President Sue rang the bell to begin our meeting. Dave O’Leary gave the invocation, which in breaking with Editarian tradition, I will quote in its entirety: “A Prayer for growing old gracefully;” Dave then glanced at Irv Nichols with a mischievous grin. We all joined in singing My Country ‘Tis of Thee accompanied by Ron Newman on piano.
Our guests introduced included John Pence’s son, Drew; Don Hines’ wife, Jan; and Irv Nichols’ family: son Taylor, son and daughter-in-law Will and Pam, and granddaughter Alexandra.
President Sue led us in reciting the Rotary 4 Way Test. Diane Sanborn let us know that there was nothing to share in the health of the Club.
Heidi McNaughton gave an update on the holiday appeal; we have so far 69% participation and have raised $10,691 for special needs students at Gardner School.
For our special music, we were honored to have Irv’s son Will Nichols sing a couple of numbers accompanied by Ron Newman on the piano. They performed On the Road to Mandalay from the 1916 film (the year the Rotary Club of Lansing was founded), and Michigan Morn from 1958 (the year Irv joined Rotary).
Sue Mills gave a great introduction of John Irvin Nichols, who we all know as Irv. He has been a member of Lansing Rotary for 63 years and 10 months. He is our most senior member and will by 97 years old on September 1.
Irv gave us a great history of the Rotary Club of Lansing. He talked about some of the former activities, including the bowling club. He mentioned how in the past Rotarians were often members of several clubs with overlapping membership including Lansing Country Club so members socialized together frequently in different venues.
Irv talked about a number of Rotarians he has known. It was fabulous hearing about how so many Rotarians have had large influences on the Lansing region. A few highlights included Herb Henry who started the annual Children’s Christmas Party, Milt Berg who volunteered as the Notary pianist for 35 years, Floyd Estes who started Estes Furniture and Estes-Leadley Funeral Home, Fred Wohlert who was Irv’s sponsor, and Bill Cochran who left a $2 million endowment to the Club upon his death.
Posted by Chris Swope, chris.swope@lansingmi.gov