are presently 52 Rotary Clubs in Ukraine.
Mark your Calendars for the Transition Dinner, Thursday, June 30, 2022 at Hawkshead.
Send your Rotary Nominations to DanThompson.
Thank you Pete and Kayleigh for the treats today!
No comedy relief today from Bob Copping.
50/50
Drawing today by Liji our guest speaker
Jerry Grubers ticket was drawn! He did not win the pot.
Jean Stein was the $2.00 consolation prize winner.
Birthdays/Anniversaries
Dan Thompson proposed to a lucky lady named Lori and she said YES! Stay tuned for any wedding news.
No Birthdays this week.
 
Happy Bucks
 
Tom Ruesink is happily babysitting his grandson this weekend!
 
Mark Odland mentioned that Tom Renner had 3 pics on our facebook page this week!
 
Ross Woodhams was happy that even after coming to a meeting Tom Peale came back with an application to join Rotary!
 
Mark your Calendars for April 30th and the Educational Dinner.
 
Larry Wittkop is happy that his grandsons are off to the State Swimming Finals this weekend.
 
Larry gave us a little background on the South Haven Swimming program
 
  • 1962 the pool was built.
  • Rotary sponsored the youth swim program
  • Program was named the Rotary Sea Dragons
  • Had hundreds of kids swimming
  • Program fed the Varsity swim team.
  • Larry took over in 1969 and eventually turned the program over to the parents
  • Then it became RAM Rams Aquatic Club.
  • Rotary bought some of the equipement needed like the timing systems.
 
Kevin Schooley - this weeks sponsor of the Boys and Girls Club.
 
Boys and Girls Club is held in the High School Room A-101
 
Kevin then introduced Liji Hanney
 
Liji thanks Kevin for all of his support.
 
South Haven boys and girls club started with 8 kids.
32 were registered for the summer .
14 kids a day.
 
Now: 122 Registered Members
 
Mack Roberts: Side Director
Sarah Knowles: In charge of  the High School
Katie Cox: In charge of the Middle School
 
Boys and Girls Club of SW Michigan in partnership with the SH High School
 
3 Main Goals of Boys and Girls Club
 
 
  1. Academic Success
  2. Healthy Lifestyle
  3. Character and Leadership
 
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
 
  • Power hour at school working on homework
  • Students earn power points and get rewards based on the number of points earned.
 
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
 
  • Healthy Eating
  • Mind/ Body/Soul
  • Whole person
  • Andrews University provides: interns, social workers, grief and anger management councelors
 
CHARACTER/LEADERSHIP
 
  • Building contributing members of society,
  • Youth of the year, National Program based on service
  • SH has produced 4 youth of the year candidates
  • Yoshi a 14 yr. old freshman is the 2022 candidate.
 
 
Boys and Girls Club wants to inspire kids to become productive citizens.
 
 
Lots of Volunteer Opportunities.
 
Stop by A101 Some time and see what’s happening with the club!
 
 
GOALS
 
3 years from now
 
Programming out of Baseline
 175 Members
80 per day in attendance
We want to double the amount of kids that participate in the next 3 years.
 
Boys and Girls Club
 
  • Kids have a voice
  • Helps kids finding their way
  • To join, kids either self select or are referred by teachers
  • They join by filling out and Registration form and paying a $5.00 membership fee
 
FUNDING
 
Funding is relationship based, with corporations and individuals. This type of fundraising builds advocacy.
 
SUMMER KIDS CLUB
 
  • Summer Brain Game
  • Helps stem summer learning loss
  • Reading
  • Fun/Learning
 
SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS
 
  • All kids are special needs
  • We meet kids where they are at and get necessary support
  • The Bar is the same for all
 
Larry Wittkup thanked Liji for his presentation and presented him with a Fleming brothers Oil and Convenience Mart gift card.
 
The meeting was adjourned promptly at 8 a.m. with the Four Way Test! March 15th meeting is in person!!  Dan Liehr is the program chair presenting: Adam Castle, The Executive Director of The American Red Cross.