Spotlight 03-18-14, Vol. 76, No. 10
Program:
Brighton Area Women’s History Roll of Honor Awards
Brighton Rotary Spotlight
Mark Marker, President
March 18, 2014, Vol. 76, No.10
Guests: Portia Davis-Mann, wk2; Karen Timmons,wk2; Jim Timmons,wk2 Clark Bradley, Chase Bank; Stephanie Nult, Angela and Marcel Bouhana, Michele’s children; Brighton Women’s History Roll of Honor and many guests.
Announcements:
Sadly, Irene Mike, passed last week. Joe Mike (who passed in 2011) and his wife were very active Brighton Rotarians and supported many of our fundraisers with donations of artwork and prints of the Brighton area. They will be missed.
President Mark shared the award that Brian Donovan, Piet Lindhout, and the other Rotary Raiders received at the United Way’s 2014 Award Banquet last Thursday. Way to Go Raiders!!!
Nancy B. Johnson and Michael Bourke talked about the “Fun”raiser NCAA Men’s Basketball Bracket Challenge. Entry fee is $10 (which Mike will discuss next week how to pay), and you need to email Mike to get the password and web group name to enter your selections—all predictions need to be in the computer by Wednesday night.. This event will culminate in a party on April 7th, the night of the Championship, at one of the restaurants downtown and will feature our Rotary Chili Cookoff Challenge (anyone can enter). Cost will be $100/ticket or $150/couple. More details to follow next week….
Nancy B. Johnson reminded folks that March is Reading Month, so please thank the person who taught you to read!
Good Deed Doers April Dertian shared information about mental illness and ways our members can help build awareness and assist in recognizing and combating this disease. Remember: Mental illness is a medical condition that disrupts a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning.==>diminished capacity to cope with the ordinary demands of life.
Rotary Raiders have two ramps on the horizon: one at the United Methodist Church for the parish house and one in Hamburg Hills. Also, save May 3rd for Labor of LOVE Projects.
Katherine Lawrence-Copp reminded members about the Snow Cone Happy-Hour committee meeting today immediately after our formal meeting. May 1st might be the target date.
Scholarship Committee will meet next Tuesday at 1:30pm to meet with a representative from Kaplan.
Applications for the 2014 Anderson-McGregor Scholastic Achievement Scholarships are available on the BrightonRotary.com website or on the Brighton High Scholarship website. Applications are due by April 9th.
The University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club Spring Concert will be held on Saturday, April 12th at 8pm in Hill Auditorium. If interested in pre-ordering tickets, contact Beth Walker.
Tom Janego asked members to vote and attend the Livingston Catholic Charities Salute to Stars, a “Dancing with the Stars” style event on March 22nd at St. Mary Magdalene Church. Kathy and Tom Janego will be dancing and you can vote online for them at www.LivingstonCatholicCharities.org.
03/25/14 1:30pm Scholarship Committee Meeting
04/07/14 Final Four Basketball Bracket Fundraiser
05/03/14 Labor of LOVE
Program:
Brighton Area Women’s History Roll of Honor Awards
Advisory Committee Chair Joyce Powers described the creation of the Brighton Area Women’s History Roll of Honor in 2002 to recognize women in the Brighton area who have made significant contributions to our community. Including the seven women recognized for 2014, the Roll of Honor includes 66 individuals and six athletic team state champions from Brighton High School. Honored at today’s program were:
Shirley J. Barton As a founding member of the Human Relations Council to encourage open housing and discourage discrimination in the Brighton area, Shirley Barton has demonstrated a willingness to express her beliefs and act toward change. Her voice was raised in support of women’s rights through the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and the National Organization of Women (NOW), and she traveled to Washington, D.C. and local venues in conjunction with the anti-war movement. An active, half-owner of Brighton NC Machine Corporation founded in 1965, Shirley serves as Vice President and liaison to Gleaners Food Bank and the Livingston County United Way. Other community leadership positions supported the Parent-Teacher Association, the Child Study Club, and youth programs at First Presbyterian Church of Brighton.
