Spotlight 08-07-12, Vol. 74, No. 29

Brighton Rotary Spotlight

Pam McConeghy, President

August 7, 2012, Vol. 74, No. 29

Guests:           Darlene Leader, Arizona Rotary & former member; David Reader, Judge; Steve Pilon, The Wooden Spoon; Kim Welsh-Gemuend

Announcements:

Our sympathies are extended to Dave Pothier who lost his father last week and to George Kudla, whose brother’s 18-year-old grandson was killed and found near City Airport.

Happy Birthday to President Pam!

Tom Coates reported that his son safely returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan.  Hurray!

Mike Hatty had an opportunity to play golf with Detroit Lions legends and former players yesterday.

Heather Spitler and Peggi Mintz competed and finished in the women’s triathlon on Saturday. Good Job!

George Moses is pedaling his way up the coast of Lake Michigan.  He had some arterial fluttering on the first day, but all is well.  Thanks to Tom Coates for being his training partner at Kensington these last few weeks!

 Our Club’s Rotary International Exchange Student, Matias Jara, will be arriving on August 20^th for a year-long stay in Brighton.  He will first be living with the Armistead family.

Don Homan has begun circulating the registration sheet to participate in the Annual Rotary Golf Challenge between area Clubs.  Date and Course TBD.

Rotary Raiders and other members can still volunteer for the United Way Day of Caring on August 22^nd.  See Piet Lindhout to help with tasks such as building a 23-foot ramp, roofing tear-off and shingling, and yard work. Work shifts are from 8am-12noon, and 12noon-4pm.

Family of Rotary event on Friday, August 17^th: A few tickets are still available for the Detroit Tigers baseball game trip to Comerica Park.  Seats will be in the Tigers Dugout Section 332, uppr level. Buss ride  includes pizza and non-alcoholic beverages. Cost: $50/person. RSVP to Jason Conrad Huntley,810-229-5212 or Jason@ArcherHuntley.com

Save the Date for the 9/24/12 for our Doris Longfellow Blood Drive Challenge. You can register now to give blood at www.giveblood.org

Peggi Mintz alerted members that her office of  United Bank and Trust is collecting new school supplies for needy families in the Brighton Area Schools district through August 31st Note that due to past generosity, crayons and #2 pencils are well supplied, but other items like backpacks, binders, notebooks, glue, gift cards, are appreciated.  Items can be brought to the bank.

Rotary Moment  Bonnie Corrigan spoke about how our Club is so active and friendly and we are especially proud of the Raiders and the good that is done for the community.  Bonnie recalled that visiting Rotarian Darlene Leader was her sponsor when she joined, and George Kudla mentioned that he had the pleasure of giving Bonnie her pin upon joining!

Upcoming Events:

8/17/12            Tiger Baseball Game with Livingston Sunrise,

8/22/12                        Day of Caring Ramp Build, Yard work & Roofing projects

9/24/12                        Doris Longfellow Rotary Challenge Blood Drive, Community Building

Program:

Program host Tom Coates introduced Steve Pilon, owner and chef at The Wooden Spoon restaurant on Grand River in Brighton.  Tom and Steve first met at a FAST-TRACK program sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.  Steve is a transplant from Wayne County and has lived here the past ten years.  He is very impressed with Livingston County and how the community really cares about its residents and the success of area businesses.  Steve began cooking at age 15.  Upon graduating from high school, he began studying the tool and die trade, but decided that he preferred cooking and enrolled at the culinary program at Schoolcraft College.  He represented the Schoolcraft program at the Culinary Olympics in Germany in 1982 and from there moved to working at the Grosse Ile Country Club for ten years, Café Bonne Homme in Plymouth for a few years, A Matter of Taste in Commerce Township for a few years and then at Oak Pointe Country Club, before, during, and after the fires.  Steve participated and won the Iron Chef competition held at Bordines to benefit Gleaners Food Bank.  Acting as his own contractor for the transformation of his building from the Mexican Jones restaurant to The Wooden Spoon, Steve had the opportunity to be directly hands-on for all decisions.  Opening to the public on July 12, 2011, sales at the business has already moved into the fourth-year projection level.  The Wooden Spoon is a restaurant, catering and carry-out business with a great outdoor grill area (grill built by Tom Coates) with a winter raw bar. Chef Steve Pilon’s philosophy is that he tries to do things differently from others in the area and that change is good.

50/50 Drawing:  $550  in week 6, 36 cards present.  Mark Cook drew the six of hears; Sharon Zizka drew the ten of hears, and Darlene Leader drew the ACE of SPADES!!!  CONGRATULATIONS to our former member!