Larry Block, accompanied by Matt Jenetopulos on the piano, led the Club in singing "America the Beautiful" and "Shine on Harvest Moon" as well as "Happy Birthday" to Mike Babian.
Karen Dennis gave in recognition of Matt Jenetopulos; Martha Gray in recognition of the new Paul Harris Fellows; Jim Berardi gave in honor of the Interact Club, the Freshman football team and his daughters' visits to college and to Oxford; Fred Orkin gave recognizing the HPHS Literacy program; Larry Block, in recognition of the Club's new members, the school Principals; Greg Mauro for fund raising opportunity to match funds to re-paint the Lions at the Hyundai dealership; Len Tenner for honoring Middle School concept, Interact and it's 69 members and our educators; Neil Dahlmann on the sale of Ann Arbor Campus Inn; Joanne Gordon on attending a Cubs ball game, and the recovery of Burt Schmarak; Len Tenner gave again for Burt Schmarak's recovering at home from complications following surgery.
Basil Lewis, visiting Rotarian, senior historian from Great Britain participates in the Rotary Global History Project. Focusing on the life of T.C.Thomsen of Denmark during the first half of the 20th Century. Following the end of WWI, he was particularly active in European Rotary growth, expanding into Europe, Middle East and Africa, and served as a director on R.I. Board. His international Rotary service continued along side his commercial business as an engineer of consumer water projects. During the WWII occupation of Denmark he continued to travel to servicing his established business contacts. Under occupation the Nazi's disbanded Rotary Clubs which were then required to apply for reinstatement following the end of the war. During the post war period Thomsen's efforts for reinstatement to Rotary were repeatedly denied. Charges against Thomsen of collaboration with Germany during the war were never challenged by Thomsen in Denmark's civil courts.
Mr. Lewis, our speaker, framed the argument for T.C. Thomsen; are we presumed innocent until proven guilty or, are we guilty and need to prove our innocence?
Many thanks to Bill Siskel and Cynthia Plouché for his help with this week's bulletin!