Spotlight 10-14-14 Vo. 76, No. 39

GUESTS:  Lily Knack (future Rotarian), Deb Winslow, Rev. Yolanda Whiten, James Plaskey, Joe Regnier, Fred Bodnar (week 4), Suzy Lewis, (week 6)

MEET, GREET & LEARN: Mitch Zoldowski and Cathy Riesterer are this week’s presenters.  They both joined Brighton Rotary the same year (10 years).  Mitch graduated from Howell High School.  He was a wrestler and won scholarship to college for wrestling.  He likes all sports, including hunting, and fishing.  Mitch is married and has one son.  Cathy and Mitch shared the hosting of the same foreign exchange student.  Cathy found Mitch to be industrious, compassionate and has a heart for service.  Cathy grew up on a farm in Pigeon, MI.  Her first job was to take care of her horse, which meant paying for all the expenses of the horse.  Cathy attended MSU for undergrad, and then attended Michigan’s law school.  Both of her daughters have attended MSU.   Emily currently attends MSU, while Liz graduated and is in Los Angeles in the film industry. Cathy has a passion for making the world a better place every day.  She likes to travel to foreign countries.  Cathy has written a book and is deciding if she wants it published.   Next week the presenters will be Tom Coates and Adrienne Knack.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Celebrations this month -  Mike Archinal and Julie Smith are celebrating birthdays this month.  Steve Belanger is celebrating 27 years of marriage.  Bob Murray and Peggi Mintz are celebrating four years in Rotary.

Peggi Mintz asked for volunteers to put on this year’s Christmas party.  April Dertian and MariBeth Regnier will assist with Christmas party celebration.   Peggi is also looking for a volunteer to head up the “Adopt a Highway” project.  Anyone interested contact Peggi.

Nancy Johnson  thanked Scott Spitler for transporting books to the Brighton Library for its book sale.

Lori Lalama and Mike Bourke unveiled the tee shirts for the Top of the Mountain event.  Next week’s program will be an overview of the status of the Top of the Mountain planning.

Peggi Mintz, on behalf of Piet Lindhout announced two Rotary Raider builds this week (Wed. 10/15 and Thurs. 10/16).  See Piet Lindhout if you can assist.  She also thanked Piet for welding Peggi’s Jolly Pumpkin.

April Dertian announced the kickoff of the Salvation Army Christmas Campaign.  This year’s Red Tie Gala will be at Mt. Brighton. 100% of proceeds will go to the Salvation Army.

Upcoming Events:

10-15 and 16                                       Rotary Raiders Ramp Builds

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

12/19/14                                              Rotary International President, Gary Huang to visit 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:  Jennifer Williamson, the COO of Reaching Higher graduated from Howell High School and first got involved with Reaching Higher as a mentor.  The program is an eight week class that gives students the passion to be more than they ever thought they could be.  Students are given the promise of confidentiality. In short 8 weeks they have friends for life.  The program gives students a tool belt and tools to go into the tool belt. The program is for any student with a challenge, not just for students at risk. Reaching Higher helps students handle stress. At the end of 8 weeks there is a graduating ceremony, where students tell what Reaching Higher has done for them.  Reaching Higher programs are in 20 schools in Eaton, Washtenaw, Wayne, Oakland and Livingston Counties.  To be an instructor in the program you need to attend training.  Post classes, Reaching Higher surveys students and parents, which shows improvement in students; attitudes, caring, efficacy, goals, and decisions.  If you would like to be a mentor, it is a commitment of 3 hours per week (8 weeks) during the school day.  A mentor training session will be held this month.  There are two training sessions per year.  There is also an instructor training in November.  

50/50 Progressive Drawing: Jerry Dunneback, Deb Winslow, Peggi Mintz and were unable to find the Ace of Spades.