Jean K. Becker, PhD Capping a thirty-year career with the State of Michigan in children and family programs, Dr. Becker served as Program Manager at the Livingston County Department of Social Services and as Program Manager for the Substance Abuse Treatment Unit at the Maxey Boys Training School. She filed one of the first sex discrimination suits against the State of Michigan in 1971 requiring equal treatment of men and women employees when holding the same position. Dr. Becker chaired Livingston County’s WomenFest for several years, is the longest serving Chairman of American Mensa, as well as recently serving as President of the Michigan Association of Gifted Children. Dr. Becker’s lifelong dedication as a volunteer, board member, and leader of events and organizations serving women has made a difference in our community.
Michele Bouhana Founder of Michele’s Salon and Day Spa in 1980, Michele Bouhana combines her business acumen with intelligence, integrity, and a passion for the community. Active in the Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Michele joined the Brighton Rotary Club in 1993 and has been a leader and advocate for community improvement through projects such as the construction and maintenance of the Brighton Community Center, coordination of Red Cross Blood drives, Youth Exchange Program support, Gleaner’s Food Bank volunteers, educational scholarship awards, and serving as Club President in 1998-1999 and Rotary Foundation President in 1999-2000. . She was recognized with one of the highest honors in Rotary as a Paul Harris Fellow in 2000. Michele’s enthusiasm and dedication to others serves as inspiration and example.
Heidi G. Clausnitzer Born in Mannheim, Germany, and moving to the Brighton area in 1956, Heidi Clausnitzer was awarded the “Woman of the Year” distinction by the Brighton Jaycees in 1965 after establishing Brighton NC Machine Corporation as a half owner. A co-founder of the Human Relations Council to discourage discrimination in the Brighton area, Heidi advocated for women’s rights through the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), the National Organization of Women (NOW), and marched in Washington, D.C., with the anti-war movement. Heidi became a paraprofessional working with severely mentally-impaired children at the Livingston Intermediate School District, and eventually became Director of Programming for Children at the Livingston Area Council Against Spousal Abuse (LACASA) for eleven years. Heidi’s lifelong efforts were recognized by the 2010 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association with a distinguished “Breaking the Silence” Award.
Karen J. Goss As a notable educator for 42 years at Brighton High School (BHS) who touched the lives of many students while sharing her passion for scholarship and excellence in mathematics and German. Every other summer she led groups of BHS students on unique tours of Germany to enrich their historical and cultural knowledge beyond the classroom. Since the inception of the Women’s History Roll of Honor in 2003, Karen has worked behind the scenes to support the preparation of publicity materials, administrative record keeping, and induction ceremony details. For several years, Karen led the Sunday School and scheduled service lay readers at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at The Millpond. Numerous volunteer hours have been devoted to the Livingston County United Way preparing packets for fundraising campaigns, organizing lunch food service and scheduling labor for the annual Day of Caring projects.
Sheryl Lohmiller When Brighton School Board of Education Secretary Joyce Powers proposed a public display of Women’s History materials in 2002, Sheri Lohmiller enthusiastically organized processes and procedures, handled the myriad details, and foresaw opportunities to permanently honor area women. The growth and recognition of the Roll of Honor from the initial display of significant women and their role in history to the annual celebration of contributions by local pioneers, innovators, and leaders was nurtured and guided by Sheri’s and Joyce’s belief, knowledge, dedication, and hard work. Serving twenty-five years as Assistant to the Superintendent for Brighton Area Schools until her retirement in 2011, Sheri supported five Superintendents and several interim Superintendents coordinated millage campaigns, and performed Recorder duties for the Brighton Area Schools Education (BASE) Foundation.
Cheryl Ann Mayday Owner of Alterations Unlimited, a seamstress and tailoring business established in 1985, and the Mayday Retail Building in downtown Brighton, Cheryl Mayday has invested personal and financial resources to propel downtown Brighton into a favored destination for area residents. As Chair of the Brighton Fine Art and Acoustic Music Festival since its inception in 1985 and a longstanding member of the Principal Shopping District Board of Directors since 2008, Cheryl has developed the Festival into a much-anticipated event each summer. In 2006, Cheryl participated in the creation of a University of Michigan educational documentary about her previous husband’s end-of-life journey entitled “Evan Mayday’s Good Death.” The film is used as a learning tool regarding palliative care in medical schools across the country, and she has been a frequent guest speaker about the experience. In 2013, Cheryl was honored with the Distinguished Service Award by the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce for her community leadership and efforts.
Progressive 50/50 Drawing: No one won the jackpot. Ed Becker, Tom Zizka, and Jim Timmons were unable to locate the Ace of Spades.