Spotlight 07-15-14, Vol. 76, No. 26

GUESTS:   Jim Gilmore, Camila Dos Santos, Kathy Perlberg, Ann Donovan, Jane Lindhout, Nancy Johnson and Suzy Lewis

ANNOUNCEMENTS: 

Cathy Riesterer announced that everyone in attendance at today’s meeting received a copy of the proposed Brighton Rotary bylaws.  Bylaws should be reviewed in the next couple of weeks.  A vote will take place by Rotarians at a meeting in the next 3 – 4 weeks.

Camila Dos Santos, the Rotary sponsored exchange student from Brazil provided a photo presentation of her time spent in the United States.  She returns to her home in Brazil this coming weekend.  She thanked Brighton Rotary for sponsoring her and allowing her to participate in many activities.  She was very grateful for the opportunity.

It was announced that George Hedgespeth’s Memorial Service will be on July 26, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at the All Saints' Episcopal Church, 171 W. Pike Street, Pontiac, Michigan 48098.  In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations to either:

Henry ford Health Systems, Office of Philanthropy, 1 Ford Place Suite 5A, Detroit, Michigan 48202.  Please make checks payable to Henry Ford Health Systems and note George Hedgespeth in the memo line, or

The George Hedgespeth Scholarship Fund, Lincoln University, Office of Institutional Advancement, PO Box 179, Lincoln University, PA 19352-0999
 

Bill Anderson made the happy announcement that he is now a grandfather to his first grandson, M.J. Anderson.

Beth Walker advised us that the play “Ernie” at the City Theatre in Detroit has an understudy playing the part of Ernie.  Will David Young who has played “Ernie” is now appearing in the Last Romance at the Purple Rose Theater in Chelsea.  She also requested that liability issues associated with the Top of the Mountain Dash or Crash 5K Run be discussed at an upcoming Club meeting.  Peggi Mintz advised that these issues would be addressed at the next board meeting.

Jane McManus announced that Tuesday, July 22, Don Riddell will hold a meeting for District Governors to carry George Hedgesperth’s Rotary vision forward.  The meeting will be held at the Birmingham Library.  For more details contact Jane McManus.  She also announced that there will still be an opportunity to have a summer picnic on July 20^th at Kensington Park, at the West boat launch.  This will not be an official Rotary event, but a tent will be available for picnicking.

Julie Smith advised Rotarians that Work Skills will be having an open house and ribbon cutting on July 23^rd from 3:00 – 7:00pm to announce its opening of its Residential Services Program.  Festivities will be at 1265 N. Michigan Avenue, Howell.

Nancy Johnson reminded Rotarians of the upcoming election and need to get absentee ballots if not able to vote in person.  Information on the issues can be obtained at the Brighton Library.  Also, anyone wishing to read the book “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” can borrow one of three copies from Nancy Johnson.

Upcoming Events:

08/20/14 Livingston County Day of Caring - The Rotary Raiders will be building a ramp

06/20/15 Top of the Mountain Dash or Crash 5K run at Mt. Brighton

LUNCH AND LEARN:  In a new program introduced by President Peggi Mintz, each week two Rotarians’ names are pulled.  They the meet and get to know each other better and present to the Club the following week.  This week Fred Arthur and Jerry Dunneback presented.  We discovered that Fred has five children and is still a Rotarian in Hartland.  He is a big Notre Dame supporter.  We also learned that Jerry Dunneback went to the University of Detroit and used to work with Roger Penske.  Next week’s presentation will be from Bill Gartley and Jeannie McMillan.

PROGRAM:

Piet Lindhout, Rich Perlberg, Kathy Perlberg and Scott Griffith provided a presentation with photographs highlighting their trip to Peru to provide optical care to those in need and learn more about the DESEA Water Project which brings clean water to those in need.  The group went to the tiny village of Pampacancha, Peru and helped with visual acuity tests and filling prescriptions for glasses for those with vision problems.  During the four days they provided optical services through VOSH International, 900 people left with either eyeglasses or sunglasses.  DOC provided an optician and 50 prescriptions for those who needed their eyeglass prescriptions filled here in the United States.  For those people the eyeglasses would be made here and shipped back to the patient in Peru.  The group used interpreters, sign language and symbols in communicating with the Peruvians.  If you would like to volunteer to go on a trip go to www.vosh.org.

While in Peru, they visited some homes in the mountains of Peru who now have clean drinking water as a result of the DESEA water project.  Water is filtered into containers with sand, which filters out contaminates.  These systems can be used for about 20 years without any need for maintenance.   They enjoyed a hardy lunch of potatoes while visiting one of the families.

50/50 Progressive Drawing:  Jerry Dunneback, Lori Lalama, and Melanie Moses were unsuccessful at finding the Ace of Spades.