Spotlight 09-17-13, Vol. 75, No. 34

Brighton Rotary Spotlight

Mark Marker, President

September 17, 2013, Vol.75, No. 34

Guests:     Rich Perlberg, Week 1; Megan Dunaski, our outbound exchange student.

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.  Melissa Osborn has been working with Rachele Evers’ daughters, one of whom is on the autism spectrum and is helping to change her life.  Don’t forget to donate your change to our Pennies for Polio jug!

Rotary Raiders have a few projects on the horizon, including next Wednesday (September 25). Contact Piet Lindhout for more information

Congratulations to Ron Cleveland, who is getting married this weekend!

Jason Huntley’s dad has gone into hospice.  Please keep their family in your thoughts and prayers.

“Good Deed Doers” project for the first two months centers on the NAMI Mental Health Walk at Providence Hospital in Novi this Saturday, September 21st.  Leader Brian Parsons has more information.

Dan Bowen has adopted a highway again.  People who would like to help are asked to meet at the park and ride at Spencer and I-96 this Saturday, September 21 at 3:00 p.m.

Jane McManus is selling tickets for our Oktoberfest event at the Lingenfelter Collection on October 17 from 6-9p.m.  Tickets are $55 per person.  Thank you to Executive Wealth Management for their sponsorship!

The Doris Longfellow Memorial Blood Drive Challenge against other Livingston County Rotary Clubs will be held this Monday, September 23rd from 10:30am to 4:15pm.  We still need volunteers!  To volunteer to help, see Michele Bouhana.

Megan Dunaski, our outbound exchange student, will be leaving for Brazil in the next week or two (as soon as her Visa comes through).  She is excited about her beautiful new city and challenging course load!

Jeannie McMillan, April Dertian, and Melissa Osborn have agreed to take on planning our Club’s Christmas party.  Thanks, ladies!

Jerry Dunneback happily announced that he and his wife sold their cottage and are now back in Brighton full time.  Welcome back, Jerry!

Bill Gartley announced that the ACT practice exam will be on October 5 at 8:15 a.m.  They will likely need more adult volunteers to chaperone.  Please talk to Bill if you’re interested in helping.

Ron Cleveland announced that sadly, Cody the Coyote, who was in the paper this week as the oldest coyote living in captivity, has passed away.  RIP, Cody.

Katherine Lawrence-Copp announced that the family of Joe Mike will be holding a 100th birthday celebration on September 28 at 10 a.m.  Look for an upcoming email for more information.

Inductions:  LuAnn Loy and Maribeth Regnier.  Welcome LuAnn and Maribeth!

Upcoming Events:

09/23/13                            Doris Longfellow Memorial Blood Drive

10/17/13                            Oktoberfest fundraiser at Lingenfelter Collection

Program: RON CLEVELAND, PEGGI MINTZ, and TERRY GILL:  Their day in Sacred Valley in the Andes Mountains as part of the Peru DESA Water Project.

Earlier this year, Ron Cleveland, Peggi Mintz, Terry Gill, and Mark Cook traveled to Peru to work on the vision project.  They were able to take a day to drive up into the mountains to see how the DESA Water Project is working for the Quechuan people, who live high up in the Andes Mountains.  They made the trip with a Canadian couple who lives there and helps out the native people.  The Quechuan people are very timid and private people who, despite their poverty, remain quite happy.  Our Rotarians were able to see the homes where these people live.  They have dirt floors, no electricity or running water, and use ancient tools and manual labor to run their farms.  The DESA Water Project has been in place for 8 years, providing these villagers with clean water from meter-tall PVC containers.  These containers remove the majority of bacteria, viruses, and parasites from the stream water and have vastly improved the overall health of the villagers.  They are beyond excited about their filters and are proud to show them off. Peggi, Mark, Terry, and Ron visited with the villagers and had lunch.  The native people warmed up to them and it was a life-changing experience for everyone involved.  Our Rotarians recommend you take this amazing trip if you are offered the chance in the future.

50/50 drawing:  No one won the jackpot, and Lori Lalama, Adrienne Knack and Ed Bottum were unable to locate the Ace of Spades.