SPOKES VOL. LXXVII NO. 38 April 2,2019
We were warmly greeted this morning by Jerry Gruber and Art Ayers.
President Odland opened our meeting; we sang “My Country tis of Thee”, followed by Art Ayers’ invocation. Nice to have more “snowbirds” returning-WELCOME BACK, Bob Straits and Bill Roberts!
GUESTS: Debbie Howe, guest of Steve Larsen; Dyann Chenault, Assistant Governor, Area 2, District 6360; Michael McCarthy, author of Ashes Under Water, and our guest speaker. New member updates for the directory are again available for pick-up.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:*April 12th- Blessings in a Backpack
*A reminder that April 27th is our Annual Educational Fundraiser, which is to be held at The Beeches Golf Club.
*Our Recognition Dinner is to be held on June 25th at Hawkshead, following an afternoon of golf. Non-golfers are invited to participate in a longest putt contest after the golfing is completed.
*Vice-President Thompson invited nominations for Rotarian of the Year, Educator of the Year, and Community Service Awards.
*Within the April issue of the District 6360 Newsletter, our club was featured in a full-page article, “South Haven Rotary Boosting Membership”! Thanks to District Administrator Ingrid Nova and Tom Renner for their contributions! Responding to the article, Assistant Governor Dyann Chenault said that our club “is amazing”
*Assistant Governor Chenault also wanted all members to go to ClubRunner and sign into their personal data, for the purpose of documenting their birth year. It appears that the great majority have their birth dates listed but not the year.
*The District Conference will be held on May 17th and 18th on Mackinac Island. Bob Straits will be honored as our Rotary Hero at the conference.
*Ryan Kilpatrick, Executive Director of Housing Next, will be the inaugural speaker for this year’s Speakers Series on April 11th.
INDUCTION of PAUL HARRIS FELLOW, Paul Hemmeter
Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary, in the city of Chicago, in 1905. The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1000 to The Rotary Foundation. Paul is the 73rd Paul Harris Fellow to be honored by our club. There are currently 28 active members who have been honored as Paul Harris Fellows.CONGRATULATIONS, Paul!!
Jerry Gruber mentioned that Paul Harris’ original home in Chicago is being refurbished and, when completed, will be open for tours.
50/50: Sergeant-at-Arms Stuart Comiskey chose our guest, Assistant Governor Dyann Chenault as today’s “honest and reliable” attendee.
The winning ticket belonged to Bob Straits, who then proceeded to draw the queen, guaranteeing Ted Weber-YES, Ted Weber the $2 prize.
BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES: Larry Wittkop celebrated his birthday yesterday(Larry’s no fool). A Ludington-style “Happy Birthday” followed.
FINES: Due to our program length, the basket was passed from table to table.
PROGRAM: Our Program Chair, Bob McAlear, introduced Guest Speaker, Michael McCarthy, author of Ashes Under Water: The SS Eastland and the Shipwreck That Shook America. Michael worked for the Wall Street Journal for 22 years, first as a reporter; then as an editor on feature stories. Michael learned to sail on Lake Michigan and spent 12 years researching the SS Eastland case. He had lived in Chicago and now lives in South Haven, Michigan-2 ports of call in the Eastland story. Whenever author Michael McCarthy thought about giving up his quest to finish his book, Ashes Under Water, a heartbreaking photo kept him going.
McCarthy’s book made the New York Times’ Bestseller List at #9, which was very exciting, needless to say! However, he did offer that it MAY have been less “exciting” when he discovered #8 was a “tell all” book from a former Playboy bunny. Our guest was able to respond to a few questions before running out of time. He did indicate that he would stay afterward for those wishing signed copies of his book. President Odland, and those in attendance, thanked Michael McCarthy for a very interesting and informative presentation.
Program Chair Bob McAlear presented Michael with our token of appreciation, our Rotary pen.
Next Meeting: April 9, 2019 Program Chair: Scott Mark Program: The Autism Learning Center-Lauren Cavalli Greeters: Dan Liehr/Nick Tuit Editarian: Dene Hadden
We concluded our meeting with the Four-Way Test.
Art Ayers, Seasonal Editarian