SOUTH HAVEN ROTARY SPOKES
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Our greeters today were Larry Wittkop and Sandra Reno.
Coffee preparers were Kaleigh Eddy and Barry Winkel.
We began promptly at 7 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Guests today were educator Julie Sheppard on behalf of the South Haven History Club and program presenter Mustafa Karim, Southwestern Michigan Executive Director of Girls on the Run.
President Melinda welcomed the return of of our snowbirds (Hadden, Straits, ?). We were joined on Zoom by Brandon Hinz.
Art Ayers gave the opening prayer with special thoughts for the Verbeek and Plechaty families.
Bob Boerma led spirited singing rounds of “Gentle on My Mind”, “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and “All Hail to Rotary”. Well maybe “spirited” is an overstatement by the editor’s license.
President Melinda proudly presented our Grant of $1,000 for the acclaimed South Haven History Club to Julie Sheppard. The History Club is in its 18th year and for the 15th year in-a-row will be sending students to the national competition. Dan Williamson reminded member that the History Club will be featured in an event at the Liberty Hyde Museum on May 19th.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
* Melinda thanked those behind the scene who coordinate the technology for club meetings.
* We had nine members/spouses attended the District conference last weekend. Honoring Club Hero Tom Ruesink was a highlight. South Haven Rotary was recognized at the District conference with a 2023 Rotary Citation Award. Mark Odland spoke of the high regard held by other clubs and the District leadership for our club.
* The last Social Hour of the Rotary year will be Wednesday beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Three Blondes.
* Melinda spoke of Rotary’s continued commitment to the Dyckman Bridge flower project. We are grateful to LaRae and Mark Odland for their dedication to this project. Three Rotarians – Bob Metzen, Bob Copping and Tom Renner – will be taking the lead in the future. The support of Rotarians will be vital to its continued success.
*We were reminded the Fishing Planting service opportunity today at SHOUT Park, 9 a.m.
* Members were invited by Todd Heinrich to help paint the space at the First Baptist Church to be used by the new Intergenerational care program being introduced to the community. Several members volunteered.
* Blessings in a Backpack Thursday, North Shore Elementary, 10:30 a.m.
* Past Rotarians of the Year will meet after today’s meeting to select the 2024 Rotarian of the Year.
* Our annual Golf Outing and Induction Dinner at Hawkshead will be THURSDAY, June 27.
* The Rotary sponsored Car Show at the Senior Center will be Wednesday, May 15, 3-7 p.m.
* Art Ayers and Tom Renner are rotating as Editorians of SPOKES. Another volunteer would be greatly appreciated.
* Thank You notes were received from the Stickland family for the Dyckman Park Fireplace project and from We Care and the History Club for donations from the club.
* The Chamber of Commerce invited members to its annual dinner on June 6th.
* The District Governor Transition event will be held Saturday, June 29th from 2-5 p.m.at the Michigan Maritime Museum. Our own Mark Odland will be installed as District Governor for 2024-25. The event will have a special meaning as South Haven’s Bob Brickman, a Past Rotary International Vice President, will lead the celebration.
* Dene Hadden expressed his appreciation to Ross Woodhams and Griffin Graham for helping screen the applicants for the Rotary Scholarships. Six recipients were chosen.
* John Mellein thanked the membership for participating in the Personal Care drive. He estimated that South Haven’s contribution of items for the District project was ten-fold that of any other club.
* A reminder of the Liberty Hyde Bailey presentation on Wednesday (7 p.m.) by Jon Lindstrom.
A LIGHT MOMENT
Bob Copping shared the story of the magician whose biggest fete was cutting people in half. The man came from a large family consisting of half-brothers and half-sisters.
:
Bob Copping shared the story of the magician whose biggest fete was cutting people in half. The man came from a large family consisting of half-brothers and half-sisters.
:DRAWING
Our program guest drew the lucky number for LaRae Odland who unfortunately drew the “10” card. The second drawing for $2 was claimed by Dan Thompson.
Our program guest drew the lucky number for LaRae Odland who unfortunately drew the “10” card. The second drawing for $2 was claimed by Dan Thompson.
BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES
They came fast-and-furious. The editarian didn’t get them all, I regret. They were offered by Jerry Gruber, John Mellein, Sandra Reno, Tom Renner and Tom Fleming. A robust traditional “Happy Birthday” was sung.
They came fast-and-furious. The editarian didn’t get them all, I regret. They were offered by Jerry Gruber, John Mellein, Sandra Reno, Tom Renner and Tom Fleming. A robust traditional “Happy Birthday” was sung.
FINES
Members whose picture was in the South Haven Tribune this week were reminded that an extra fine was being levied.
Members whose picture was in the South Haven Tribune this week were reminded that an extra fine was being levied.
PROGRAM
Shelly Ammerman was program chair.
Shelly Ammerman was program chair.
We welcomed Mustafa Karim who is executive director of the Southwest Michigan chapter of Girls on the Run. The chapter consists of Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties. He explained the purpose of the organization which is to empower girls. Its philosophy is to offer a program that enhances participants social, emotional and physical skills when navigating life experiences. The Girls of the Run 5K is a popular annual event. It waill be held this coming Friday, May 10, at Southwest Michigan College from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
CLOSING
We concluded with the Four Way Test.
NEXT WEEK
Greeters: GB Richmond & Dave Campbell
Program Chair: Ross Woodhams
Kelly Netzley, Director of Student Service at South Haven High School, who speak to the scholarship available to our students.
Kelly Netzley, Director of Student Service at South Haven High School, who speak to the scholarship available to our students.
Respectfully recorded by Tom Renner(Co-Editorian with Art Ayers)