Spotlight 08-20-13, Vol. 75, No. 30

Brighton Rotary Spotlight

Mark Marker, President

August 20, 2013, Vol.75, No. 30

Guests:     LuAnn Loy Week 1; Steve Oldstrom, visiting from the Ann Arbor Rotary Club; and Theresa Parker, Liberty Title.

Announcements:

The Rotary theme for this year is “Engage Rotary: Change Lives” so President Mark would like to recognize the number of lives that Rotary and our Club Members affect/change the lives of others.  Piet Lindhout and Ron Cleveland installed some new toys for handicapped kids at the Imagination Station that were built by several Rotarians!  Don’t forget to donate your change to our Pennies for Polio jug!

Rotary Raiders have a few projects on the horizon, including the United Way Day of Caring TOMORROW (August 21).  Participants will meet at 730 Devonshire in Brighton.  There will also be a ramp build next Wednesday, August 27 at 9am at 75 Elk  in Hamburg Hills.  Contact Piet Lindhout for more information

Jane McManus announced that we are “this” close to eradicating polio throughout the world!

Happy birthday to Jim Barnas!

“Good Deed Doers” project for the first two months centers on the NAMI Mental Health Walk at Providence Hospital in Novi on September 21st.  Leader Brian Parsons has recruited team captains Ed Bottum, Heather Sptiler, and Mitch Zoldowski to assemble teams and raise funds to help reduce the stigma while finding answers regarding mental illness.  More details to follow!

Brian Wutz announced his resignation as Club Treasurer as he and his wife will be moving out of state.  We will miss you, Brian!  Cathy Riesterer has agreed to take Brian’s place as Treasurer.  Thanks so much for stepping up, Cathy!

Congratulations to GT Nickerson and his wife on welcoming their healthy new son, Parker!

Lori Lalama announced that the Livingston Sunrise Rotary Club is doing their fantasy football league, the proceeds of which will be divided among prizes and their scholarship fund.  Contact Lori Lalama or Tom Archer at 810-229-5212 or Tom@ArcherHuntley.com

Bill Anderson is selling tickets for the March of Dimes vehicle raffle.  Tickets are $10.

Pam McConeghy is selling Lip Stync DVDs for $5.

The Doris Longfellow Memorial Blood Drive Challenge against other Livingston County Rotary Clubs will be held on September 23rd from 10:30am to 4:15pm.  Please take Information including posters to spread the word and donor registration—help save a life!  To volunteer to help, see Michele Bouhana.

Michelle Bouhana announced that our new exchange student is arriving on Friday.

Upcoming Events:

08/21/13                            United Way Day of Caring

09/23/13                            Doris Longfellow Memorial Blood Drive

10/17/13                            Oktoberfest fundraiser at Lingenfelter Collection

Program: JEFF EDWARDS, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Detroit/Ann Arbor Branch of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Mike Southgate introduced Jeff Edwards, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Detroit/Ann Arbor Branch of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, to discuss depression, suicide, and mental illness.  Mr. Edwards speaks to all Brighton 7th graders on this topic and this year, will also be presenting to all Howell 7th graders.  Mr. Edwards spoke about scotomas, also known as blind spots, and how they relate to depression and mental illness.  He discussed the stigmas surrounding this topic and how many people use it as a joke or a punch line.  He spoke about how human nature forces us to make up rules and how to think outside of the box.  Sometimes, people need to recognize when to get outside help.  Mr. Edwards spoke about his son, Chase Edwards, who was a victim of depression and suicide at the age of 12.  Chase was a Maltby Middle School student who seemed to have it all – friends, activities, and a family that loved him.  Mr. Edwards discussed the warning signs they did and did not see.  He discussed their journey into Chase’s pain and how their experience can be used to help others identify the “ingredients” of depression.  Mr. Edwards also mentioned the Out of the Darkness walk for suicide prevention and awareness taking place at Kensington Metro Park on September 22 at 11am.

50/50 drawing:  No one won the jackpot, and April Dertian x 2 and Jeff Billig were unable to locate the Ace of Spades.