Spotlight 03-31-15, Vol. 77, No. 13

Posted by Richard Perlberg 
on Apr 02, 2015
 
PROGRAM
                Bill Anderson introduced Kristin Thompson, Community Director of the March of Dimes
 
Brighton Rotary Spotlight
Peggi Mintz, President
March 31, 2018, Vol. 77, No. 13
 
GUESTS: Reggie Osborne wk3
 
MEET & GREET, LUNCH & LEARN: Abby Cooper and Mike McManus shared what they learned about each other. Abby’s brother Corey is a Brighton Rotarian. Both learned a lot about picking up rotten apples while on a farm in the Thumb. She learned how to drive there. Their father was Frank Leppek. Abby, a Hartland High grad, knew she wanted to be an attorney at an early age because she knew she wanted to make a difference. After graduating from Michigan State, she took time off to be a ski bum in Utah where she also was a tour guide for the future Olympic sites. She then volunteered as a para-legal in Chicago. Then it was back to school, earning her law degree from Wayne State University. She has returned to Livingston County where she joined the Brighton law firm of fellow Brighton Rotarian Cathy Riesterer. She is married to Brad, whom she met at age 16 when they were tending boats at Waldenwood. They have two sons, Bode, 9, and Finn, 7. Abby is happy to be in Rotary because she wanted to join an organization where she can include her son.
 
Mike McManus was raised as an only child and his dad had and has a great influence on him. Mike’s dad started the Southfield Rotary in 1956. Mike grew up on Orchard Lake and was a self-described lake rat. That continues and he and wife Jane (and fellow Brighton Rotarian) live on Woodland Lake in Brighton Township. Mike attended Michigan Tech, but by his own admission he was not that motivated. Returning downstate, he started attending Oakland Community College which turned out to be the best move of his life. That’s where he met Jane and his life changed. Abby noted that Mike always talks about “we” in reference to Jane and their adult daughter, Darlene. True partners, Mike and Jane tried a number of ventures, including gas stations and real estate and development. While driving to put tother a real estate data base, Mike recognized his love of computers. A memorable meeting at Champ’s Pub led to the founding of Microworks, their Brighton-based company that started in 1977. Mike joined Rotary in 1984. Mike and Jane have been married for 46 years and they are partners in life, business and adventure. They are still each other’s best friend.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
  • Nancy Johnson is a patient on the 7th floor of U-M Hospital. While she says the view is nice, she’s hopeful to get home by Easter.
  • George Moses reported that his daughter, Kim, lives in one of the apartment buildings destroyed by that horrific fire in lower Manhattan. Fortunately, Kim and her husband were vacationing in the British Virgin Islands so they are fine and even have their wallets and ID, which is not the case with many tenants. They’ve lost a lot, though, including items and art work that cannot be replaced. They had renter’s insurance but have learned that most of their neighbors did not, so they are quite concerned for their welfare.
  • No Gleaners this weekend, but Stan says there will be birthday celebration for Mike Bourke – without Mike there – at Main Crossing Saturday at 6 p.m., which happens to be when Michigan State plays Duke.
  • Frank Mancuso reminds us about May 2 walk at Ford Field to raise funds for pancreatic cancer research.
  • Mike Bourke, soon to be 50, says Howell Rotary needs volunteer parking help for the Howell Balloonfest. The event pays volunteers groups $7 an hour.
  • Beth Walker thanks those who signed up for Kroger rewards, but through a glitch in the program, all need to re-register after April 1.
  • May 9 is the day for the ACT/SAT practice test.
  • Fred Arthur stepped up to track the Shelter Box status that Brighton Rotary purchased.
PROGRAM
                Bill Anderson introduced Kristin Thompson, Community Director of the March of Dimes. She heads up the annual Kensington Walk where the Brighton Rotary team continues to be one of the top contributors, helping the March for Babies walk raise $136,000 last year. And, thanks to handing out ice cream, Brighton Rotary is likely the most popular group at the event. The March of Dimes is a champion for all babies. It promotes the health of babies by funding research, helping moms and supporting families. Originally founded to fight polio, March of Dimes was founded in 1938 by Franklin Roosevelt. In 1955, the Salk vaccine was announced at U-M. In 1979, polio was eradicated in the United States. The March of Dimes now focuses on birth defects, premature births and infant mortality. Michigan has seen a decline in the percent of premature births but it is still unacceptably high. Pre-term is considered 37 weeks or less. Too many babies are born too soon and too small, she said. The March of Dimes believes, “If we can fix it at birth we can fix it for a lifetime.” The March of Dimes has donated $1.8 million to U-M for research and another $200,000 in community grants to support local innovative programs in maternal and child health. At the conclusion of the president, President Peggi Mintz presented Kristin with a $500 check, bringing the club’s total contribution to $13,000.
 
50-50
Bill Metz and Tom Hagen failed to find the Ace of Spades. Tom Zizka was able to draw the Ace of Diamonds which earned him absolutely nothing.