SPOKES VOL. LXV NO. 21 November 20, 2018
Nick Tuit and Ted Weber were our greeters this morning.
President Odland opened the meeting with the “America the Beautiful” and Art Ayers provided an invocation including our prayers for family of Don Hixson and for Julie Weber, Missy Thompson Jean Stein and Ann Hemeter.
Guests:
Our guests today included prospective member Rosalie Plechaty and speaker Bill Hunter.
Spotlight:
No Spotlight this week.
Announcements:
- Blessings in a Backpack volunteers will be needed the first two weeks in December.
- On December 11th we will be having our annual Christmas get together, at Beeches Golf Course. Invitations were passed out today.
- Thanks to all those who worked the “Back Door Dinner at the Congregational Church” last Thursday.
- December 18th is the Rotary Open Door Christmas Dinner at the Methodist Church and all are invited to come and help serve.
- Got your warm clothes? We are scheduled to Ring the Bell for the Salvation Army on December 22nd.
- We will hold election of our 2019-20 officers in December, as required by our by-laws and Rotary International. The slate of officers will not change from this year as Steve Larsen will postpone his term as president for two years due to business commitments.
Songs
Jim Davis was our song leader this morning.We began with a tear-jerker, the 110 year old song “Down by the Old Mill Stream”.Once we wiped away the tears and quieted the hound dog that kept interrupting us, we moved on to the more upbeat and newer – only 101 years old – “For Me and My Gal”.We finished with “Sing a Song to Rotary”, sung to the tune of the “Maine Stein Song”, a college drinking song written in a state that did not allow the manufacture of sale of alcoholic beverages.
50/50
Bill Roberts was a much richer man, both spiritually and monetarily as he had the lucky ticket and drew the 4, taking home the pot and preventing any hope for the rest of us to enrich ourselves. Art Ayers did manage to go home with and extra $2.
Fines:
- Tom Fleming is celebrating a granddaughter’s birthday this week.
- Jerry Portman has two grandson’s with birthdays this week.
- Many members had Happy Bucks and good wishes for Thanksgiving.
- Larry Wittkop was excited to report that the members of the girl’s swim team that qualified for the MHSAA Division 2 State Swim Finals last weekend did an outstanding job. Several personal bests were achieved and Larry’s granddaughter set a new school record. Her aunt had actually held that record for a number of years. In addition Ellie Frost was crowned a state champion in the 50 freestyle.
- Tom Fleming reminded us again: Don’t forget that Big 10 Tuesday has commenced and you can save $.10 a gallon on gas from now through basketball season.
- Ted Weber reminded us that Michigan won another football game this weekend.
- Larry Wittkop also mentioned that he caught some flak for a picture of him leading us in “Studola Pumpa” last week and an accompanying video on Facebook.
- Bob Boerma reported that all of the deer in Baldwin last week were bald ones.
- Tom Reusink, also at deer camp, reported that their 6 ½ deer hunters were able to walk away with 3 bucks.
- Paul Hix wanted to thank all of the first responders for their work as it seems they are being called upon way too often lately.
Barry Winkel introduced City of South Haven Public Works Director Bill Hunter.
Bill, who spent 25 years in the Navy before becoming involved in the public works arena, talked to us about the Safe Water Drinking Law.
He focused his presentation of the changes in the lead and copper rules.
He reviewed the effects of lead in drinking water and what the action levels are now. He pointed out that the levels of lead in drinking water have been significantly reduced over the last 40 years. He said that South Haven has never had a drinking water violation.
He pointed out that we now have an authority – the South Haven Area Water and Sewer Authority – that manages our local water and sewer systems.
The next problem that the system faces is lead line service replacement. State regulations require that all lead service lines be replaced over the course of 20 years. South Haven was in good shape until goosenecks and pigtails were included in the regulations. Bill estimated that it will cost users at least $500,000 to replace these lines.
The new regulations also require more transparency although Bill indicated that we are already very transparent in South Haven. He indicated that these new guidelines were put in place to prevent systems from hiding bad situations.
Bill answered a few questions from members and indicated that anyone can get their water tested and there is even a local testing company, New Age Labs that will do it for you.
Barry presented Bill with our speaker’s pen and thanked him for this important update.
Mark Odland closed the meeting with the Four Way Test
Next week’s program: Richard Swanson will introduce Tom Slikkers, CEO of Tiara Yachts. (He will be taking orders for those interested. Bring your banker.)
Next week’s Greeters: Dene Hadden
Editarian: Dene Hadden