Spotlight 09-23-14, Vol. 76, No. 36

Brighton Rotary Spotlight

            Peggi Mintz, President

             September 23, 2014, Vol. 76. No. 36

GUESTS:       Fred Bodnar, wk1; Suzy Lewis, wk3; Julia McBride, wk1;Yolanda White, Ann Arbor Rotary; Dan Bowen, former member; Rob McKindles, McKindles Film and Photo; Dr. Roy Schwarz, Livingston Land Conservatory; Amy Zoldowski, Mitch’s wife.

MEET, GREET & LEARN: Mike Archinel and George Moses were this week’s presenters. Mike spoke about longtime Rotarian George Moses who was raised in Detroit and graduated from Grosse Pointe High School. Active in the marketing and publishing business, George owns the Parade of Homes, begun in 1972, and the Marketeer, begun in 1974.  In addition to his lovely wife Melanie, George has a son who farms and raises cattle in the area and a daughter who went to New York City to model and never left.  George’s daughter Kim frequently accompanies him on the 400-mile Western Michigan bike tour, and George is one of only two riders that has participated each of the last 20 years since the ride began. George was Brighton Rotary President in 1987 and grew the Club from 40 male members to 61 male and 14 female members—wife Melanie was the first female inducted into the Club.  George spoke about how he and Mike share three key activities: both live and work in the same community; both are invested in their communities and appreciate the positive impact it has made on their lives, and both enjoy staying active and fit.  After earning his Masters degree in Public Administration, Mike worked in Wixom, South Lyon, and Milford.  He  briefly worked at the City of Brighton before becoming Genoa Township Manager. Mike lives with his fiancée and son who attends Michigan Technological University studying network administration.  Mike enjoys fly fishing, bird hunting, and playing on the Rotary hockey team.  Next week: Mike Bourke & Leslie Kohler.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Happy Birthday’s to Jane McManus and Michael Southgate!

Member MariBeth Regnier is recovering at home at a fifteen-day stay in the hospital.  She is still weak and cannot accept visitors, but greatly appreciates the cards and get well wishes that have been sent!

Since the bylaws were passed,  but the Club does not vote on the new slate of officers until December, President Peggi has nominated Rachele Evers  to assist and learn the Secretary position.

John Nagel spoke about The Livingston County Rotary Golf Challenge scheduled for this Thursday, September 25^th tee times beginning at 12:36pm.  Cost is $35 for 18 holes with cart, and lunch of hot dog, chips and fountain drink before tee off. Still looking for five more golfers to complete our 2-person scramble teams, so if interested, please contact John Nagel at 810-225-7446 or john.nagel@signsbytomorrow.com

Michele Bouhana reminded us that the Doris Longfellow Memorial Blood drive will be held on Monday, September 29^th from 10:30am – 4:30pm. You can go to www.redcross.com to register to donate blood—27 people are currently registered, and the goal is to receive 50 units of blood/41 people. Sign up and save a life!

Rotary Day at the Zoo was AWESOME!  Jane McManus thanked members for the $525 in donations raised by the club and matched to $1,050.  The District raised $31,000 in donations which translates to 50,000 inoculations against polio!!!

Brian Parsons reminded about the NAMI walk on Saturday, September 27^th.  He thanked those that have contributed to the cause and circulated a pledge sheet/donation envelope for those still interested in contributing.

Family of Rotary gathering on October 2^nd at Stan Schafer’s Main Crossing restaurant serves as a fundraiser for the Club.  Bring one of the flyers distributed at the meeting or printed from the website, to donate 10% of your food and beverage bill to the Club.

Vern Boyajian announced a Top of the Mountain Dash or Crash Committee meeting today after our regular meeting.

The Ann Arbor West Rotary  is hosting a Michigan International Festival at the Michigan Theater on Saturday, October 18^th from 5-9pm.  Performances and food from around the world will fill your senses and you will have the opportunity to participate in a silent auction of items from across the world.  Tickets are $15/person in advance, $20 at the door, and are available at TicketWeb.com or by contacting Info@RotaryAnnArbor.org or 734-931-0501.

Save the Date of December 19^th to meet RI President Gary Huang when he is in town to receive an honorary degree from his alma mater Eastern Michigan University.  District #6380 is looking to host an event in his honor and needs a tentative count of the number of Rotarians interested in attending.  See Jane McManus if you can join the celebration.

Upcoming Events:

09/25/14    12:36-6pm       Livingston County Rotary Golf Challenge, the Majestic

09/29/14    10:30-4:30pm  Doris Longfellow Memorial Blood Drive at the Community Ctr.

10/07/14                            District Governor Don Riddell visits

11/06/14    11am-2pm       “Do-Gooders” Humane Society Fundraiser

12/19/14                            Rotary International President Gary Huang visit to the District

04/24-26/15                       District Conference at Motor City Casino

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

PROGRAM:

Program Host Nancy B. Johnson, PhD, introduced Dr. Roy Schwarz, President of the Livingston Land Conservatory (LLC).  Dr. Schwarz is a pharmaceutical researcher, a professor of Biology 101 at Schoolcraft College, and concerned about the preservation of our natural resources, heritage and rural character of the greater Livingston County area. The Livingston Land Conservatory is a non-profit 501(c)(3), all volunteer organization that seeks to assume stewardship of property for care and protection.  Land is either donated, purchased, or a conservation easement is established to ensure that there will be no dumping of foreign materials or removal of trees that would affect changes in plant or wildlife populations.  A Conservation easement permanently limits use of land while yielding tax benefits to the owner, keeping ownership of land and its use, and allowing for the sale and passing to heirs while maintaining usage limits. The LLC  oversees land particularly in watershed areas associated with rivers, lakes, and streams; land with unique natural features or habitats that promotes biodiversity, and productive farmland.  As of 2014, 650 acres of land are protected in Livingston County.   .

50/50 Progressive Drawing:  Jerry Dunneback, John Nagel, and Brian Donovan were unsuccessful at finding the Ace of Spades.