Spokes - February 5, 2019

 

 

 

Deb Davidson and Don Hodgman warmly greeted us this morning.

 

We opened with America the Beautiful (Paul Hix sound engineer) followed by a thoughtful prayer by Nick Tuit (Dominie Art on vacation this week.)

 

We welcomed several guests and prospective members:

- Member prospect Pete Swanson (proposed by Don Hodgman)

- Member prospect Francis Peet from Michigan Maritime Museum (proposed by Rosalie Plechaty)

- Member prospect Sue Duvall (proposed by Scott Mark)

- Member prospect Don Dobbin (proposed by Nick Tuit)

- South Haven Superintendent of Schools Kevin Schooley

- Lake Michigan College President Dr. Trevore Kubatzke (our speaker today)

 

Mark announced that the prospective member applications (Pete Swanson, Francis Peet, Sue Duvall and Don Dobbin) will be presented to the Board at their February 12^th meeting and then formally announced to the membership in accordance with the bylaws.

 

Mark opened by acknowledging the service project work of club members in recent weeks, noting the publicity received in area media and the District newsletter. He also mentioned the positive responses received to the Rotary logo ice sculpture during last weekend’s Ice Breaker Festival.

 

Several “thank you” notes were received from organizations who were supported by our Club in recent weeks:

- South Haven Community Foundation for support of Blessings in a Backpack Endowment ($125) in memory of John Harding from Chris Harding.

- Our Town Players ($250) for costuming for their current production (Deb Davidson will use our complimentary tickets for the production.)

- Bronson Health Foundation ($500) for their Good Neighbor Campaign. (Given in appreciation for the use of the Wellness Center meeting room.)

- Hospital Hospitality House ($250) in support of their program providing a homelike, comforting place for families in times of need.

 

 

- Volunteers needed for Blessings in a Backpack this Friday, Feb. 8 at Lincoln School, 1:15 p.m.

 

- Rotarians were thanked for participating in the MLK Rice Packing Project and for attending the banner dedication at South Haven High School.

 

- Bob Copping is seeking volunteers to help remove the holiday garlands and light from the Dyckman Bridge next Sunday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m.

 

- Rosalie noted that February is Warm Your Heart month sponsored by We Care. She acknowledged the generous support by Rotary of We Care over the course of the year.

 

 

 

Bob Boerma led us in singing this morning (sorry but the pinch-hit editarian didn’t write down what we sang, but it was memorable). We were video recorded by President Mark who will share it with Glenn Pietenpol.

 

 

Bob Copping was the 50/50 winner, but unfortunately his luck ran out with the drawing of the Queen. He did make Ted Weber $2 richer.

 

 

- Karen & Bob Boerma celebrated their 58^th wedding anniversary.

- Our master chef Matt celebrated a birthday (but no cake)

- In abstentia we celebrated the birthdays at Art (yesterday) and Cindy (today) Bolt.

 

 

The happiest Rotarian today was Deb Davidson whose Purdue Boilermakers defeated MSU. Because of time constraints we passed the basket.

 

 

Jeremy Burleson introduced Lake Michigan College President Dr. Trevor Kubatzke.

 

Dr. Kubatzke expressed appreciation for the support LMC has received over a long period of time (since 2005) from our Rotary Club. There are currently three LMC funds that benefit from our club's donations – 1. A permanent  endowed scholarship fund which currently has $58,000, 2. A restricted fund that benefits from income from the endowed scholarship fund, and 3. A discretionary special needs fund to benefit students with particular non-academic needs.

 

He reported that LMC is healthy fiscally and academically, noting that the college was one of just three community colleges out of 28 in Michigan to see an increased enrollment this past fall. He credited our own Rotarian Jeremy Burleson and his South Haven-based staff for their admissions work that has resulted in a significant increase in student enrollment at our campus. LMC recently received full accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission for another 10 years.

 

He described the South Haven campus as LMC’s “most beautiful” noting the proceeds from the recently approved bond issue will be focusing on programming here as opposed to capital improvement. A said a local advisory committee is hard at work identifying community needs. He said there already is a strong partnership with the South Haven Public Schools system.

 

An interesting new program being explored is having a program that helps students become commercially licensed to be able to drive big vehicles such as trucks, school buses and heavy equipment.

 

He said LMC recognizes a need to continue to assist in the preparation of students to work in the health professions and hospitality industry. Ways to take advantage of LMC’s wine and viticulture degree program in our area are being discussed.

 

The idea of doing something with wine tasting perked up today's Rotarians.  :)

 

We are grateful to Dr. Kubatzke, a fellow Rotarian, for his presentation.

 

President Mark presented him with the traditional Rotary pen.

 

Next week Kathleen Brickley brings us as her program Van Buren County Court Administrator Lynn Bullard who will talk about the successful specialty courts that have been created in our community.

 

We ended with the Four-Way Test at 8 a.m.

 

Respectfully

Tom Renner, third string Editarian