September bridges the change of seasons from summer to fall. And when you live or work on the “Ridge”, you can delight in the colors! I am talking about the colors of apples, peaches, beans, beets, corn, cabbage, eggplant, and pumpkins to name a few. We are very fortunate to live in an area abundant with fresh fruits and vegetables. And I for one plan to take better advantage of it this year by buying it, preparing it and eating it! Make sure to add a lot of color to your meals and enjoy them!
Our Rotary members plan to volunteer again at Feeding America at the end of Month on our 5th Thursday of the month to help bring food to those in need. Kari Kippin will be starting a new Rotary event to bring coats to those who need them this fall. And we also have more community service opportunities coming up in late fall into the winter months.
I appreciate all of the wonderful CP Rotarians who volunteered for the Chicken BBQ and thank you all for making our club a club of “Action”! It was a big success and we were again able to donate food to Matt's Ministry in Grand Rapids A special thank you to Christy Nowak for all of her preparation and hard work. It was another very profitable BBQ for the books!!!
Imagine..."No need for hunger, a brotherhood of man, imagine all the people… sharing all the world."
Diane Van Epps, President
COMSTOCK PARK ROTARY HISTORY UPDATE
In 2018, Doug Gordon, a long time member passed away. He had served as President in 1975-76 and 1994-95. He was a historian at heart and loved to take pictures of all Rotary events. Prior to his death, he spend many days and hours pulling together all the papers, pictures and items that he had. His wife, Kathy, donated eight bankers boxes of material to the club. Just as Covid was beginning, and after Alpine Twp. purchased the Henze Center (now a Fire Station), we did some sorting at the center. We were able to reduce it to six which are now at my home.
I spent the last few days sorting and organizing some of the material. Here are some tidbits of interest.
The Board of Directors approved the fist annual chicken BBQ in 1968-1969, 54 years ago. I don't believe it stopped until Covid. Dick Williamson built the grills and donated them to the club. At one point chicken was $3.50. It wasn't intended as a profit-making enterprise initially but to thank the community for their support.
The Rotary Water Wheel was approved by the Board in 1975. They worked with the County Parks Dept on the project. I will have some costs after more research. In 1976, the Board approved the final landscaping. We have an original sketch of the project done by Marlin Clark, Dan's father. I wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't the one who suggested the project. Marlin was a member of the club some time before Dan joined in 1977.
There will be more to come in the "Saga of Mill Creek" presented at the dedication of the Water Wheel at the Bi-centennial of our nation in 1976.
This was a very active and committed group of men over the years who accomplished a great deal, had a lot of fun in the process, and made sure they honored all their "Rotary Ann's" each year.
If you like history, please join me in determining how we should preserve and present this amazing history. Sharon Steffens
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