SPOKES VOL. LXIV NO. 45 May 29, 2018
It seemed like mid-summer this morning as we were greeted by Bill Roberts and Ted Weber.
President Renner opened our meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and Art Ayers offered our invocation.
Guests:
Tom Dryer was the guest of Bob McAlear this morning.
Spotlight:
No Spotlight this morning.
Music:
Jim Davis was our song leader this morning. Dottie was having a little trouble getting started this morning but Bob McAlear was able to get her turned on. We began with the 1912 hit “On Moonlight Bay”. You can find a recording of this song on the 1995 Beatles album Anthology I. Our second number, the 1911 hit “Oh, You Beautiful Doll” was one of the first with a twelve bar opening (whatever that means) and has been recorded many times, including a popular version by Rosemary Clooney. No recording exists of our group singing this (or any other) song. We finished with “Smile, Sing a Song”, a song based on an instrumental theme used in the soundtrack for Charlie Chaplin's 1936 movie Modern Times. Chaplin composed the music, inspired by Puccini's Tosca.[1] John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons added the lyrics and title in 1954.[2] In the lyrics, based on lines and themes from the film, the singer is telling the listener to cheer up and that there is always a bright tomorrow, just as long as they smile. "Smile" has become a popular standard since its original use in Chaplin's film.
Announcements:.
- Our meeting next week, June 5th, 2018 will be held at Peace Lutheran Church.
- There will be a Blessings in a Backpack leading workshop this Friday, June 1 at Lincoln School. One more is scheduled for June 8th.
- Mark Odland and Bob Straits thanked all of the folks who volunteered to help at the Sr. PGA last weekend. It went well and even included a medical emergency handled by one of our volunteers.
- SHOUT will be planting flowers on the Dyckman Bridge Wednesday morning at 9:00 AM for anyone who wishes to help.
- Pilgrim Haven will host a workday on Saturday, June 2 from 9:00 to noon to plant wildflowers and general cleanup.
- We are reminded of the Senior Services Millage for Van Buren County that will be up for a renewal and increase in August.
- The St. Joe Rotary Club will be celebrating their 100th anniversary on June 16.
- We received very nice thank you notes from the SHHS Robotics program and the Miss South Haven Pageant for our donations to their programs.
- We have extra Rotary Tee Shirts for sale. See Rhonda!
- A reminder to drop off your used Rotary Magazines at various offices and waiting rooms around town.
- Steve Larsen announced that there will be a golf outing prior to our change of officers dinner in late June, including a putting contest!
- Bob McAlear suggested that this is a good time to go to our website (click on the link at the top of this issue of Spokes) and update your information.
- A serious discussion about shorts resulted in hardly any inappropriate comments.
50/50
Steve Larsen had the lucky ticket and his luck held as he drew the “4”, winning the pot. Jerry Gruber had the $2 winner.
Fines:
- Tom Ruesink reminded everyone that they should think seriously about going to a dermatologist to be checked for melanomas.
- Rhonda’s granddaughter celebrated her 8th birthday this week.
- Jerry Gruber’s grandson turns 20 this week.
- Ted Weber noted that Jake Grimes turned 37 this weekend.
- Dan Liehr is headed out west to tour the Canyonlands National Park.
- Tony Martorano offered prayers for the Chicago firefighter who lost his life on duty this weekend.
- Nick Tuit had another granddaughter graduate this week, this time from high school.
- Dan Thompson offered thanks to those veterans who lost their lives in the service of our country.
- Dene Hadden reminded everyone that “we” know if you read Spokes or not.
- Jerry Gruber had a granddaughter graduate this weekend.
- We were pleased to note that a Guinness World record was set this weekend in South Haven with hundreds of Mermaids/Mermen were gathered on our South Pier on Saturday.
President Renner introduced our speaker this morning, Dan Thompson.
Dan, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, is a recruiter for the Academy in South Haven, Paw Paw and other schools in our area.
Dan reviewed the Naval Academy’s program and what it takes to be accepted into the Academy.
The application process includes looking at a candidate’s academic record (must be very high and focused on math and science) Athletic participation, Leadership experience and they must be physically fit.
The second part of the application process is a nomination.That nomination usually comes from a US Congressman or Senator but can be from a number of other places, including governors, NROTC units, and children of deceased or disables vets and children of Medal of Honor Recipients.
Approximately 4,000 students will receive a nomination and about 1,200 will be accepted and be sworn in on Induction Day.
Dan is proud to have been part of the Naval Architecture program at the academy, one of only five programs like that in the country.
Dan mentioned that he and Dene Hadden were not aware of any SHHS graduates that attended the Naval Academy, but club members recalled that two graduates, Roger Matthews, class of 1997 who played JV Baseball for Dene, and Brian Nordin, a member of the State Championship Cross Country Team in 1992, attended and graduated from the Academy.
President Renner thanked Dan for his very interesting presentation and presented him with our speaker’s gift.
We closed our meeting with the Four Way Test.
Next week’s program: South Haven High School History Club
Next week’s Greeters: Barry Winkel and Glenn Pietenpol
Editarian: Dene Hadden