Happy New Year. I hope your time with family (and friends) during this holiday season has been rewarding. Nothing makes us feel better than quality time with those that you love. The laughter and precious moments are refreshing and rejuvenating after a quarantined few months. I can only hope that the New Year brings a new outlook and safer world. A good sign is that the Health Department has declared in-school learning the best place for students. Some school districts have declared that the best learning environment is in-person learning, as many more have fallen behind or are failing with virtual learning.
I feel this reflects much about every part of our society. We need in-person interaction. We need to be together for meetings and lunch, laughter and comradery to be at our best. So I pray that soon, we can once again meet to put us back on track to help those in the community who have needs.
With that being said let’s have a virtual Zoom meeting this Thursday at noon and plan for the upcoming year. When school starts up I am sure " to Hand" will be back, and is needed more than ever because once again Michigan unemployment has gone up.
I will contact the Parks Department to get a timeline on park improvements at Dwight-Lydell Park. I see chicken in our future again. If anyone can think of any other topics let me know. Be safe, drive careful, we are in Michigan with goofy weather. See you Thursday at Noon. Greg Madura, President
BOARD UPDATE
The Board of Directors met Wednesday, the 6th, on Zoom in preparation for tomorrow's Rotary meeting. Some of the discussion centered around the ideas of our committees meeting separately to begin planning for projects that we hope to do this Spring and Summer. Christy is our liazon in working with the Veteran Home. Dan Clark has reported that Grotto Park needs a lot of attention and that we need to work with the Veteran's Home leadership, Maintenance Dept. and their group of volunteers to get it in shape. Then the veterans and public will be able to use it.
We also have committed to the Paper Removal Project at the home of Tom and Eleanor Bereza. That is delayed until Spring so their lawn won't be damaged. That will required a truck and several strong people to carry out 225 boxes of paper which will be taken to a location and destroyed. Tom has retired and these are his files that need to be destroyed.
Dan Clark will check on the Zinzer School courtyard which we improved to make sure their is nothing more that we need to do, Hopefully their parents group and staff can take it over..
Lastly, and most important, we hope that the BBQ's can resume in some form. That will take a lot of good discussion and planning. So we have plenty for committees to do and there are probably other projects which we need to consider as well.
COMMITTEE UPDATE
All members are expected to serve on at least one committee. Below are the current committees and their members. If you haven't signed up yet, please email or let Alex or Sharon know your choice. These committees will be meeting soon so put your thoughts and ideas together especially for ways that we can do some fundraising. New members should select a committee they might be interested in. Thank you. Help us in planning and implementing projects, invite potential members to get acquainted with Rotary, and share in the fellowship of working together.
Administration & Foundation: Diane Van Epps, Chair; Liz Knapp , Bob Homan, Gayle Steffen, Sharon Steffens, Cindy Witke
Membership & Public Relations: Alex Arends, Chair; Brent Beuschel, Gerry Hopkins, Dave Washburn / Missi McPherson
Service Projects: Christy Nowak, Chair; Dan Clark, Rick Van Setters, Greg Madura, Kent Gagnon, Bernie Spruit, Trina Elvey, Kevin Gritters, Missi McPherson / Dave Washburn
JANUARY
7 ZOOM Mtg. Noon
21 ZOOM Mtg. Noon
FEBRUARY
4
18
PROJECT DONE IN A DAY
Comstock Park Rotary rang the bells at Walmart from 1-7 on December 17th. We collected $350, almost $60 per hour during that time. Our thanks goes to those ringing and to Rick Van Setter for making the arrangements.
