Spotlight 08-27-13, Vol. 75, No. 31

Brighton Rotary Spotlight

Mark Marker, President,

August 27, 2013, Vol.75, No. 31

Guests:     LeAnn Loy, wk2; Mike Murphy, Liv. Sunrise Rotary; Steve Oldstrom, Ann Arbor Rotary; Camila Dos Santos, Rotary Youth Exchange Student; Jason Bayless, Great Lakes Data Systems; Heather K. Bottum, Ed’s daughter; Stewart Brannen, Leadership Livingston & Cleary University; Jill Frederickson, Horses’Haven

Announcements:

The theme “”Engage Rotary: Change Lives” is translated into the following ways that Club Members have affected the lives of others: During the United Way Day of Caring, a wheelchair ramp was built for the Smith family and a house was painted for another family.  Rotarians helping others included:  Terry Gill, Piet Lindhout & Frank Mancuso keeping Rachele Evers company when she was caught in the rain on her motorcycle; President Mark thanked Katherine Lawrence-Copp for prescribing additional seizure medicine for his dog; and Gail & Joe Ingber (past members for many years that now live in Long Island, NY) returned to Brighton last weekend and had Melanie & George Moses gather several long-time members to reminisce about numerous Rotary projects.

A get-well card was circulated for former member and current District Governor Jim Gilmore, who is recovering after a mild heart attack a few weeks ago.  Jim has been spotted around town and is starting to feel better.

Brian Parsons and the Good Deed Doers team captains Ed Bottum, Heather Sptiler, and Mitch Zoldowski will begin passing pledge forms and walk sheets in the coming weeks in preparation for the NAMI (National Association for Mental Illness) walk on September 21^st at Providence Hospital in Novi.

President Mark introduced Camila Dos Santos, our 17-year-old Rotary Youth Exchange Student from Brazil.  She will be attending Brighton High School, staying with the Zimmerman family first and then with the Spitler family.  Camila has a strong command of English, but not of our slang expressions, so we need to be ready to re-phrase some of statements in case she doesn’t understand the first time.  It is very exciting to have Camila join us—Welcome!

Upcoming project opportunities for Raiders include the ramp in Hamburg Hills tomorrow (8/28) led by Brian Donovan.  Planning to dig post holes tonight at 4pm and start on the large ramp tomorrow at 9am.  Another family with a past Raider ramp across the street also needs some help.

Don Homan and Bonnie Miller have sold their home and will be leaving for greener golfing in Boyne City beginning on October 1^st.  We hope you will return often to visit!

Rachele Evers is seeking someone to help drive her three children home from three different schools each day, and occasionally to school.  If you know of someone who may be interested in this type of work, contact Rachele.

Jane McManus alerted the Club about the Oktoberfest celebration to benefit the Brighton Veterans Memorial on October 17^th from 6- at the Ligenfelter Car Collection.  Jane has posters available and is looking for sponsors.  Tickets will be approximately $55 and include a full German festival with beer, wine, entertainment and access to the car collection.

Former member and Livingston Daily Press & Argus editor Rich Perlberg will be retiring this month.  A retirement celebration will be held at Los Tres Amigos on September 4^th at 4:30pm.  Club members were encouraged to sign a framed article about Rich that will be presented to him next Wednesday.

Mike McManus shared a polio vaccine video with members during lunch.  He mentioned the 2:1 match that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is offering for all funds raised to eradicate polio.  Mike is offering to donate the cost and profits for reprinting the Brighton Rotary group photograph taken earlier this month.  Copies of the print will be $10.  See Mike or Treasurer Cathy to get your copy.

Don’t Forget the “Pennies for Polio” campaign.  Sixty-two cents purchases one dose of polio vaccine!

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

Upcoming Events:

08/28/13                     Raiders Ramp build in Hamburg Hills, near Eight Mile & Sheldon

09/21/13                     NAMI Walk with Good Deed Doers, Providence Hospital, Novi.

09/23/13                     Doris Longfellow Memorial Blood Drive

10/17/13                     Octoberfest fundraiser for Veterans Memorial

Program:

Program host Heather Spitler introduced Jill Frederickson, President of Horses’ Haven, a non-profit humane care and adoption agency for horses and ponies.  The agency began in 1995 under the leadership of Barbara Baker.  Jill began as a volunteer ten years ago and is the current President.  Horses’ Haven rehabilitates horses, as necessary, for adoption to new homes or provides sanctuary for those horses not suitable for adoption.  They currently have 90 horses on a waiting list to join their facilities.  It costs approximately $20,000 each month to keep the agency operating, so donations of cash, equipment, hay, blankets, tack, etc. are encouraged.  Volunteers (minimum age of 16 years) work two shifts each day, approximately five hours each, to feed and care for the horses, mix grains, give medications, clean pastures, etc.  If interested in learning more about Horses’ Haven, contact www.horseshaven.org or 517-548-4880.

50/50 drawing:  Congratulations to Tom Zizka who won the jackpot!!!