Spotlight 11-15-11, Vol. 73, No. 40

Jane McManus, President

November 15, 2011, Vol. 73, No. 40

Guests:           Brent Beleski, wk1; Vernon Boyajian, wk1; Derek Smith, wk?; Cynthia Snyder, Honorary Brighton Rotarian.

Announcements:

Welcome back to Leslie Koehler after her recent surgery and recovery!

Sharon Kartes and Tom Zizka  returned from their world travels—Tom with an unwanted souvenir of a wounded left wing—Glad to have you back!

Our thoughts and prayers are with Geroge Kudla as he took another fall which reversed his recent progress.  Healing thoughts are emanating from our Club to him!

Bill Anderson invited all Club members to attend a Holiday Open House at Michigan Commerce Bank from 5:30-7:30pm tomorrow (Wednesday, 11/16.

Mark Sweatman circulated the sponsor list for last month’s ”Easy” fundraiser to double-check spelling and donation amounts for all sponsors before printing new placements.  See Mark or Piet Lindhout if you were not able to view the list today.

Thanksgiving Turkey Deliveries are Wednesday, 11/23 at 3pm—meet at the Johnson Center for supplies and addresses.  Food Preparation runs from 8am-12noon, and packing/assembly occurs after that.  Project Chair Jeanne McMillan announced that currently 85 families are on the list, but we expect that number to increase to the planned 125 households.  Brian Wutz delivered a pie update: although C&C Catering, VGs and Krogers of Brighton have donated 60 pies, We still need each Rotarian to bring 1 or 2 pumpkin pies to Rotary next week.

The Christmas Party for our Club will be held at the Johnson Center on 12/13/11.  Jeanne McMillan will be issuing an invitation via our ClubRunner website (www.BrightonRotary.com)   Please RSVP earlier with child’s name, age, and gender so that Santa’s elves can shop!

Don’t forget the 12 Days of Gleaners on Thursday at the Howell Soft-Cloth Car Wash on D-19  North of the I-96 expressway.  Open slots are still available for 11am-12pm and 1pm-2pm.  Please help if you can!

The Club received a postcard update from our outbound Rotary scholar in Argentina.  To learn more about her activities in Argentina and her language experiences, view her blog at www.Ganiah.Wordpress.com

The Fowlerville Rotary is hosting the village’s Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 3^rd all are invited to attend the celebration.

Rotary Minute:  You and Rotary International have helped to raise $194.7 million dollars toward our polio eradication goal.  Almost there!!!

Upcoming Events:

11/17/11    10am-6pm       12 Days of Gleaners participation, Howell Soft-Cloth Car Wash

11/22/11    1:30pm            Tony n’Tina’s Wedding committee meeting

11/23/11    8am-12noon    Thanksgiving Dinner Food Preparation—meet at Johnson Center
                  3pm                      Dinner Delivery from the Johnson Center

12/3-4/11                           Rotary Youth Exchange Holiday Party, Community Center

02/25/12    6:30pm            Tony n’Tina’s Wedding at the Johnson Center, Cleary University

04/22/12                            District Conference in Holland, MI

05/5-9/12                           Rotary International Conference in Thailand

Program:

Program host Jeanne McMillan introduced Honorary Brighton Rotarian Cynthia Snyder who shared her recent experiences in Iquitos, Peru, three degrees South of the equator.  Cindy is a Brighton native who runs the non-profit division of CONAPAC (Conservacian de la naturaleza Amazonica del Peru, A.C.)  Iquitos, Peru, is a small village with a population of 500-1,000 people, located in a 10 mile x 5 mile area in the middle of the Amazon rainforest that is only accessible by plane or boat.  CONAPAC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote conservation of the rainforest through education of its stewards:  the people who live along the Amazon and Napo Rivers.  Projects include adopt-a-school in which the government provides the building and teacher, while a $350 donation provides supplies and books.  The Brighton Rotary is sponsoring three schools this year.  Other projects involve clean drinking water, water treatment plants, and fish farms.  Cindy spent 2.5 years in Peru and has committed to another year.  Her typical day involves going to the office, working on the computer with Spanish-speaking employees/volunteers, and traveling into the jungle to meet community leaders.  CONAPAC is a partner with the Detroit Zoo and sponsors an annual visit by volunteers each April.  More information can be found at www.conapac.org. 

Progressive 50/50 Drawing $75 pot in week 1, 52 cards remain. Last week Jeannie McMillan won $1265 the jackpot.by drawing the ACE of SPADES!  This week, Jerry Dunneback drew the three of hearts; Scott Spitler drew the ten of spades; and Cathy Riester drew the two of hearts.  Cindy Snyder donated two other gifts to the drawing:  John Nagle won a handkerchief, and Anne Belser won a handmade luggage tag.