At last I finally have gotten back to writing the Northstar newsletter! Rather than bore you with past events and happenings I will go forward with what has been happening over the last 2 weeks of Rotary.

 

Our meetings on May 22^nd and May 29^th opened with our traditions of the Pledge of Allegiance, opening prayers, the Four-Way test and songs picked for us by our song leader Scott Nelson.

 

Mary Gyorke was our greeter for the May 22^nd meeting and our guests were Judge John Hammond from the Lakeshore club, Rick Alden guest speaker, and Kelvin Schindel, father of Bryan Schindel and visiting from Canada.

 

Don Patterson was our greeter for the May 29^th meeting. Guests that visited us were, LuAnne Bibbee, President -Elect, and Aleia Jackson, Pres for the Livingston Sunrise club, Judge John Hammond, from the Lakeshore Club, Speakers Ann LeWalk and Tim Wicks, Dick Rosenfeld from the Jackson club, and John Rasmussen from the Ann Arbor Downtown club.

 

Prez. Keith started the announcements with a reminder that President’s night will be on June 26^th at 6pm at The Eagle Crest conference center at the Marriott Hotel on Whittaker Road. Reservations are required and prepayment is expected by June 19.

 

Scott Nelson updated us on the butterfly garden which is coming along nicely and several workdays are planned. We need you!  If you are available to work in the butterfly garden please check our website for dates and times of scheduled work days.

 

Unfortunately poker nights are still on hold due to recent issues with the Gaming commission. Please stay tuned for further updates.

 

If you haven’t been to Rotary in a while please take the time to go to the member profiles and update your profile. We are going to update our B.A.B.E.S list and would appreciate all the current information on Birthdays, Anniversaries, and blessed events in your life!

 

John Rasmussen extended a warm invitation to his Brazil Party on Sat. June 7^th with appetizers at 5:00 pm followed by a buffet served from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.  The dinner will featuring Acai imported from Brazil and fresh coconut water among other delights. The address for the party is 887 Greenhills Rd. in  Ann Arbor. Come and Enjoy! For more information please check our website.

Our May 22^nd meeting had a surprise visit from none other than Santa Claus!

 

Santa Claus (a.k.a Rick Alder) told us how his daughter inspired him to become Santa and convinced him to go to “Santa” school. He decided to be the best Santa ever by going to school in Midland for three days. Yes believe it or not there is a school on how to be Santa! While at school Santa (Rick) learned to make the emphasis on Christmas being for the children, how to dress properly, how to laugh (a hearty Ho Ho Ho vs. a weak Ha Ha Ha) and how to keep a great attitude and his vision of the North Pole. Santa also learned the story of the white feather and how to use this story to his advantage in addition to the proper use of props and audio cues.

 

Rick is available for parties, and any events where Santa is needed to spread the Christmas spirit!

At the May 29^th meeting Eric Tindall introduced us to the Hemophilia Foundation and speakers Ann LeWalk and Tim Wicks. Tim and Ann educated us on hemophilia and the great program available for kids and adults. Hemophilia has in the past been called the bleeding disease and until recently those afflicted with the disease had a very limited lifestyle. Now with current research and discoveries people who are diagnosed with hemophilia can take a clotting factor that replaces the missing factor in their blood and can have a very active lifestyle.

 

Along with this new discovery the Hemophilia Foundation provides information on the disease, counseling and financial aid and a camp for people with bleeding disorders. This camp has 3 levels for different age groups. The first camp is Camp Bold Eagle for ages 6-10. Eagle Outpost is for campers ages 11-13 and Eagle Expedition is for campers 13 and older. The emphasis at these camps is on what the campers can do. Activities include encouraging the campers to do a wide variety of things, make new friends who they can learn from and within a safe and friendly atmosphere. The campers learn vital skills about how to manage their disease. Returning campers graduate thru the various levels and can even participate in a seven day Eagle Expedition!

 

For further information on the Camp and the Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan please go to their website at: http://hfmich.org

B.A.B.E.s announcement for May 22^nd : Lisa Hudy had a club anniversary on May 20^th, and May 25^th was Bryan Schindel’s wife’s birthday.

 

B.A.B.E.’s announcements for May 29^th: Phil Zepeda had a birthday on June 1^st and is a proud grandpa of a new grandson Hudson Greg!